Food production represents today an environmental cost, boosting scientific community and food companies searching innovative solutions to reduce environmental impacts and wastes. Among all agri-food supply chains, 65% of global agricultural emissions of CO2 equivalent are produced by livestock and connected activities. Dairy industry produces a multiplier effect of impacts, using a large amount of primary products to obtain relatively little quantity of cheese. In this context, it is clear that food loss is not only a socio-economic problem, but also represents an additional environmental burden to be attributed to the production process. The adoption of circular economy strategies could represent the right way to reduce the issue of food waste and food losses, not only by reusing and/or recycling expired products but also extending the shelf life of edible products, that finally would mean reducing waste and increasing production efficiency (Stillitano et al., 2021). However, the effort of adopting circular strategies risks to become vain if the degree of circularity achieved is not measured, so that a process of continuous improvement can be adopted in a circular design logic. The aim of this study is to evaluate, from a circular, environmental and economic perspective, techniques for the shelf life extension (SLE) of Lacto-Fermented Mozzarella Cheese. Life Cycle Assessment, Circularity Assessment and Life Cycle Costing methodologies were applied to evaluate the effects of SLE implementation, taking also into account the potential reduction of food loss and returned goods. Results showed that despite a minimal increase of impacts and costs due to the introduction of the innovation, the SLE could allow reducing the share of losses up to 50%. Expressing results in terms of days of product shelf life, the innovative solution is more sustainable from both the environmental and the economic point of view and allows an improve

Several studies have suggested that collaborative-based approaches are relevant to attain sustainability related goals in the Agri-food sector. These approaches take on even more significance in the light of the opportunities offered by the so-called circular economy, through innovative technologies and profitable business models based on the exploitation of agricultural wastes, byproducts and unsold products. The role of circular-based methods in conciliating social, environmental and economic objectives in the Agri-food sector is emphasized in several works, with a particular focus on approaches aimed at promoting rational use of resources and reducing food loss and waste. In this sense, Circular Economy represents an emerging and promising approach to manage the socioeconomic-growth of Agri-food Networks. Starting from these considerations, the analysis of organizational and business models based on collaborative approaches as a tool for value chains creation in the agri-food sector seems to be a promising field to be explored. Unfortunately, the state-of-the-art picture of this field of study still appears fragmented and no specific model to design collaborative-based initiative in food sustainable chains are available. Thus, we analysed in depth the literature landscape of collaborative networks supporting the sustainable development through circular economy-based approaches in the agri-food sector, by means of a systematic literature review. Results of our systematic literature review led to the identification of a modelling framework consisting in four main elements, namely Network structure, Participants behavior, Supply Chain Processes, Supporting tools, methods, and technologies. We adopted this modelling framework to design a real experience of collaborative network based on the circular economy paradigm in the agri-food sector, namely MEC – Marketplace Ecosostenibile Calabria.

Information and knowledge management is key to create added value for organizations no matter what field organization is acting. Covid -19 has shown the importance of accurate and right information to be available for those who need information to be able to act. Respectively we have seen the challenges and problems when information has not received on time, information is insufficient or not received at all. For organizations and their many stakeholders, customers included, uncertain times are the ultimate test for processes. This can be seen strongly in information and knowledge management practices. If organization has strong organizational culture where communication and knowledge management have strong position it can assume that ability and willingness to use alternative methods for communication when those are needed are in good level. This ensures also that ability to create added value for stakeholders and customers are not in danger and agility to react changes occurring in operating environment is existing. Barriers in communication have many different levels in organization. Individuals have different ways to communicate and receive information and these individual differences are creating needs to better and diverse communication within organization to create better possibilities to be successful also in organizational level. Today as covid-19 has changed dramatically ways to communicate and manage knowledge technological barriers and ability to use new technology has been the most important challenge organizations have been faced today. To be able to continue their businesses and survive new technology must be adopt and take in use even in individual level might be some challenges to learn and adopt new ways of doing things. This study focuses on added value and how communication as well as knowledge management. Case study is presented through industrial organization and their customer satisfaction survey to see how knowledge barriers are affecting on customer satisfaction and organization´s ability to create added value through minimizing knowledge barriers. Through theoretical review of knowledge barriers, case study organization´s customer satisfaction survey and survey creation process are shortly presented. Results of the customer satisfaction survey are introduced and results are reflected against theory related to different knowledge and information barriers. This evaluation is to be done to present the challenges what organizations are facing in individual, organizational and especially in technological level and how these all levels are connected when communication tools and methods must be changed quickly and knowledge management is suddenly most important mode of management.

The purpose of this study was to examine how knowledge management should be implemented in medium-sized manufacturing companies in order to ensure adequate B2B communication and knowledge sharing of explicit knowledge with distributors in the sales channel in times of impeded and limited access due to COVID-19 pandemic. Manufacturers traditionally manage their sales channel partnerships inefficiently, and especially SMEs do not often make use of consequent knowledge sharing. This leads to the fact that converting leads into sales becomes an on-going challenge and calls for new ways of inter-organizational knowledge sharing of explicit knowledge internationally. Methodology and approach — To explore the complexity of business partner knowledge sharing in the B2B sector, a qualitative approach has been applied. Building on the purpose of the research, a single case study research as the research strategy provided in-depth information on the manufacturer-distributor knowledge sharing in times of crises. The contemporary phenomenon of SMEs within the real-life context of B2B communications primary data was collected in form of a self-administered questionnaire from international business partners in the sales channel of an industrial manufacturer of machine building industry in Germany. The rising importance of knowledge being the fourth production factor generating values require companies to constantly transfer and share knowledge – not only inter-, but also intra-organizationally, especially when it comes to sales channel collaborations. The findings of this research highlight that the use and positioning of knowledge sharing among business partners in the sales channel is crucial and enable collaborations to improve B2B working flows cross-organizationally. Explicit knowledge such as specific product-related information material, prices or logistical information should be trained on the product, catalogues or via internet-mediated means and should furthermore be stored in a commonly used knowledge management tool. Tacit knowledge should be transferred in a pre-agreed language, predominantly through joined customer visits and training on the product. This research does not only enhance practical implementations in the case organisation but also can be conferred upon those organisations that rely on a manufacturer-distributor relationship in their sales channels. It provides insights regarding a proposed knowledge management in SMEs and it links the theoretical understanding of knowledge sharing with real-life practices in manufacturer-distributor relationship-related processes. Thus, this research generates new knowledge by combining knowledge management theory with practice to develop a framework that provides insights on observing, improving and preventing knowledge-based bottlenecks.

Research on entrepreneurial ecosystems has gained significant interest throughout the academic community in recent years. In this context, the role of digital transformation and particularly digital platforms for improving the communication and collaboration of various actors in such ecosystems is increasingly being discussed. In this paper, we conceptualize how excubation platforms (XPs) can support the interaction among the actors in entrepreneurial ecosystems contributing to 1) an improved matchmaking between entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship supporters, 2) a better coordination of the multitude of support programs available, 3) novel approaches for quality control enabled by one digital solution used by all actors and 4) a more structured exchange of competence and experience between the individual entrepreneurs. We illustrate these potentials by the case of the Norwegian entrepreneurial ecosystem, where a pilot for an XP is currently being developed.

This paper explores the moderation effect of knowledge complexity and social integration mechanisms on the relationships between the absorptive capacity (ACAP) components in southern Brazilian firms. Our sample includes 174 ICT firms from ten clusters of technology-based firms located in Southern Brazil. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) supported by the software ADANCO 2.0.1. We found that knowledge complexity matters for absorptive capacity. Depending on knowledge complexity, social integration mechanisms may be both: a bless and a curse for absorptive capacity. Specifically, we found that in the paths from acquisition to assimilation, and from acquisition to transformation, high levels of social integration mechanisms help acquire complex knowledge, but they may constraint the absorption of simple knowledge. Our findings contribute to the KBV of the firm by improving our understanding of the role of knowledge complexity as an antecedent of absorptive capacity’ components. By identifying the role of knowledge complexity on the efficiency of both social integration mechanisms and ACAP, this study brings valuable information to managers of both Brazilian firms and foreign organisations willing to establish their operations in Brazil, for the efficient allocation of firm resources for improving the firm innovative performance.

The health system’s role for the welfare of the community and the growth and development of nations is widely known, and Business Economics scholars have paid great attention to the study of the sector. This paper focuses on a particular aspect of health care and aims to analyse the intellectual capital (IC) in the healthcare system regarding telemedicine’s contribution at Covid-19. The healthcare sector is “knowledge-intensive”. For this reason, the study of IC becomes central in Business Economics studies that are increasingly oriented towards enhancing the intangible resources used and created by organisations. Recent scholars have investigated the development of knowledge-based activities as a significant factor in adopting innovation in healthcare organisations and institutions. However, scholars have paid little attention to the contribution of telemedicine to the generation of IC. This paper aims to bridge the gap focusing on a particular aspect of health care and analyse the IC in the healthcare system regarding telemedicine’s contribution at Covid-19. Notably, we focus on how digital transformation and the knowledge management system used by telemedicine could contribute to the intellectual capital in the healthcare sector. To comply with the paper aim, we use a qualitative research method based on a case study particularly suitable for IC in health care studies. More precisely, we analyse a non-profit organisation that for over 15 years has offered a free multi-specialist teleconsultation service to answer medical questions from the most disadvantaged places in the world. The findings show that telemedicine can develop and share knowledge in disadvantaged areas of the world . The IC makes the new business model capable of contributing to the improvement of the health conditions of the entire population, including the most fragile. Thus this research provides an original contribution to the literature on IC at the time of Covid-19.

The main purpose of this work is to systematically reconstruct the context of industrial symbiosis initiatives with relation to the networks of actors, the roles they play, the factors that determined the initiative, the obstacles that hinder (or have hindered) their implementation, the expected and/or achieved benefits, and the development prospects through the presentation of an original database of 18 case studies.

The pandemic from Covid 19 brought changes in the PA and the actuality of the topic of smart working (SW) in PA has exploded since March 2020. In a very short time the use of digital has increased more than it has been attempted in many years. The PA has reacted swiftly to ensure the provision of services to citizens and to respond to the needs generated by the pandemic, understanding the importance and the need for a profound renewal based on cultural change, digital transformation and the enhancement of women and men. Of course we can not consider the SW an innovation or a new mode of work as the Law n. 191 of 1998 has been in force for more than 20 years. The paper wants to reflect on the decisive role of human action within organizations and tries to answer research questions trying to understand the reasons that motivate employees of the PA to want to continue working in SW even after the pandemic and if this can be considered a new way of working. All this is part of the introduction of an innovative mode of work organization, based on the use of flexibility, on the assessment by objectives, on the recognition of the needs of employees, all in the light of the need to reconcile work and personal time.

This paper presents the profile of the professionals at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation who work in scientific research, with the aim of understanding within a perspective of decolonization and understanding the central actors of collaborative research networks. The methodology used was through reinforce the theoretical framework and data extraction in platforms that compile data from researchers and technologists who conducted research at Fiocruz are working in Science and Technology. In the conclusion, this initial project allowed an approximation of understanding about the profile of Fiocruz research professionals and analize data to mapping of both scientific collaborative networks, their central nodes, and links.

Cities are rediscovering the importance of becoming as intelligent communities and facing the challenge of advancing as smart, inclusive and sustainable cities in order to promote urban communities as engines of social and economic growth and societal development. Intelligent cities drive the urban community towards sustainability for ensuring social and inclusive growth. The future of sustainable urban development relies on intelligent cities which are able to promote future urban development and support social and economic growth of urban areas, developing urban intelligence to solve problems and drive towards the urban community towards urban sustainability. Intelligent cities identify possible itineraries of urban development in terms of social and economic growth within urban environments. Cities construct a pathway to develop urban intelligence as a source for sustainable urban future, promoting a smart vision to urban development as a key driver for enhancing the urban community and driving collaboration and cooperation among the urban private and public actors as a framework for innovation, knowledge and value creation processes.

In dynamic business environments with uncertainty and risks entrepreneurs make efforts to customize new products to latent user needs. In a product development process, user/customer integration (an approach of giving users an active role in an innovative product design) relates to challenging processes of collaboration and knowledge sharing with and within an entrepreneurial team. The paper research is focused on a model that comprise knowledge conversion and knowledge sharing barriers in an entrepreneurial team working in collaboration with innovative and “ordinary” users at early stage of product design. The key barriers to knowledge sharing in collaborative entrepreneurial team were formulated and assessed based on qualitative research (observation, questionnaire, and in-depth interviews). At the early stage of product design, in the model of knowledge conversion in collaborative entrepreneurial teams, the role of exploratory prototyping is identified.

The paper aims to propose a theoretical framework that brings together all the determinants behind VC investment decisions in startups, assessing the relevance of determinants in uncertain times. Specifically, we explore whether these determinants are subject to change during periods of high uncertainty, such as that generated by the covid-19 pandemic. We conducted a literature review drawing a taxonomy of VC determinants. In the literature review, we have recognized 4 determinants: localness, networking, startup industry and entrepreneurial team. Later this we have developed semi-structured interviews to test the relevance of identified determinants. Interviews are directed to 5 VC experts. Results show a relevant emphasis for the entrepreneurial team and networking determinants, while a moderate relevance for the localness and industry.

Since the last three decades Creative industries (CIs) have seen a sharp rise in their development. They became a central element of modern economy. Nowadays, discourses on CIs are mainly led by their distinctive contribution to different spheres of social and economic activity: economic growth, new jobs, social cohesion, innovation and competitiveness of companies. Paradoxically, despite compelling calls for the promotion of CIs, their integration success remains rather elusive. In fact, on the one hand knowledge transfer from CIs to other industry sectors is underused, potential unexploited and synergies between CIs and other sectors arriving at innovation limited. In addition, low cross-sectoral collaboration and engagement of CIs in co-creation activities are linked with lack of awareness from both sectors, differences in communication and working methods. On the other hand, traditional industry sectors, such as maritime or production industry record low innovativeness, suffer from pressure resulting from environmental impact and necessity to provide sustainable solutions. In the face of the European Green Deal objectives to be reached by 2050 and contribution to the Agenda 2030 of the United Nations, sustainable innovation and development become the epicentre of the European future related discourses. In this light, the paper addresses research-to-practice problem pointing to the missing theoretical and practical foundation for cross-sectoral collaboration partnerships and tangible results thereof within the regional geographical nexus in which creative economy and CIs are getting an increasing importance. In particular, using real-life innovation prototyping projects as implemented in the South Baltic Sea Region (SBSR) in the frame of the cross-border project “CTCC – Creative Traditional Companies Cooperation” (July 2017–June 2021) that is part-financed by the European Regional Development Funds (ERDF), 32 traditional industry Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) from blue (ports, shipping, shipbuilding and tourism) and green (nutrition, renewable energy, recycling) economy sectors engaged both in formal and informal collaboration modes with CIs. The present research delivers particularly managerial contributions by showcasing how enterprise managers and innovation developers can engage into cross-sectoral innovation development through real-life prototyping along with CIs, what tools and processes help them to chop their way through the undergrowth in the frame of innovation development project as well as how tangible results can be achieved and ramped up. From the theoretical perspective, the research gap on cross-sectoral collaboration with CIs and co-creation for innovation is decreased as well as the focus on CIs as innovation brokers and intermediaries on a firm-level strengthened.

The recent pandemic has changed the reference context of companies and imposed significant changes on them to react to the crisis and contain its effects. The paper aims to investigate the managers’ contribution to overcoming the crisis both in managing internal production processes and through the networks and relationships that they can activate or use. This research contributes to the literature highlight the contribution of relationships to companies’ value and managers’ role. The results show that managerial skills are drivers of critical success factors for the manager’s professional qualities and the ability to manage and implement solid formal relationships in the reference territory and through networks.