665 research outputs found
The EMAS impasse: Factors influencing Italian organizations to withdraw or renew the registration
No full textThe Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) are voluntary tools with which companies manage the environmental aspects of their operations. In Europe, the most widespread are the ISO 14001:2015 international standard and the one defined by the European Regulation EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme). During the last years, while the number of ISO 14001 certified organizations has constantly grown, EMAS registered organizations have been declining. This phenomenon has occurred also in Italy, which accounts for roughly one-fourth of the 4000 European registrations. Only few scholars have explored this phenomenon and the existing relationship between EMAS outcomes and the decision to renew the Registration. Focusing on the Italian context, this paper aims at reducing this gap. The study presents the results of a survey, targeted to Italian EMAS organizations, that through a questionnaire investigates how the Scheme impacts on organizations' operations. Results have been analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Cluster Analysis and Binary Logistic Regressions, with the main goal to evaluate whether EMAS perceived benefits are significant in the decision to maintain the registration. Moreover, it explores the existence of significant linkages between organizationsâ characteristics and their willingness to renew EMAS. Findings show a significant predisposition to renew the registration, especially for small-sized organizations. Conversely, there is a negative link between renewal intentions and the possession of ISO 14001 certification. Finally, perceived benefits gained with EMAS implementation are not constantly significant predictors of the willingness to renew the registration. Despite the negative growth trend, the high levels of willingness to renew EMAS expressed by the respondents confirm the tool as a valuable resource and a solid baseline toward the implementation of more sustainable business models. Additionally, positive outcomes of EMAS such as the maximization of material productivity and energy efficiency, the creation of value from waste and the implementation of standardized environmental indicators may support organizations in the transition toward circular economy
Management of marginal zone lymphomas
No full textMarginal zone lymphomas (MZLs) represent about 7% of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas and include 3 different subtypes- namely, extranodal (EMZL), nodal, and splenic (SMZL). The ini tial assess ment requires spe cifi c diag nos tic and stag ing procedures depending on organ-related peculiarities. In particular, although positron emission tomography/computed tomog ra phy was not ini tially recommended, recent data have reassessed its role in the rou tine stag ing of MZL, espe-cially when only local ized treat ment is planned or there is a sus pi cion of his to logic trans for ma tion. Recent find ings have improved the risk strat i fi ca tion of MZL patients, high light ing the asso ci a tion of early pro gres sion after front line ther apy with worse over all sur vival. A sig nifi cant frac tion of MZL cases may be related to spe cifi c bac te rial (ie, Helicobacter pylori in gas tric EMZL) or viral infec tions (hepatis C virus), and in the ear lier phases of dis ease, a var i able per cent age of patients may respond to anti -infec tive ther apy. Involved -site radio ther apy has a cen tral role in the man age ment of local ized EMZL not ame na ble to or not responding to anti -infec tive ther apy. Although rituximab -based treat ments (bendamustine - rituximab in advanced EMZL or rituximab monotherapy in SMZL) have dem on strated favor able results, the cur rent ther-a peu tic sce nario is predicted to rap idly change as emerg ing novel agents, espe cially Bruton ' s tyro sine kinase inhib i tors, have dem on strated prom is ing effi cacy and safety pro fi les, lead ing to their approval in the relapsed set ting. Moreover, a large variety of novel agents (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor T-cells, bispecific anti-bodies) are being tested in MZL patients with encour ag ing pre lim i nary results
A final note about ibrutinib in relapsed or refractory CLL: Conclusive results from RESONATE sound definitely good!
No full textRituximab maintenance in follicular lymphoma patients
No full textRituximab maintenance (RM) therapy following successful induction has recently emerged as a highly effective treatment for follicular lymphoma (FL). Randomized trials analyzing the impact of RM compared to observation alone have demonstrated a significantly better outcome in terms of progression-free survival (but not overall survival) in patients (pts) who received as first-line treatment single-agent rituximab, standard chemotherapy (CVP) and recently also immunochemotherapy (R-CHOP, R-CVP or R-FND), as shown by preliminary results of the PRIMA trial. Also in the setting of relapsed disease, RM has shown significant benefit either after chemotherapy or immunochemotherapy. RM has been generally well tolerated, and treated pts developed only mild toxicity, mainly a small increased rate of neutropenia, hypogammaglobulinaemia and self-limiting upper-respiratory tract infections. Moreover, no cumulative or unexpected toxicities were observed and quality of life was not affected. These data have established RM therapy as an important part of multi-modal therapeutic strategies in patients affected by FL
EMAS Regulation in Italian Clusters: Investigating the Involvement of Local Stakeholders
No full textThe last revision of the EMAS (Eco Management and Audit Scheme) Regulation encouraged a cluster approach to increase the participation of the organizations and to involve local stakeholders in the commitment to sustainability. Our research activity intends to partially fill the literature gap in the field by investigating the Italian cluster approach to EMAS, characterized by the creation of a cluster Managing Committee (MC)—which can receive an EMAS Cluster Certificate—in order to improve the implementation of the scheme. We investigated the effectiveness of MCs actions on different stakeholder categories in the nine Italian clusters with EMAS Cluster Certificate. We present the results of a survey conducted through different stakeholder categories in the considered clusters. The main goals of the investigation are to determine the effectiveness of EMAS Certificate for: local stakeholder involvement, network creation, environmental performance improvement and the increase in EMAS single registration. We find that EMAS Cluster Certificate is perceived as effective in improving environmental performance of the area and enhancing cluster image. Despite the recognition of these positive aspects, few organizations showed interest in EMAS registration because of the costs involved and the lack of incentives available from public institutions
Social values and sustainability: A survey on drivers, barriers and benefits of SA8000 certification in Italian firms
No full textCompanies are increasingly required to deal with sustainability issues through the adoption of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices. Among the different CSR aspects, workers securities fulfill a necessary issue. SA8000 is an internationally accepted tool that aims to guarantee decent workplace across all industrial sectors. Italian companies represent more than 30% of certified organizations on a global level. Company size is a key factor in the definition of managerial strategies. A survey that involved more than 600 SA8000 certified companies has been conducted. Company dimension has been used as a parameter to interpret survey results. The aspects analyzed mainly consisted of drivers, barriers and benefits in SA8000 certification pathway. The study showed a high level of homogeneity among firms. According to SA8000 requirements, one of the main issues is the implementation of control and awareness mechanisms addressed to suppliers. Survey results highlight that all respondents recognize the importance of suppliers' involvement, considered as one of the most difficult phases in implementing certification. However, there were no significant differences among Micro, Small, Medium and Large companies
Evaluating the Impact of Public Information and Training Campaigns to Improve Energy Efficiency: Findings from the Italian Industry
No full textEnergy efficiency is a pillar for the energy system transition and for reaching the Sustainable Development Goals. In the light of the “energy efficiency first!” principle, European member states enforce policies to spread energy saving throughout the whole energy chain involving both citizens and industries. In this context, information and training campaigns arise as valuable support tools to disseminate energy efficiency and, therefore, for reducing energy consumption. Although various studies have evaluated the impact of information campaigns targeted to citizens, there is a lack of investigations that assess the impact of campaigns dedicated to industry sectors. This study discusses the results of a survey targeted at energy-intensive Italian companies, with a sample of 300 responses. Starting from the analysis of drivers that trigger the implementation of energy efficiency measures, the paper proposes an approach to evaluate the amount of energy savings linked to the Italian information and training program targeted to industries carried out by the Italian Energy Efficiency Agency. Results show that although information campaigns are not a crucial driver for companies, they are recognized as a factor that contributes to the implementation of energy efficiency practices. Findings show that roughly 1.4% of energy savings noted by interviewed companies to the Italian Energy Efficiency Agency are a direct effect of the information and training program. This outcome has significant implications, especially for decision-makers, giving evidence of the efficacy of information campaigns on industries, which have great potential for the transition to low carbon production systems
How do scholars approach the circular economy? A systematic literature review
No full textCircular Economy (CE) aims to overcome the take-make-dispose linear pattern of production and consumption, proposing a circular system in which the value of products, materials and resources is maintained in the economy as long as possible. In recent years there has been a proliferation of scholars' publications on the topic. This study presents the results of a systematic literature review exploring the state-of-the-art of academic research on CE. The paper examines the CE body of literature with a systematic approach, to provide an exhaustive analysis of the phenomenon with rigorous and reproducible research criteria. The revisited material consists of 565 articles collected through the Web of Science and Scopus databases, and has been evaluated using specific structural dimensions to group literature into analytical categories. Starting from being a concept studied in connection with industrial ecology, CE has slowly acquired its independent role in academic research, framed mainly into environmental sustainability related studies. As a result of policies implementation, academic production is mainly concentrated in China and Europe, employing tools and methods for modelling processes and supporting decision-making for CE implementation (e.g. Life Cycle Assessment and Material Flow Analysis). CE studies follow three main lines of action: the first aims to change the social and economic dynamics at macro and administrative level; the second to support firms in circular processes implementation at micro level to spread new forms of consumption and product design; the third, developed at meso level, discusses industrial symbiosis experiences. CE is associated with a variety of concepts, and waste management emerges as the most relevant sub-sector. CE is also strongly connected with the concept of sustainability, proposing ways to operationalize its implementation at the environmental and economic level, while scholars only marginally consider social and institutional implications. The most explored practices are those related to cleaner production, aiming at reducing environmental impact and waste production along the life cycle of a product, and optimizing the performance and efficiency of processes. Conversely, studies on CE may devote greater attention to strategies for social and institutional changes, able to transform the upstream process of production and consumption. Considering business model strategies, scholars mainly focus on studying closing material loops strategy, while slowing the loops, which requires a radical change of consumption and production patterns, is only marginally included with respect to CE implementation. This study's findings highlight CE as an evolving concept that still requires development to consolidate its definition, boundaries, principles and associated practices
Promoting Sustainability through EMS Application: A Survey Examining the Critical Factors about EMAS Registration in Italian Organizations
No full textOne of the tools set by the European Community (EC) to reduce the environmental impact of
firms is EMAS Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009), setting up an Environmental Management
System (EMS), which aims for a continuous improvement of environmental performances. Italy has
the highest number of certified organization among all European Member States, accounting for
over one thousand registrations. The paper presents the result of a survey conducted through
a questionnaire about EMAS implementation and targeted to all Italian registered organizations.
Of nearly 1000 organizations, over 500 answers were collected. The main goal is to understand how
organizations experience the scheme, focusing on main drivers for its adoption, main difficulties
encountered, and perceived benefits. In particular, survey results contribute to define a reflection
on the difficulties regarding EMAS diffusion among European companies. Aspects identified as
critical can lead to a contraction of registration requests, especially those formulated by SMEs, which
constitute the majority of Italian companies. Moreover, perceived difficulties might affect the firms’
willingness to renew EMAS registration. Data provided by the Italian Institute for Environmental
Protection and Research (ISPRA) recently highlighted the increasing rate of firms who decide to
withdraw from registration. This study offers interesting inputs related to main critical issues in
EMAS implementation, which can be the baseline for future research on companies that abandon the
certification scheme, in order to provide suggestions for the improvement of its effectiveness both for
national and communitarian institutions
Sustainability experiences in the wine sector: toward the development of an international indicators system
No full textIncreasing awareness for sustainability has led to the proliferation of initiatives in the wine industry. These initiatives mainly aim at managing the environmental aspects of wine production. In this context, the identification of suitable indicators is crucial to evaluate the industry's progress toward sustainability. Firstly, in the present study, the main environmental impacts of wine production are reviewed, with specific reference to LCA studies. On this baseline, the main programs from the New World, Europe and Italy that address sustainability in the wine sector are examined. Results show that each program has its strengths and weaknesses, but there is still a large margin to merge the best of these programs in one unique protocol internationally recognized. Therefore, the authors have compared the set of indicators employed by two specific wine industries initiatives (the Italian VIVA and Californian CSWA) and the indicators implemented by the wine Italian companies certified with the Environmental Management System (EMS), defined by the European Regulation EMAS. A specific evaluation framework has been developed to assess the comprehensiveness of these indicators in terms of their capacity to address the triple bottom line of sustainability. Findings reveal that while VIVA consider environmental, economic and social aspects, CSWA and EMAS focus mainly on environmental impacts of wine production. Additionally, only EMAS has an approach to the evaluation of raw materials efficiency and waste management. The outcome of the study integrates existing literature on sustainable wine production, expanding the scope of previous analysis and introducing an evaluation framework that stakeholders of the industry may apply to introduce new indicators sets to assess sustainability performances of wine producers
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