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Article
Publication date: 27 July 2018

Joaquim Rocha dos Santos, Eduardo Ferreira Franco, Hamilton Coimbra Carvalho, Stefano Armenia, Alessandro Pompei and Carlo Maria Medaglia

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impacts of different policies to address the water supply crisis experienced by the metropolitan region of Sao Paulo during 2013 to…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impacts of different policies to address the water supply crisis experienced by the metropolitan region of Sao Paulo during 2013 to 2015 and evaluate the resilience of its water supply system for the coming years.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used in this study is based on the system dynamics simulation paradigm, combined with empirical data obtained from the regional water authority.

Findings

The results from the simulations suggest that the first layer of sustainability of the water supply in the region strongly depends on how the system’s operator responds to crises, in particular how it balances policies acting on the supply and demand for the resource.

Practical implications

Severe water crises typically make salient the perception that water is a finite and public resource. Long-term, sustainable management of the system requires a paradigm shift from widespread, old-fashioned beliefs that water is an infinite resource. It also requires active management to increase the system’s preparedness to withstand events caused by climate change.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the system dynamics and water resource management literature by presenting an integrative model to evaluate the resilience of a particular water supply system. Although there are previous studies on this subject, the present one focuses on the role that the water authority plays in a crisis and especially on a specific combination of policies to address an episode of crisis in a system unprepared for it.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 48 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 September 2018

Guido Marseglia, Elisa Rivieccio and Carlo Maria Medaglia

The purpose of this paper is to set out ideas regarding a systematic approach that defines the Italian National energy strategies, considering the standards imposed from European…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to set out ideas regarding a systematic approach that defines the Italian National energy strategies, considering the standards imposed from European Union.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework to estimate a model to define the energy policies for different sectors in the Italian case is underlined. The aims of Italian energy strategy in the worldwide scenario are discussed. The authors have considered the relations between the environment and the human impact on the energy conversion process by means of a conceptual method.

Findings

The actions considered to reach the aims of energy policies objectives are highlighted. This research aims to inform future development in the topic area, considering future perspectives and socio-economical implications for Italy.

Originality/value

The paper will be of interest to firm managers, ecologists and policymakers with a particular interest in energy policies, considering socio-technical implications. The framework can be applied for facilitating discussions or for scenario planning.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 48 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 September 2017

Lucia Giansante, Giuseppina Di Loreto, Maria Gabriella Di Serio, Raffaella Vito and Luciana Di Giacinto

The purpose of this paper is to guide the choice of consumers, putting on the label an additional claim, which can provide more information on the sensory profile and the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to guide the choice of consumers, putting on the label an additional claim, which can provide more information on the sensory profile and the nutritional and preservation features of the marketed extra virgin olive oil.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to define the concept of global quality, the following parameters were considered: fruity, bitter, pungency, 1-penten-3-one, phenolic substances, tocopherols, peroxide value, free acidity, palmitic acid, stearic acid oleic acid linoleic acid, and the campesterol/stigmasterol ratio. The study was carried out on 143 commercial extra virgin olive oils.

Findings

The Global Quality Index was calculated as the square root of the sum of the squares of the individual local indices, according to three different algorithms. The computation obtained was recognised by chemometric analysis.

Social implications

A legislative amendment on the labelling could be proposed through an additional claim that safeguards the consumers on the health profile, inducing them to a more targeted purchase.

Originality/value

Three different global quality levels “excellent”, “good”, and “sufficient” have been determined. This clustering has also been recognised with a statistical approach. Since in the market, consumers can find extra virgin olive oils of different overall quality levels, it is possible to guide the choice of customers through an additional claim on the label, able to give more information on the sensory profile and the nutritional and preservation features of the product.

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