PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the integration of industry 4.0 related technologies of telehealth within innovative housing models addressed to senior population, in order to facing the growing issue of a sustainable management of the population ageing.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative exploratory analysis of four case studies of senior cohousing facilities located in different countries was performed. The cases analysed were selected as pioneering cases in the adoption of innovative and economically sustainable organizational solutions.FindingsThe study made it possible to identify which are the common characters that successful experiences have highlighted. Although each facility needs to adapt to the social, cultural, demographic and economic context in which it is located, there are some recurring aspects, which have proved to be key success factors.Research limitations/implicationsThis research analyses only four cases. This suggests that the sample does not provide an exhaustive representation of the models adopted in this field. However, the study is an exploratory research and it can provide a basis for further analyses.Practical implicationsThis study provides valuable indications for the design and management of senior cohousing facilities, as regards the services to be offered, the network of services and facilities that can be complementary to the residences, the activities to be conducted and organized, the degree of involvement of the elderly in the planning of activities and services. With regard to the adoption of telehealth-related technologies, the study provides indications on which new technologies resulting from the industry 4.0 revolution are going to be adopted, that is, remote surveillance, remote diagnostics and the use of sensors and video. These technologies, thanks to the artificial intelligence, can detect anomalies and provide predictive analyses on the behaviour and health of the elderly.Originality/valueThe study made it possible to identify the key success factors for senior cohousing facilities regardless of the characteristics of the context in which they are located. In addition, it provides a first analysis of the potential of telehealth-related technological solutions, paving the way for further studies aimed at assessing how, thanks to new technologies, the level of economic sustainability of senior cohousing solutions can be improved.

This study aims at analyzing the level of perceived relevance and satisfaction of customers on the websites of agritourism companies. After a literature review on the website adoption by small and medium-sized enterprises, an empirical research was conducted based on a four-stage model of website adoption. A web-based questionnaire was addressed to a sample of EU tourists who experienced a stay at an agritourism after selecting the accommodation through the agritourism website. By combining the perceived satisfaction and importance attributed to a series of features related to the website, the authors identified the main priorities to be considered when a website is being projected and on-line services have to be established. Moreover, for evaluating which variables have more influence in defining the overall evaluation of a website, a multiple linear regression analysis was conducted. This study provides useful indications at the individual firm level about the main features of a website on which investments for improvement may be addressed and which on-line services should be activated.

This paper discusses the innovative potential of social farming, focusing on the case study of the Marche region in Italy, analysing the institutional and regulative framework as well as the local practices. The study highlights the gap between the regional innovative policy framework characterised by the proposal of specific high-value projects and several innovative practices by small local entrepreneurs. The mismatch between regional policy and local practices outlines a controversial scenario, with the risk of narrowing the innovative potentiality of social agriculture.

No abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze the influence of the key features of agritourism companies' websites on customers purchasing decision-making process, by measuring the level of perceived relevance and satisfaction of customers about the website's features. Empirical research was conducted based on a four-stage website adoption model, adapted from previous literature. A web-based questionnaire was addressed to a sample of Italian tourists who experienced a stay at an agritourism after selecting it through the website. By combining the perceived satisfaction and importance attributed to a series of website features, the priorities to take into account to design a website and to establish its main on-line services have been identified. In order to identify which variables have more influence in defining the overall evaluation of a website, a regression analysis was conducted. This study provides useful guidance on the main features of a website on which investments for improvement may be addressed, and which on-line services should be activated.