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Papers by Massimo Gastaldi
Journal of Cleaner Production
Environmental and Climate Technologies
With growing environmental legislation and mounting popular concern for the need to pursuing a su... more With growing environmental legislation and mounting popular concern for the need to pursuing a sustainable growth, there has been an increasing recognition in developed nations of the importance of waste reduction, recycling and reuse maximization. This empirical study investigates both ecological and economic performances of urban waste systems in 78 major Italian towns for the years 2015 and 2016. To this purpose the study employs the non-parametric approach to efficiency measurement, represented by Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique. More specifically, in the context of environmental performance we implement two output-oriented DEA models in order to consider both constant and variable returns to scale. In addition, we include an undesirable output – the total amount of waste collected – in the two models considered. The results show that there is variability among the municipalities analysed: Northern and Central major towns show higher efficiency scores than Southern and...
Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management
The value chain refers to the source of competition to facilitate organizations to maximize and s... more The value chain refers to the source of competition to facilitate organizations to maximize and sustain value for their consumers. Value chain flexibility is necessary to build sustainable initiatives in addressing ambiguity. In the literature, there is a lack of framework to highlight the challenges to sustainable initiatives in value chain flexibility. This study fills this research gap by suggesting a framework for challenges to sustainable initiatives in value chain flexibility. In this study, thirteen potential challenges to sustainable initiatives in value chain flexibility are identified and an integrated model is developed. It adopts the modified Total Interpretive Structure Model and the Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification methodology. The mixed approach is used as the modified Total Interpretive Structure Model organizes the binary interactions among the challenges, while Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification analysis organiz...
Applied Sciences
This work focuses on the profitability of biomethane plants and the environmental benefits obtain... more This work focuses on the profitability of biomethane plants and the environmental benefits obtained recovering the organic fraction of municipal solid waste in Italy. The economic model is based on the calculations of the net present value, considering multiple capacities of biomethane production (ranging from 50 to 500 m3/h) and alternative scenarios based on the variation in subsidies, the selling price of biomethane, and the net revenues from the treatment of organic waste. The environmental analysis quantifies the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions obtained by natural gas vehicles fueled by biomethane. The economic and environmental results encourage energy change that can be achieved by municipalities that support the transformation of natural resources into green fuels. Across 15 Italian municipalities, the potential biomethane production varies from 80.4 million m3/year to 102.8 million m3/year, with an overall net present value ranging from 135 to 187 million €. In additi...
British Food Journal
Purpose The price of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is highly subjected to variability. In this wa... more Purpose The price of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is highly subjected to variability. In this way, the consumer is not able to perceive a price of reference. The purpose of this paper is to investigate this topic, trying to define a range suitable for the selling of EVOO. Design/methodology/approach A mathematical model is applied to the three price levels (i.e. production, intermediate and selling). It studies the relationship among main variables: purchase cost of olives, the production cost of olive oil, the yield of olives obtained by the technological process and the profit margin. To define the input data, 25 producers of olives and 25 owners of olive oil mills are involved. Findings The production of EVOO depends strictly on the production of olives, which typically is subdivided in a year of “high production” and in a year of “low production.” The price of EVOO is subjected to a great variability; however, it is possible to propose a range that varies from €7.0 per liter to...
Journal of Cleaner Production
American Journal of Economics and Business Administration
Problem statement: The Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) project plans to establish an integrated ... more Problem statement: The Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) project plans to establish an integrated market for extending European integration to retail payments; it aims to provide incentives for using payment systems instead of cash for all micro payments, in order to improve both efficiency and competition in the Euro area. In this study we described the SEPA and its effects on competition and innovation in the payment systems. Moreover, we will discuss the main technological innovations (particularly mobile payments, biometrics payments and smart cards) and their impacts on retail payments. Approach: In order to analyze the impact of new technologies on cash usage we employed a mathematical model. This model is an extension of duopolistic competition to three market players; it allows analyzing market changes caused both by SEPA and technological innovations. Results: Our numerical simulations showed that new technologies cause a reduction of cash usage, such as SEPA project states. Conclusion: New payment technologies provided new benefits than the traditional payment systems. These new technologies reduced the transaction times and the logistic costs of cash management; moreover they improve the transactions safety, their easiness and convenience. Such benefits push consumers to use these new payment technologies for micro-payments (pubs and bars, nightclubs, fast food outlets, retail fuel, convenience store and vending machines), thus reducing the use of cash such as SEPA project states.
Netnomics, 2011
This paper analyses the regulation of the market of voice call termination on mobile networks, by... more This paper analyses the regulation of the market of voice call termination on mobile networks, by considering the remedy of asymmetric access charges and the hypothesis of discriminatory retail pricing. In the two way interconnection, the operators revenue depends on two factors: the retail price and the access charge. If the retail prices are different between calls that terminate on the same network (on-net) and calls that terminate on the rival network (off-net), the competition is more complex, involving positive networks externalities for the incumbent operator. In order to reduce the competitive disadvantage for new entrants and smaller operators many European regulation authorities have introduced the remedy of asymmetric access charges. This paper is aimed at analysing the effectiveness of this regulatory measure, assuming that operators are differentiated in terms of brand loyalty and cost structure. Keywords Brand loyalty • Interconnected asymmetric networks • Discriminatory retail prices • Non reciprocal access charges
Economia E Politica Industriale, 1995
Systems Analysis Modelling Simulation, Aug 1, 2003
International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy
Biomethane is an interesting source for sustainable energy systems, featuring great flexibility t... more Biomethane is an interesting source for sustainable energy systems, featuring great flexibility that translates into multiple possible applications (vehicle fuel, combined production of thermal and electrical energy, injection in the gas grid). Compared to biogas, biomethane permits greater efficiency. Its use is not limited to the immediate area of the plant and purification of the raw methane means greater lifespans for the equipment. This paper analyses its use in the transport sector in light of recent statutory changes that introduce incentives. Net present value and discounted payback time are applied for the evaluation of profitability of biomethane plants, and are calculated in function of the feedstocks used, the plant dimensions and the firm configuration (producer and distributor combined; separate firms). Environmental considerations and a high number of natural gas vehicles define its strategic role in the Italian transport sector.
Journal of Cleaner Production
Environmental and Climate Technologies
With growing environmental legislation and mounting popular concern for the need to pursuing a su... more With growing environmental legislation and mounting popular concern for the need to pursuing a sustainable growth, there has been an increasing recognition in developed nations of the importance of waste reduction, recycling and reuse maximization. This empirical study investigates both ecological and economic performances of urban waste systems in 78 major Italian towns for the years 2015 and 2016. To this purpose the study employs the non-parametric approach to efficiency measurement, represented by Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique. More specifically, in the context of environmental performance we implement two output-oriented DEA models in order to consider both constant and variable returns to scale. In addition, we include an undesirable output – the total amount of waste collected – in the two models considered. The results show that there is variability among the municipalities analysed: Northern and Central major towns show higher efficiency scores than Southern and...
Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management
The value chain refers to the source of competition to facilitate organizations to maximize and s... more The value chain refers to the source of competition to facilitate organizations to maximize and sustain value for their consumers. Value chain flexibility is necessary to build sustainable initiatives in addressing ambiguity. In the literature, there is a lack of framework to highlight the challenges to sustainable initiatives in value chain flexibility. This study fills this research gap by suggesting a framework for challenges to sustainable initiatives in value chain flexibility. In this study, thirteen potential challenges to sustainable initiatives in value chain flexibility are identified and an integrated model is developed. It adopts the modified Total Interpretive Structure Model and the Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification methodology. The mixed approach is used as the modified Total Interpretive Structure Model organizes the binary interactions among the challenges, while Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification analysis organiz...
Applied Sciences
This work focuses on the profitability of biomethane plants and the environmental benefits obtain... more This work focuses on the profitability of biomethane plants and the environmental benefits obtained recovering the organic fraction of municipal solid waste in Italy. The economic model is based on the calculations of the net present value, considering multiple capacities of biomethane production (ranging from 50 to 500 m3/h) and alternative scenarios based on the variation in subsidies, the selling price of biomethane, and the net revenues from the treatment of organic waste. The environmental analysis quantifies the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions obtained by natural gas vehicles fueled by biomethane. The economic and environmental results encourage energy change that can be achieved by municipalities that support the transformation of natural resources into green fuels. Across 15 Italian municipalities, the potential biomethane production varies from 80.4 million m3/year to 102.8 million m3/year, with an overall net present value ranging from 135 to 187 million €. In additi...
British Food Journal
Purpose The price of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is highly subjected to variability. In this wa... more Purpose The price of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is highly subjected to variability. In this way, the consumer is not able to perceive a price of reference. The purpose of this paper is to investigate this topic, trying to define a range suitable for the selling of EVOO. Design/methodology/approach A mathematical model is applied to the three price levels (i.e. production, intermediate and selling). It studies the relationship among main variables: purchase cost of olives, the production cost of olive oil, the yield of olives obtained by the technological process and the profit margin. To define the input data, 25 producers of olives and 25 owners of olive oil mills are involved. Findings The production of EVOO depends strictly on the production of olives, which typically is subdivided in a year of “high production” and in a year of “low production.” The price of EVOO is subjected to a great variability; however, it is possible to propose a range that varies from €7.0 per liter to...
Journal of Cleaner Production
American Journal of Economics and Business Administration
Problem statement: The Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) project plans to establish an integrated ... more Problem statement: The Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) project plans to establish an integrated market for extending European integration to retail payments; it aims to provide incentives for using payment systems instead of cash for all micro payments, in order to improve both efficiency and competition in the Euro area. In this study we described the SEPA and its effects on competition and innovation in the payment systems. Moreover, we will discuss the main technological innovations (particularly mobile payments, biometrics payments and smart cards) and their impacts on retail payments. Approach: In order to analyze the impact of new technologies on cash usage we employed a mathematical model. This model is an extension of duopolistic competition to three market players; it allows analyzing market changes caused both by SEPA and technological innovations. Results: Our numerical simulations showed that new technologies cause a reduction of cash usage, such as SEPA project states. Conclusion: New payment technologies provided new benefits than the traditional payment systems. These new technologies reduced the transaction times and the logistic costs of cash management; moreover they improve the transactions safety, their easiness and convenience. Such benefits push consumers to use these new payment technologies for micro-payments (pubs and bars, nightclubs, fast food outlets, retail fuel, convenience store and vending machines), thus reducing the use of cash such as SEPA project states.
Netnomics, 2011
This paper analyses the regulation of the market of voice call termination on mobile networks, by... more This paper analyses the regulation of the market of voice call termination on mobile networks, by considering the remedy of asymmetric access charges and the hypothesis of discriminatory retail pricing. In the two way interconnection, the operators revenue depends on two factors: the retail price and the access charge. If the retail prices are different between calls that terminate on the same network (on-net) and calls that terminate on the rival network (off-net), the competition is more complex, involving positive networks externalities for the incumbent operator. In order to reduce the competitive disadvantage for new entrants and smaller operators many European regulation authorities have introduced the remedy of asymmetric access charges. This paper is aimed at analysing the effectiveness of this regulatory measure, assuming that operators are differentiated in terms of brand loyalty and cost structure. Keywords Brand loyalty • Interconnected asymmetric networks • Discriminatory retail prices • Non reciprocal access charges
Economia E Politica Industriale, 1995
Systems Analysis Modelling Simulation, Aug 1, 2003
International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy
Biomethane is an interesting source for sustainable energy systems, featuring great flexibility t... more Biomethane is an interesting source for sustainable energy systems, featuring great flexibility that translates into multiple possible applications (vehicle fuel, combined production of thermal and electrical energy, injection in the gas grid). Compared to biogas, biomethane permits greater efficiency. Its use is not limited to the immediate area of the plant and purification of the raw methane means greater lifespans for the equipment. This paper analyses its use in the transport sector in light of recent statutory changes that introduce incentives. Net present value and discounted payback time are applied for the evaluation of profitability of biomethane plants, and are calculated in function of the feedstocks used, the plant dimensions and the firm configuration (producer and distributor combined; separate firms). Environmental considerations and a high number of natural gas vehicles define its strategic role in the Italian transport sector.