Article
Development Studies
Pan Sun, Li Zhou, Dazhuan Ge, Xiaoxue Lu, Dongqi Sun, Mengqiu Lu, Weifeng Qiao
Summary: This study examines the importance of rural spatial governance in sustainable rural development, with Xiangbu Village as the empirical research object. Through multi-scale, multi-means governance paths, significant improvements have been made in rural collective organization, public service capacity, and spatial asset value. Rural spatial governance involving multiple stakeholders has promoted the transformation of population, land, industry, and urban-rural relationships, and improved the overall benefit structure of the village.
HABITAT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Tianjiao Li, Changchun Feng, Hao Xi, Yongpei Guo
Summary: In recent decades, rural China has experienced a housing construction boom. However, the quantitative restrictions imposed by the government have been relatively ineffective. This article examines the presence of peer effects in rural villagers' housing size and explores regional differences in these effects using data from the 2014 China Family Panel Studies. The findings reveal the existence of peer effects among villagers and significant regional disparities in the influence of social interactions on housing behaviors.
Article
Environmental Studies
Mario Colonico, Antonio Tomao, Davide Ascoli, Piermaria Corona, Francesco Giannino, Jose Moris, Raoul Romano, Luca Salvati, Anna Barbati
Summary: The European Union Rural Development Program plays a significant role in landscape change in Europe, but its impact on wildfire activity is not well understood. This study explores the link between RDP subsidies and wildfire activity in Italy and suggests a need for better integration of planning information and allocation criteria to effectively mitigate the risk of wildfires.
Article
Geography
Trupti Lokhande, Yichun Xie
Summary: This paper uses an effective means to explore the spatial processes and extents of urban decline in Detroit. They found that the spatial lag of X (SLX) model and its variations, using vacant urban land as a proxy for urban decline, provided the best fit model. They discovered both negative and positive spillover effects, with certain variables showing significant direct effects. The study highlights the need for collaboration between cities, townships, communities, and private sectors to mitigate the spillover effects of urban decline.
Article
Economics
Bing Zheng, Yuqing Yuan, Kaibo Lv
Summary: Social and economic progress are mainly driven by digital technology. Encouraging the digital transformation of retail stores is a priority for the government and academic community. This study empirically examines the spatial peer effect of retail stores' digital transformation using survey data from China. The findings show that a retail store's level of digital transformation increases with the digitization level of its spatial peer stores, indicating a significant spatial peer effect. Local governments in China should focus on establishing prototype retail stores for digital transformation to encourage other retail stores to follow suit.
APPLIED ECONOMICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Economics
Song Wang, Canyu Yang, Dailing Hou, Liang Dai
Summary: This study examines the overall development situation and internal development logic of urban agglomerations (UAs) in China. It finds that UA policies significantly promote economic development and generate spatial spillover effects. Fixed assets and foreign direct investment play a crucial role in UA's economic development, with fixed assets showing a significant spatial effect. However, the industrial structure has a negative impact on economic development, and the digital economy has yet to play a substantial role. The study suggests that green development, medical resources, and logistics can promote regional economic development. This research provides valuable insights and policy suggestions for the development of UAs in China.
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND POLICY
(2023)
Article
Business
Junbao Li, Zhanzhong Shi, Chengying He, Chengshuang Lv
Summary: Using a spatial panel model with network-structure peer groups and data on listed manufacturing firms in China, this study investigates the impact of a firm's R&D expenditure on its peers' R&D policies. The findings show that peer firms' R&D expenditures play a crucial role in determining corporate R&D investment policies, with competition and information incentives being the key channels. Additionally, the study reveals that R&D subsidies can indirectly increase a firm's R&D via the endogenous effect. This research provides empirical evidence of peer effects on corporate policies and highlights the importance of considering firms' networks in policy design.
JOURNAL OF BUSINESS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Keqiang Dong, Liao Guo
Summary: This study aimed to identify the global transmission trend of COVID-19 using spatial correlation and spatial lag analysis. The findings showed that infection was aggregated during a specific period, and COVID-19 patients can infect others with a lag.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Keyong Zhang, Sulun Li, Peng Qin, Bohong Wang
Summary: In the context of digital economy and low carbon economy, digital technology plays a crucial role in achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. A study based on the panel data of 30 Chinese provinces from 2011 to 2019 found that digital technology development has a positive impact on reducing carbon emissions in the region in both the short term and long term. However, the spatial spillover effect of digital technology on carbon emissions in neighboring regions is not significant. Policy makers should consider spatial effects when promoting the application of digital technologies in environmental governance.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yonghong Tang, Hui Wang, Zirong Lin
Summary: In the context of sustainable development, financial poverty alleviation has gained importance. This study examines the effectiveness of green finance, a new financial tool for sustainable development, in reducing poverty. Using data from 25 provinces in China, the study constructs the China Green Financial Development Index and employs a spatial econometric model to analyze the impact of green finance on absolute and relative poverty. The results show that green finance has a positive impact on poverty reduction, with a stronger effect on rural poverty. Interestingly, the nonlinear analysis reveals a weakening effect on rural poverty alleviation and a strengthening effect on urban poverty alleviation over time. The study also highlights the intermediary role of technological progress in the relationship between green finance and poverty reduction. Overall, this study contributes to understanding the link between green finance and poverty and proposes a new approach to poverty alleviation.
Article
Economics
Anquan Zhang, Pengfei Ni, Chen Ling
Summary: This study uses data from the China Household Finance Survey 2011 to examine peer effects in housing demand in rural China. The findings suggest that the housing consumption of focal households is significantly influenced by the housing consumption of peer households. The study also reveals that status seeking and social learning play crucial roles in determining peer effects in the demand for rural houses.
CHINA ECONOMIC REVIEW
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ling Chao, Yajun Sun, Zhen An, Juan Li, Weidong Wu, Yue Liu, Jie Song
Summary: The relationship between ambient temperature and dermatitis outpatients was found to be nonlinear, with a J-shaped exposure-response curve. Risk of dermatitis outpatient visits increased with temperature elevation from 11.5 to 27.5 degrees Celsius, but significance was lost beyond this range. Stratified analysis revealed higher sensitivity to temperature in females and potential sensitivity in the young age group (<15 years).
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lili Jiang, Hui Wang, Shaowen Wang, Zhifei Hu, Aihua Tong, Yifeng Wang
Summary: This study constructs a Green High-quality Development Index and a technology finance development evaluation system to assess the economic quality development and technology finance development in different provinces of China. The results show that technology finance has significantly enhanced China's overall green high-quality development through a non-linear promotion effect. To promote green high-quality development, measures such as improving technology finance development, increasing government expenditures, strengthening infrastructure construction, accelerating new urbanization, and improving human capital level are recommended.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Minye Rao, Laszlo Vasa, Yudan Xu, Pinghua Chen
Summary: Environmental taxation is an important tool for governments to promote resource conservation and environmental protection. This study in China found a spatial correlation between environmental taxes and green economic efficiency, with the former significantly promoting the development of the latter. Different taxes had varying impacts on green economic development efficiency in different regions.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yugang He, Xiaodan Gao, Renhong Wu, Yinhui Wang, Baek-Ryul Choi
Summary: This paper examines the impact of sustainable rural tourism on rural community development using China as a case study. The findings suggest that sustainable rural tourism plays a positive and significant role in promoting rural community development, both in the long and short run. Factors such as rural infrastructure construction, rural ecological environment, agricultural fiscal expenditure, agricultural technological progress, and rural human capital are identified as major drivers of rural community development.
Article
Geography
Paolo Prosperi, James Kirwan, Damian Maye, Emi Tsakalou, George Vlahos, Fabio Bartolini, Daniele Vergamini, Gianluca Brunori
Summary: European small-scale fisheries face various challenges, but by adapting new business strategies and building social capital, long-term economic sustainability for small-scale fisheries businesses and social-ecological resilience of coastal areas can be achieved.
SOCIOLOGIA RURALIS
(2022)
Article
Demography
Chinedu Obi, Wannes Slosse, Fabio Bartolini, Joost Dessein, Marijke D'Haese
Summary: This study focuses on the integration and wellbeing of economic-asylum seekers who are waiting for their asylum decisions. The study finds that these economic-asylum seekers evaluate their wellbeing by reflecting on their aspirations, integration constraints, and capabilities. They report lower life satisfaction compared to their satisfaction in their home country, and face various barriers that affect their wellbeing.
JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION AND INTEGRATION
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Giovanna Piracci, Fabio Boncinelli, Leonardo Casini
Summary: This study investigates consumer preferences for social sustainability labeling in the wine industry, particularly focusing on the fair treatment of workers in Italy. The results of a choice experiment with 500 consumers show that consumers are willing to pay a significant premium for wine produced by wineries that respect workers' rights, and there is a wide heterogeneity in consumer preferences for sustainability labeling based on different dimensions.
APPLIED ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVES AND POLICY
(2022)
Article
Economics
Stefano Ciliberti, Fabio Bartolini, Antonio Brunori, Eleonora Mariano, Matteo Metta, Gianluca Brunori, Angelo Frascarelli
Summary: Illegal logging poses significant negative economic, environmental, and social impacts globally, leading to initiatives like the European Timber Regulation (EUTR) to enforce traceability through due diligence. Italy, a major importer of wood-energy biomass, faces challenges in implementing EUTR due to the lack of clear traceability in imported fuelwood. Despite the potential of digital technologies to enhance EUTR enforcement and traceability in the wood-energy sector, there are still implementation issues to address.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2022)
Article
Geography
Paolo Prosperi, Francesca Galli, Olga M. Moreno-Perez, Yuna Chiffoleau, Stefano Grando, Pavlos Karanikolas, Maria Rivera, Giannis Goussios, Teresa Pinto-Correia, Gianluca Brunori
Summary: This study aims to support a policy design that recognizes the diversity of small farms' business models and their role in addressing environmental, economic, social, and institutional challenges in European farming systems. By using resilience thinking and the Business Model Canvas framework, the research reveals the diversity of small farms' business models and their contribution to the resilience of food systems.
SOCIOLOGIA RURALIS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Matteo Metta, Stefano Ciliberti, Chinedu Obi, Fabio Bartolini, Laurens Klerkx, Gianluca Brunori
Summary: This study aims to operationalize the concept of socio-cyber-physical systems (SCPS) within an integrated assessment framework and apply it in multi-stakeholder platforms to evaluate the impacts of digitization on sustainable development goals.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Caterina Contini, Klaus Grunert, Rikke Nyland Christensen, Fabio Boncinelli, Gabriele Scozzafava, Leonardo Casini
Summary: Our study is a part of the ongoing scientific and political debate on how to educate consumers about the health benefits of foods and steer them towards healthier eating habits. Specifically, we examined how consumers' attitude towards functional foods influences their choices when presented with health claims and the perception of naturalness. Using a hybrid choice model, we analyzed data from Italian and Danish consumers and found valuable insights for policymakers and food manufacturers looking to promote nutraceutical-rich products.
FOOD QUALITY AND PREFERENCE
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Fabio Boncinelli, Andrea Dominici, Federico Bondioni, Enrico Marone
Summary: This study examines the impact of mandatory country of origin labeling for wheat on the demand for pasta in Italy. The findings suggest that consumers strongly support this policy and are willing to pay more for pasta made with Italian wheat due to their preference for locally produced goods.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Fabio Boncinelli, Francesca Gerini, Giovanna Piracci, Roberto Bellia, Leonardo Casini
Summary: Greenwashing refers to the strategies used by manufacturers to promote environmentally friendly production methods without actually committing to these practices. This phenomenon poses a threat to the development of a sustainable market. Evaluating the impact of greenwashing on consumer behavior is crucial for meaningful guidance to manufacturers, retailers, and policymakers.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Fabio Bartolini, Daniele Vergamini
Summary: Rural ecosystems are of vital importance for human well-being and economic development as they provide essential resources and various services. However, a narrow focus on provisioning services has led to landscape standardization and a decline in biodiversity and ecosystem services. Diverse rural landscapes can enrich ecosystem services, but there is a need to understand the trade-offs and synergies between land use, landscape, and ecosystem services. We conducted an empirical analysis to assess the perception of ecosystem services provided by different rural landscapes in the Tuscany region.
Article
Economics
Giovanna Piracci, Fabio Boncinelli, Leonardo Casini
Summary: Plastic pollution is a significant concern, especially in the packaging sector, where the food industry contributes to plastic waste. This study aimed to investigate consumer preferences for sustainable packaging options and understand the decision-making process. The results showed that consumer tastes varied, and different decision frameworks had an impact on preferences. Policymakers and marketers need to consider these differences to promote pro-environmental food choices.
ENVIRONMENTAL & RESOURCE ECONOMICS
(2023)
Article
Economics
Marina Knickel, Guido Caniglia, Karlheinz Knickel, Sandra Sumane, Damian Maye, Sabrina Arcuri, Daniel Keech, Talis Tisenkopfs, Gianluca Brunori
Summary: The ability to learn from each other is essential for successful transdisciplinary collaboration, as it allows researchers and practitioners to navigate the challenges involved. This article explores how learning to collaborate can enhance individual and collective capacities in TD research, using social learning theory. The study examines collaborative learning processes in three European Living Labs, which focus on rural-urban relations, and highlights the importance of intentional focus on collaborative learning processes for the co-production of sustainable futures.
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Caterina Contini, Fabio Boncinelli, Giovanna Piracci, Gabriele Scozzafava, Leonardo Casini
Summary: Consumers' increasing interest in product information such as nutrition, environment, and social aspects can be addressed by using blockchain technology to enhance the credibility of quality signals on labels. This study investigates the impact of blockchain technology in reducing consumer uncertainty regarding credence attributes and facilitating informed choices. The findings highlight the potential of blockchain technology in communicating credence attributes and empowering consumers, but also reveal that its impact on choices is influenced by the level of trust, likely due to the complexity of understanding its functioning.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD ECONOMICS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Food Science & Technology
Davide Cammarano, Jorgen Eivind Olesen, Katharina Helming, Christine Helen Foyer, Martin Schoenhart, Gianluca Brunori, Keerthi Kiran Bandru, Marco Bindi, Gloria Padovan, Bo Jellesmark Thorsen, Florian Freund, Diego Abalos
Summary: The lack of strong interconnection between research, policy, and societal action inhibits climate change mitigation in agri-food systems. Modelling tools, international superordinate bodies, and stakeholder-inclusive assessment frameworks can facilitate better alignment between these three pillars of human progress.
Letter
Food Science & Technology
Brajesh K. Singh, Evan D. G. Fraser, Tom Arnold, Patricia Biermayr-Jenzano, Jacqueline E. W. Broerse, Gianluca Brunori, Patrick Caron, Olivier De Schutter, Karen Fabbri, Shenggen Fan, Jessica Fanzo, Magdalena Gajdzinska, Mirjana Gurinovic, Marta Hugas, Jacqueline McGlade, Christine Nellemann, Jemimah Njuki, Hanna L. Tuomisto, Seta Tutundjian, Justus Wesseler, Roberta Sonnino, Patrick Webb
