Financial sustainability and sustainable business models.

In assessing the economic performance of value chains, a common element is to identify the different actors, activities, flows, inputs and outputs through the ‘mapping of value chains’. Traditional ‘vertical’ mapping provides a linear description of product flows generally including only those actors who participate actively in the product lifecycle. Such approach ignores external actors (such as universities, research institutes, and governments) who could have a significant impact on value chain performance.

Initially based at Gent University under the supervision of Prof. Speelman, the candidate will develop a novel framework to identify linear and non-linear actors in the value chain to determine and quantify the impacts on the bioeconomy, agricultural and related sectors. Linked to this the candidate will identify, develop and evaluate the financial sustainability of innovative business models for the AgRefine sector.

I’m Francesca Magnolo and I’m from Italy. I have a bachelor in Civil and Environmental Engineering obtained in Rome, my home-town, and a master in Industrial Ecology which I completed in June 2019 in Gothenburg, Sweden.

I’ve always been interested in our relationship with the environment and I’ve always tried my best to be the change I wanted to see in the world, even in small things. I chose to do research because I think it can be the best way to make a positive impact, with the opportunity of influencing a wide range of actors in our society. This conviction has brought me to where I am today, and I am happy to be part of a project in which we all work with the same values and ambitions.

My interests: I’m the chief-editor for the environmental section of an Italian online journal; I love outdoors, long hikes in the nature (my two years in Sweden spoiled me with that), cooking vegetarian food at home, and be surrounded by cats and dogs. As a typical Italian, I am addicted to one-day-long lunches and all-night-long dinners in front of long tables with family and friends.

My favourite quote: Change takes courage (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez)

My favourite place in the world: Rome at sunset in summer.