https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/38986 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:57:23 GMT 2026-04-13T11:57:23Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39449 Title: The green industry’s potential to drive local innovation in the manufacturing sector : Malta a case study for a smart specialisation strategy in eco-innovation Authors: Damato, Andre Abstract: The green industry is facing growth due to various economical, social, political and environmental factors. This paper provides the context of innovative technologies within the local manufacturing green industry, in particular those related to renewable energy and energy efficiency. In exploring what constitutes a smart specialisation strategy, a consultation process with key players from different pillars of interest, mainly: Academia, Industry, Government, Political Parties and Public NGOs, was conducted in an effort to identify a range of different perspectives and understandings of such a strategy at a local level. This process was mapped onto a SWOT analysis and Scenario Planning exercise, highlighting the present context of the local green manufacturing industry. This research concluded by drawing on this research to identify a general framework for developing a specialisation strategy and approach for eco-innovation for small countries like Malta. Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39449 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39448 Title: The artisan : a sustainable entrepreneur Authors: Baldacchino, Leonie; Cutajar, Christine Abstract: The thrust of the argument in this paper is that artisans can make valuable contributions to the holistic values of sustainable development. These contributions could include both environmental concerns, such as the reduction and recycling of waste and the use of local, natural materials in craft production, as well as the social aspects of developing and preserving local knowledge and skills and the provision of sustainable employment and self-actualisation opportunities. These would in turn be of value in economic terms, as they would enable artisans to develop “prosperous, vibrant enterprises” (Ferraro, White, Cox, Bebbington, & Wilson, 2011, p. 21) which incorporate all three (environmental, social and economic) elements of sustainable development, thus transforming artisans into sustainable entrepreneurs. This paper forms part of a larger research project currently being conducted among artisans in Malta, aimed at assessing the current conditions and practices of Maltese artisans and their traditional craft production in the light of creativity, innovation and sustainability. It reports on an informal preliminary round of research carried out with artisans at the Ta’ Qali Crafts Village in Malta, which sheds some light upon certain unfavourable conditions that are threatening the survival of traditional artisans in Malta. These include unfair competition from mass produced imports, an inadequate certification system for genuine crafts, uninformed and unappreciative local customers, and fluctuations in tourist rates. The paper concludes by giving an outline of the steps that should follow this preliminary research, and by making practical recommendations for the survival, prosperity and sustainability of genuine Maltese artisan enterprises in the context of a market that is not congenial to artisans. Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39448 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39446 Title: Older persons and green volunteering : the missing link to sustainable future? Authors: Formosa, Marvin Abstract: The empirical study featuring in this paper is contextualised within the statistics provided by a national survey on older volunteerism. Older volunteers are nowadays viewed as a valuable resource, a reliable and experienced labour pool. In Malta, many persons aged 60 and above volunteer many hours each month in local environmental organisations in their goal to preserve the earth for future generations even though they will not personally see the benefits. Through the data emanating from a qualitative survey this paper highlights the possible positive returns accruing from green volunteering in later life which are of a physical, cognitive, and social nature. It thus argues that there is a potential for a greater number of older people to volunteer in green nongovernmental organisations. It is on this basis that a number of policy options and action strategies to improve the engagement of older persons in green volunteering are recommended. These include expanding the participation by older persons who are ageing actively, presenting green volunteering as a course module in pre-retirement educational programmes, advertising green volunteering as a means of self-actualisation rather than as a form of unpaid work, and designing green volunteer roles that do not necessitate high levels of education. Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39446 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39445 Title: The parameters of a green sustainable economy Authors: Rizzo, Saviour Abstract: At the polls the Greens may not have succeeded in getting the necessary quota of votes to allow them to share power with the major political parties. Nevertheless they can be heartened by the fact that the principles underlying the policy of a green economy, which they have been vocally espousing since their inception, have seeped in mainstream politics. Indeed the focus on this issue marks a paradigm shift in the political scenario. Description: Included table of contents, foreword and list of contributors. Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39445 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z