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Identifying the barriers that hinder the circularity in the wine industry in Bulgaria and proposing a preliminary circular economy (CE) index for ranking in order of importance the barriers for providing a suitable and replicable model through the contextualization of the study applied at the territorial level.

The article adopts a Fuzzy AHP methodology based on 6 main barriers and 19 sub-barriers to find the weights of the barriers and rank them. The study was conducted in Bulgaria, and it consists of a questionnaire with pairwise comparisons to ask for expert opinions of members of the Executive Board of the National Association of Bulgarian Vinegrowers and additional members of the regional vine and winegrowing chambers.

The study identifies training and education and environmental barriers as the most important among the main barriers whereas, economic barriers are assessed as low impact. Considering the sub-barriers, lack of consumer awareness and interest, unclear taxation for CE, lack of knowledge about environmental emissions (carbon, water etc.) within the supply chains, and lack of digital trends are determined as the most significant sub-barriers.

The preliminary CE index can be practically used and tested, when necessary, by each winemaker according to their understanding and opinion of CE barriers and sub-barriers. The ranking within the CE index can lead winemakers also to decisions related to the company's social policy.

The study uses the Fuzzy AHP methodology with expert opinions to analyze and weigh the main barriers to achieving CE at the micro-level.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the possibility of a new biocatalyst prepared by kefir cells immobilization on grape stalks (GS) to reduce quickly and efficiently the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) of the waste whey during its fermentation producing potable ethanol.

Many batch whey fermentations were carried out in order the effect of various conditions (pH, temperature) on 14C-labeled lactose uptake rate by the GS-immobilized kefir cells and consequently on fermentation rate as well as on ethanol production and whey BOD and COD reduction to be determined.

It has been illustrated that GS-biocatalyst was suitable for whey BOD and COD reduction by about 32 and 25 percent, respectively during whey alcoholic fermentation at 30°C and pH 5.5 in only ten hours, producing about 3.30 percent w/v of ethanol.

The findings of this research may enhance the existing literature on whey exploitation, for the first time focussing on the use of cheap and abundant GS as support for kefir immobilization during whey fermentation, which is potentially acceptable by industries in order to reduce fast and easily the whey polluting load and produce ethanol.

The purpose of this paper is to deepen the discussion regarding the competitiveness of clusters based on a theoretical and empirical study that compares the level of competitiveness of the Brazilian wine cluster located in Serra Gaúcha with the competitiveness of the Chilean cluster located in Valle del Maule.

A qualitative-descriptive approach was applied to the study, and data collection was conducted through secondary sources.

The analysis employed a competitiveness analysis model consisting of 11 competitiveness factors. The Chilean cluster presented a higher level of competitiveness in four competitiveness factors (“scope of viable and relevant business,” “introduction of new technologies,” “balance with no privileged positions” and “oriented strategy”), while the Brazilian cluster presented a higher level of competitiveness in three competitiveness factors (“concentration,” “cooperation” and “replacement”). For four of the competitiveness factors of the model, both clusters presented similar levels of competitiveness.

By comparing the two wine clusters, it was possible to identify aspects that can be improved to increase competitiveness, especially in the Brazilian cluster. These aspects include, first, the need for bottle manufacturers in Serra Gaúcha, which would have a positive impact on production costs; second, the expansion of the geographical indication registration for the entire Serra Gaúcha region, resulting in an enhanced image of Brazilian wine abroad; and third, greater incentives for exports, which would result in an increase in market share.

The paper proposes an explanation for the superior level of competitiveness of the Chilean cluster regarding the “scope of viable and relevant business,” “balance with no privileged positions,” “introduction of new technologies” and “strategy focussed on cluster development.” In terms of its contribution, the study developed additional metrics for the model adopted, which can be used for the competitive analysis of other agribusiness clusters.

The present research expands the debate on environmental sustainability in the wine industry. Since the literature on sustainability and wine is relatively recent, current results do not cover all the practices that can be implemented along the wine supply chain. Thus, the paper presents a classification of environmental practices specific for the wine industry, according to the increased attention that has been paid to this topic in recent years. Moreover, it investigates the adoption level of these practices with reference to Italian wine producers.

The research presents a systematic literature review including papers published in academic journals during the past 30 years and in Italian specialised magazines. This methodology is useful to provide a clear overview of sustainable practices that can be adopted along the wine supply chain. Therefore, an empirical study based on the results of an online survey shows how wineries approach environmental sustainability.

The literature review provides a definition and classification of environmental practices in the wine industry, as well as identification of those that require further attention in the literature, suggesting future research paths. The results of the online survey give an overview of the adoption level of environmental practices and highlight widespread attention to all the listed environmental practices, including those not adopted.

From a theoretical point of view, this paper fills a literature gap in terms of the definition and classification of environmental practices that cover all wine supply chain processes, also providing a useful instrument for wine companies' managers. Moreover, the results of the empirical research give an overview of the adoption level of environmental practices in one of the most relevant countries in terms of wine production and highlight widespread attention to all the listed environmental practices, including those not adopted.

Adding to competitive dynamics and sustainability literature, this paper aims to examine the implementation of environmental protection and sustainability initiatives within the European fast-fashion clothing industry from the perspectives of Generation X and Y consumers. The study primarily investigates whether consumers’ level of environmental consciousness impacts their purchase decisions and consumption behaviour and the consequent strategic competitiveness effects on businesses.

The methodological approach relied on multiple data collection methods. In the first stage of the study, the researchers analysed the content of the official websites of two of Europe’s leading fashion firms. In the second stage, a quantitative research approach was aimed at revealing the perceptions, attitudes and purchase behaviour of Generation X and Y consumers towards the two fashion houses and their brands.

Although European fashion manufacturers invest in sustainability and engage in environmental protection, their marketing efforts need to be more effectively managed and targeted towards their target consumer markets. The level of engagement and sensitivity of each generational group towards sustainability issues varies. Each group’s environmental consciousness, motivation and response is shaped by distinct characteristics, which, in turn, create implications for the effectiveness of sustainability efforts towards differentiation and competitiveness. Overall, consumers engage in environmental initiatives but ignore the corporate initiatives pursued by the two fashion firms and did not view them as sustainable brands.

The study explores the effectiveness of sustainability and environmental protection orientation as business competitive strategies in the light of environmental turbulence and social changes impacting the fast-fashion clothing industry and its relationships with its consumer markets.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper to immobilization provides biosorbent particle with density and mechanichal strength, immobilization can save the cost of separating from biomass, can be regeneration and to increase adsorption capacity for metal ions.

Design/Methodology/Approach – The parameters affecting the adsorption, such as initial metal ion concentration, pH, contact time, and temperature, were studied. The analysis of biosorbent functional group was carried out by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, SEM-EDX, for elemental analysis.

Findings – Optimum pH condition for biosorption Cd(II) was pH 5, contact time was 45 min, and initial concentration was 250 mg/L. Biosorbent analysis was characterized using SEM-EDX and FTIR analysis. Kinetics adsorption was studied and analyzed in terms of the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion kinetics models. The result showed that the biosorption for Cd(II) ion followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Biosorption data of Cd(II) ion at 300°K, 308°K, and 318°K was analyzed with Temkin, Langmuir, and Freundlich isotherms. Biosorption of Cd(II) by durian seed immobilization in alginate according to the Langmuir isotherm equation provided a coefficient correlation of r² = 0.939 and maximum capacity biosorption of 25.05 mg/g.

The research focuses on analysing the effect of wine tourism (WT) on the green performance (GP) of Spanish wineries, as well as the mediating role of green intellectual capital (GIC) and the moderating effect of circular economy practices (CEPs) developed by wineries in this main relationship. In addition, age, size and protected designation of origin (PDO) membership are introduced as control variables to increase the precision of the cause–effect relationships analysed.

A conceptual model is proposed through the literature review carried out and then verified through structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) based on data obtained from a survey of 202 Spanish wineries between September 2021 and January 2022.

The results of the study show that WT activity has a positive and significant effect on the GP of wineries, also demonstrating the mediating effect of GIC and the moderating role of CEPs in this relationship.

The study contributes to the academic literature in several ways. First, to the best of our knowledge, no previous study has addressed the impact of WT on the set of wineries' ecological intangibles. Second, to the authors’ knowledge, no previous study has analysed the mediating effect of GIC on the WT-GP relationship. Third, there is no previous attempt to deal with the moderating role of CEPs in the main relationship under analysis. Fourth, the proposed theoretical model has not been previously addressed in the academic literature.

The Government's proposals for the establishment of a Greater London Council were contained in the White Paper on London Government, published last November. In the main, the Government support the recommendations of the Royal Commission, although many of these were controversial and aroused much opposition, particularly from the London County Council itself. The present two‐tier form of local government is to be replaced by a Greater London Borough as the primary unit responsible for its own area and an elected Greater London Council with larger and broader functions for a very much larger area. This will consist of the present area of the London County Council, Middlesex and parts of Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent and Surrey, coinciding with the approximate area of the metropolitan police district.

This case highlights the green agriculture initiative of the Honliv High Tech Agricultural Development Co., Ltd. towards agriculture environmental protection and better life. In this process, the Honliv Company confronted many difficulties, such as addressing the green transformation concerns of the team, identifying the sustainable agriculture target, the project selection of red globe grape products, the planning of a demonstration vineyard and green marketing. Nevertheless, with the Red Globe Grape of the “Honliv brand” had won the certification of China’s “Grade A” green food mark, and its green marketing initiatives, such as the “picking and demonstration model” had won people’s identification. The company was awarded the honorary titles of “Red Globe grape planting demonstration base with the Chinese characteristics” and “pollution-free science and technology demonstration unit of Chinese fruits and vegetables.” By discussing the Honliv Company’s experience and difficulties during the sustainable agriculture transformation process, one can realize the importance of green agriculture initiatives for creating a better life for humans.

Raisins Although nowadays chiefly regarded as a useful ingredient of puddings, cakes and mincemeat, or as a pleasant dessert extra, raisins are a foodstuff of great antiquity, forming for many centuries a staple food of nomadic peoples. Raisins appear first in recorded history among the Ancient Egyptians, who had a high regard for this fruit.