Surface doping in T6/ PDI-8CN2 Heterostructures investigated by transport and photoemission measurements

In this paper, we discuss the surface doping in sexithiophene (T6) organic field-effect transistors by PDI-8CN2. We show that an accumulation heterojunction is formed at the interface between the organic semiconductors and that the consequent band bending in T6 caused by PDI-8CN2 deposition can be addressed as the cause of the surface doping in T6 transistors. Several evidences of this phenomenon have been furnished both by electrical transport and photoemission measurements, namely the increase in the conductivity, the shift of the threshold voltage and the shift of the T6 HOMO peak towards higher binding energies.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Assessing circularity along the agri-food supply chain: a decision making tool

Circular economy (CE) is gaining momentum as a sustainable and resource efficient economic model. In the agri-food context, the CE transition would effectively tackle the natural resource depletion, responding the urging challenges of food waste and insecurity. Combining systematic literature review and expert interviews, this paper addresses how CE strategies can be assessed in the context of agri-food supply chain. The study brings some initial advancement in circularity assessment, presenting a list of CE indicators relevant for each CE strategy and supply chain stage. Perspectives from the practitioner experts are integrated to present further considerations for advancement

Multi-stakeholder technology acceptance: a preliminary systematic literature review on data-driven technologies for sustainability in the agri-food supply chain

In the last decades, companies have seen a transition toward a network structure, adapting their internal focus to the external environment, thus moving from material flow improvement and cost reduction to the satisfaction of product customization. Such phenomena are even amplified when considering extended supply chains. Furthermore, the increasing relevance of external pressure belonging from sustainability challenges has led the supply chain to resort to better management of resources, among which data, through the adoption of new and emerging technologies. Despite the several benefits these technologies imply their diffusion within the supply chain has not followed the expectation. Existing literature already tried to cope with technology acceptance, defining which are the main constructs, especially from an individual perspective. What is not yet clearly defined is what happens when enlarging the boundaries to the supply chain perspective, namely considering multiple stakeholders together. Just, a few contributions tried to build a comprehensive framework. The agri-food supply chain represents one of the major supply chains when considering this scenario. Accordingly, in the last decades, this sector has seen an increase in the adoption of technologies based on data within the supply chain, giving birth to the Agriculture 4.0 paradigm. This study aims to define by means of systematic literature review whether frameworks or models exist to measure multi-stakeholder technology acceptance, and which are the drivers considered in the agri-food supply. Moreover, this paper stresses the importance of keeping updated on the set barriers that must be considered when boundaries of analysis change or evolve over time. The introduction of further actors can modify previous rules of the game and decision-making could not always be a choice for some players when dealing with multiple stakeholder’s technology acceptance

Synthesis and optoelectronic properties of hexa-peri -hexabenzoborazinocoronene

The first rational synthesis of a BN-doped coronene derivative in which the central benzene ring has been replaced by a borazine core is described. This includes six C−C ring-closure steps that, through intramolecular Friedel–Crafts-type reactions, allow the stepwise planarization of the hexaarylborazine precursor. UV/Vis absorption, emission, and electrochemical investigations show that the introduction of the central BN core induces a dramatic widening of the HOMO–LUMO gap and an enhancement of the blue-shifted emissive properties with respect to its all-carbon congener

Designing circular supply chains in start-up companies: evidence from Italian fashion and construction start-ups

PurposeThe theory of complex adaptive systems (CASs) represents an interesting perspective to study the characteristics of circular supply chains (CSCs). In this regard, the current literature lacks evidence regarding coordination and integration mechanisms, characteristics of the environment and emerging system properties of CSCs. This paper aims to fill this gap and focuses on how and why companies design (i.e. configure and coordinate) their CSCs and what value these design choices help to create across different industries.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use a multiple case study approach and analyze data collected from a sample of five sustainable start-ups operating in the fashion and construction industries in Italy to better understand how these companies design (i.e. configure and coordinate) their CSCs.FindingsResults reveal that in the two industries under investigation, the design of CSCs built around open and closed-loop logic is triggered by the intention to solve a negative sustainability impact. The sustainability impact determines whether the value is restored within the same supply chain, in another, or inside or outside the same industry. Interestingly, start-ups appear to coordinate other CSC actors with three leading roles: (1) orchestrator, (2) integrated orchestrator and (3) circular manufacturer. The coordination role of the start-ups differs in each supply chain configuration based on the level of vertical integration of manufacturing activities.Originality/valueFrom a theoretical perspective, the authors' results expand previous supply chain management (SCM) literature by presenting an empirical analysis of the configuration and coordination of CSCs, and discussing the drivers for creating such circularity from a CAS perspective. From a managerial perspective, the authors offer a practical experience to entrepreneurs on how to transform circular and sustainable business model aspirations into CSC practices

Sustainability-oriented innovation in the agri-food system: Current issues and the road ahead

The agri-food system features prominently in discussions about sustainable development because of its broad economic, social, and environmental impacts. To examine how the agri-food system is responding – and can respond – to the grand challenges of sustainability, we position this Special Issue (SI) within the stream of sustainability-oriented innovation (SOI) literature, and in relation to the much-cited framework provided by Adams et al. (2016). This introductory article contains an overview of the selected papers, described by using the above-mentioned framework and by highlighting the contributions that these articles bring to fill current knowledge gaps in the field. Such knowledge gaps have been identified by investigating SOI links to sustainability and circular economy concepts and by studying how SOI relates to development in the agri-food system. The contributions to this SI explore different facets of the research agenda we have laid out and covers the range of SOI proposed by Adams et al. To help the field move forward, we finally identify a few areas as the most relevant for future research

Unpacking Proximity for Sustainability in Short Food Supply Chains

Short food supply chains (SFSCs) have been frequently named as sustainable alternatives to global chains, associated with the concept of local chain, and emphasizing the role of geographical proximity for achieving sustainability. However, it is also recognized that geographical proximity is not enough to build SFSCs and create a sustainable impact. A multi-dimensional approach identifies three types of proximity: geographical, relational, and informational proximity to define SFSCs. Hence, the aim of this study is to extend that body of literature by investigating the role of relational and informational proximities in SFSCs. We analyze a set of 23 companies in four food industry sectors in Italy to characterize the practices implemented to build proximity, upstream and downstream, in their supply chains. Our findings reveal a combination of different practices along the three proximity dimensions that define SFSCs. These results allow also to underline how specific practices for relational and information proximity are paramount for attaining sustainability objectives in SFSCs

When sustainability becomes an order winner: linking supply uncertainty and sustainable supply chain strategies

This study investigates how to implement a sustainable supply chain strategy by choosing a set of sustainable practices while considering the strategic priority assigned to sustainability within a company’s competitive strategy (i.e., an order winner (OW), market qualifier (MQ) or desirable attribute (DA)). Therefore, two research questions arise: RQ1. What are the sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices adopted by companies under the different levels of priority assigned to sustainability (i.e., OW, MQ and DA)? and RQ2. How does supply uncertainty influence the choices regarding the SSCM practices to adopt or vice versa? We addressed these questions through a two-step methodology that includes 10 exploratory case studies in different industries and four explanatory cases in the furniture industry. Six research propositions are developed, and we show how some sustainable practices are common to all companies in the sample, while others are only applicable when sustainability is an MQ or an OW. Moreover, in contrast to the suggestion in the literature, we observed that companies with sustainability as an OW implement sustainability practices despite increasing exposure to supply uncertainty. However, when sustainability is a DA or an MQ, companies might implement sustainable practices with the aim of reducing supply uncertainty rather than for sustainability goals. The cases show that investment in these practices can trigger a transition towards a situation in which sustainability is an OW