Search Results (377)

This study offers the first systematic exploration of the Greek e-Government team, a public sector innovation unit that operated within the Office of the Prime Minister of Greece from 2009 to 2012—the sole example of such a unit in the country. It illustrates how strategically positioned innovation units can function as change agents within government bureaucracies. The purpose of this work was to analyze how this distinctive unit functioned by bridging policy formulation, legislative drafting, and technological implementation at the highest government levels. The research involved thematic analysis of original interviews conducted with most core members of the team. The findings highlight successes, notably the Diavgeia transparency platform, which markedly improved administrative transparency, accountability, and citizen access to government decisions. Important challenges were also identified, particularly regarding the sustainability of the unit, issues of institutionalization, and meaningful citizen engagement. The experience of the Greek e-Government team suggests that public sector innovation (PSI) units are most effective when they combine high-level political access with multidisciplinary expertise and operational flexibility. The analysis also reveals inherent tensions between the need for centralized coordination and the benefits of decentralized implementation, as well as challenges in maintaining citizen participation throughout the policy development process. Full article

This research examines the compounding risks of global environmental change, including climate change, environmental law, biodiversity loss, and pollution, which threaten the stability of economic systems worldwide. While digital technology and global governance regulation are increasingly being proposed as solutions, their synergistic potential in advancing economic sustainability has been less explored. How can these technologies mitigate environmental risks while promoting sustainable and equitable development, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals? We analyze policy global environmental data from the World Bank and the United Nations, as well as literature reviews on digital interventions, artificial intelligence, and smart databases. Global environmental change presents economic stability and rule of law threats, and innovative governance responses are needed. This study evaluates the potential for digital technology to be leveraged to enhance climate resilience and regulatory systems and address key implementation, equity, and policy coherence deficits. Policy recommendations for aligning economic development trajectories with planetary boundaries emphasize that proactive digital governance integration is indispensable for decoupling growth from environmental degradation. However, fragmented governance and unequal access to technologies undermine scalability. Successful experiences demonstrate that integrated policies, combining incentives, data transparency, and multilateral coordination, deliver maximum economic and environmental co-benefits, matching digital innovation with good governance. We provide policymakers with an action plan to leverage technology as a multiplier of sustainability, prioritizing inclusive governance structures to address implementation gaps and inform legislation. Full article

This strategic document outlines Bulgaria’s roadmap for modernizing its cartographic sector from 2025 to 2035, addressing the outdated geospatial infrastructure, lack of standardized digital practices, lack of coordinated digital infrastructure, outdated standards, and fragmented data management systems. The strategy was developed in accordance with the national methodology for strategic planning and through preliminary consultations with key stakeholders, including research institutions, business organizations, and public institutions. It aims to build a human-centered, data-driven geospatial framework aligned with global standards such as ISO 19100 and the EU INSPIRE Directive. Core components include: (1) modernization of the national geodetic system, (2) adoption of remote sensing and AI technologies, (3) development of interactive, web-based geospatial platforms, and (4) implementation of quality assurance and certification standards. A SWOT analysis highlights key strengths—such as existing institutional expertise—and critical challenges, including outdated legislation and insufficient coordination. The strategy emphasizes the need for innovation, regulatory reform, inter-institutional collaboration, and sustained investment. It ultimately positions Bulgarian cartography as a strategic contributor to national sustainable development and digital transformation. Full article

Religious freedom, the management of religious diversity, and interreligious dialogue are emerging and closely interconnected phenomena. In the context of increasing religious pluralism, policymakers, religious institutions, and other civil society actors and organizations face challenges, particularly as they strive to legitimize their religious, social, and legal positions in contemporary societies. Drawing on 47 interviews with policymakers (N° 10), privileged informants (N° 15), and religious (N° 18) and interreligious leaders (N° 4), conducted as part of the Project Urban Governance of Religious Diversity (2023–2025), this article examines interreligious dialogue, as a social practice shaped by national legal frameworks on religious freedom and local governance mechanisms regulating religious diversity. More specifically, we analyze the three most relevant themes that emerged from the interview material: first, the limitations and opportunities within the current legislative framework, particularly in relation to local administrations’ efforts to complement national regulations and support religious communities in innovative ways; second, critiques of top-down initiatives on interreligious dialogue, wherein institutional priorities sometimes overshadow the voices and needs of religious groups; and finally, the impact of global events, such as the ongoing genocide in Palestine, on interreligious dialogue and established relationships among different faith communities. The article concludes by summarizing the main findings and outlining potential avenues for future research. Full article

The accelerated transformations in the education system marked by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) require a rethinking of pedagogical approaches. The VUCA environment requires a new educational management system in line with new technological trends in order to respond effectively to all the internal and external factors that may affect the quality of teaching. A particularly important course of action is updating teaching methods by combining traditional teaching methods with new interactive methods that promote the introduction of certain digital applications during the teaching of new topics. In this sense, the quantitative research carried out in the present study among second-year students from the psycho-pedagogical program organized by the Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania, has highlighted the fact that innovative teaching methods are more effective, contributing to the development of personality and communication skills among pupils and students. Also, the results obtained after applying the Mann–Whitney test showed that there is a significant difference between students involved in different educational activities and those who do not have contact with the educational environment in terms of perceiving the volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity of the educational environment. At the same time, in the context of the VUCA world, in order to ensure the effectiveness of the teaching–learning process, teachers need to develop new skills such as stress management, adaptability, creativity, technological skills, and time management. Addressing the specific competencies that teachers need to acquire in order to improve their teaching and to respond effectively to the volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity in education, this study contributes to the creation of a sustainable education system, which is able to cope with all transformations (technological, legislative, socio-economic, etc.). The article is based on the results obtained in the postdoctoral research conducted at the end of 2024. Full article

The increasing demand for sustainable poultry production has urged the exploration of alternative feed strategies supporting animal performance and environmental goals. The first section outlines the protein requirements in broiler nutrition (19–25% crude protein) and the physiological importance of balanced amino acid profiles. Vegetal conventional protein sources are discussed in terms of their nutritional value (12.7–20.1 MJ/kg), limitations (antinutritional factors), and availability. Emerging trends in broiler nutrition highlight the integration of supplements and the need for innovative feed solutions as support for the improvement in broiler body weight and feed efficiency increase. Microbial protein sources: yeast biomass (41–60% of 100 g dry weight), microbial mixed cultures (32–76% of 100 g dry weight), and beer by-products, such as brewer’s spent yeast (43–52% of 100 g dry weight), offer promising nutritional profiles, rich in bioactive compounds (vitamin B complex, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants), and may contribute to improved gut health, immunity, and feed efficiency when used as dietary supplements. The review also addresses the regulatory and safety considerations associated with the use of microbial protein in animal feed, emphasizing EU legislation and standards. Finally, recent findings on the impact of microbial protein supplementation on broiler growth performance, carcass traits, and overall health status are discussed. This review supports the inclusion of microbial protein sources as valuable co-nutrients that complement conventional feed proteins, contributing to more resilient and sustainable broiler production and broiler meat products. Full article

This article proposes recognizing innovation as the European Union’s “fifth freedom”, alongside the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people, with the aim of embedding it into renewable energy legislation. Focusing on renewable energy storage—a critical but overlooked component of decarbonization—it identifies structural barriers in EU cleantech innovation, including regulatory fragmentation, slow financing, and weak industrial coordination. To address these, this article introduces the Risk–Resilience–Reward (RRR) framework, a strategic tool for more anticipatory policymaking. It outlines how the proposed Clean Energy Delivery Agency and Clean Energy Deployment Fund could operationalize the RRR framework to accelerate storage deployment and strengthen EU competitiveness. Embedding purpose-led principles in energy policy, this article positions storage as the “unsung hero of decarbonization” and offers takeaways for advancing a just, sustainable EU economy. Full article

Ports represent the point of intersection between sea and land, as well as a crucial node for the integration of maritime and land transport in the global logistics chain. Consequently, it is crucial to consider an articulated system that includes dry ports, freight interchange and intermodal logistics platforms, since the relationships between the port and the city, as well as those between the different decision-makers involved, are multiple and complex. Maritime transport and port operations have a direct and indirect impact on the surrounding contexts, with significant effects, particularly from an environmental point of view. Therefore, the green transition in logistics, port, and maritime systems is essential for reducing these impacts. In this context, the aspects related to operational practices and terminal design are of great importance. This paper aims to explore sustainable strategies for ports and maritime logistics in order to provide a methodological approach to green transition. The proposed methodology was divided into phases. First, an analysis of international and European legislation was conducted in order to identify the main critical issues. Subsequently, a review of the existing literature and best practices was carried out to identify tested solutions. The third phase included a Stakeholder Engagement Process, centred on the use of a thematic focus group to foster a collaborative approach to the definition of priorities and operational strategies. Part of the proposed methodology was implemented as part of the DEMASTER—Design of Maritime Sustainable Terminals—project, and it can allow for the evaluation of the different options and the identification of more effective and innovative solutions for the green transition. Full article

Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is anticipated to revolutionize transport by integrating conventional public transport with on-demand and shared services. This innovation promises enhanced convenience, flexibility, and sustainability in urban mobility, drawing interest from both researchers and industry. However, those systems heavily rely on the collection and sharing of personal data among various stakeholders, introducing security and privacy risks. To understand the scale and scope of cyber security and privacy concerns and risks associated with MaaS, we conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) covering 87 relevant research papers published between 2017 and April 2025. Our review represents the most comprehensive examination focusing on cyber security and privacy issues of MaaS systems. Our findings reveal three themes discussed within the MaaS literature: (i) cyber security and privacy risks inherent to MaaS systems, alongside proposed solutions to mitigate such risks; (ii) users’ concerns about these risks and how they affect MaaS adoption; and (iii) laws and policies that govern cyber security and privacy aspects of MaaS systems and solutions. As such, our research serves to not only inform MaaS service providers and users but also advise policymakers and legislators on the potential risks involved and the regulatory measures required to address them. Full article

Occupational safety and health (OSH) training plays a crucial role in preventing workplace accidents, ensuring compliance with legislation, and fostering a safety-oriented culture across all sectors. This article compares traditional OSH training methods with innovative approaches that incorporate interactive elements and virtual reality (VR) technologies, with a particular emphasis on their contributions to sustainability. The study analyzes feedback from training participants across various occupational roles and age groups, focusing on the effectiveness, engagement, and perception of each method. The results demonstrate that interactive training and VR-based training not only enhance participant engagement and improve comprehension of safety procedures but also promote sustainable training practices by reducing the need for physical materials, minimizing travel, and decreasing reliance on extensive on-site infrastructure. These advancements contribute to environmental sustainability within safety training programs. The paper further explores the benefits, challenges, and economic considerations associated with implementing sustainable, technologically enhanced training approaches. The findings suggest that integrating modern, sustainable educational technologies into OSH training leads to more effective knowledge transfer, better preparedness of employees for emergency situations, and a reduction in environmental impact, aligning safety training practices with broader sustainability goals. Full article

This article examines Vienna’s public housing model as an exemplary case of institutional innovation in the public sector, defined by its regulatory stability, universalist orientation, and resistance to the commodification of urban land. Through a thematic analysis of scientific sources indexed in Scopus and official documents from the City of Vienna and the Austrian legislative framework, the study identifies both the achievements and the structural tensions within the system. The findings reveal a form of slow innovation grounded in the capacity to integrate new agendas—such as social and environmental sustainability or collaborative modes of living—into an already consolidated regulatory framework. However, grey areas persist, particularly with regard to the exclusion of vulnerable groups, community fragmentation, and the limited replicability of alternative models. The study contributes to expanding the concept of innovation in public administration beyond technocratic approaches, highlighting the value of adaptive institutionalism. Full article

Dredging is essential for the maintenance of ports, waterways, lakes, and lagoons to ensure their operability and economic value. Over the last few decades, scientists have focused on the significant environmental challenges associated with dredging, including habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, sediment suspension, and contamination with heavy metals and organic pollutants. The huge loss of sediment in coastal areas and the associated erosion processes are now forcing stakeholders to look ahead and turn potential problems into an opportunity to develop new sediment management strategies, beyond environmental protection, toward ecosystem restoration and coastal resilience. Moreover, the European and Italian strategies, such as the European Green Deal (EGD) and the Italian Ecological Transition Plan (PTE), highlight the need to reuse dredge sediment in circular economy strategies, transforming them into valuable resources for construction, agriculture, and environmental restoration projects. European legislation on dredging is fundamental to the issue of management and priorities of dredged materials, but the implementation rules are deferred to individual member states. In Italy, the Ministerial Decree 173/2016 covers the main aspects of dredge activities and dredge sediment management. Moreover, it encourages the remediation and reuse of the dredge sediment. This study starts with a comprehensive analysis of the innovative remediation techniques that minimize impacts and promote sustainable, beneficial sediment management. Different remediation methods, such as electrochemical treatments, chemical stabilization, emerging nanotechnologies, bioremediation, and phytoremediation, will be evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing pollution. Finally, we highlight new perspectives, integrated strategies, and multidisciplinary approaches that combine various technological innovations, including artificial intelligence, to enhance sediment reuse with the aim of promoting economic growth and environmental protection. Full article

The development of the construction industry in Hong Kong and the UK has long played a vital role in economic development, advanced or otherwise, but has also brought formidable environmental challenges, particularly in terms of the huge volume of waste generated. This review paper puts under scrutiny the environmental management practices and green materials and technologies adoption in the construction industries of two developed regions, Hong Kong and the UK, the main objective being to compare their approaches to construction waste management and assess the level to which they have adopted sustainable practices. This review recognizes construction waste as a major contributor to environmental degradation and indicates the on-site waste reduction according to waste hierarchy as adopted by both regions. Major findings are that effective environmental management practices, such as resource optimization, waste minimization, and pollution prevention, are also enforced through legislation and fiscal policies. The use of eco-concrete, plastic wood, and recycled steel, together with high-tech roofs and solar panels, shows a move toward sustainable and energy-saving building that is taking root more and more. This paper highlights the need for policies and innovation in promoting sustainable building. Future studies should look into the green techs’ long-term performance, cross-area policy spread, and how digital tools help maximize waste and create sustainably. Full article

The sustainability of the natural gas-to-methanol (NGTM) and methanol-to-gasoline (MTG) processes are assessed in this systematic review as a potential substitute in the global energy transition. Methanol offers itself as a versatile and less carbon-intensive substitute for conventional gasoline in light of growing environmental concerns and the demand for cleaner fuels. This review’s rationale is to assess MTG’s ability to lessen environmental impact while preserving compatibility with current fuel infrastructure. The goal is to examine methanol and gasoline’s effects on the environment, society, and economy throughout their life cycles. This review used a two-phase systematic literature review methodology, filtering and evaluating studies that were indexed by Scopus using bibliometric and thematic analysis. A total of 25 documents were reviewed, in which 22 documents analyzed part of this study, and 68% employed LCA or techno-economic analysis, with the U.S. contributing 35% of the overall publications. A comparative analysis of the reviewed literature indicates that methanol-based fuels offer significantly lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and life cycle environmental impacts than gasoline, particularly when combined with carbon capture and renewable feedstocks. This review also highlights benefits, such as improved safety and energy security, while acknowledging challenges, including high production costs, infrastructure adaptation, and toxicity concerns. Several drawbacks are high manufacturing costs, the necessity to adjust infrastructure, and toxicity issues. The report suggests investing in renewable methanol production, AI-driven process optimization, and robust legislative frameworks for integrating green fuels. The life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) of NGTM and MTG systems should be investigated in future studies, particularly in light of different feedstock and regional circumstances. The findings emphasize NGTM and MTG’s strategic role in aligning with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and add to the worldwide conversation on sustainable fuels. A strong transition necessitates multi-stakeholder cooperation, innovation, and supporting policies to fully realize the sustainability promise of cleaner fuels like methanol. Full article

The civil and military use of autonomously or remotely controlled unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has become standard in many sectors. However, their role as supplementary vehicles for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) or search and rescue (SAR)—particularly when aiding individuals in hard-to-reach terrains—remains underexplored and in need of further innovation. The feasibility of using UAVs in such operations depends on multiple factors, including legislative, economic, and market conditions. However, the most critical considerations are external factors that impact UAV flight, such as meteorological conditions (wind speed and direction), the designated operational area, the proficiency of the pilot–operator, and the classification and certification of the UAV, particularly if it has been modified for such missions. Additionally, the feasibility of the remote or autonomous control of the UAV in mountainous environments plays a crucial role in determining their effectiveness. Establishing a specialized simulation environment to address these challenges is essential for assessing UAV performance in mountainous regions. This is particularly relevant in the Slovak Republic, a very rugged landscape, where the planned expansion of UAV-assisted rescue operations must be preceded by thorough testing, flight verification, and operational planning within protected landscape areas. Moreover, significant legislative changes will be required, which can only be implemented after the comprehensive testing of UAV operations in these specific mountain environments. Full article