PPGIS platforms have been widely used to map social actors since the emergence of open access webGIS platforms. This identification of citizen initiatives is based on the physical location, but is rarely combined with social networking. This research seeks to close that gap by using the platIC web-based mapping tool for citizen initiatives, together with their interrelationships. Therefore, a methodical procedure has been defined to construct a geolocalised graph by identifying and categorising linked nodes. Method steps have been tested in three case studies in the Malaga region: Malaga city, Benalmadena, and Valle del Genal. They were selected for a comparative analysis in three different urban and socio-economic scenarios, namely: a tourist destination with a high density of Spanish population and floating city users; a sun-and-beach destination with a significant presence of resident foreign population; and a rural area suffering from depopulation, respectively. Mapping reveals a higher density of citizen initiatives in central urban areas and with social conflicts. Social graphs show a wider interconnection of nodes in rural areas, but isolated nodes are spread more widely there. Monitoring active citizen initiatives could serve as a basis for local administration to involve the citizenry in the management of current issues in the urban and rural context. Future research may promote new plugins to improve participatory process through webGIS platforms.

The main objective of the study is to discuss the application of a participatory approach that involves the community of a small rural area in Italy to develop and maintain a sustainable local food system based on a very ancient and high-quality typical local bean. The efficacy of the approach in terms of the active involvement of local actors (farming communities, local administration, social associations, and civil society) and knowledge transfer for preserving the local food culture has been demonstrated. Possible improvements to the approach through digital technologies for stimulating the effective engagement of teenagers have also been discussed.

This study explores the attributes of service quality for overseas residents provided by island county governments, using the example of the Kinmen County Government’s service center in central Taiwan. This research aims to identify key service elements that can enhance the satisfaction of Kinmen overseas residents. Drawing upon the SERVQUAL scale and a comprehensive literature review, service quality is divided into five dimensions: “administrative service,” “life counseling,” “information provision,” among others, comprising 24 service quality elements. A total of 311 valid questionnaires were collected through a survey, and Kano’s two-dimensional quality and IPA analysis were used to classify service factors. The Kano two-dimensional quality analysis revealed that “employment counseling,” “entrepreneurship counseling,” and “setting up service counters at airports and terminals during festivals” belong to attractive quality. Nine elements were classified as “one-dimensional quality” and “must-be quality,” including “one-stop service,” “exclusive consultation hotline,” and “exclusive website reveals information.” Through Quality Function Deployment (QFD), service elements that align with Kano’s two-dimensional quality and IPA priority improvement were selected for detailed study, including “financial assistance in emergencies,” “subsidy for transportation expenses back home,” “subsidies for education allowances,” and “various subsidy application information.” Following expert discussions and questionnaire surveys, eight strategies for improving key service quality elements were identified. This research not only provides actionable insights for the Kinmen County Government but also offers valuable strategies that can be applied to similar contexts globally, where remote and rural populations require specialized governmental support.

The government’s land registration program aims to protect communities from future land disputes. However, lack of community support presents challenges to its process and implementation. Utilizing a qualitative case study approach, this article examines these challenges from the community’s perspective, focusing on land registration, community participation, and implementation dynamics. It suggests that learning from these dynamics can enhance the program’s effectiveness, highlighting the need for a systematic approach to community involvement.

Foodborne diseases are a global health problem. Every year, millions of people die worldwide from these diseases. It has been determined that the high prevalence of these diseases is related to unfavorable socioeconomic conditions of the population. In this study, the relationship between foodborne diseases and socioeconomic conditions of the population was determined using principal component analysis as a multivariate statistical analysis technique. In this study, the socioeconomic variables of each Ecuador province and the prevalence of foodborne diseases (hepatitis A, salmonella, shigellosis and typhoid fever) during the years 2018 and 2019 were considered. The results show the relationship between foodborne diseases and the socioeconomic conditions of the population, as well as identifying regions more vulnerable to present high levels of prevalence of foodborne diseases, thus facilitating the implementation of social investment programs to reduce the prevalence of these diseases.