Environmental Sustainability and Territorial Competitiveness: A Comparison between Italian Provinces

The emergence of globalisation and the removal of obstacles between markets have heightened rivalry between territorial areas. To have a competitive advantage, the regions have to be unique. As one of the tactics used to boost their reputation on a territorial level, territories are progressively adopting environmental policies for sustainable and shared prosperity. Indeed, effective management of urban growth depends heavily on sustainable development. In this regard, the literature occasionally refers to the "green branding” of cities, a strategy that makes use of environmental aspects to boost the allure of metropolitan environments. There is currently little consensus in the literature on the measuring of environmental performance, and no statistical study has been done to confirm the efficacy of these measures in terms of territorial competitiveness. Therefore, it is important to determine whether there is a relationship between a territory's level of sustainability and competitiveness in Italy. According to the statistical analysis of the Italian provinces, the Northeast, Northwest, Centre, and Islands are the four geographical regions with the highest average scores. This unquestionably indicates a basic comprehension and supports the notion that there is a relationship between the two variables. However, it also serves as a warning about how geographical disparities in Italy represent a major issue affecting the most diverse sectors. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic problem has drastically altered consumer demands and goals, leading consumers to seek out more sustainable travel and cities that are designed with citizens' requirements in mind. It will therefore become more and more important to research how public and private administrators, as well as policy makers, react to these changes.

Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Indigenous Peoples in Latin America: Towards Effective Post-Pandemic Policies

[...]a broad and inclusive approach to post-pandemic policy-making—one that considers Indigenous forms of knowledge whilst fostering appreciation for their cultures and lives—is needed to adequately assist Indigenous peoples in repairing the harm they have suffered as a result of COVID-19.3 COVID-19 and its deadly impact on Indigenous communities There are no less than eight hundred distinct Indigenous communities across Latin America, each with its own unique identity, culture, and [End Page 169] history. In Bolivia, for example, where Indigenous groups comprise a significant portion of the electorate (between 41 and 62 percent of the population), Latin America's first Indigenous political executive was elected in 2006.4 In most instances, however, Indigenous peoples make up only a small proportion of Latin American country populations (generally ranging from 0.5–15 percent), one factor ensuring limited political influence and the widespread marginalization of their interests.5 As a consequence, Indigenous peoples across the region entered the pandemic whilst already suffering from a range of serious economic and socio-cultural inequalities.6 Inadequate access to medical care, chronic poverty and economic marginalization, racism and prejudice, and inadequate access to education are common issues that exacerbated the impact of the pandemic.7 The World Health Organization confirmed the arrival of the pandemic in the region on February 26, 2020. [...]Indigenous mortality rates were 4.03 percent in Brazil and 19.9 percent in Mexico—significantly higher than 2.2 percent and 5.7 percent overall mortality rates in each country respectively.9 Unfortunately, the lack of regional data on, and deliberate under-reporting of, Indigenous mortality rates across much of Latin America has problematized many of the available datasets.10 In Brazil, for example, organizations such as The Articulation of Indigenous Peoples (APIB), have shown that the total number of recognized Indigenous deaths (902 persons as of April 7, 2022), undercounts the actual figure by at least 31 percent.11 Other sources, such as the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health (SESAI), which is responsible for Indigenous medical care, also provides incomplete data on Brazilian Indigenous mortality by failing to count Indigenous urban dwellers or those who live outside of recognized government-controlled territories in their data sets.12 Such groups are among some of the most vulnerable Indigenous communities in the country, receiving little, if any, support from government agencies charged with supporting Indigenous communities.13 As a result, the scale and scope of COVID-19's impact on Indigenous Brazilians is, and for the foreseeable future will likely remain, unknowable.14 Despite a lack of adequate data across much of Latin America, a growing body of evidence indicates that Indigenous peoples were particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, and that they likely died or suffered long-term health issues in disproportionate numbers.15 In a study of Indigenous peoples in Chile, for instance, regions with larger Indigenous populations recorded a noticeable increase in overall mortality.16 Where direct data do not exist, emerging studies suggest that the medical impact of COVID-19 was likely compounded by a range of structural inequalities and environmental factors.17 Many Indigenous peoples lack access to adequate medical care. [...]disproportionate exposure to pesticides—used extensively in agricultural industries in which many Indigenous people find employment, as well as exposure to smoke inhalation—caused by out-of-control forest fires across Latin America—likely exacerbated the repertory symptoms caused by COVID-19.18 As a consequence, Indigenous peoples had to face COVID-19 not only with fewer resources, but with greater exposure to the types of pre-existing conditions known to aggravate the impact of the disease.19 Particularly high mortality rates among Indigenous elders, who act as stores of traditional knowledge, affected cultural continuity and community cohesion.20 To better understand this we spoke with a representative of the Indigenous Kaingang people, Duko Vãgfy, who explained that "[t]he worst losses [we suffered] were the elders, because they held so much knowledge about [our] people.

Effects of Green Human Resource Management on Innovation Performance through Green Innovation: Evidence from Northern Cyprus on Small Island Universities

The education sector has been severely affected by the global pandemic of COVID-19, and the need for improvement in its aftermath became a challenge for scholars and practitioners alike. The current research focuses on the role of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) initiatives as an independent variable that is innovation-centric, and improved innovation performance of education sector employees as the dependent variable. GHRM in the current context is described as focusing on environmental aspects within the processes and functions of work in a comprehensive manner that incorporates both resource/waste management and areas of development, as well as green behavior among members. Moreover, the mediating effect of green innovation on the aforementioned relationship and enhancing the role of environmental leadership are examined through a quantitative approach using purposive and convenience sampling techniques. Data from several universities across Northern Cyprus have been gathered with regard to the design, aims, and context of this study. With a total of 187 teachers and administrators from three different universities and using PLS-SEM for analysis, the results show that human resource departments in universities can play a major role in determining the extent of innovation performance within the organization. Green innovation as a mediator can improve the workplace environment, which can be significantly enhanced through an adequate leadership that supports such initiatives (i.e., environmental leadership). The current results can be beneficial for scholars (organizational psychology, innovation, and sustainable HRM), as well as decision-makers in the universities in Northern Cyprus as a small island.

Statistical modelling of the impact of online courses in higher education on sustainable development

Purpose>The concept of sustainable development (SD) is a popular response to society's need to preserve and extend the life span of natural resources. One of the 17 goals of the SD is "education quality” (Fourth Goal of Sustainable Development [SDG-4]). Education quality is an important goal because education is a powerful force that can influence social policies and social change. The SDG-4 must be measured in different contexts, and the tools to quantify its effects require exploration. So, this study aims to propose a statistical model to measure the impact of higher education online courses on SD and a structural equation model (SEM) to find constructs or factors that help us explain a sustainability benefits rate. These proposed models integrate the three areas of sustainability: social, economic and environmental.Design/methodology/approach>A beta regression model suggests features that include the academic and economic opportunities offered by the institution, the involvement in research activities and the quality of the online courses. A structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis allowed selecting the key variables and constructs that are strongly linked to the SD.Findings>One of the key findings showed that the benefit provided by online courses in terms of SD is 62.99% higher than that of offline courses in aspects such as transportation, photocopies, printouts, books, food, clothing, enrolment fees and connectivity.Research limitations/implications>The SEM model needs large sample sizes to have consistent estimations. Thus, despite the obtained estimations in the proposed SEM model being reliable, the authors consider that a limitation of this study was the required time to collect data corresponding to the estimated sample size.Originality/value>This study proposes two novel and different ways to estimate the sustainability benefits rate focused on SDG-4, and machine learning tools are implemented to validate and gain robustness in the estimations of the beta model. Additionally, the SEM model allows us to identify new constructs associated with SDG-4.

Life cycle assessment teaching innovation: experiences from a Brazilian higher education institution

Purpose>The inclusion of sustainability in higher education courses has been debated in recent decades and has gained particular emphasis throughout the COVID-19. This paper aims to show how the context of the pandemic, which demanded the transition from in-person classes to virtual classes, was used to illustrate better the concepts of life cycle assessment (LCA) for Production Engineering students in a Brazilian University.Design/methodology/approach>The research strategy used was action research. Throughout the discipline offering, the environmental impacts resulting from in-person and remote classes were comparatively assessed through a practical activity using LCA. Students' behaviour and perception of the activities were recorded by the professor and discussed with the other researchers on the team. At the end of the course, students answered a questionnaire to assess their satisfaction with different aspects of the discipline, and these data were analysed via Fuzzy Delphi.Findings>The results focus on discussing the pedagogical aspects of this experience and not the environmental impacts resulting from each class modality. It was possible to notice a greater engagement of students when using a project that directly involved their daily activities (food, transportation, use of electronics, etc.) compared to the traditional approach of teaching LCA concepts. In this traditional approach, the examples focussed on the industrial sector, a more distant context from the reality of most students. Student feedback demonstrated great acceptance by them regarding the approach adopted.Originality/value>This study contributes to expanding debates about sustainability insertion in higher education and the training of professionals more aligned with the sustainable development agenda.

Environmental Aspects of City Participatory Budgeting in Poland

Participatory budgets are an increasingly common form of co-decision of residents about the quality of life and development directions of urban space. In Poland, participatory budgets have been realized for a decade, and projects submitted to these budgets respond to needs such as e.g. leisure infrastructure, environmental conditions, recreation, health, and education. The study aims to analyze the phenomenon of civic participation and the use of participatory budgets as a tool of co-governance in the context of environmental issues and urban development. A desk research analysis of national and foreign literature data was performed, and the existing statistical data on participatory budgets in Poland were analyzed. In addition, the websites of selected cities in Poland were analyzed in the context of implemented projects and citizen's activity within the framework of participatory budgets. The results indicate that the initial enthusiasm of the citizen's implementation has decreased, but the COVID-19 pandemic has aroused renewed interest in the topic. The study's implication is recommendations, e.g.: creating a civic budget database featuring uniform categories or creating Green Civic Budgets in every city.

Vaccination—A Step Closer to Universal Health Coverage

BackgroundVaccination saves countless lives worldwide. However, a gap in accessibility to and acceptability of vaccines is observed locally and globally. This gap must be addressed through a combined intersectoral approach that takes into account different social, economic, political and environmental aspects of vaccination. In addition, a comprehensive strategy is necessary to provide better immunization to all as the Decade of Vaccines comes to an end.MethodsOne of the objectives of the World Health Organization (WHO) is to provide equitable access to quality vaccination around the world. Economic barriers as well as conflict situations lower vaccination coverage and hinder reaching the objective of having an immunization-for-all status. When resources are limited, innovative approaches to supplying vaccines are crucial for facing the challenges of our time and reaching this objective. Furthermore, an active demand for vaccination must be developed through advocacy, knowledge generation and building trust. A positive environment must be created around vaccination to reduce vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination uptake. To increase vaccine accessibility and acceptability, the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) developed a Call to Action based on the Global Charter for the Public's Health, which demands all actors to collaborate in creating strong health policies for vaccination.ConclusionsAn intersectoral approach is required to increase the accessibility and acceptability of vaccines. The WFPHA's Call to Action proposes strategies to reach better immunization outcomes using the Global Charter as a platform for developing better vaccination policies.

RESÍDUOS PLÁSTICOS E SUSTENTABILIDADE: REFLEXOS E IMPACTOS DA PANDEMIA DE COVID-19 NO CONTEXTO SOCIOCULTURAL E AMBIENTAL

Objetivo: O artigo buscou analisar os impactos e reflexos da pandemia de COVID-19 na gestão dos resíduos plásticos. Referencial teórico: A preocupação com a COVID-19 resultou em diversas medidas protetivas, como a determinação do uso de EPIs e restrições de circulação nos centros urbanos. Essas mudanças também impactaram padrões de geração e gestão de resíduos sólidos, especialmente de resíduos plásticos, cujos reflexos negativos nos aspectos socioambientais podem emergir, dado seu descarte inadequado. Método: Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática de literatura, nas bases de dados Scopus, Sage e Web of Science, com utilização do Methodi Ordinatio. Ao total, 22 estudos foram selecionados, compondo o portfólio de pesquisa. Resultados e conclusão: Os resultados demonstraram uma maior concentração de estudos que relacionam os resíduos plásticos nas regiões costeiras, especialmente provenientes de EPIs, e a poluição por microplásticos. Além disso, há uma preocupação com a geração de resíduos de embalagens pela alteração nos padrões de consumo, com o aumento da procura por serviços de e-commerce e delivery. Além de uma preocupação ambiental, destaca-se um problema de ordem social à longo prazo, devido à quebra de padrões de comportamentos sustentáveis na utilização de plástico descartável. Implicações da pesquisa: Soluções são propostas no sentido de utilização de plásticos biodegradáveis, reutilização de EPIs e novas tecnologias de tratamento de resíduos, além da mudança no comportamento social. Originalidade/valor: De um modo geral, o estudo fornece insights e promove reflexões sobre os desafios enfrentados no gerenciamento de resíduos plásticos durante a pandemia de COVID-19.Alternate :Purpose: The article aims to analyze the impacts and reflections of the COVID-19 pandemic on plastic waste management. Theoretical Framework: The concern with COVID-19 resulted in several protective measures, such as the use of PPE and movement restrictions in urban centers. These changes also affected patterns of generation and management of solid waste, especially plastic waste, whose negative effects on socio-environmental aspects may emerge due to its inadequate disposal. Method: We conducted a systematic literature review in the databases Scopus, Sage and Web of Science, employing the Methodi Ordinatio. The review selected 22 studies to compose the research portfolio. Results and conclusion: The results showed a higher concentration of studies on plastic waste in coastal regions, especially from PPE and microplastic pollution. Moreover, there is a concern with the generation of packaging waste by shifting consumption patterns with the increased demand for e-commerce and delivery services. Besides an environmental concern, a long-term social problem stands out regarding the breaking of sustainable behavior patterns in using disposable plastic. Research implications: We propose solutions involving the use of biodegradable plastics, reuse of PPE, and new waste treatment technologies, besides changes in social behavior. Originality/Value: Overall, the study provides insights and promotes reflections on the challenges faced in managing plastic waste during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Environmental Efficiency Indices in the Public Hospital Sector: A Proposal

Featured ApplicationThe use of these indices, which make it possible to compare the environmental efficiency between hospitals with similar characteristics, will facilitate the adoption of measures, the development of impact mitigation plans, and the implementation of good practices in environmental topics that will guide the health sector toward sustainability scenarios.In the past decades, the use of indices and indicators to report on the environmental performance of organisations has increased exponentially. However, the available studies did not address the topic of obtaining indicators that show the environmental behaviour of the health sector. The main objective of this research, therefore, was aimed at the calculation of environmental efficiency indices in the hospital sector, taking a regional hospital as a case study and considering the environmental aspects identified during the development of its healthcare activity in 2019. The results obtained provided information on the potential environmental impacts triggered by every aspect of the operation of a hospital in the course of its activities that focus on patient care. The results demonstrated that the aspects related to transportation of patients, workers, and materials had the greatest impact on the global environmental indices we calculated. For the environmental efficiency indices of hospital activities, the most significant environmental aspects were materials consumption and waste generation.

SELF-PRESERVING BEHAVIOUR OF GEORGIAN POPULATION DURING THE PERIOD OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The following papers deals with self-preserving behaviour in the period of a global problem-COVID-19 pandemic. Positive self-preserving behaviour determines the level of health of an in-dividual and, consequently, of a society. In the period of the pandemic we have witnessed an in-creased interest toward self-preserving behaviour. Apart from observing private hygiene or hy-giene norms and social distancing, there were no other protective mechanisms during the process of the research,and vaccination has not yet begun. As a result of the urgency of the issue, the staff s of Institute Demography and Sociology Ilia State University under the guidance of professor A. Sulaberidze have conducted a sociological research in October 2020, "Awareness of the corona virus pandemic's impact on the social-economic situation of Georgian population and self-preservative behaviour", in four regions of Georgia. The regions were selected based on the level of the coronavirus's proliferation. Respondents were selected using the method of random sampling. We interviewed 500 respondents with the help of pre-composed questionnaires. The following research is one of the attempts in Georgia to study self-preserving behaviour under the circumstances of the pandemic and it shows us to what extent the population's self-preserving behaviour is directed toward defense against the coronavirus. One of the main func-tions of a state is to prevent the spread of diseases and protect its population from harmful in-fluence of environmental factors. In this regard, the state has implemented signifi cant measures;however, they are not sufficient as the joint eff orts of the state and each citizen determine the robustness of a country's population as well as the scope of a pandemic's proliferation. Our goal is to evaluate the efforts of the citizens, as for our objectives, we aim to ascertain the factors which seem auspicious and adverse for the mentioned efforts. The analysis of the research's results out-lined important diff erences between genders with regard to evaluating one's own health and self-preserving behaviour. The researchers had also shown that men value their health more highly and take care of it less. This tendency is immutable even when self-preserving behaviour significantly determines not only the possibility of one's own infection, but also of those surrounding us. Women respondents are more prone to observe every recommendation of epidemiologists than men. The level of population's awareness is high with respect to the symptoms of the infection as well as recommendations for self-protection and the existing infection situation in the country. The dissimilar levels of infection between various regions gave us varying indicators of aware-ness. The higher the infection rate, the higher the awareness rate. The respondents' health condi-tion signifi cantly determines the population's attitude toward the coronavirus infection. Self-assessment of one's health condition has an impact on the level of fear caused by the pandemic. The respondents with chronic ailments are more liable to express fear than those who evaluate their health highly. The perception of the risks associated with the coronavirus infection is diff erent in terms of sexes. Compared to men, women, on average, perceive the coronavirus threat and its subsequent problems more emotionally and give a lower assessment to their health condition. The population's fear of the pandemic is exacerbated by the fact that this viral infection has not been adequately studied yet and we are not aware of its future repercussions or complications. Therefore, those respondents who are fully healthy also express justifi able apprehension. There emerged a proportionate connection between the level of following the epidemiologists' recommendations and perception of the threat of the COVID infection. The more seriously people perceive the mentioned threat, the more eager they are to fulfill the epidemiologists' recommendations.Alternate :Стаття присвячена самозберРжувальній поведінці в період глобальної проблеми - пандемії COVID-19. Позитивна самозбережувальна поведінка визначає рівень здо-ров'я людини Ñ– суспільства. У період пандемії посилюється інтерес до самозбережу-вальної поведінки. Окрім дотримання особистої гігієни або гігієнічних норм Ñ– со-ціального дистанціювання в процесі дослідження не було ніяких інших захисних механізмів, вакци націю ще не було розпочато. У зв'язку з актуальністю питання спів-робітниками Інституту демографії та соціології Державного університету Ілії під ке-рівництвом професора А. Сулаберідзе в жовтні 2020 року було проведено соціоло-гічне дослідження «Поінформованість про вплив пандемії коронавірусу на соціально-економічне стано вище населення Грузії та самозбережувальну поведінку» в чотирьох регіонах Грузії. Ре гіони обрано зважаючи на рівень поширення коронавірусу. Респон-денти відбиралися методом випадкової вибірки. Було опитано 500 респондентів за допомогою заздалегідь складеної анкети. Це дослідження Ñ” однією зі спроб вивчити самозбережувальну поведінку в умовах пандемії в Грузії, що показує, як поведінка на-селення направлена на захист від коронавірусу. Одна з основних функцій держави - профілактика поширення хвороб Ñ– захист населення від шкідливого впливу факторів навколишнього середовища. У зв'язку з цим державою реалізовано протиепідемічні заходи;проте Ñ—Ñ… недостатньо, оскільки спільні зусилля держави Ñ– кожного громадянина визначають життєздат ність населення країни, а також масштаби поширення пан-демії. Наша мета - оці нити зусилля громадян, а завдання - виявитифактори, які сприяють Ñ– перешко джають цим зусиллям. Аналіз результатів дослідження виявив важливі відмінності між статями щодо оцінки власного здоров'я та самозбережуваль-ної поведінки. Дос лідження також показало, що чоловіки вище цінують своє здоров'я Ñ– менше про нього піклуються. Ця тенденція незмінна, навіть коли самозбережувальна поведінка значною мірою визначає можливість зараження не тільки людини, а й ото-чуючих. Жінки-рес понденти (на відміну від чоловіків) більш схильні дотримуватися всіх рекомендацій епідеміологів. Рівень поінформованості населення про симптоми інфекції, а також рекомендації з самозахисту Ñ– актуальну інфекційну ситуа †Ñ–ÑŽ в країні високий. Різні рівні інфікування в різних регіонах показали, що чим вище рівень за-раження, тим вище рівень обізнаності. Стан здоров'я респондентів багато в чому ви-значає ставлення населення до коронавірусної інфекції. Самооцінка стану здоров'я впливає на рівень страху, викликаного пандемією. Респонденти з хронічними захво-рюваннями більш схильні висловлювати страх, аніж Ñ‚Ñ–, хто високо оцінює своє здо-ров'я. Сприйняття ризиків, пов'язаних з коронавірусною інфекцією, Ñ” різним залежно від статі. На відміну від чоловіків жінки в середньому емоційніше сприймають за-грозу коронавірусу та пов'язані з ним проблеми Ñ– нижче оцінюють стан свого здо-ров'я. Страх населення перед пандемією посилюється тим фактом, що ця вірусна інфекція ще недостатньо вивчена, Ñ– ми не знаємо про Ñ—Ñ— наслідки або ускладнення в майбутньому. Тому обґрунтовані побоювання висловлюють Ñ– повністю здорові рес-понденти. Виявлено пропорційний зв'язок між рівнем дотримання рекомендацій епі-деміологів Ñ– сприйняттям загрози зараження COVID. Чим серйозніше люди сприйма-ÑŽÑ‚ÑŒ загрозу, тим більше вони виконують рекомендації епідеміологів.

Analysis of power quality concerning COVID-19-related anomalies and integration of distributed energy resources

With the development of technologies and the decrease of prices, the number of end-users that decide to invest in distributed energy resources (DERs) continuously grows. Despite the improvement of financial and environmental aspects of the power system operation, a growing share of DERs can cause numerous technical challenges for distribution system operators (DSOs). Besides the integration of DERs, the novel COVID-19 disease created additional challenges for DSOs in 2020 and 2021. Due to a large number of single-phase loads and DERs, the increased consumption, the number of nonlinear loads, and power electronic devices in a distribution network, many challenges are related to power quality (PQ). In this paper, realistic case studies that consider anomalies caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and integration of DERs are presented. By using pandapower and its newly developed extension, different PQ indicators are calculated and the values of voltage magnitude, voltage unbalance factor (VUF), and total harmonic distortion (THD) are compared through different scenarios. In addition, the impact of a transformer's vector group on the PQ indicators' propagation through the observed distribution network is analyzed. In a conclusion, the optimal vector group, that successfully mitigates or at least decreases the values of PQ indicators and their propagation is proposed. © 2022 IEEE.

Creating Food Value Chain Transformations through Regional Food Hubs: A Review Article

This article synthesizes the evidence on food value chains (FVCs) and regional food hubs (RFHs) through a systematic literature review and suggests future research directions based on the gaps identified in the review. The number of publications on FVCs and RFHs is increasing, indicating that these topics are gaining interest among scholars from different countries and disciplines. Bibliometric analysis and preferred reporting items for systematic review and a meta-analysis (PRISMA) flow chart are used to identify the data from Scopus. The results show that FVCs are an innovative solution to improve the skills and capacity of smallholder farmers through collaborative networks that can match the functions of RFHs. RFHs connect local producers and customers by operating a business based on social entrepreneurship and ecological approaches to increase local economic viability and the sustainability of agriculture products. FVCs and RFHs are designed to respond to supply chain insecurity with value-based approaches in order to achieve sustainable nutrition for the local community. Further research on FVCs and RFHs emphasizes that the business model of regional development in developing countries can improve food security sustainability based on social entrepreneurship, and emphasizes the environmental aspect that it can use to support the sustainability of developing countries local food.

Estimating the Genuine Progress Indicator before and during the COVID pandemic in Australia

In the efforts to ensure the health of the Australian population during the COVID pandemic, social, economic, and environmental aspects of people's life were impacted. In addressing the pandemic risks, a number of governments prioritized people's health and well-being over GDP growth. The Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) is used to account for factors that influence well-being. We used the GPI to assess the pandemic's impact on well-being and we examined our results in relation to the GDP. We estimated the GPI for the first 6 months of 2019 and the same period in 2020, during which the first stages of the COVID pandemic and the first nationwide lockdown in Australia took place. We examined two scenarios, in the first we found that in Q1 the GDP growth (1.4%) was accompanied by a significant GPI growth (5.3%), showing a positive relation to the GDP;but in Q2 the significant drop (-6.3%) in the GDP was not followed by the GPI, instead the GPI growth remained almost steady with even a relatively small increase (0.33%), indicating a negative relation to the GDP growth. Whereas in the second scenario, the GPI growths (7.12%) in Q1 and (-2.60%) Q2 were positively related to the GDP growths (4.6%) in Q1 and (−0.25%) Q2.We discuss the reasons for the divergence between the two indicators and one of the limitations of the GPI as a measure of well-being. Lastly, we discuss the behavioural and policy lessons of the lockdown and their relevance to what is proposed by degrowth economists. © 2022 The Author(s)

Sustainable indigenous cattle production in Brebes Regency, Indonesia: opportunities and threats during pandemic

This study assesses the sustainability of indigenous cattle production (Jabres Cattle) during the COVID 19 pandemic in Brebes Regency, Indonesia. The sustainability of Jabres cattle production is considered from the aspects of production, socio-economic, and environmental aspects. The study was conducted on 64 Jabres farmers in 5 sub-districts (Ketanggungan, Bantarkawung, Banjarharjo, Larangan, and Salem). Respondents were taken using a simple random sampling method and data was taken using online questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The indigenous cattle farmers in Brebes Regency have a long experience as beef cattle farmers (10.7 years on average) with an average ownership scale of 7 heads. During the pandemic, there was an increase of 54.7 percent of farmers who felt it was difficult to get cattle breeds compared to before the pandemic. The number of farmers who found it difficult to get forage also showed an increase of 36 percent compared to before the pandemic. Likewise, an increase in the number of farmers (75 percent) felt that it was increasingly difficult to sell beef cattle, which resulted in not making it easy for profits. However, the COVID 19 pandemic can encourage all farmers to pay more attention to the cleanliness of cowshed and the cage environment. Most of the indigenous cattle farmers (89 percent) remain committed to continuing their business despite difficulties in obtaining calves, feed, and selling cattle. Farmers still have confidence that the difficult situation will pass, and demand slaughter cattle will recover.

COVID-19 and Mobile Payment Diffusion: Lessons for Future Mass Diffusion and Continual Usage

Covid-19 transformed mobile payment services (MPS) diffusion pattern globally. Consequently, the need to examine factors contributing to the diffusion rate of MPS in this era is substantiated. Thus, this study employs Structural Equation Model (SEM) with social media administered survey data to estimate the nexus between MPS diffusion and technological factors, non-technological factors, and environmental factors. Results suggest that although MPS diffusion increased globally, mobile payment services have the highest diffusion rate. This is because of convenience, availability, and cost. Further, technological, non-technological, and environmental factors all contribute positively to the high rate of diffusion. Environmental factors like an escalation in the Covid-19 cases, recommendations from the center for disease control positively mediates the relationship between MPS diffusion and non-technological factors. Thus, to encourage mass diffusion and continual usage of MPS during and after the pandemic, cost of usage, convenience, accessibility, and mobile-based applications should be bundled for optimized user experience.

Problems of Optimization of Design Solutions of Residential Structures and Their Elements

The COVID-19 pandemic gives us a reason to once again draw attention to the problems of optimal functional and spatial organization of residential structures (traditional and mixed types of residential buildings and complexes) and of their basic elements—accommodation units. In the article the authors try to summarize the results of numerous progressive developments in architecture and construction in recent decades. The main problem of creating a comfortable living environment and its elements is that high-quality and proven architectural and planning solutions are often neglected for the sake of short-term economic benefits or considered outdated. The authors focus on optimizing the design solutions of residential cells (as the basic elements of residential structures) in terms of various functional scenarios of their use, as well as their comfort and environmental friendliness. The article provides examples of experimental design developments carried out under the guidance of the authors and awarded at International competitions. The novelty of the proposed recommendations is due to the construction of a system of principles, techniques and means of organizing housing adequate to the needs of society faced with a pandemic. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Harvesting Energy from Ocean: Technologies and Perspectives

The optimal utilization of renewable energies is a crucial factor toward the realization of sustainability and zero carbon in a future energy system. Tidal currents, waves, and thermal and salinity gradients in the ocean are excellent renewable energy sources. Ocean tidal, osmotic, wave, and thermal energy sources have yearly potentials that exceed the global power demand of 22,848 TWh/y. This paper extensively reviews the technologies related to energy harvesting from waves, tidal, ocean thermals, and the salinity gradient. Moreover, the socio-economic, social, and environmental aspects of the above technologies are also discussed. This paper provides a better picture of where to invest in the future energy market and highlights research gaps and recommendations for future research initiatives. It is expected that a better insight into ocean energy and a deep understanding of various potential devices can lead to a broader adoption of ocean energy. It is also clear that further research into control strategies is needed. Policy makers should provide financial support for technologies in the demonstration stage and employ road mapping to accelerate the cost and risk reductions to overcome economic hurdles. To identify traditional and online sources on the topic, the authors used electronic databases and keyword searching approaches. Among them, the International Renewable Energy Agency data were the primary database utilized to locate sources.

Assessing Customer Preferences for Shopping Centers: Effects of Functional and Communication Factors

Retail companies operating in Lithuania are very important for the national economy. Domestic consumption has remained one of the most important drivers of Lithuania’s economic development. The objective of this article is to investigate the customer preferences and to identify selected factors of shopping centers in Vilnius, Lithuania. The study of Vilnius shopping centers is based on a complex model that integrates the following factors: shopping center goods and services, customer service, image factors, physical factors, situational factors and demographic characteristics of target consumers. Expert interviews aimed to determine the customer preference factors by perception of professional experts in relation to the phenomenon under study. The consumer survey questionnaire focuses on all the identified factors that determine the choice of a shopping center. This article identifies theoretical factors for the selection of retail shopping centers, reviews the market trends and peculiarities of Vilnius shopping centers, evaluates the factors for the selection and assess functional, emotional and communicational consumer preferences for the choice of Vilnius shopping centers.

COVID-19: impactos en el medio ambiente y en el cumplimiento de los ODS en América Latina

Los efectos económicos y sociales que la pandemia del COVID-19 y las medidas asociadas para hacerle frente están teniendo en América Latina pueden derivar en serias consecuencias de largo plazo que repercutirían en el logro de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS). En este artículo, resultado de la colaboración de economistas ambientales de ocho países de la región, discutimos los posibles efectos de la pandemia en la contaminación del aire, la deforestación y otros aspectos ambientales relevantes relacionados con los ODS. Además de presentar un recuento de algunos de los efectos iniciales de la crisis sanitaria en el medio ambiente, discutimos efectos potenciales en términos de regulaciones ambientales e intervenciones de política pública. Por último, presentamos una agenda sobre nuevos temas de investigación que surgen a raíz de la pandemia o que han cobrado mayor importancia como consecuencia de esta, incluyendo los impactos sobre el logro de los ODS.Alternate : The social and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures to contain it in Latin America could lead to a series of long run consequences that could impact the region’s achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). This article is the result of the collaboration of environmental economists from eight of the region’s countries and it discusses the possible pandemic effects on air pollution, deforestation, and other relevant environmental aspects related to the SDG. In addition to reviewing some of the initial effects of the sanitary crisis on the environment, we discuss its potential effects in terms of environmental regulations and public policy interventions. Finally, we discuss a new research agenda with topics derived from the pandemic as well as topics that have recently become more relevant because of it, including its impact on achieving the SDG.

Economic and Environmental Aspects of Engine Selection in Cargo Transportation

A company’s productivity and success measure its effectiveness. This article presents the problem of economic efficiency and aspects related to environmental protection. The basic parameters analysed were the engine type and how it affects the environment. Over three months, the analysis was carried out and used the data envelopment analysis. As a result of the research carried out, the comparison of the amount of fuel used with the amount of transported goods should answer the following questions: What type of engine should be ordered for new trucks to show the best efficiency during operation? What is the efficiency of the currently used engines? How do they affect the environment? The method proposed in the article makes it possible to define the initial requirements for the definition of truck units, which is included in the conclusions of this paper.