RISULTATI RICERCA

New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) present an opportunity to enhance plant resistance to parasites or diseases, reducing dependence on agrochemicals, and to extreme climatic events such as heavy rainfall or long periods of drought, thus fostering better adaptation to climate change. However, the diffusion of these techniques may encounter obstacles deriving from the reluctance of farmers, who have to sustain costs in the introduction of new technologies whose production results are still uncertain, but also the resistance of the market, given the still widespread reluctance of consumers in accepting wine products derived from the use of these technologies.Using original survey data from 1,045 respondents, we examine Italian consumers’ acceptance of and decision to buy NGT wine products. To achieve this, we developed two indicators to assess the quality of the information and the respondents’ level of knowledge about NGTs, our topic of interest. These indices were incorporated into a regression model to analyse their effects on the propensity to buy NGT wine alongside the socio-economic characteristics of respondents, which were categorized through cluster analysis.Our findings suggest a reduction in Italian consumers’ distrust toward these new technologies, possibly influenced by the European institutions’ proposed regulatory revision. Additionally, the results indicate that the quality of information plays a crucial role in the decision to purchase NGT wine. This highlights the need for higher-quality information to empower consumers, helping them reach an adequate level of knowledge that would allow them to make better-informed choices.

The packaged beverage industry has experienced significant growth globally, driven by advancements in packaging technology, shifting consumption patterns, and increasing health and environmental regulations. This study investigates Generation Z’s perception of packaged beverage quality by examining how intrinsic and extrinsic attributes influence their preferences using Caswell’s framework. Data were collected via an online questionnaire completed by 300 purposively selected respondents. Descriptive statistics, crosstab analysis, and factor analysis were used to explore consumer behavior patterns. Results show that sensory qualities, certifications, and price are the most influential factors. Socio-demographic variables such as gender, income, education, and residence significantly affect attribute prioritization. Factor analysis revealed three key dimensions: intrinsic credence (including safety, nutrition, processing methods, and certifications), extrinsic (including advertising, producer reputation, and packaging), and intrinsic search (including sensory qualities, price, and perceived value). These findings provide practical insights for tailoring product development, marketing strategies, and health-oriented policies to meet Generation Z’s expectations. The study offers a theoretical contribution to consumer behavior research by refining quality perception models through a multi-attribute lens.

The agricultural sector is pivotal in Malaysia’s economic development, primarily providing food, feed, and raw materials for industries while contributing to the country’s GDP and absorbing labour. Despite its significance, the sector’s resilience during economic shocks, such as financial crises, economic setbacks, and pandemics, requires further examination. This study addresses the issue of measuring the resilience of Malaysia’s agricultural sector with an enhanced focus on the impact of research and development (R&D) funding allocation and investments, which is often overlooked in resilience studies.It aims to quantify the resilience of Malaysia’s agricultural sector and analyse trends over time, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of the sector’s stability and the role of R&D in fostering resilience. Secondary data from 1996 to 2023 was collected from various sources, including the World Bank, the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries Malaysia, Bank Negara Malaysia, and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority. Principal component analysis (PCA) was utilised to construct the resilience index, while trend analysis examined the evolution of this index over the study period. Preliminary results indicate that the resilience of Malaysia’s agricultural sector fluctuates over time, with a positive correlation between increased R&D investments and higher resilience levels. Strategic R&D investments are crucial for enhancing agricultural resilience. This research provides a comprehensive framework for assessing the resilience of the agricultural sector, offering policymakers and stakeholders valuable insights. The methodology and findings can also be applied to other countries, making a contribution to the literature on agricultural resilience.

The Optional Quality Term (OQT) “Mountain Product” aims to promote mountain food products. This term can be beneficial for the economy of mountain regions, as it allows them to distinguish their products and can protect consumers from fraud, counterfeiting or agro-piracy. This study has two main objectives: to assess how farms that have adopted the label perceive their limitations and to analyse the reasons for these limitations and provide policy recommendations to strengthen the use of OQT. The study involves a survey of agri-food companies that have adopted the label, with data collected through a questionnaire. Although existing research indicates that consumers generally prefer mountain products and perceive them as higher quality, producers report that consumer awareness of the OQT is still low. It appears essential to improve communication with both producers and consumers on the economic, social and environmental benefits of the ‘mountain product’ label. Producers need support to integrate the label into their business strategies, while consumers should be informed about the ethical and social responsibility linked to the OQT.

The growing pressures on the global food supply chain highlight the challenges faced by maritime ports, which are responsible for 80% of global trade, emphasising the need for sustainable operations across management, economic, and social dimensions. This article analyses the research trends in this area within the Scopus database, which was researched on July 11, 2024. The PRISMA method (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) was applied.Based on the results of the systematic literature review, four main subjects were the focus of the researchers: i) smart port requirements and sustainable performance; ii) the technological innovations driving sustainable supply chain management; iii) circular economy and digital supply chain sustainability; iv) frameworks and models for integrating sustainable digital supply chain. Additionally it opens possibility for future research could cover the gaps identified in this article, such as analyzing the effects of Technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, and the Internet of Things on the efficiency and environmental goals of ports, evaluating social sustainability in the supply chain through indicators like child labor, rural poverty traps, and standards of living, and food economy. The findings contribute to the academic understanding of sustainable development in maritime ports, considering the interconnections among business, economic, and social factors, establishing the groundwork for key performance indicators (KPIs) and opening perspectives for practical innovation.

The Mediterranean cities of Cagliari (Italy) and Alicante (Spain) are historical settlements with a long tradition of ports and share many cultural, economic, social and urbanistic characteristics. Port systems lie at the heart of political interests and strategies, technological development, migration, the movement of goods and people, and are heavily influenced by market transformations and spatial modifications, which are often radical. This also involves changes to the morphology of port cities and their surrounding areas, which are dynamic, cosmopolitan and open to change by their very nature. This article aims to identify common urban features, both historical and contemporary, through a comparative study of the urban evolution of the two cities over the centuries. Based on an analysis of surviving graphic and written documentation, the study reveals interesting insights into the current urban morphology of these cities and their approach to urban projects at the interface with the sea.

This article examines the history of the text published in 1636 as De gentilismo non retinendo and argues for referencing it by the title assigned to it in its second edition a year later. This choice not only honours Campanella’s ultimate preference but also more accurately captures the text’s role as a prolegomenon to his comprehensive encyclopaedic project aimed at a general reform of knowledge. Through a nuanced analysis of the Prologus, the article foregrounds key parts that have often been overshadowed in scholarship by its more explicitly anti-­Aristotelian contents, and highlights Campanella’s fundamental rejection of dogmatism as a necessary prerequisite for philosophical inquiry. This strong stance, quintessential to Campanella’s intellectual legacy, represents both a distillation of his metaphilosophical approach and the foundational framework for the universal reform he envisaged as extending beyond philosophy into other realms such as religion and politics.