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The integration of Digital Twin technology in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) has brought forth a transformative paradigm in engineering practices. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the use of Digital Twin in SMEs and its implementation of advanced digital technologies in an engineering context. The paper highlights key benefits, such as the ability to simulate, analyze, and predict the behavior of products or processes before their physical instantiation. By leveraging advanced modeling and simulation techniques, SMEs can efficiently explore multiple design iterations, identify potential issues, and optimize engineering solutions without costly physical prototyping. Furthermore, the paper discusses integrating other advanced digital technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), with Digital Twin to create intelligent and interconnected systems. The implementation of Digital Twin technology in SMEs extends beyond product design to encompass various aspects of the product lifecycle, fostering efficiency, accuracy, and innovation. However, challenges such as data integration, cybersecurity, and skill requirements are addressed. With proper planning and investment, SMEs can unlock the full potential of Digital Twin technology to gain a competitive edge in the dynamic engineering domain. In conclusion, this paper demonstrates that the use of Digital Twin in SMEs and its integration with advanced digital technologies revolutionizes engineering practices. By offering virtual representations of physical assets and processes, Digital Twin enables SMEs to make informed decisions, optimize performance, and drive innovation. As the technology evolves, it becomes an indispensable tool for SMEs seeking to thrive in the ever‐evolving engineering landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to investigate the transition level of African countries toward the circular economy. In particular, this study is developed by examining the African circular economy scenarios and the internalexternal obstacles impeding the growth of the circular economy in Africa. The conceptual context is informed by an examination of the literature on circular economy and its agreed-upon definition. The qualitative and quantitative methodologies that are employed are defined by methodology. The findings present the characteristics of African countries that have implemented circular economic programs as well as an analysis of both internal and external barriers, as supported by the methodology. The African countries examined in the study are granted a ranking. The article also discusses the geographical obstacles as well as the continent's immense strengths. The final conclusion [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition toward the circular economy of European small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) is one of the focuses of the Agenda in Europe. The paper aims to evaluate if this drive should transform the SMEs and keep European production sustainable and competitive. The paper offers a comparative analysis of the circular economy SMEs shift within the 13 sectors of EU Member States, that have involved innovative SMEs and have begun to use or have long adopted smart technologies for the needs of control, effectiveness, efficiency, and environmental protection and energy aspect. The study highlights and evaluates the transition in 13 sectors with the highest SMEs performance with a major specialization in Smart Technologies. Five key points are identified and evaluated to analyze, the transition degree of every sector toward the circular economy. The research shows a heterogeneous transition with both sectors and countries during which the existence of best practices, are discovered, but cannot be transmitted to other sectors. A series of deterrents to the transition from a linear to a circular economy is composed within the SMEs sectors, specifically technical, commercial, and regulatory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Studying bus local public transport in 20 Italian provincial capitals, the present paper aims to identify organizational factors to assess different modes of service managerial steering. Design/methodology/approach: Starting from bureaucratic theory, the paper analyzes four different modes of managerial steering in a regression model that accounts for several variables to assess the quality of Italian bus local public service transport. Findings: The research shows that a network managerial structure performs significantly better than any other type. The 20 provincial capitals are homogeneous in relation to the variables considered. Italian bus local public transport is managed by bureaucratic public organizations. Adhocracy, as opposed to machine bureaucracy, seems to be the more effective mode of managerial steering for sector specific aspects in different capitals, despite that, network managerial structure – associated adhocracy – is used only in five capitals (main cities). Originality/value: The paper highlights that the dichotomy between machine bureaucracy versus adhocracy shows interesting considerations related to different mode to management of Italian bus local public service transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper's goals are to comprehend strategies for tourism destinations after the coronavirus. The research question (RQ) is if the digital platform experience of a leading country in wine tourism can help to overcome COVID-19 and to turn the sector. The general topics related to destinations, specifically Italian wine tourism destinations, have been elaborated on in the introduction. Starting with a literature review relating to the destination tourism crisis in the tourism sector, the paper highlights the potential and basic lessons for coping with the current crisis. The method, which is connected to a wine tourism destination in Italy, emphasizes both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The results demonstrate the best practices as well as the bottlenecks. The discussions would result in the creation of strategic alternatives specific to the sector and its destinations. The study limits, considering bottlenecks that might arise in the future. The findings emphasize that the sector requires substantial funding from information and communication technology (ICT) to build smart destinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study is to answer to the following Research Question (RQ): "What are the perception and the application of ICTs for e-tourism in different LTDs in Campania?" To answer the RQ a qualitative study was done with a questionnaire to 144 managers of Local Tourist Districts (LTDs) in Campania, Italy. The questionnaire was summited in 2017. The acquired data were processed using the factor analyses. The study of the region's 12 LTDs allowed for the identification of three district typologies i.e. three homogeneous groups. The one, defined as proactive, exhibited positive results thanks to the skills and competencies of its managers. By contrast, despite the wealth of attractions, the other districts did not fare as well mostly due to management inadequacies and organizational culture. The research was limited to only 12 LTDs located in Italy. Possible measures to address operational and cultural problems in the region have been identified in implementation of ITCs' applications to foster e-tourism and the local entrepreneurial ecosystem as well as the accumulation of knowledge to enhance the awareness of the education as a strategic factor [Masele, J. J. (2015). Towards e-commerce use for pro-poor tourism promotion: Local providers' ICT training needs in Tanzania. International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management, 12(4), 1550020]. Moreover, at the national and international level, other strategic elements can be identified in: analysis of good practices and cross contamination of proactive district managers with the participated and insensitive district managers.It is the first research paper on the Campania districts since their inception. The analysis of the phenomenon may be extended to other countries too. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is directed at comparing the performances of the European nations in the period 2009-2010 with the scope of evaluating their progress in the transition toward Circular Economy. The article, starting from an analysis of the main factors with strategic value in the countries' transition, is centered on "Reduction, Reuse, Recycling" actions. The assessment of the effects of the 3R actions was realized by considering quantitative environmental and economic indicators: Growth Domestic Products (GDP), Domestic Material Consumption (DMC), Population, Produced Municipal Waste (PFW), and Municipal Waste Recycled (MWR). Starting from these indicators, three aggregated indicators have been elaborated--Average Consumption Propension (ACP); GDP per capita expressed in Purchasing Power Standards; Municipal Waste Recycling rate (MWRr)--in order to create a composite index--Circular economy Composite Index (CECI)--aimed at measuring the degree of transition achieved by the European countries in the achievement of Circular Economy targets. The outcomes of the study highlight that the transition, evaluated with the support of the composite index, is present with a different degree amongst the analyzed countries and only some elements could be evaluated as appropriate in the transition toward a circular economic system in the European Union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemp-lime composite is a natural material, which is being increasingly used and studied in the construction sector, thanks to its recyclability, hygrothermal comfort and healthiness features. The aim of this paper is to test the benefits in terms of energy efficiency achieved through the use of hemp-lime composite as insulation in a possible refurbishment intervention. With the aim of extending the knowledge about the benefits achieved through from the integration of this natural material into construction production process, a real building in south of Italy was selected and a substitution of the standard gypsum-lime plaster with a hemp-lime one was simulated by means of a specific software (Termus® by Acca Sotware, Bagnoli Irpino, Italy), serving for the assessment of the energy performance. Case study analysis highlighted the good thermal insulation properties of hemp-based plaster, allowing thermal dispersion to decrease in the winter season and improve the summer performance of the walls by approximately 20% compared to traditional plaster. This results in a one-level improvement of the building in energy classification according to Italian regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]