Phase 1 of the Environmental Effect Study on the Euro 5 step of L-category vehicles - Stocktaking and data mining

The European Union Regulation 168/2013 requires an environmental effect study to confirm the provisions (defined therein and in Regulation 134/2014) for the type approval of the Euro 5 L-category vehicles (two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles, such as quads and minicars). This effect study aims at providing additional information using modelling, technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness analysis based on the latest available data. Upon request of DG-GROW (Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs), the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) undertook a pre-study and the phase 1 of the effect study. The phase 1 includes the stocktaking of L-category vehicles and data mining of their type I test values (tailpipe emissions after a cold-start, prescribed driving cycle), which are presented in the present report. From the stocktaking collected, it was found that very scarce data related to other L-categories than two-wheel moped (L1e) and motorcycle (L3e) are currently available. In addition, data originating from different sources (e.g., manufacturers and EUROSTAT) displayed noticeable differences in terms of vehicle stock (up to 8%) and new registration, in particular for L1e category. A source of harmonized stocktaking data are required to ensure reliable model projections, and guarantee unbiased cost-benefit analysis. From the datamining on type I test values from L-category vehicles, the overview was achieved for actual L1e, L3e, powered tricycle (L5e) and heavy quadricycle (L7e) based on data collected from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). It was found that L1e was the category displaying the highest share of models with type I test values lower than Euro 4 emission limits, followed by the L3e and the L5e categories (63%, 8%, and 7% respectively). In addition, the L3e and the L5e categories presented models already complying with Euro 5 standards. Finally, the L7e category displayed models complying neither with Euro 4, nor Euro 5 standards. Therefore, among the L-categories studied in this report, L7e may have to undertake a significant effort to comply with the foreseen Euro 4 and Euro 5 standard.JRC.C.4-Sustainable Transpor

Durability demonstration programme for EURO6 passenger cars: thermal load to after-treatment systems

The thermal aging of emission control devices is the most important cause of vehicles' emissions deterioration. This report compares the thermal load generated by the Standard Road Cycle (SRC) with that generated by the Worldwide-harmonized Light-duty Test Cycle (WLTC) on 2 gasoline and 2 diesel vehicles, confirming that the SRC is fit for the purpose.JRC.C.4-Sustainable Transpor

Preparatory work for the Environmental Effect Study on the Euro 5 step of L-category vehicles

The European Union Regulation 168/2013 requires an Effect Study to confirm the provisions (defined thereby and in Regulation 134/2014 [4]) for the type approval of the Euro 5 L-category vehicles (two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles, such as quads and minicars). The present report describes the testing methodology and preliminary results as input to the main Effect Study. Upon request of DG-GROWTH (Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs), the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) undertook an experimental campaign on 12 L-category vehicles to test their propulsion unit and environmental performance in line with a new paradigm: In principle, a vehicle should be clean and energy efficient in each and every operation point. In particular, vehicles belonging to the L-category family were tested over the current legislative test procedure, according to the future legislation contained in Regulation 168/2013 and during a wide open throttle test to assess the maximum performance of the vehicles (max power and torque). Several engine load variables were logged during the experimental testing: Second-by-second mass emissions of carbon dioxide, fuel consumption, power and torque at the wheel, throttle position, etc. The use of load variables is especially useful when on-road driving has to be compared to the legislative testing conditions. The new test cycle proposed for Euro 5 type approval, the Worldwide harmonized Motorcycle Test Cycle (WMTC) proved to be better than the present driving cycle in terms of quantity, quality and dynamics of testing/sampling points. The results related to the monitored load variables are vehicle specific and it was not possible to identify a single all-purpose fitting variable capable of describing engine load conditions during the test. Nevertheless the set of variables investigated in this work are promising and will be used as underpinnings for the Effect Study.JRC.F.8 - Sustainable Transpor

Digital analytics and high organizational performance: a fuzzy-set QCA approach

Empirical evidence and previous literature on the effect of customer analytics on organizational performance demonstrate contrasting results. The enormous expansion of digital customer-related data, which is accessible almost freely and in real time, has made this a critical issue for contemporary marketing managers. Employing fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analyses (fsQCA), this study examines which configurations of digital analytics and organizational customer-related culture, processes and capabilities drive high market performance. The evidence finds certain conditions are necessary for achieving high market performance, and other conditions constitute a path of sufficient conditions, depending on the level of environmental dynamisms

Business network commons and their fragilities: Emerging configurations of local organizational fields

This study introduces the concept of business network commons as valuable, fragile resources that are available for partnering firms' collective use but that also require users' engagement and collaboration to be protected and/or (re)generated. Building on the theory of commons and the literature on self-organizing networks and organizational fields, this study identifies organizational variables that shape the network's local organizational field and play a relevant role in protecting and developing business network commons. These variables are participatory architecture, organizational integration, and the presence of specific mechanisms for opportunism prevention and resolution. The fsQCA analysis suggests that specific combinations of these three organizational variables at network level enable high firm performance through the development and protection of business network commons. The boundary conditions under which different network-level organizational configurations can equifinally lead to high firm-level performance depend on the different possible levels of fragility of the business network commons at stake

Overcoming the Blockchain Oracle Problem in the Traceability of Non-Fungible Products

Blockchain implications within the sustainability domain are rapidly arousing the interest of researchers and institutions. However, despite the avalanche of articles, papers, and recently published books, innovation in the blockchain domain is still heavily influenced by light literature, such as news, articles, opinion posts, and white papers. Lacking a homogeneous literature background, case studies often fall into storytelling, providing mere descriptions of the facts according to the writers\u2019 impressions and opinions. We therefore investigate blockchain adoption for sustainable purposes through a case study while remaining firmly grounded in three main theoretical literature streams: knowledge management, knowledge infrastructure, and trust. Since blockchain interaction with the real world is managed by oracles, addressing the oracle problem is essential in order to evaluate the effectiveness of blockchain for sustainability issues. However, to the best of the authors\u2019 knowledge, no other paper has effciently addressed this subject or even mentioned it. Recognizing its scarce consideration in the literature, the oracle problem will be analyzed in both theoretical and practical terms, thereby providing a way to solve the issues related to non-fungible products in the supply chain. Choice over the selected case study was made in light of the divergence in motives for the adoption of blockchain (economic over social), which makes the results more inferable at a broader scale and offers an insight into how sustainable innovations can also be economically viabl

Smart Cities as Organizational Fields: A Framework for Mapping Sustainability-Enabling Configurations

Despite the impressive growth of smart city initiatives worldwide, an organizational theory of smart city has yet to be developed, and we lack models addressing the unprecedented organizational and management challenges that emerge in smart city contexts. Traditional models are often of little use, because smart cities pursue different goals than traditional organizations, are based on networked, cross-boundary activity systems, rely on distributed innovation processes, and imply adaptive policy-making. Complex combinations of factors may lead to vicious or virtuous cycles in smart city initiatives, but we know very little about how these factors may be identified and mapped. Based on an inductive study of a set of primary and secondary sources, we develop a framework for the configurational analysis of smart cities viewed as place-specific organizational fields. This framework identifies five key dimensions in the configurations of smart city fields; these five dimensions are mapped through five sub-frameworks, which can be used both separately as well as for an integrated analysis. Our contribution is conceived to support longitudinal studies, natural experiments and comparative analyses on smart city fields, and to improve our understanding of how different combinations of factors affect the capability of smart innovations to translate into city resilience, sustainability and quality of life. In addition, our results suggest that new forms of place-based entrepreneurship constitute the engine that allows for the dynamic collaboration between government, citizens and research centers in successful smart city organizational fields

Food Sustainability as a Strategic Value Driver in the Hotel Industry

This paper aims at exploring the impact of green food on consumers’ purchase attitudes toward a hotel stay and on consumers’ behavioral intentions (i.e., intention to visit the hotel, intention to offer positive recommendations to others and willingness to pay a premium price), focusing on an Italian perspective where the food is a worldwide famous cultural element. This research employed a survey sent out by email to a database of contacts provided by an Italian company that operates in tourism. Data collection was completed in four weeks and the initial dataset counted 3586 of target respondents. A total of 302 surveys were completed and the data were analyzed through structural equation modeling (SEM). Firstly, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed, followed by a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) that leads to the estimation of the structural model. The results show that personal beliefs toward green food are positively associated with respondents’ purchase attitudes toward green food. Moreover, stronger purchase attitudes toward green food lead to more favorable purchase attitudes toward hotels that offer green food, further substantiating the investigation about whether or not consumers’ attitudes employ similar concerns on sustainability for their daily purchases as well as for vacation products and services. In turn, the latter purchase attitudes are positively associated with individual behavioral intentions toward hotels that offer green food

Intercomparison of real-time tailpipe ammonia measurements from vehicles tested over the new world-harmonized light-duty vehicle test cycle (WLTC)

Four light duty vehicles (two diesels, one flex-fuel and one gasoline vehicle) were tested as part of an intercomparison exercise of the World harmonized Light-duty vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) aiming at measuring real-time ammonia emissions from the vehicles’ raw exhaust at the tailpipe. The tests were conducted in the Vehicle Emission Laboratory (VELA) at the European Commission Joint Research Centre (EC-JRC) Ispra, Italy. HORIBA, CGS and the Sustainable Transport Unit of the JRC, took part in the measurement and analysis of the four vehicles exhaust emissions over the World harmonized Light-duty vehicle Test Cycle (WLTC) class 3, version 5.3 using a HORIBA MEXA 1400 QL-NX, a CGS BLAQ-Sys and the JRC FTIR, respectively. The measured ammonia concentrations and the emission profiles revealed that these three instruments are suitable to measure ammonia from the vehicles raw exhaust, presenting no significant differences. Furthermore, results showed that measurement of ammonia from the vehicle exhaust using online systems can be performed guaranteeing the reproducibility and repeatability of the results. While no ammonia was detected for any of the two diesel vehicles (even though, one was equipped with a SCR system) average ammonia emission factors 8-10 mg/km (average concentrations 20-23 ppm) and 10-12 mg/km (average concentrations 22-24 ppm) were estimated for the flex-fuel and gasoline vehicles, respectively.JRC.F.8-Sustainable Transpor