Desempeño de la política europea de cohesión y concienciación de los ciudadanos: un marco holístico de dinámica de sistemas

As Cohesion Policy constitutes the major funding scheme of the European Union, not only does literature explore if the policy’s performance is satisfactory but also investigates the extent to which the policy is effectively communicated to citizens. To integrate analysis of implementation and communication, we develop a novel qualitative framework that elicits a holistic analysis of the causal mechanisms behind: (i) the distribution of the Cohesion Policy funds, their management at a local managing authority level and the related impact on projects’ quality, and (ii) the communication processes that underpin citizens’ awareness about the Union’s role in funded projects. The multilevel nature and the dynamic behaviour of the system, as well as its multiple feedback loops, render System Dynamics appropriate as an approach to model its complexity. The proposed framework aims at stimulating a focused discussion on Cohesion Policy by providing policy-making insights for designing efficient schemes to improve the actual and the perceived performances. Finally, it is anticipated to support research in the field from a new organisational perspective through considering the impact of local actors’ structures, procedures and actions on Cohesion Policy outcomes.Dado que la Política de Cohesión constituye el principal programa de financiación de la Unión Europea, la literatura no solo explora si el desempeño de la política es satisfactorio, sino que también investiga hasta qué punto la política se comunica de manera efectiva a los ciudadanos. Para integrar el análisis de implementación y comunicación, desarrollamos un marco cualitativo novedoso que genera un análisis holístico de los mecanismos causales basdos en: (i) la distribución de los fondos de la Política de Cohesión, su gestión a nivel de la autoridad de gestión local y el impacto relacionado en los proyectos calidad y (ii) los procesos de comunicación que apoyan la concienciación de los ciudadanos sobre el papel de la Unión en los proyectos financiados. La naturaleza multi-nivel y el comportamiento dinámico del sistema, así como sus múltiples bucles de retroalimentación, hacen que la Dinámica de Sistemas sea un enfoque apropiado para modelar su complejidad. El marco propuesto tiene como objetivo estimular una discusión centrada en la Política de Cohesión, proporcionando ideas para la formulación de políticas que permitan diseñar esquemas eficientes para así mejorar los resultados reales y percibidos. Finalmente, se anticipa apoyar la investigación en el campo desde una nueva perspectiva organizacional a través de considerar el impacto de las estructuras, procedimientos y acciones de los actores locales en los resultados de la Política de Cohesión

Beyond financial proxies in Cohesion Policy inputs' monitoring: A system dynamics approach

European Union's Cohesion Policy aims to foster development and reduce disparities among regions by redistributing more than one-third of the European budget. Given the policy's importance and complexity, an elaborated monitoring and evaluation system has been established. While attention has been dedicated to evaluating policy impact, the monitoring of inputs (i.e., allocated financial resources) has been limited to the control of financial dimensions (i.e., funds' absorption rate). As the implementation process entails a sequence of steps, this research explores whether financial proxies alone are adequate to monitor the policy inputs. To test this hypothesis, a system dynamics model is built. Simulations highlight that the absorption rate captures shocks that might occur during the inputs' expenditure with significant delay. To that end, we elaborate three novel operative monitoring indicators (i.e., funds' demand, funds' offer, procedural efficiency), which may overcome the financial indicators' mono-dimensionality and time lags' limitations

Sensor Applications in Agrifood Systems: Current Trends and Opportunities for Water Stewardship

Abstract: Growing global food demand and security concerns dictate the need for state-of-the-art food production technologies to increase farming efficiency. Concurrently, freshwater overexploitation in agriculture, especially in arid and water-scarce areas, emphasises the vital role of appropriate water-saving irrigations techniques to ensure natural resources’ sustainability in food supply networks. In line with the development of automated systems, the use of sensors for water monitoring, indicatively in the cases of smart farming or precision agriculture, could further promote the preservation of freshwater resources. To this end, this research first provides a review of sensor applications for improving sustainability in agrifood systems. We then focus on digital technologies applied for monitoring and assessing freshwater utilisation in the food commodities’ sector based on academic literature and real-world business evidence. A contextual map is developed for capturing the main technical, environmental and economic factors affecting the selection of sensors for water monitoring and stewardship during agricultural production. This first-effort framework, in terms of sensor-based freshwater monitoring, aims at supporting the agrifood system’s decision-makers to identify the optimal sensor applications for improving sustainability and water efficiency in agricultural operations.This research has received funding from: (i) the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) under Reference No. BB/P027970/1, Project Title: “Transforming India’s Green Revolution by Research and Empowerment for Sustainable food Supplies”, and (ii) the European Institute of Innovation & Technology Food (EIT Food) under Activity Code 19041, Project Title: “The development of organic supply chains that drive fair, transparent and healthy options for the consumer”

PERCEIVE project - Deliverable D6.1 "Report on causal qualitative model"

The scope of the Deliverable 6.1 is to introduce the causal qualitative model developed in the context of the PERCEIVE project, as a part of the Working Package 6. The report begins with a short introduction that highlights the necessity of developing a model for simulating: (i) the manner in which the European Cohesion Policy funds are distributed among the regions under study and the factors that affect the related absorption, along with the (ii) the diverse streams of communication of the European Cohesion Policy projects and outcomes that influence the citizens awareness. The analysis of the system is focused on the EU structural funds, namely the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF) during the two previous programming periods (i.e. 2000-2006, 2007-2013). In fact, the multilevel nature of the system (i.e. EU, regions, beneficiaries), the dynamic behaviour over the programming periods, as well as the complexity reflected through the multiple intertwined feedback loops render the System Dynamics methodology as the appropriate approach to map and model the system under study. Thus, we briefly present the basic elements and procedures of System Dynamics technique

PERCEIVE project - Deliverable D6.3 "Report with analysis of model behaviour and scenario analysis"

The scope of the Deliverable 6.3 is to provide a concrete analysis of the behaviour of the System Dynamics (SD) model on the European Cohesion Policy (CP) system, as a part of the Working Package 6 in the context of the PERCEIVE project. The model was already presented in the Deliverables 6.1 (qualitative model) and 6.2 (quantitative model). Focusing on the two subsystems under study, namely the funds’ absorption and general public awareness, the behavioural analysis includes both: (i) quantitative sensitivity analyses of the model’s parameters on the simulation results, (ii) and qualitative insights based on real data, the model’s structure and the outcomes of the quantitative analysis. More specifically, we articulated this study in two parts according to the model’s subsystems. In the funds’ absorption subsystem, as a reminder of the problem under study, we first report a concise analysis of EU and regional evidence on absorption rates. Then, the absorption model is presented in brief, followed by an extensive sensitivity analyses of the model’s parameters. The analysis provides the major simulation findings, along with indicative policy recommendations. Finally, a comprehensive discussion of the modelling approach, based on real data and the modelling results, is presented. In the general awareness subsystem, initially the available awareness data of the related Eurobarometer’s reports are presented for the contextualization of the problem. Thereafter, the awareness model is briefly discussed, while the main sensitivity analyses results are presented along with the related recommendations. Lastly, the model’s building process and the quantitative outcomes are discussed. Overall, this final Deliverable 6.3 contributes towards: (i) identifying the major factors of the CP system that affect the local managing authorities’ (LMAs’) performance in terms of funds’ absorption, as well as the citizens’ awareness about the EU role on regional development, (ii) in order to offer meaningful managerial insights for fostering the LMA administrative capacity and increasing the general public awareness about regional CP funding benefits. The analysis of the influencing factors, along with the adoption of efficient policies, is anticipated to improve the state of the CP system and support the regional sustainability of the local communities

Water Management in Agriculture and Industry: Challenges, Trends, and Opportunities

This Special Issue aims to explore current challenges and trends, as well as opportunities for sustainability and innovation, in the fields of agricultural and industrial water management [...

A Water Footprint Review of Italian Wine: Drivers, Barriers, and Practices for Sustainable Stewardship

Wine constitutes the dominant Italian agricultural product with respect to both production quantity and economic value. Italy is the top wine producer worldwide in terms of volume and the second one below France in terms of national income. As the Italian agricultural production accounts for 85% of the national freshwater appropriation, the country’s agricultural sector strains freshwater resources, especially in the central and southern regions, which constitute important winemaking areas in terms of quantity and quality. To this end, we first perform a review of the existing research efforts on wine water footprint assessment to investigate the water dynamics of wine production in Italy compared to the rest of the world. The results indicate a prevalence of studies on the water footprint of Italian wine, emphasising the need for deeper research on the sector’s water efficiency. Then, we aim at exploring the major drivers, barriers, and good practises for systematic water stewardship in the Italian winemaking industry, considering the product and territorial characteristics. This research is anticipated to contribute towards providing insights for practitioners in the Italian wine sector to develop water-friendly corporate schemes for enhancing the added value of their products

A holistic decision-making framework for water footprint management in supply chains

Given that agricultural and industrial activities are closely intertwined with water usage, freshwater sustainability is emerging as a critical corporate social responsibility issue for businesses worldwide in the supply chain context. As the concept of water footprint (WF) has been introduced to quantify water usage across a product’s life cycle, the goal of this doctoral thesis is to highlight the WF as a key performance indicator in the research field of sustainable supply chain management. Initially, a critical literature synthesis concerning product WF assessment is provided to map the state-of-the-art research related to freshwater consumption and pollution in the agricultural and industrial sectors. Although WF assessment is a rapidly evolving research field, scientific publications focusing on a holistic approach at a supply chain extent are limited. As the findings verify that the agrifood sector dominates global water use, both corporate and academic literature is analysed to identify emerging issues on freshwater resources’ management for agrifood products. Then, a hierarchical decision-making framework is proposed, including WF mitigation policies for agrifood supply chains to support all stakeholders in developing a comprehensive water stewardship strategy. Afterwards, the integration of the freshwater resources aspect into sustainable supply chain network design is suggested. In fact, a mixed integer linear programming model is developed for minimising operating costs under a WF constraint in a wine supply chain network by selecting the optimal suppliers, manufacturing sites and transportation modes. According to the optimisation, the network’s characteristics, as well as the production and transportation volumes, vary significantly depending on the values of the WF target to balance the trade-off between economic and environmental water-related efficiency. Thereafter, a strategic system dynamics model is proposed for assessing the long-term impact of alternative water management policies on the WF and the profitability of a wine supply chain under diverse green market behaviour scenarios. Technological interventions during irrigation are proven to be more environmentally and economically sustainable compared to industrial water recycling and reuse, while the combination of both policies is even more effective. Furthermore, the impact of water-efficient policies on supply chain financial performance is even more potent under increased consumer’s environmental sensitivity. Based on current corporate drivers and goals, a contextual supporting methodological framework is finally proposed for the ex-ante evaluation of eco-efficient supply chain water management policies, considering the green corporate image. In conclusion, this doctoral thesis contributes towards the development of a holistic framework that provides a set of novel methodological tools, which could be directly applied to real world, to support decision-making during WF management across end-to-end supply chains.Δεδομένου ότι οι γεωργικές και οι βιομηχανικές δραστηριότητες συνδέονται στενά με τη χρήση ύδατος, η βιωσιμότητα του γλυκού νερού αναδεικνύεται ως ένα κρίσιμο ζήτημα εταιρικής κοινωνικής ευθύνης για τις επιχειρήσεις παγκοσμίως στα πλαίσια της αλυσίδας εφοδιασμού. Καθώς η έννοια του υδατικού αποτυπώματος (ΥΑ) εισήχθη για την ποσοτικοποίηση της χρήσης ύδατος κατά τη διάρκεια του κύκλου ζωής ενός προϊόντος, σκοπός της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής είναι η ανάδειξη του ΥΑ ως βασικού δείκτη απόδοσης στο ερευνητικό πεδίο της διαχείρισης βιώσιμων εφοδιαστικών αλυσίδων. Αρχικά, παρέχεται μία κριτική βιβλιογραφική σύνθεση σχετικά με την εκτίμηση του ΥΑ προϊόντος για την αποτύπωση των τελευταίων ερευνητικών εξελίξεων σχετικά με την κατανάλωση και τη ρύπανση του γλυκού νερού στον αγροτικό και τον βιομηχανικό τομέα. Παρόλο που η αξιολόγηση του ΥΑ αποτελεί έναν ταχέως εξελισσόμενο ερευνητικό κλάδο, οι επιστημονικές δημοσιεύσεις που επικεντρώνονται σε μία ολιστική προσέγγιση κατά μήκος της εφοδιαστικής αλυσίδας είναι περιορισμένες. Καθώς τα ευρήματα επιβεβαιώνουν ότι ο τομέας των αγροδιατροφικών προϊόντων κυριαρχεί στην παγκόσμια χρήση νερού, αναλύεται τόσο η εταιρική όσο και η ακαδημαϊκή βιβλιογραφία για τον εντοπισμό των αναδυόμενων ζητημάτων σχετικά με τη διαχείριση των υδάτινων πόρων για αγροδιατροφικά προϊόντα. Επιπλέον, προτείνεται ένα ιεραρχικό πλαίσιο λήψης αποφάσεων, που περιλαμβάνει πολιτικές μείωσης του ΥΑ για τις αγροδιατροφικές αλυσίδες εφοδιασμού, ώστε να υποστηρίξει όλους τους εταίρους σχετικά με την ανάπτυξη μίας ολοκληρωμένης στρατηγικής διαχείρισης των υδάτων. Ακολούθως, προτείνεται η ενσωμάτωση της πτυχής των υδάτινων πόρων στον βιώσιμο σχεδιασμό δικτύου εφοδιαστικής αλυσίδας. Στην πράξη, αναπτύχθηκε ένα μοντέλο μικτού ακέραιου γραμμικού προγραμματισμού για την ελαχιστοποίηση του λειτουργικού κόστους υπό περιορισμό στο ΥΑ σε ένα δίκτυο αλυσίδας εφοδιασμού κρασιού, επιλέγοντας τους βέλτιστους προμηθευτές, παραγωγικές μονάδες και τρόπους μεταφοράς. Με βάση τη βελτιστοποίηση, τα χαρακτηριστικά του δικτύου, καθώς και οι ποσότητες παραγωγής και μεταφοράς, διαφέρουν σημαντικά ανάλογα με τις τιμές του στόχου του ΥΑ για την εξισορρόπηση μεταξύ οικονομικής και περιβαλλοντικής αποδοτικότητας σε σχέση με το νερό. Εν συνεχεία, προτείνεται ένα στρατηγικό μοντέλο δυναμικής συστημάτων για την αξιολόγηση της μακροπρόθεσμης επίδρασης των εναλλακτικών πολιτικών διαχείρισης ύδατος στο ΥΑ και την κερδοφορία μίας εφοδιαστικής αλυσίδας κρασιού, υπό διαφορετικά σενάρια περιβαλλοντικής συμπεριφοράς της αγοράς. Οι τεχνολογικές παρεμβάσεις κατά την άρδευση αποδείχθηκαν πιο περιβαλλοντικά και οικονομικά βιώσιμες σε σχέση με τη βιομηχανική ανακύκλωση και επαναχρησιμοποίηση του νερού, ενώ ο συνδυασμός των δύο πολιτικών είναι ακόμα πιο αποτελεσματικός. Επιπλέον, ο αντίκτυπος των αποδοτικών ως προς τη χρήση του νερού πολιτικών στην οικονομική απόδοση της εφοδιαστικής αλυσίδας είναι ακόμη πιο ισχυρός, καθώς αυξάνεται η περιβαλλοντική ευαισθησία των καταναλωτών. Με βάση τους σύγχρονους εταιρικούς οδηγούς και στόχους, προτείνεται τελικά ένα συναφές υποστηρικτικό μεθοδολογικό πλαίσιο για την εκ των προτέρων αξιολόγηση περιβαλλοντικά και οικονομικά αποδοτικών πολιτικών διαχείρισης ύδατος στην εφοδιαστική αλυσίδα, λαμβάνοντας υπόψιν την πράσινη εταιρική εικόνα. Συμπερασματικά, η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή συμβάλλει στην ανάπτυξη ενός ολιστικού πλαισίου που παρέχει ένα σύνολο νέων μεθοδολογικών εργαλείων, τα οποία θα μπορούσαν να εφαρμοστούν άμεσα στον πραγματικό κόσμο, για την υποστήριξη της λήψης αποφάσεων κατά τη διαχείριση του ΥΑ σε εκτεταμένες εφοδιαστικές αλυσίδες

Building a dynamic theory of citizens\u2019 awareness of European Cohesion Policy interventions

Since more than thirty years, the European Cohesion Policy aims to reduce economic disparities and support regional development by funding local-orientated projects. However, the citizens\u2019 awareness of Cohesion Policy follows an unexpected longitudinal pattern characterised by a notable decrease after an initial increase. Although researchers have been investigating the relationship between policy implementation and public awareness, a lack of systemic comprehension of the underlying mechanisms is evident. Using system dynamics, we develop a causal model to explain the roots of the declining awareness towards policy interventions. The findings highlight how citizens initially manifest a high collective attention to Cohesion Policy that tends to decay over time. These dynamics, combined with the citizens\u2019 inherent tendency to lose information saved in their long-term individual memory, could elucidate the system's behaviour. This novel system dynamics application provides policy-makers with operational guidelines for developing efficient communication strategies to improve policy awareness

Water footprint in supply chain management: An introduction

The aim of this Special Issue is to explore water-related risks and challenges, as well as water management opportunities, in the modern globalised production landscape from an end-to-end supply chain perspective. As environmentally sensitive consumers press for water-friendly products, freshwater resources' preservation has emerged as a major challenge for leading corporations that are incorporating water management initiatives into their social responsibility agendas to foster the sustainability of their supply chain networks. With respect to the scientific community, although research on water footprint assessment is increasing rapidly, the lack of a systemic integration of the water footprint aspect into the whole spectrum of the supply chain operations is evident. In this context, this Special Issue focuses on the investigation of the impact of water stewardship policies on water use and scarcity minimisation, sustainability performance and supply chain configuration