Purpose Social enterprises have proven to play a vital role in the transitions towards inclusive labour markets and sustainable economies. Yet, they often struggle to flourish within traditional economic systems due to the dual mission of pursuing social and commercial goals, leading to inherent tensions …

European Integration qualifies as perhaps the most interesting experiment in present-day international relations. Throughout its existence, the European Union’s power as an economic, political or military actor has changed constantly. The current status of the EU has an impact on how the EU functions …

The SDGs provide an important framework for businesses to address sustainable development and grand challenges (Kolk, Kourula and Pisani, 2017; Montiel et al, 2021) and SMEs, as major contributors to economic and entrepreneurial activity, are key actors in achieving national SDG targets (Sonntag et al, …

Citizens are set to play an active role in the energy transition by transforming from ‘passive’ consumers to ‘active’ prosumers. Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) are envisioned as modes of collective prosumership by citizens under the Renewable Energy Directive of 2018 (RED II). A holistic understanding …

Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) have been defined as modes of collective prosumership under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II). We evaluate the benefits offered by RECs and the barriers and enablers impacting their uptake. Germany is taken as a case study for a novel multi-disciplinary assessment …

While modern wind turbines have become by far the largest rotating machines on Earth with further upscaling planned for the future, a renewed interest in small wind turbines (SWTs) is fostering energy transition and smart grid development. Small machines have traditionally not received the same level …

One neighborhood in Groningen, the Netherlands, is a neighborhood housing about 12,000 citizens with on average a low-SES background, showing a less healthy and active lifestyle. In the past, initiatives have been undertaken to promote active lifestyle by implementing outdoor facilities stimulating physical …

The need for increasing further the penetration of Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) is demanding a change in the way distribution grids are managed. In particular, the RESs intermittent and stochastic nature is finding in Battery Energy Storage (BES) systems its most immediate countermeasure. This work …

"Despite many efforts, people with a refugee background still have great difficulties to find a job on the Dutch labour market. This has adverse consequences for the economic independence of people with a refugee background, their social connections, personal development, health and general well-being, …

This paper deals with the economic situation in the Rhine-Meuse border region between Germany and the Netherlands. Specifically, the labour market will be addressed by asking: How do national differences in the management of the pandemic affect the labour market in the Rhine-Meuse border region between …