Abstract:The adoption of open innovation and peer production, powered by 3D printing technology, is transforming traditional manufacturing methods towards a "third industrial revolution". The purpose of this research is to provide empirical evidence for an integrated approach, based on collaborative product development and peer production, combined with 3D printing, to deliver more sustainable, yet competitive, marketable products. In particular, this experimental study is conducted in the context of mobile forensics, an emerging market where limited expensive products exist and alternative solutions are needed. The technical viability and economic feasibility of the prototype developed in this research validate the proposed integrated approach, which could be a game-changer in the field of mobile forensics, as well as in other sectors. The sustainability improvements with this approach are a reduction of the total cost, thereby making it affordable for lower income users, and a decrease in energy consumption and pollutant emissions. The validated integrated approach offers start-up opportunities to develop and deliver more sustainable, marketable products, towards the paradigm of Open Sustainable Innovation. While the device developed and tested in this research has similar features to existing products, the methodology, implementation, and motivation are original.

No abstract

No abstract

Crowdsourcing of inventive activities is a particular form of crowdsourcing that helps firms to innovate by involving dispersed individuals to exploit “crowd wisdom”. In this context, the greater the number of contributions, the greater the possibility to gather extremely valuable ideas to produce innovative products and services. While monetary and social rewards can be an effective means to boost contributors’ extrinsic and intrinsic motivations to contribute, a theoretical understanding and empirical evidence of their effects are lacking. This paper focused on the crowdsourcing of inventive activities, initiated by listed companies worldwide, from 2007 to 2014. Our findings shed light on the influence of monetary and social rewards on the number of ideas collected. In particular, we analyzed the impact on the number of contributions brought about by monetary rewards and noted a positive influence related to its presence and also a negative effect related to the amount of the compensation. Moreover, we have demonstrated how the presence of a social cause is beneficial to the number of contributions. Consequently, we contribute to a scholarly understanding of the crowdsourcing phenomenon and we have provided guidance to managers seeking to initiate crowdsourcing campaigns.

Urban heat island is an anthropogenic phenomenon affecting urban outdoor thermal comfort conditions\ud and energy utilization. This is even truer in urban canyon configurations, characterized by low sky view\ud factor and where the effect of short-wave and long-wave solar radiation on construction surfaces is able\ud to produce massive outdoor local overheating. Traditional solutions cannot always be applied in urban\ud historical canyons, where the exteriors of buildings cannot be modified due to preservation. Here, the\ud capability of innovative cool materials to mitigate local microclimate of historical urban canyons is\ud investigated. A preliminary experimental characterization of the materials is performed. A numerical\ud simulation of the microclimate effect generated by the application of such materials is performed. Results\ud show that the proposed materials improve the microclimate without neglecting preservation constrains.\ud Such materials set the best scenarios in terms of thermal comfort, by enhancing albedo on canyon\ud surfaces. Their application on the vertical surfaces of narrow canyons can lead to deleterious effects on\ud outdoor thermal comfort. Such findings are confirmed by PMV and MOCI analyses. Energy efficiency\ud solutions may be effectively implemented in historical districts, opening the doors to other tailored\ud solutions, such as integrated renewables, to make these environments more sustainable and comfortable

No abstract

This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Highlights Indoor whole-comfort yearly experimental test is performed in a working environment  Multiphysics/multidomain variables are investigated within a 1000-employee sample  Employees are consistently positively influenced by triggers to improve working quality  Non-physical triggers are further options to save energy without compromising comfort How subjective and non-physical parameters affect occupants' environmental comfort perception

Citizen science (CS), that is, the involvement of citizens in data collection or analysis for research projects, is becoming more widespread. This is due to the increasing digitalization of the general public and due to the increasing number of grand challenges that society is facing. Thanks to the contributions of common citizens in data collection and data analysis conducted through technology‐mediated interactions, CS can produce a number of benefits for researchers, public organizations, policymakers, citizens, and society as a whole. Given the high density of socio‐economic activities in cities, CS can be implemented in a particularly effective way in urban environments to help tackle many “grand challenges”, namely, the pressing environmental and social issues that societies are facing at present. However, CS still has untapped potential to be explored. Indeed, we contend that even though CS involves citizens for precisely defined scientific objectives, the interaction that occurs can also be leveraged to collect data beyond the original aim, thereby producing big data (BD). Through a multiple case studies analysis, we highlight how CS can be used to collect BD as well, which can be a valuable resource for researchers, public organizations, and policymakers. With this aim in mind, this study proposes the definition of a citizen‐sourcing framework that jointly employs CS and BD, and it highlights which processes can be implemented to favor the sustainable development of urban environments. Moreover, we also discuss the looming dangers associated with citizen‐sourcing as a result of technology‐mediated interactions and the use of digital technologies, and we highlight possible future developments.