To Greener Pastures: An Action Research Study on the Environmental Sustainability of Humanitarian Supply Chains

Purpose: While humanitarian supply chains (HSCs) inherently contribute to social sustainability by alleviating the suffering of afflicted communities, their unintended adverse environmental impact has been overlooked hitherto. This paper draws upon contingency theory to synthesize green practices for HSCs, identify the contingency factors that impact on greening HSCs and explore how focal humanitarian organizations (HOs) can cope with such contingency factors. Design/methodology/approach: Deploying an action research methodology, two-and-a-half cycles of collaboration between researchers and a United Nations agency were completed. The first half-cycle developed a deductive greening framework, synthesizing extant green practices from the literature. In the second and third cycles, green practices were adopted/customized/developed reflecting organizational and contextual contingency factors. Action steps were implemented in the HSC for prophylactics, involving an operational mix of disaster relief and development programs. Findings: First, the study presents a greening framework that synthesizes extant green practices in a suitable form for HOs. Second, it identifies the contingency factors associated with greening HSCs regarding funding environment, stakeholders, field of activity and organizational management. Third, it outlines the mechanisms for coping with the contingency factors identified, inter alia, improving the visibility of headquarters over field operations, promoting collaboration and resource sharing with other HOs as well as among different implementing partners in each country, and working with suppliers for greener packaging. The study advances a set of actionable propositions for greening HSCs. Practical implications: Using an action research methodology, the study makes strong practical contributions. Humanitarian practitioners can adopt the greening framework and the lessons learnt from the implementation cycles presented in this study. Originality/value: This is one of the first empirical studies to integrate environmental sustainability and HSCs using an action research methodology

Hamiltonian Lie algebroids over Poisson manifolds

We extend to Poisson manifolds the theory of hamiltonian Lie algebroids originally developed by two of the authors for presymplectic manifolds. As in the presymplectic case, our definition, involving a vector bundle connection on the Lie algebroid, reduces to the definition of hamiltonian action for an action Lie algebroid with the trivial connection. The clean zero locus of the momentum section of a hamiltonian Lie algebroid is an invariant coisotropic submanifold, the distribution being given by the image of the anchor. We study some basic examples: bundles of Lie algebras with zero anchor and cotangent and tangent Lie algebroids. Finally, we discuss a suggestion by Alejandro Cabrera that the conditions for a Lie algebroid $A$ to be hamiltonian may be expressed in terms of two bivector fields on $A^*$, the natural Poisson structure on the dual of a Lie algebroid and the horizontal lift by the connection of the given Poisson structure on the base.Comment: 29 pages, added section on Poisson reduction, typos fixe

Alternative animal protein sources for aquaculture: a preliminary study on nutritional traits of Mediterranean brocade (Spodoptera littoralis, Boisduval) larvae

In formulating diets for farmed aquatic species, the main ingredi- ent used is fish meal (FM). Due to the growth that aquaculture is experiencing throughout the world, the increasing demand of feeds is resulting in a FM price increase that represents an eco- nomic limit for fish farming. The need to seek protein sources alternative to FM is a matter of great interest. Among others, the use of insect larvae as feed for fish represents an interesting alter- native. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional traits of mediterranean brocade larvae (Spodoptera littoralis Bois.) in view of their possible use as feedstuffs for rainbow trout. A sample of mediterranean brocade larvae (MBL) (VI instar) and one of pupae (MBP) were assayed for fat (EE), ash (ASH) and crude pro- tein (CP) contents by conventional methods. Amino-acidic profile was obtained by HPLC on sample hydrolysates. Relative digestibil- ity of protein (RDP) was estimated by the Lazo (1988) method. Data, expressed on DM basis, were compared with those of a com- mercial feed (CF). The fat content of MBL was lower than that recorded for CF (9.4% vs 13.6%) while MBP showed a very high value (30.3% DM). Ashes in MBL (7.7%) and MBP (6.7%) were lower than in the CF (10.9%). The CP content of MBL (44.3%) was slightly higher than the CF (40.0%) but lower than in MBP (59.1%). The RDP of MBL and MBP were about a half of the value observed in CF (27.2%). Both MBL and MBP showed a lower per- centage of essential amino acids (AA) (35.8%, 36.8%) compared to CF (39.4%) even if the AA profiles were in line with the require- ments found in literature for rainbow trout. In conclusion, these preliminary results suggest that preimaginal stages of S. littoralis may be of interest in fish feeding, though more exhaustive studies have to be performed to fully assess their use as alternative for fish meal

Mapping Habitat Quality in the Lombardy Region, Italy

This paper reports a case study which examines the how mapping ecosystem services can be used to identify areas of significant natural value to be protected or restored. We mapped habitat quality in Lombardy (northwest Italy) using the InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoff) model. Model outputs were used to approximate the spatial distribution of ecological quality across the region provided a framework to support the implementation of the Lombardy Regional Landscape Plan. This resulted in a proposal for introduction of new protected areas in the updated Landscape Plan, while other areas were proposed to be removed

Artificial intelligence for supplier scouting: an information processing theory approach

Purpose: The objective of this paper is to study the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in supporting the supplier scouting process, considering the information and the capabilities required to do so. Design/methodology/approach: Twelve cases of IT and information providers offering AI-based scouting solutions were studied. The unit of analysis was the AI-based scouting solution, specifically the relationship between the provider and the buyer. Information processing theory (IPT) was adopted to address information processing needs (IPNs) and capabilities (IPCs). Findings: Among buyers, IPNs in supplier scouting are high. IT and information providers can meet the needs of buyers through IPCs enabled by AI-based solutions. In this way, the fit between needs and capabilities can be reached. Originality/value: The investigation of the role of AI in supplier scouting is original. The application of IPT to study the impact of AI in business processes is also novel. This paper contributes by investigating a phenomenon that is still unexplored and unconsolidated in a business context

Progettare Infrastrutture Verdi per la regolazione del microclima e il benessere urbano: una valutazione del Servizio ecosistemico Urban Cooling

Contemporary cities are strongly affected by the Urban Heat Island phenomenon, which is becoming one of the most significant climate change-related hazards with huge consequences for health and human well- being. The adoption of and Ecosystem Services (ES) approach could support the definition of urban design parameters and criteria for mitigating heatwaves effect while decreasing high temperatures in urban areas and enhancing territorial resilience. The ES cooling capacity has been modelled using the software InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs) estimating possible sites within the Milan Metropolitan context that could host possible Nature-based solutions for improving urban comfort. The paper provides a research method to make cities healthy by designing heat-resilient public spaces against climate change. The results support urban planning processes by providing operational guidelines for the design of Green and blue infrastructures. Besides, the proposed approach defines practical indications that make it replicable in other contexts