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Trade competitiveness can coexist with structurally fragile value chains. When chain feasibility fractures from trade competitiveness, competitiveness without coherence becomes sustainability’s opposite. This paper proposes revisiting the concept of sustainability in agri-food systems, through the lens of structural coherence, understood as the alignment between trade competitiveness, export-destination diversification, and value chain capacity. The research goal is to design and operationalize a diagnostic instrument for structural coherence testing through the triangulation of constant market share analysis (CMSA), the Herfindahl–Hirschman Index (HHI), and physical structural input–output analysis (I-OA). CMSA measures two elements: demand- and competitiveness-driven export dynamics. Export patterns are further explored to verify if there are any destination-market concentration risks (HHI). I-OA closes the loop by linking trade outcomes to internal value chain capacity and efficiency. With clear upstream–downstream segmentation, the sunflower oilseed value chain of the European Union (EU) represents an empirically fertile ground, relevant in the context of the geopolitical disruptions of Black Sea trade corridors and double-cropping dynamics with food-fuel and land-use trade-offs. Focusing on Bulgaria, France, Hungary, Romania, and Spain, which collectively account for more than 85% of EU sunflower seed production, this paper benchmarks post-2013 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) programming effects, utilized as a proxy for a period of stability, against the post-2020 window, marked by a sequence of crises. Diagnosis is facilitated through findings triangulation, enabling deriving CAP-relevant policy recommendations, aligned with country-specific binding constraints. Results show heterogeneous structurally incoherent profiles: Bulgaria suffers from growth-induced stress, France’s chain efficiency is eroded, the Hungarian chain lacks competitiveness, Romania is raw-export dependent with value-added leakage, and Spain is structurally constrained by physical limits. Policy recommendations target reorienting market-driven low value-added trade behaviors toward structurally sustainable value chain trajectories.

This research explores the systemic nature of competitiveness within the cereal sector of the European Union (EU) and addresses the structural interdependencies among key competitiveness drivers through a network-based model. The goal of this research is to offer policy alignment solutions based on the empirical findings derived from a sparse Gaussian graphical model that was operationalized to identify conditional dependencies, synergies, and decouplings across five dimensions: factor endowments, self-sufficiency, trade strategy, resource productivity, and environmental impact. The results showed systemic vulnerabilities, including the decoupling of factor endowments from strategic trade specialization, a pronounced East–West productivity divide, and the asymmetry between the economic valorization of harvested land and its environmental impact, reflected in land management practices. Research findings underscore the need for synergy-driven strategies to coherently align agricultural competitiveness outcomes with the economic and structural potential of each EU country. A critical policy incongruency has been identified: the current prioritization of ecological performance under the Common Agricultural Policy overlooks essential agricultural infrastructural disparities, thereby perpetuating competitiveness asymmetries across the Union. In response, this study introduces a systemic amelioration framework designed to reconcile environmental priorities with agricultural infrastructure development, fostering cohesive and resilient competitiveness throughout the EU cereal sector.

Gastronomic heritage is undergoing significant developments, creating a need for competitive strategies to develop food tourism in certain regions. The research explores food culture and tourism in three case studies of Latvia, Romania, and Italy. The article focuses on the information about gastronomic heritage that food lovers request, and the critical components required at a destination for food tourism to flourish. A survey of people involved in gastronomic tourism (151 in Romania, 112 in Italy, 126 in Latvia) using a simple random sample. Based primarily on respondent observations, descriptive and qualitative analysis and nonparametric method are used to explain the phenomenon. SPSS software (26 version) was used to analyze the statistical data. The findings show that people need of information and a new kind of interaction between tourist/consumers and home producers that they can trust. Many of the information are hidden and there is a lack of voice about the gastronomic heritage specially on home producers. The promotion of home producers could be successful if emphasis is placed on attracting tourists and on their visits to home producers, as well as on attracting tourists from abroad. In different countries does not actively promote the opportunity to experience at home producers. A digital food resource and the role of home-organized markets is encouraged in destinations that is promoted to focus the lens on the gastronomic heritage and all its experiences.

The Deliblato Sands Special Nature Reserve (SNR) is located in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (Northern Serbia). The favorable position implies the proximity to large cities with which it has good traffic connections. Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Croatia, and other countries from the region represent a dispersive zone. The topic of this paper is the function that the SNR has in sustainable tourism development. The objective of this work is the analytical research of the available written data, as well as those obtained after the conducted survey. The basis of the research is to find out how and to what extent the SNR contributes to sustainable tourism development. The research was carried out by measuring the value of sustainable tourism indicators, and examining the attitudes of residents, visitors, and students about the current state of sustainable tourism and the importance of the SNR for future tourism development. Respondents were selected using a random sample method. The authors used qualitative and quantitative methodologies in the paper. This research examined the SNR sustainable development by measuring sustainability indicators and surveying 1884 respondents (714 residents, 620 visitors, and 550 students) about sustainable tourism in the SNR. The obtained data were analyzed and presented with the help of SPSS v. 21 software. The research results can be used to create national and international strategies for sustainable tourism development.

The paper’s main aim is to discuss the importance of reducing environmental impact, conserving biodiversity, and addressing socio-economic concerns within the context of agriculture. The research methodology involves a comprehensive review of existing literature, and data analysis to address the following research questions: By emphasizing the interdependence of ecological, social, and economic factors, the paper provides insights into holistic approaches to sustainable agriculture. The paper contributes to the field by offering practical recommendations and policy implications for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders involved in agriculture. It highlights the importance of collaborative efforts among various stakeholders to foster innovation, promote knowledge sharing, and drive systemic change towards a more sustainable food system. Through its interdisciplinary approach, the paper bridges gaps in understanding and offers pathways for achieving agricultural progress while safeguarding the environment and ensuring food security for future generations.

This study investigates the influence of religiosity on environmental concern and intentions to reduce food waste in Islam and Christianity. The study involves 575 adult participants, predominantly Muslims and Christians, utilizing the Duke University Religion Index (DUREL) religiosity scale, environmental concern scale, and food waste reduction intention scale. The investigation was conducted in Romania, Italy, and Turkey. Utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM) via AMOS software, the research reveals that religiosity significantly affects environmental concern in both religious groups. Furthermore, environmental concern acts as a mediator between religiosity and both Muslim and Christian participants. Notably, the impact of religiosity on the intention to reduce food waste is significant among Muslims, but is not observed among Christians. The study underscores the importance of integrating religiosity into consumer behavior research, especially concerning food waste reduction. It suggests that religiosity and environmental concern are crucial for successful campaigns targeting food waste reduction among Muslim and Christian consumers.

Background Since a long time, Italy has maintained a dual system to administer childhood immunisations, that is a certain number of mandatory vaccinations and a number of recommended vaccinations. The study aimed to explore the issues surrounding parental acceptance or non-acceptance of the recommended vaccinations for children. Methods Parents of children aged 3-5 years of day-care centres in Sicily were asked to fill out an anonymous questionnaire. Determinants of the attitude towards recommended vaccinations and social influence on the decision-making process were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Results Of the 1,500 selected parents, 81.0% participated in the study. Prior to the survey, the majority of children (97.6%) received recommended vaccines. Most parents (74.4%) received information about vaccinations from Family Paediatricians, showed a good knowledge about the side effects of the vaccines (73.1%), did not worry about their potential dangerousness (53.0%) and would have accepted their children to be vaccinated even if it was not required for day care (84.1%). The majority (79.9%) were not disposed to follow the advises of the anti-vaccination movements. Parents' background characteristics, sources of information and social influence were not significantly associated with parental acceptance of recommended vaccines for childhood. Conclusions This study suggests that health information by Family Paediatricians is significantly associated with parental acceptance of recommended vaccinations.

The Etna natural and agricultural landscape, located on the island of Sicily in Italy, is known for its stunning views and unique geology. It is also home to a diverse array of plant and animal life, as well as a rich cultural and agricultural history and quality products. Using GIS (Geographic Information System) analysis, it is possible to quantify and evaluate the value of this landscape, providing a better understanding of the value that the Etna landscape provides to the surrounding region. The study highlights the landscape transformations of Etna over the last years to ensure market integration and support sustainable resource management strategies regarding local cultural heritage and environmental sustainability. Detailed knowledge of landscape dynamics is crucial for many applications, from resource management to governance services assessments.

This study aims to present a strategy for the revitalization of the Sicilian “internal areas”, recognizing a directional tool, together with the integration of self-centered actions of slow tourism. The design was specifically located in the Taormina–Etna tourist district (an area of north-eastern Sicily that includes 60 municipalities) which, in rethinking the post-pandemic restart, aims at the development of a mobile system of cycling tourism able to interconnect cultural peculiarities, environmental characteristics, and landscape values. This paper also examines key features and interpretations, and develops a strategy based on a slow travel framework as an alternative means of achieving success in the Sicilian hinterland. Starting from the current financial and environmental crisis, therefore, the paper finds explanations and solutions, in which we try to conceive of the economy and ecology as systems that not only open to one another, but mutually determine one another in defining new, self-sustaining local development processes. In order to build a competitive alternative to help less favorable regions, it is necessary to move within the scope of investments by a public system capable of planning resilient strategies based on sustainable principles.

This article aims at providing a deep understanding of various aspects of inquiry related to slum tourism or poverty tourism. The visit of favela or slum into a destination is a complex and challenging practice. Touring the poor is increasingly and variously organized by tour operators, local slum communities, and non-governmental organizations. The slum has joined the real of attractions, a sight to see. The research uses a qualitative approach to explore slum tourism in general as well as case study. The Web's effect on tourism is obviously rather important. Moreover, taking “Reality Tours and Travel” - a operator slum websites - as a case, this study attempts to explore issues of the quality of strategic choices on the web. Whilst academic discussion on the theme is evolving rapidly, slum tourism on the web is still a relatively young area of research.