ZeroWaste

The promotion of volunteering and social solidarity in smart cities constitutes a new urban paradigm. In this new paradigm, the “food system” must have the support of technologies to minimize waste and therefore feed needy families. In this sense, a technological platform was developed to reduce food waste, promote the circular food economy, and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goal 2: Combating Hunger. The technological platform consists of the creation of a salesforce application, ZeroWaste, for the management of an NGO that aids needy families and institutions through the distribution of baskets. These baskets are made up of food left over in supermarkets/restaurants or donations from third parties. Food will be received and delivered through volunteers registered on the platform. The platform also allows the sale of membership plans and the receipt of monetary donations that will be used to help donate food to more families.

Creativity Processes Applied to the Innovation Management of Digital Showroom for Cars

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the Brazilian service sector. With the health crisis, challenges and changes in the business models of car dealerships are also intensified. Creativity is discussed by several conceptual approaches. From the point of view of neuroscience, it is a response to the human need of solving problems. It is within this premise that the present work aims to enhance value proposition for a business model centered on automobile e-commerce. This purpose unfolds in an exploratory research on approaches, methodologies, and tools of creativity, as well as the application of Cristiano Alves' Creative Framework in this business model. The analysis of the results signals improvements in solutions for car e-commerce. With this, it is concluded that collective creativity is efficient in the discovery of potentially innovative ideas.

The Impact of Globalization on Development of MSMEs

Globalization has been a significant force in the development of the market and economic environments. The micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) need to focus on technological capabilities to face the competition in the globalized market. They have to analyze the market opportunities in the rapidly growing economy as well as emerging markets. The aids of a globalized and digital economy depends to an excessive extent on favourable business environments and healthy competition. The performance of MSMEs depends on accessibility to various strategic resources like abilities, technical know-how, innovativeness, and finance. Thus, it is imperative to consider the factors influencing work conditions firm level, and the strategies formulated at the national level are organized to local business perspectives. This paper examines the global scenario of MSMEs, the impact of globalization, the role of MSMEs in India, the growth perspectives of MSMEs during the pre-and post-globalization period, the critical challenges, and the role of the government in encouraging and developing MSMEs.

A Tech Hardware Dragon Service

Over the past 40 years, China has enjoyed unprecedented economic growth. Initially, economic growth has been based mainly from manufacturing. China is looking at other ways to diversify their economic growth, and transition the focus of its economy from “Produced in China” to “Created in China." Thus, there is an ever-increasing focus on China as a centre for innovation and technology. However, there are many challenges to shift from “following innovation” to “subversive innovation” and the creation of so-called digital unicorns. The authors' attention turns to Shenzhen as well as one particular community of innovation, CEC i-Valley. CEC i-Valley aims to bring all stakeholders under one roof. More importantly, its vision offers a unique example of how a significant industry cluster has emerged. The CEC i-Valley's bold approach addresses the innovation gaps by creating more China-authentic digital unicorns and the challenges of sufficient capacity to innovate and commercialise intellectual properties underpinned by a collective philosophy.

Short-Term Rental and Tourism in Urban City Centres

This research aims to study the role of the local accommodation establishments (EAL) in the development of Lisbon's historic district by matching fundamental features linked to its tourist attraction with the dynamics associated to the residential function of the city such as its services, urban rehabilitation, and living experiences. Empirical analysis was applied using a qualitative approach with interviews to specialists on tourism management and to residents. This research shows changes occurring in social and commercial environment of Santa Maria Maior parish are not only caused by EAL activity. The aim is to present contributions to the definition of a more sustainable EAL management model in Lisbon. Findings show that stakeholder input can improve the balance and sustainability of both touristic and residential functions. Results of this research show that there is no agreement between the stakeholders in terms of regulatory and inspection measures. Nevertheless, stakeholders gave valuable feedback, and a summary of proposals was drawn to improve EAL supervision in Lisbon.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Stock Markets

COVID-19 has had a marked impact on the global economy, resulting in uncertainty, pessimism, and adverse effects on financial markets. In light of this event, this paper aims to test whether the evolution of COVID-19 (confirmed cases and deaths) is responsible for the stock market indices in eight European countries, from December 31, 2019 to July 23, 2020. Two key research questions have been raised to determine this causal link: Does the increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths cause shockwaves in Europe's financial markets? If so, does the presence of long memories cause high levels of arbitration? The results show mostly structural breaks in March 2020. In contrast, the VAR Granger Causality/Block Exogeneity Wald Tests model shows that the COVID-19 data series (confirmed cases and deaths) do not cause shocks in Europe's financial markets, which in return does not validate the first research question. The results of the exponents detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) shows significant long memories ranging between 0.61-0.73.

Innovation to Harness Youth Entrepreneurial Potential

Youth face challenges like unemployment, poverty, career gloom, poor mentorship, resources shortage, including access to facilities and information. A small percentage of the millions of high school graduates continue with tertiary education. The untested and tried millions of youth possess potent innovation and creativity that could contribute to socio-economic transformation in general and more so for the transition of Southern African states. Some of these youth join the labor market and others become entrepreneurs for survival but lack skills, creativity, and innovation. Here the circular economy presents opportunities and gives a chance to exploit their innovation and creativity potential. Adopting an exploratory method and data collection from the extensive literature review, interviewing experts, and personal experience, the objective of this study is to deliberate how innovation can harness youth entrepreneurial potential for much needed social and economic development. Stakeholders' feedback and insights sync with the literature on circular economy and inclusive innovation.

Developing Capabilities for Sustainability in Family Small Enterprises

Though literature in family perpetuity and sustainability is well documented from the advanced economies, there is scarcity of insights from emerging markets where this research relates. The study, therefore, sought to investigate, understand, and interpret the underlying drivers of sustainability in small family businesses using the stewardship theory paradigm in the Nigerian family business environment. A qualitative method with 41 in-depth interviews involving owners and managers of family-owned small and medium businesses was conducted. The study empirically shows that there is an interrelationship between family structure and business sustainability; hence, the practice of polygamy was found to be inimical to family business success and sustainability. Building on the stewardship theory, the paper develops a model of sustainability for small and medium family businesses. The study contributes to the theoretical literature on stewardship and family business sustainability.

Improving Climate Change Resilience in Global South Cities Through South-South Climate Finance

Climate change is likely to exacerbate inequality and poverty in Global South cities despite the presence of international agreements and conventions to enhance sustainable development such as the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Moreover, replicating Global North development models in the Global South might not be sufficient to address the climate change and development aspirations in the context of Asia; hence, Global North innovation capabilities might not be sufficient to address Global South climate change challenges. This paper provides an inductive analysis of the innovations and policies that could facilitate improved climate change mitigation and adaptation in the context of developing Asian cities. The paper concludes that innovative climate change policies should utilise emerging climate finance mechanisms such as South-South climate finance modalities to promote community science/citizen science and social innovation rather than building hard infrastructure as this could improve the governance and distribution of resources in cities.

Integration Challenges of Immigrants in Smart Cities

The most recent interpretations of the concept of smart city (SC) highlight the need for adopting a more holistic vision of SC, which includes other relevant features for understanding the dynamism of urban development and face new challenges. The study of a social entrepreneurship initiative (SPEAK) that aims to empower immigrants living in the main Portuguese cities is the method used in this research to understand the extent to which social innovation can make smart cities more human and sustainable. The results illustrate how a social entrepreneurship initiative can positively impact the creation of social value to immigrants in cities. As the evidence shows, the full integration of foreign migrants in cities may contribute to the sustainable resolution (or avoidance) of many severe social dysfunctions, as well as for the improvement of the quality of life of foreign migrants and local citizens. The approach adopted, based on the empowerment of the human element, is able to produce a sustainable response and contribute to other dimensions of SC.