Explore the vast range of titles available.

The agricultural machinery industry can significantly contribute to a more sustainable farming system through the development of eco-innovative products and production processes. This is particularly true for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which represent a significant share of this market. This study investigated the determinants of attitudes towards eco-innovating products and processes in a sample of small and medium agricultural machinery manufacturers ( N  = 47) from the Piedmont region (North–West Italy), analysing the role of enterprise’s characteristics, perceived drivers and barriers, and environmental concern. Overall, product eco-innovation was considered important/very important for their firms by 88.3% of the respondents, whereas process eco-innovation by 67.7%. The regression analyses showed that the availability of a formal and hierarchical structure dedicated to Research and Development and of financial support were significantly associated ( β  = 0.301, p  = .032 and β  = 0.406, p  = .011, respectively) to positive attitudes towards eco-innovating production processes, whereas the lack of know-how was the main obstacle to both product and process eco-innovativeness ( β = − 0.564, p  = .000 and β = − 0.397, p  = .008, respectively). Environmental concern did not show any significant association with firms’ perceived importance to eco-innovate either products ( β  = 0.097, p  = .475) or processes ( β  = 0.248, p  = .087). Implications for the development of interventions aiming at fostering positive attitudes towards eco-innovation among the targeted enterprises are discussed.

This study explores the dynamics of Open Innovation (OI) in manufacturing firms, with particular attention to collaboration with public research institutions. The research is performed in the Piedmont region, Northern Italy, which represents one of Italy’s leading innovation regions, with a strong manufacturing heritage and an active strategy to foster industrial transition through innovation clusters and partnerships. The research analyzes survey responses from 82 managers and decision-makers in manufacturing firms belonging to the local manufacturing ecosystem. The questionnaire investigated how company size, organizational structure for research and development (R&D), perceived importance of collaboration, innovation drivers and barriers, and trust in research institutions affect four types of innovation: product, process, marketing, and organizational. Results indicate that collaboration with other private companies is significantly associated with product innovation, while collaboration with public research institutions is associated to both product and process innovation. The level of R&D structuring in the management of innovative projects and trust in the expertise of public research organizations are also positively associated with product innovation. In addition, key drivers—such as the availability of dedicated financial resources, staff creativity, and openness to external partnerships—are significantly related to process innovation. The findings suggest that regional policymakers and industry stakeholders should promote targeted measures to strengthen OI adoption, particularly by improving the perceived competence and transparency of public research organizations.

The organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) compost has the potential to be an effective soil improver, and agriculture is the industry with the largest potential market for its adoption, followed by landscaping and gardening hobbyist uses. Understanding which factors foster the intention to adopt OFMSW compost among users engaged in agricultural activities is, therefore, crucial for its diffusion. A paper-and-pencil questionnaire was administered to 119 visitors involved in farming activities at an exhibition focused on the green and circular economy. The PROCESS macro for SPSS model 8 was applied to test a moderated mediated model to investigate the relationship between being a professional or hobby farmer, perceived drivers and the intention to adopt compost, with the moderation of the frequency of exposure to different information sources. The results showed that hobbyists perceived more drivers for compost adoption. In turn, the perceived drivers had a positive impact on users’ intention to adopt. Moreover, with a low frequency of use of information sources, professionals perceived fewer advantages of compost adoption. The present study highlighted the need to enhance discussions about compost properties and benefits, especially for professional farmers.

Agriculture and manufacturing report the highest rate of occupational accidents and fatalities in Italy. Safety training provided through digital devices has been shown to be effective in promoting safety behaviors at work. This study aimed to investigate through a questionnaire the perceptions of working conditions, risks in using machines, and interest in using digital devices for safety training purposes in a group of vineyard workers (VWs, N = 40) and manufacturing workers (MWs, N = 39) in Northwest Italy. Referring to working conditions, VWs significantly differ compared to MWs (p < 0.05) in fatigue perception, repetitiveness, quantity and definition of tasks compared to the available time, work pace definition, and level of communication. Tractors and lathes were considered the most hazardous machinery for VWs and MWs, respectively. For both groups, workers’ age negatively correlated with digital device use (r = −0.399 p < 0.05 for VWs, r = −0.673 p < 0.01 for MWs) but not with interest in using them. Device adoption positively correlated with the perceived importance of gamification content (r = 0.193 and r = 0.164, p > 0.05 for VWs and MWs, respectively), but the video lessons reported a higher mean score by both groups as preferred content. These findings suggest that digital safety training requires customized content to effectively adapt to different productive sectors.

In the era of eco-sustainability, it is crucial to recognize the importance of treating agro-food and urban wastes; by transforming what might be considered waste into valuable resources, we can combat environmental degradation while promoting economic growth, environmental sustainability, and public health [...]

Composting represents an alternative for the management of the organic fraction from municipal waste. However, the adoption of compost made from municipal waste is not yet widespread across all European countries, including Italy. Being ‘professional’ (i.e., farmers and gardeners) and ‘hobbyists’ the most representative categories of compost buyers in Italy, this study investigated their attitude toward municipal waste compost adoption and their purchasing pattern, pointing out criticalities and strategies to promote a wider use of this kind of compost. For the two categories of users, frequency of use of different information, buying habits, opinions on marketing issues, and factors which encourage compost utilization were investigated. The ‘professionals’ and ‘hobbyists’ reported different purchasing behaviors in terms of quantity, frequency, and preferred packaging format. The capability of compost from municipal waste to improve soil characteristics and its low environmental impact were identified as the most significant aspects for users, while availability of economic subsidies was not a determining factor for municipal waste compost adoption. With regard to the information sources, the broader use of personal communication channels like peers’ suggestions may have influence on compost adoption pointing out how social influence can promote sustainable behavior and influence users’ purchasing choices.

The composting process allows one to minimize quantities of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) disposed through landfills. Compost obtained from OFMSW is not yet widespread across all European countries, including Italy. Even though previous studies emphasized the role that social interaction and socio-demographic users’ characteristics may have toward the adoption of sustainable practices, to our knowledge, few studies have specifically addressed OFMSW compost. Considering the need to integrate the social perspective in sustainable agriculture literature, further research is required regarding the intention to adopt this organic product, especially among potential users. A questionnaire was used to investigate potential users’ level of interest in using OFMSW compost and their a priori perceptions on its fertilizing properties, if anyone ever suggested using OFMSW compost, as well as the participants’ socio-demographic characteristics. Fifty-eight participants were involved. The results demonstrated a significant association between education level and received suggestions from peer or social networks in the interest of adopting OFMSW compost. In addition, participants who received suggestions had higher odds of being highly interested in adopting OFMSW compost versus those who did not receive it. In conclusion, institutions, where formal knowledge has a place, and agricultural policy makers should be engaged with the aim to facilitate knowledge exchange and connections among different actors, supporting local-level initiatives.

Face masks represent an effective COVID-19 mitigation strategy; this study investigated the quality in use of FFP2 masks in a group of 156 frontline HCWs recruited through a snowball procedure in northwest Italy. Participants filled out an online questionnaire (January 2022) on FFP2 sources of discomfort, physical disturbance at different anatomical points and suggestions for improvement. Most of the participants (69%) reported a feeling of protection and safety, but they also reported episodes of dyspnea (70%). The majority of glasses wearers (62%) reported fogging and displacement of their glasses. Humidity and heat were the main discomfort sources (39%), followed by elastic bands (32%). Physical disturbances were frequent and heavier on the ears, nose and cheekbones. Nursing aides and nurses perceived significantly more discomfort compared to doctors and nursing aides had the highest rate of physical disturbance. To address these issues, following participants’ suggestions, FFP2 masks should be redesigned to be more adjustable, with different sizes and softer fabrics. The investigation pointed out criticalities in the use of FFP2 masks related to different professional roles within the overall group of HCWs and stressed the need for an FFP2 human-centered design that accounts not only for physical needs but also for workload and task variability.

The foldable roll-over protective structure (FROPS) protects the operators against fatal injuries in tractor roll-over accidents. However, a rear-mounted FROPS is often folded down or removed. In the present study, the accessible zones and grasping areas in a rear-mounted FROPS were redesigned and adapted to the 5th, 50th, and 95th European human anthropometric percentiles to enhance its correct and comfortable use. Then, a rod was proposed as a design solution to make the roll-bar grasping areas fall within the new accessible zones. The rod prototype increased roll-bar reachability and facilitated the raising handling, especially for shorter users. The present study results and the accessible zones redesigned, taking into account the human percentiles, will be helpful in rethinking reachability issues in manual handling of machinery components, to support the correct behaviours, and make human-machine interaction more comfortable and safer for all.

Tractor rollover is the main cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries in agriculture. The foldable rollover protective structure (FROPS) can help to prevent these injuries. However, in many cases, the FROPS is left in a folded-down position. Human factor and rear-mounted FROPS technical characteristics influence operators’ behavior in roll-bar handling. To improve the FROPS’s comfortable use, the prototype of an enhanced handling system was developed, and its usability was tested and compared with a conventional FROPS. Usability was assessed with 93 novice tractor users through an ad hoc questionnaire (investigating perceived effort, time demand, the posture adopted and satisfaction) and observations (investigating effectiveness and efficiency) during lowering and raising tasks. For both tasks, the participants perceived significantly less effort, less physical discomfort, a higher level of satisfaction and less time demand while operating the enhanced FROPS. Observations showed that the critical issues that emerged for the conventional FROPS were eliminated by adopting the developed and implemented handling system. The developed handling system showed itself to be usable and effective in making the FROPS easier and safer to be operated.