Scientific Articles
In this section the MOBI-TWIN related Scientific Articles will be presented upon publication
"The Twin Transition and Flexible Work Arrangements: A Systematic Literature Review" by Luca Alfieri, Ilaria Mariotti, Federica Rossi
Abstract The primary objective of this study is to conduct a systematic literature review on the interaction between new forms of flexible work arrangements and the twin transition (digital and green). The core concept of the twin transition is to achieve more productive and efficient systems through technological advancements while fostering a more sustainable work environment, production, and society. Flexible work arrangements encompass all possible agreements between employers and employees that differ from traditional full-time work at the employer’s premises. The systematic literature review examines the studies downloaded from the Scopus and Science Direct databases, subsequently applying a rigorous multi-step selection process. The results indicate that literature on the relationship between the twin transition and flexible working arrangements is still in its infancy. Most of the papers are related to (i) the impact of flexible work arrangements on energy consumption, (ii) the need for complex and targeted policies to bring a just societal transition as well as a reorganization of the urban areas. A large part of the selected papers is related to the post-pandemic period, thus demonstrating how COVID-19 has been an accelerator of change. Finally, a large interest in the topic is present in Europe compared to the Anglosphere. Keywords: Flexible work arrangements; Twin transition, remote working, teleworking, hybrid working
The publication can be accessed – here!
Panori, Anastasia, Athanasios Kalogeresis, Elli Papastergiou, Thanasis Ziogas, and Dimitris Ballas. 2025. “Unraveling the Nexus: Subjective Well-Being and Left-Behind Places.” Regional Science Policy & Practice 17 (10): 100222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rspp.2025.100222.
Abstract: This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on the complex phenomenon of being left behind at the regional level, aiming to connect it with the extensive body of literature on subjective well-being and its various facets. We argue that different types of regional left-behindness—economic, demographic, and infrastructural—have varying impacts on subjective well-being, specifically measured through life satisfaction. These impacts are shaped by regional dynamics that significantly influence individuals’ perspectives. To explore this argument, we utilize data collected from 7083 individuals surveyed across 12 European Union member states at the NUTS3 level, supplemented with regional left-behind typologies. By employing a multi-level analysis framework, incorporating individual and regional-level characteristics, we assess the impact of regional left-behindness on individual life satisfaction. Our findings suggest that not all aspects of left-behindness equally affect life satisfaction. Regions characterized by economic decline, deindustrialization, lack of accessibility, and high poverty rates exhibit a statistically significant negative correlation with life satisfaction. Throughout our analysis, we control for individual characteristics such as gender, age, employment and marital status to mitigate confounding effects. The study provides insights that can inform policy to strategically enhance the appeal of regions and improve the overall level of life satisfaction, in order to retain existing residents or attract newcomers.
Keywords: Left behindness; Life satisfaction; Regional development; Deindustrialization; Accessibility
Xu, Hang, Shiyu Liu, Shuo Cao, and Pengfei Zhang. 2025. "A Global Dataset of Soil Inorganic Carbon Stocks and Concentrations." Scientific Data 12 (1): 456. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-025-04789-0.
Abstract: Student mobility is a distinct form of human movement. It can indicate the characteristics and attractiveness of regions, which is relevant for governance, policy, and planning. In Europe, the Erasmus+ programme has facilitated the mobility of over two million students between 2014 and 2022, and this individual-level mobility data is openly available. However, the lack of spatial information hinders its use in geographical research. In this article, we present enriched student mobility data by adding spatial information at the Local Administrative Unit (LAU) and Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) 3 regional levels. Using the Photon geocoding service, we converted textual origin and destination locations into spatial data, creating a precise annual-level mobility dataset. The geolocated student mobility dataset contains both individual- and aggregate-level mobility flows between LAU and NUTS 3 spatial units across Europe from 2014 to 2022. We validated the geolocated data through random sampling and manual verification, achieving accuracy scores above 96%. Finally, we provide use cases for the data.
Väisänen, Tuomas, Milad Malekzadeh, and Olle Järv. 2026. "Exploring Finland's Erasmus+ Mobility Flow Dynamics: Potential Opportunities for Regions." Urbaria Summaries Series 2026/1. Helsinki Institute of Urban and Regional Studies (Urbaria). https://www.helsinki.fi/assets/drupal/2026-01/Summary%20Väisänen%20et%20al.pdf.
Abstract: This report analyzes Erasmus+ student mobility flows to and from Finland between 2014 and 2023. It examines how major disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit, have reshaped mobility trends and affected the geographical distribution of students. Findings indicate that while incoming mobility to Finland has largely returned to pre-pandemic levels for most origin countries, outgoing mobility from Finnish students remains significantly lower, stalling at 2014-2015 levels. At the regional level, although Helsinki-Uusimaa continues to dominate in absolute numbers, regions like Etelä-Karjala and Lapland (Lappi) are identified as “rising stars” due to their increasing relative mobility shares and growing geographic diversity of origins. The study concludes that student mobility can serve as a vital tool for regional planning, enabling Finnish regions to mitigate brain drain and attract young talent through targeted strategies.
Panori, Anastasia, Christina Kakderi, Nicos Komninos, Ilaria Mariotti, Federica Maria Rossi, and Luca Alfieri. "A Framework for Analysing Spatial Mobility in the Green and Digital Transition: The MOBI-TWIN Approach." MOBI-TWIN Project Deliverables, 2023. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949697726000160?via%3Dihub
Abstract: Regional inequalities in Europe are closely linked to spatial mobility patterns that concentrate human capital and opportunities in metropolitan regions while accelerating decline elsewhere. The ongoing green and digital transitions introduce new drivers of regional attractiveness that may either reinforce or rebalance these patterns. This paper presents the MOBI-TWIN project, which reconceptualises mobility as a societal outcome of changing regional attractiveness under twin transition conditions. MOBI-TWIN introduces a new framework combining individual-level evidence on mobility intentions, values, and digital practices with regional-level indicators capturing economic structures, digital readiness, and environmental conditions across EU regions. Methodologically, the project adopts a multi-layer framework. At the individual level, it analyses how environmental values, and openness to digital work reshape mobility decisions beyond traditional socio-economic determinants. At the regional level, it develops a multidimensional Regional Attractiveness Index integrating traditional, digital, and green dimensions to capture regions’ adaptive capacity and exposure to transition risks. These components are embedded in a harmonised, multi-source dataset that supports comparative analysis and policy-relevant modelling. The results show mobility outcomes depend on regional adaptation, and MOBI-TWIN informs place-based policies for cohesion and socially just green and digital transitions across Europe today. Highlighting that mobility outcomes depend on regional adaptation to the green and digital transitions, MOBI-TWIN aims to inform place-based policies for cohesion and socially just twin transition across Europe.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement no. 101094402
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