Search Results (18)

The successful commercialisation of underground hydrogen storage (UHS) is contingent upon technological readiness and social acceptance. A lack of social acceptance, inadequate policies/regulations, an unreliable business case, and environmental uncertainty have the potential to delay or prevent UHS commercialisation, even in cases where it is ready. The technologies utilised for underground hydrogen and carbon dioxide storage are analogous. The differences lie in the types of gases stored and the purpose of their storage. It is anticipated that the challenges related to public acceptance will be analogous in both cases. An assessment was made of the possibility of transferring experiences related to the social acceptance of CO₂ sequestration to UHS based on an analysis of relevant articles from indexed journals. The analysis enabled the identification of elements that can be used and incorporated into the social acceptance of UHS. A framework was identified that supports the assessment and implementation of factors determining social acceptance, ranging from conception to demonstration to implementation. These factors include education, communication, stakeholder involvement, risk assessment, policy and regulation, public trust, benefits, research and demonstration programmes, and social embedding. Implementing these measures has the potential to increase acceptance and facilitate faster implementation of this technology. Full article

Globalisation, commercialisation, commodification, and mass communication have led to a loss of uniqueness and a cultural uniformity in places, known as “placelessness”. This study proposes a novel business concept called “placeful business” that addresses this issue. A placeful business incorporates local heritage, showcases unique architecture and aesthetics, engages with the community, and promotes place sustainability and identity. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 stakeholders, and a salience-valence analysis was performed on 874 online reviews from Google Maps, TripAdvisor, Booking.com, Agoda, and Hostelworld. This analysis aimed to reveal the key factors contributing to positive experiences and gain insights into the representation and manifestation of placeful characteristics. Through a mixed-method case study of Once Again Hostel in Bangkok, this research identified several salient attributes of the hostel that reinforce the characteristics of a placeful business and have a positive impact on the community. The authors also observed the interconnected and mutually reinforcing nature of placeful and successful factors. However, it was noted that guests’ perception and understanding of placeful characteristics remained limited. While the placeful business model has not yet gained widespread recognition in the business and academic domains, it offers practical implications for small businesses seeking to differentiate themselves in the global market by infusing their operations with a distinct sense of place. Furthermore, place managers can play a crucial role in promoting and fostering placeful business practices as a means to counteract the growing homogenization of places. The adoption of the placeful business model enables the continuous reinforcement of place identity, which, in turn, contributes to the long-term enhancement of place sustainability. Full article

Edible insects have been suggested as a more sustainable source of protein, but their consumption varies according to geographical and sociocultural influences. Focusing on the different aspects that can influence people’s attitudes towards edible insects (EI), this work aimed to carry out the statistical validation of an instrument aimed at assessing different dimensions of this field: the KPEI (knowledge and perceptions about EI) scale. The instrument consists of 64 questions distributed by the following dimensions: Culture and Tradition, Gastronomic Innovation and Gourmet Kitchen, Environment and Sustainability, Economic and Social Aspects, Commercialization and Marketing, Nutritional Characteristics, and Health Effects. The data were collected in 13 countries (Croatia, Greece, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, and Turkey). The validation of the KPEI scale was made through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The results revealed two acceptable models, both retaining 37 of the 64 initial items, distrusted by the seven dimensions as: Culture and Tradition (5 items), Gastronomic Innovation and Gourmet Kitchen (5 items), Environment and Sustainability (8 items), Economic and Social Aspects (5 items), Commercialisation and Marketing (4 items), Nutritional Aspects (6 items), Health Effects (4 items). Both multifactorial models resulting from the CFA/SEM analyses showed approximately equal goodness of statistical fit indices with values of Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA), Root Mean Square Residual (RMR), and Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR) partially zero and values of Goodness of Fit Index (GFI) and Comparative Fit Index (CFI) approximately one, i.e., very close to a perfect fit. For the first-order model, the ratio between chi-square and degrees of freedom is χ²/df = 13.734, GFI = 0.932, CFI = 0.930, RMSEA = 0.043, RMR = 0.042, SRMR = 0.042; and for the second-order model χ²/df = 14.697, GFI = 0.926, CFI = 0.923, RMSEA = 0.045, RMR = 0.047, SRMR = 0.046). The values of composite reliability (CR = 0.967) and mean extracted variance (MEV = 0.448) are indicative of a good fit. Finally, the reliability analysis indicated a very good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.941). These results confirm the successful validation of the KPEI scale, making it a valuable instrument for future application at the international level. Full article

The objective of this paper was to understand the perspectives of multiple stakeholders on the adoption of specialty wood-decay mushroom cultivation on stumps in connection with timber harvesting in Finland. The perspectives of supply chain actors, i.e., forest owners, forest harvesting entrepreneurs, forest professionals, and natural product entrepreneurs, were assessed using web-based questionnaires. Forest professionals (34%) were most interested in specialty mushroom cultivation in co-operation with companies selling cultures or buying mushrooms, whereas about one-fourth of the forest owners (23%) indicated that interest. Forest owners were willing to do the cultivation by themselves and to lease their forests for mushroom cultivation. Compared to household users, forest owners who had commercialised the non-timber forest products (NTFPs) of their forests or were willing to sell licences for NTFP picking and gathering permits were more interested in mushroom cultivation. Additionally, background information on forest owners, such as part-time forestry entrepreneurship, younger age, male gender, and higher education, significantly increased the odds of indicating interest in participating in the supply chain. One-fourth of the harvesting entrepreneurs (25%) indicated an interest in marketing and providing specialty mushroom cultivation services to forest owners in timber harvesting. Specialty mushrooms were already used by 26% of natural product entrepreneurs, and 40% indicated that specialty mushrooms could be used in the future. The shortage of information on, for example, cultivation success, yield, and costs, as well as profitability analyses, was acknowledged by all supply chain actors as the most serious barrier inhibiting their partnership in the production and utilisation of specialty mushrooms. Full article

Understanding the factors that drive the successful commercialisation of indigenous innovation in Sub-Saharan African economies is still limited. From both policy and theoretical perspectives, regulation is one factor that remains crucial for the successful commercialisation of innovation. However, the empirical evidence is still unclear regarding its effect on firm performance, urging the need for more evidence from different economies, sectors, and firms. This study, therefore, examined the effects of regulation on the performance of firms engaged in the commercialisation of indigenous innovation in the Ghanaian small-scale industry, a typical low-income economy in Sub-Sahara Africa. From the frugal innovation theoretical perspective, the study assumed that firms engaged in the commercialisation of indigenous innovation in such low-income economies operate in an environment with regulatory gaps and voids. Using a sample survey of 557, it deployed PLS-SEM to test the effects of regulation on key successful commercialisation metrics. The findings show that at a 5% statistical significance level, regulation has significant positive effects on sales, employment, and owners’ feelings of success. Regulation also positively moderates the influence of finance and organisational factors on overall firm performance. The study provides leading evidence of the effect of regulation on the commercialisation of indigenous innovation from Ghana and adds to the clarification of the impact of regulation. It suggests that in such low-income economies, the policy must consider more balanced and appropriate regulations, not less, or deregulating to promote indigenous innovation. Full article

The intrusion of weeds into fertile areas has resulted in significant global economic and environmental impacts on agricultural production systems and native ecosystems, hence without ongoing and repeated management actions, the maintenance or restoration of these systems will become increasingly challenging. The establishment of herbicide resistance in many species and unwanted pollution caused by synthetic herbicides has ushered in the need for alternative, eco-friendly sustainable management strategies, such as the use of bioherbicides. Of the array of bioherbicides currently available, the most successful products appear to be sourced from fungi (mycoherbicides), with at least 16 products being developed for commercial use globally. Over the last few decades, bioherbicides sourced from bacteria and plant extracts (such as allelochemicals and essential oils), together with viruses, have also shown marked success in controlling various weeds. Despite this encouraging trend, ongoing research is still required for these compounds to be economically viable and successful in the long term. It is apparent that more focused research is required for (i) the improvement of the commercialisation processes, including the cost-effectiveness and scale of production of these materials; (ii) the discovery of new production sources, such as bacteria, fungi, plants or viruses and (iii) the understanding of the environmental influence on the efficacy of these compounds, such as atmospheric CO₂, humidity, soil water stress, temperature and UV radiation. Full article

A common fraud in the sweet almond industry is the presence of bitter almonds in commercial batches. The presence of bitter almonds not only causes unpleasant flavours but also problems in the commercialisation and toxicity for consumers. Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) has been proved to be suitable for the rapid and non-destructive quality evaluation in foods as it integrates the spectral and spatial dimensions. Thus, we aimed to study the feasibility of using an HSI system to identify single bitter almond kernels in commercial sweet almond batches. For this purpose, sweet and bitter almond batches, as well as different mixtures, were analysed in bulk using an HSI system which works in the spectral range 946.6–1648.0 nm. Qualitative models were developed using Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) to differentiate between sweet and bitter almonds, obtaining a classification success of over the 99%. Furthermore, data reduction, as a function of the most relevant wavelengths (VIP scores), was applied to evaluate its performance. Then, the pixel-by-pixel validation of the mixtures was carried out, identifying correctly between 61–85% of the adulterations, depending on the group of mixtures and the cultivar analysed. The results confirm that HSI, without VIP scores data reduction, can be considered a promising approach for classifying the bitterness of almonds analysed in bulk, enabling identifying individual bitter almonds inside sweet almond batches. However, a more complex mathematical analysis is necessary before its implementation in the processing lines. Full article

Lavender crops have had an impressive continuous development in recent years, being currently a suitable alternative to other traditional crops because they can yield a high profit per hectare. This can be especially useful in Romania, with its high prevalence of subsistence and semi-subsistence farms. This study aims to analyse the issue of small emergent lavender farms in the context of the current Romanian agricultural background, including the framework mechanisms for implementing the Common Agricultural Policy at a national level. The research uses the qualitative survey method to provide broad, synthetic, analytical insights into small lavender farms/businesses in Romania, considering the perspective of the following two target groups: farm owners and civil servants with agricultural expertise. The main results show that both sample groups agree that lavender farms can be successful and satisfactory solutions. Increasing participation in information and training sessions may improve farmers’ access to financing mechanisms, but both small farmers and civil servants with agricultural expertise identify a series of problems, mainly regarding the absence of a dedicated market for lavender-based products and a lack of labour force, both essential for maintaining the farming–processing–commercialising chain. The authors also conclude that a more flexible and future harmonisation between Romania’s agricultural realities, the Common Agricultural Policy, and the National Rural Development Programme would improve lavender farming’s social and economic impact. Follow-up research may envisage more in-depth market analyses for this emerging sector in Romania, facing obvious competition, but which could also benefit from good practice exchanges in the region. Full article

The development of innovation at a regional level in a transition economy is characterised by complex multidirectional processes of generating and commercialising innovation, indicating the need for systematic research and rethinking of the existing methods of managing such territorial entities to stimulate innovation. For the successful introduction and implementation of innovative solutions, the deployment of appropriate amounts of intellectual, material and financial resources as well as their concentration in space and time is important. This article aims to develop a model for assessing the effectiveness of regional innovation systems (RISs) during the shift from the transition economy to the market economy. The authors developed a two-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) model connected with patent activities and the output of innovative goods and services. The model’s application made it possible to build maps describing the rating of regions concerning the performance indicator and to identify the availability of unutilised resources. For example, we identified efficient and inefficient regions in terms of producing innovative products, which is especially important for developing additional measures for developing the institutional environment of regions with considerable resources but very low utilisation efficiency. The data obtained will allow for more effective management of the structural elements of RISs as well as the detection of changes in the dynamics of key development indicators by identifying the size of efficiency reserves and the causes of their occurrence at the individual subject level. Full article

There is a growing interest in flexitarian diets, which has resulted in the commercialisation of new hybrid meat products, containing both meat and plant-based ingredients. Consumer attitudes towards hybrid meat products have not been explored, and it is not clear which factors could affect the success of such products. This study is the first to overview of the UK hybrid meat product market and to explore consumer’s attitudes towards hybrid meat products in 201 online reviews, using tools and techniques of corpus linguistics (language analysis). In the positive reviews, consumers emphasised the taste dimension of the hybrid meat products, seeing them as healthier options with good texture and easy to prepare. The negative reviews related to the poor sensory quality and not to the concept of hybridity itself. Using a multidisciplinary approach, our findings revealed valuable insights into consumer attitudes and highlighted factors to consider to market new hybrid meat products effectively. Full article

Since their conception, ionic liquids (ILs) have been investigated for an extensive range of applications including in solvent chemistry, catalysis, and electrochemistry. This is due to their designation as designer solvents, whereby the physiochemical properties of an IL can be tuned for specific applications. This has led to significant research activity both by academia and industry from the 1990s, accelerating research in many fields and leading to the filing of numerous patents. However, while ILs have received great interest in the patent literature, only a limited number of processes are known to have been commercialised. This review aims to provide a perspective on the successful commercialisation of IL-based processes, to date, and the advantages and disadvantages associated with the use of ILs in industry. Full article

The fruition, commercialisation and clinical application combining nano-engineering, nanomedicine and material science for utilisation in drug delivery is becoming a reality. The successful integration of nanomaterial in nanotherapeutics requires their critical development to ensure physiological and biological compatibility. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are attractive nanocarriers due to their biodegradable, biocompatible, and relative malleable porous frameworks that can be functionalized for enhanced targeting and delivery in a variety of disease models. The optimal formulation of an MSN with polyethylene glycol (2% and 5%) and chitosan was undertaken, to produce sterically stabilized, hydrophilic MSNs, capable of efficient loading and delivery of the hydrophobic anti-neoplastic drug, doxorubicin (DOX). The pH-sensitive release kinetics of DOX, together with the anticancer, apoptosis and cell-cycle activities of DOX-loaded MSNs in selected cancer cell lines were evaluated. MSNs of 36–60 nm in size, with a pore diameter of 9.8 nm, and a cumulative surface area of 710.36 m²/g were produced. The 2% pegylated MSN formulation (PCMSN) had the highest DOX loading capacity (0.98 mg_dox/mg_msn), and a sustained release profile over 72 h. Pegylated-drug nanoconjugates were effective at a concentration range between 20–50 μg/mL, inducing apoptosis in cancer cells, and affirming their potential as effective drug delivery vehicles. Full article

Bio-resins are bio-based materials derived from vegetable resources, especially from vegetable seed oils. It is widely known that bio-resources are renewable, highly available, and sustainable. Resins and most polymers are largely derived from petroleum-based sources that are known to pose chemical risks. Resins have practical applications in printing inks, plasticisers and diluents, as well as in coating materials. Vegetable oils possess a large number of oxirane groups, which are essential for epoxidation to occur, resulting in the production of bio-resins. This undeniably serves as a promising candidate for competing with fossil-fuel-derived petroleum-based products. Thus, the aim of this review paper is to highlight aspects related to the production of bio-resins, including the chemical route of vegetable oil epoxidation process and its influencing factors, the reaction kinetics, bio-resins and the physico-chemical and mechanical properties of bio-resins, along with their applications. The resins industry has seen some remarkable progress towards the commercialisation of several bio-resins originating from vegetable oils, such as soybean oil, castor oil, and linseed oil. This success has undoubtedly intensified further efforts in fields related to bio-resin applications. Research and development is ongoing with the aim of customising a feasible formulation for the synthesis of bio-resins with the desired properties for catering to various applications Full article

Aboriginal tourism entrepreneurs operating in remote regions of Australia draw on their 60,000 years of heritage to offer unique and distinct cultural experiences to domestic and international tourists. Living and operating in remote climates presents challenges to achieving successful and sustainable enterprises, including extreme weather, substandard infrastructure, distance from policy makers, distance from markets and the commercialisation of culture, which is customarily owned by and for use by traditional custodians, to produce and deliver a market-ready tourism product. However, many remote Aboriginal tourism entrepreneurs nevertheless achieve success and sustainability. This paper builds on the work of Foley to identify the characteristics of successful remote Aboriginal tourism enterprises and Aboriginal entrepreneurs in remote areas and the resourceful and creative business practices used by remote Aboriginal entrepreneurs to overcome barriers to success and finds that ongoing connections to community and culture are a key factor in that success. It also draws on the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals to identify how the characteristics of remote tourism entrepreneurs and enterprises promote or inhibit the achievement of sustainability and suggests that they offer a framework for effective support of remote Aboriginal entrepreneurs. It concludes by noting that the industry would benefit from further investigation of the contributions made to sustainability by remote Aboriginal tourism enterprises and their stakeholders. Full article

Influenza A virus (IAV) represents an ongoing threat to human and animal health worldwide. The generation of IAV-resistant chickens through genetic modification and/or selective breeding may help prevent viral spread. The feasibility of creating genetically modified birds has already been demonstrated with the insertion of transgenes that target IAV into the genomes of chickens. This approach has been met with some success in minimising the spread of IAV but has limitations in terms of its ability to prevent the emergence of disease. An alternate approach is the use of genetic engineering to improve host resistance by targeting the antiviral immune responses of poultry to IAV. Harnessing such resistance mechanisms in a “genetic restoration” approach may hold the greatest promise yet for generating disease resistant chickens. Continuing to identify genes associated with natural resistance in poultry provides the opportunity to identify new targets for genetic modification and/or selective breeding. However, as with any new technology, economic, societal, and legislative barriers will need to be overcome before we are likely to see commercialisation of genetically modified birds. Full article