The Future of Carsharing: A System Dynamics Model

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Identifying and classifying the factors affecting risk in automobile hull insurance in Iran using fuzzy Delphi method and factor analysis

Automobile hull insurance has attracted much attention due to the high rate of vehicle applications in daily lives. Since purchasing these policies is optional in Iran and their premium rates are set competitively, a competition is formed among the insurance companies for attracting low risk drivers. However, most of the insurers still use comparative rates and pay no or less attention to the factors affecting risk in premium calculations. Considering the importance of fair ratemaking in attracting and maintaining good risks and encouraging bad risks to repent or leave the portfolio, and taking into account the shortcomings of the available databases, this paper focuses on determining and classifying the risk factors affecting premium calculation in automobile hull insurance from the viewpoint of the experts. In this regard, Fuzzy Delphi method is utilized, the factors are classified and the efficiency of the classification is checked by using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA)

The Pandemic Implications for Carsharing: An Italian Context

Carsharing, as an innovative mobility option, can potentially support the urban transition towards a more sustainable mobility system and achieving sustainable development goals. This short communication aims at providing the status of carsharing services in Italy, with a focus on Turin, before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard, an overview of the role of carsharing in urban traffic is provided. Then, carsharing services in Italy before and after the pandemic are mapped. Accordingly, the implications of the pandemic outbreak for carsharing services are discussed. The provided insights confirm that although carsharing services have been affected by the pandemic, even after returning to normal life, the usage of carsharing is still far below its pre-pandemic level in Italy. Finally, to support sustainable mobility and incentivize using shared mobility services, a research agenda for further research is proposed, targeting the research gaps regarding (i) the factors leading to lower usage of carsharing after the pandemic, (ii) potential solutions and policies to support carsharing services return to their pre-pandemic level and exceeding it, and (iii) examining the impact of provided supports by governments during the pandemic, such as bonuses for purchasing bikes and scooters, on the adoption of carsharing services for the post-pandemic era

The imbalance of food and biofuel markets amid Ukraine-Russia crisis: A systems thinking perspective

The Ukraine war has immensely affected both food and energy systems due to the significant role of Russia in supplying natural gas and fertilizers globally and the extensive contribution of both Russia and Ukraine in exporting grains and oilseeds to the international markets. Hence, the Ukraine-Russia conflict has resulted in a shortage of crops and grains in the food market, especially in Europe, causing speculations if these resources should still be used for biofuel production (1st Generation). However, the International Energy Agency has warned that lowering biofuel mandates could result in rising petroleum demand and supply concerns. In light of these unfolding events, a systems thinking approach is required to monitor and analyze the implications of this crisis for food and biofuel markets as a whole to alleviate the concerns faced and plan sustainably. In this vein, based on the trade-offs between food system elements and the biofuel supply chain, as well as the potential effects of the war on the food and energy systems worldwide, a causal loop diagram is developed in the present work. According to the insights provided, the key to preventing food insecurity and keeping biofuel mandates on an increasing trend simultaneously amid the Ukraine war is to switch from the 1st Generation biofuels to higher generations. This transition would reduce not only the pressure on the food market to move toward zero hunger (SDG 2) but also pave the way to move towards a circular economy and clean and affordable energy (SDG 7) during the post-war er

Conceptualizing environmental effects of carsharing services: A system thinking approach

Emerging carsharing services and their interconnections with other modes of urban transport, regulations, car manufacturing and population have affected the dynamics of energy consumption, environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emission within a complex system. However, although some aspects of environmental impacts of transport sector have been investigated in the literature, well-deserved studies on the environmental effects of carsharing services following a system thinking approach is missing. This research aims at providing a comprehensive conceptual framework to systematize the interconnections between carsharing services and their environmental effects. To do this, system dynamics (SD) modeling, as a tool to simulate complex and dynamic systems, is applied and the proposed framework model is illustrated by using a causal-loop diagram (CLD). Along with analyzing the main identified causal loops within the presented CLD, relevant strategies are proposed to reduce the negative environmental effects associated with the carsharing services, considering the whole lifecycle of a shared vehicle. The proposed framework can help environment policy makers and shared mobility practitioners in long-term strategic decision-making. Moreover, it can be applied by the researchers as a basis for future research, not only for SD modeling but also other simulation and analysis structures

Digitally enabled food sharing platforms towards effective waste management in a circular economy:A system dynamics simulation model

As a solution to tackle the food waste (FW) challenge, digitally enabled food sharing platforms (FSPs) are emerging as FW warriors and anti-waste social movements. Despite the rapidly growing number of users, the amount of FW prevented per user in these platforms is relatively low. Hence, the real contribution of FSPs to the circular economy (CE) by preventing FW is still blurred. To fill this gap, a System Dynamics simulation model is developed in this research to unfold how people adopt such platforms over time, and how such platforms contribute to the CE through FW prevention. The model is used to simulate the adoption and performance of Italy’s Too Good To Go (TGTG) platform spanning 2015-2060 as a reference case. The results show that although TGTG is a successful FSP in terms of adoption, it can still significantly improve in terms of performance. Besides, while the current TGTG’s marketing strategy is effective, knowledge-enhancing activities should be strengthened to improve performance. Hence, this research recommends a winning policy, which can reduce approximately 3% of the total FW generated at the country level (Italy) in 2060, a significant contribution to the CE transition

Sustainability and the Sharing Economy: Modelling the Interconnections

Advances in technology have led to the rise of sharing economy, which has become a strong competitor for capitalist companies in various fields. In addition to the economic aspects of such phenomenon, the activities of the sharing economy can have social and environmental impacts, which brings sustainability pillars into mind. In this paper, based on the system thinking approach, a causal loop diagram that is a part of system dynamics modelling is applied for visualizing the relationships between sharing economy and sustainability pillars. The reinforcing and balancing loops modelled show the dynamics in the system, which help decision makers to gain a deeper and more accurate understanding of the current and potential future mutual interactions between the sharing economy and sustainability

Digitally enabled food sharing platforms towards effective waste management in a circular economy:A system dynamics simulation model

As a solution to tackle the food waste (FW) challenge, digitally enabled food sharing platforms (FSPs) are emerging as FW warriors and anti-waste social movements. Despite the rapidly growing number of users, the amount of FW prevented per user in these platforms is relatively low. Hence, the real contribution of FSPs to the circular economy (CE) by preventing FW is still blurred. To fill this gap, a System Dynamics simulation model is developed in this research to unfold how people adopt such platforms over time, and how such platforms contribute to the CE through FW prevention. The model is used to simulate the adoption and performance of Italy’s Too Good To Go (TGTG) platform spanning 2015-2060 as a reference case. The results show that although TGTG is a successful FSP in terms of adoption, it can still significantly improve in terms of performance. Besides, while the current TGTG’s marketing strategy is effective, knowledge-enhancing activities should be strengthened to improve performance. Hence, this research recommends a winning policy, which can reduce approximately 3% of the total FW generated at the country level (Italy) in 2060, a significant contribution to the CE transition

Analyzing the causes of non-development of renewable energy-related industries in Iran

Energy crisis is one of the issues which have imposed many changes in the development of various technologies around the world. Every-year renewal of this crisis in different countries has led many of them to move towards alternative resources like renewable energies, and also to make changes in their energy consumption in order to expand the application of these resources. By taking into account of Iran's high potential in renewable energies, and also its scheme to go towards actualizing the prices of energy carriers, and with the help of designing a flexible and dynamic structure and removing the existing obstacles, it is necessary to analyze the infrastructures, policies and administrative structures in the field of renewable energies in the country to accelerate their development. This article tries to review the potentials of "renewable energies" (RE) in Iran and its current situation of RE related industries with an emphasis on achieving defined goals and objectives for the fourth national development plan, and also to discusses the barriers and causes of non-achievement of these objectives. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Sharing economy risks: Opportunities or threats for insurance companies? A case study on the Iranian insurance industry

Sharing economy (SE) has brought new challenges for the insurance industry, worldwide. Such challenges may turn into opportunities or threats for the insurance industry, depending on how they are managed. No matter what it is, the “shared” sector, or the country, SE requires a legal and operational shift from the past. For instance, recent activities of some SE companies in Iran are creating challenges for the Iranian insurance industry. Therefore, a case study is developed based on the activities of these companies and their impact on the insurance market. The study adopts the PESTLE analysis for the insurance industry and applies causal-loop diagrams to address the effects of SE activities. Finally, suggestions for more effective strategic management in the insurance industry are provided