Tarek Ben Hassen

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Verified

Tarek verified their affiliation via an institutional email.

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• PhD Urban studies
• Professor (Associate) at Qatar University

The government of Qatar took strong containment measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 with restrictions on daily living such as social distancing and the closing of businesses and schools. While these measures are essential to stop the virus spreading, several voices came to warn of their potential disruptive impact on the agri-food system. Th...

Agri-food systems (AFS) have been central in the debate on sustainable development. Despite this growing interest in AFS, comprehensive analyses of the scholarly literature are hard to find. Therefore, the present systematic review delineated the contours of this growing research strand and analyzed how it relates to sustainability. A search perfor...

The recent war (October 2023 – January 2025) on Gaza has triggered a profound humanitarian crisis, causing widespread destruction, deprivation, and suffering on a potentially unprecedented scale, with a grave risk of famine and severe food insecurity. This chapter examines the profound impact of this war in Gaza on Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Z...

This study examines the adoption of ChatGPT among agri-food researchers and experts across 61 countries, applying the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to evaluate the key determinants of this adoption. Based on a quantitative methodology, an online survey was distributed to assess respondents’ attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral contr...

Food systems encompass all elements and activities involved in producing, processing, distributing, and consuming food, along with their outputs [...]

The primary sector still plays a vital socio-economic role in Chad, a landlocked and Sahelian country in Central Africa. The country faces several challenges, such as food insecurity and poverty. Research is needed to foster the transformation of the agri-food system, which is necessary to address such challenges. However, a comprehensive analysis...

Food security and water security have been central in the ongoing debate on sustainability and sustainable development. This chapter sheds light on the multifaceted and multidimensional relationships between food security and water security in the Mediterranean region. In particular, the chapter (i) describes the state of food (in)security, (ii) an...

In low and middle-income countries (LMICs), food insecurity and poor agricultural output are caused by the limited adoption of modern technologies. Emerging digital technologies have recently been promoted as tools to make agribusinesses smarter and more sustainable. However, the real challenge in agricultural and food systems appears to fill the “...

With shifting weather patterns, deteriorating soils, and unsustainable farming methods compounding pressures, the Western Balkans (WB) countries (viz., Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Serbia) confront significant challenges in sustaining food production and achieving long-term food and nutrition security. F...

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global food waste patterns through unanticipated shifts in composition and quantities. This review explores the impacts of COVID-19 on food waste generation and management approaches in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region during the recovery phase. This paper comprehensively explores food loss and waste in t...

Addressing the global urgency for improved sustainable cities and communities, as per the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, requires innovative and disruptive approaches, which also include applying artificial intelligence (AI). While AI holds significant potential to address complex socioeconomic and environmental challenges in...

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has profoundly impacted food systems in North Africa. This paper aims to analyze the impact of the conflict on food security in North Africa and the potential long-term consequences for the global food system. The research explores both scholarly and grey literature, including government reports, academic articles, a...

As the impacts of climate change intensify, urban areas in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are confronted with a convergence of critical water scarcity, extreme temperatures, and speedy urbanization. In light of these obstacles, innovative and sustainable urban planning and management strategies are required; in this regard, nature-b...

Food losses and waste (FLW) is considered a critical issue in the ongoing debate on the sustainability of agri-food systems. However, the scholarly literature on FLW is still geographically-biased, with more attention devoted to developed countries, even in Europe. In this context, this article analyses the state of research on FLW in the Western B...

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a global crisis with unanticipated and diverse consequences. Moreover, the pandemic has considerably impacted food dynamics in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where food systems have already been challenged. These countries also have the highest share of the world's malnourished and food insecure. Therefore...

Olive oil production has severe environmental consequences, including resource depletion, land degradation, carbon emissions, and waste generation. As a result, for over two decades, environmental life cycle assessment (ELCA) has been applied to the olive oil industry to identify environmental issues and reduce the environmental effects. However, l...

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic is not a foodborne infectious disease, but it has dramatically impacted food safety practices worldwide due to its potential for transmission through contaminated surfaces and food. Accordingly, the Omicron variant seems to have affected food-related activities and behaviours and disturbed food supply networks since it...

Amid Ukraine's geopolitical turmoil, a ripple effect is echoing across global agricultural and food systems-a phenomenon with far-reaching implications for producers, traders, and consumers across the globe. This systematic study delves into this intricate interaction, examining scholarly literature to determine the magnitude and complexities of th...

Agriculture in Kosovo has a significant impact on improving the balance of trade, reducing unemployment, and fostering economic growth. Several programs, led by national institutions and associations and international organizations, contribute to the development of sustainable agriculture, including organic farming, which is steadily gaining ground...

The COVID-19 pandemic affected agri-food systems worldwide. However, while the impacts differed from one country/region to another, the scholarly literature seems to focus on developed countries in the Global North. Consequently, this review scrutinizes the literature on the pandemic's impacts in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. A sear...

The Anzali Wetland, located in the Guilan Province of Iran, is a vital ecosystem with significant ecological value. However, it faces numerous environmental challenges due to pollution, habitat degradation, and unsustainable resource use. This paper aims to assess the awareness and perceptions of local communities regarding the Anzali Wetland, Iran...

Lebanon faces several social, political, and economic challenges delaying the efforts to develop a sustainable economy and inclusive society. The advancement of the knowledge economy is critical to the future economic prosperity of Lebanon. This paper aims to scrutinize the state of the knowledge-based economy in Lebanon, focusing on five pillars,...

The transition towards sustainable agriculture and food systems is necessary to address many challenges, such as food insecurity, climate change, and poverty. Research is highly needed to bring about such a transition. However, comprehensive analyses of the research landscape are often lacking, especially in developing countries. In this context, t...

The transition towards sustainable agriculture and food systems is necessary to address many challenges, such as food insecurity, climate change, and poverty. Research is highly needed to bring about such a transition. However, comprehensive analyses of the research landscape are often lacking, especially in developing countries. In this context, t...

Purpose: The emergence of the Omicron variant in November 2021 appears to have impacted food-related activities and behaviors and caused disruptions in food supply systems. Accordingly, this article aims to explore the effects of the Omicron variant on consumers' food-related behaviors in Qatar. Design/methodology/approach: This research is base...

Transitioning from fossil to renewable energy is a global challenge, especially for countries with large fossil-fuel reserves and exports, such as Iran. This study analyses agricultural students’ knowledge of, attitudes toward, and perceptions of renewable energies in the agriculture sector in Guilan Province in Iran. The research was based on a st...

The agricultural sector is crucial to attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since it ensures food security, protects natural resources, and promotes rural livelihoods. However, the success of sustainable agricultural practices depends not only on effective policies and technologies but also on agricultural experts’ perceptions and atti...

According to the World Health Organization, 39% of adults are overweight globally, with an additional 13% being obese. Furthermore, more than 370 million children are overweight or obese worldwide. Accordingly, the global obesity prevalence exceeds that of the underweight, emphasizing the increased risk of non-communicable diseases associated with...

As a conflict between two major agricultural powers, the Russia–Ukraine war has various negative socioeconomic impacts that are now being felt internationally and might worsen, notably, for global food security. If the war deepens, the food crisis will worsen, posing a challenge to many countries, especially those that rely on food imports, such as...

Recent changes in the shifting cultivation landscape (SCL) of the Indian Himalayan region-a global biodiversity hotspot-is of great concern due to their implication to conservation and economic development of the region and their impact on ecosystem services as well as the wellbeing of the region's inhabitants. The present study investigated the ch...

Global consumers want more from their food, and adding edible flowers may improve the appearance of certain dishes. In Iran, some flowers, such as roses and saffron, have been utilized for over 3000 years. However, consuming editable flowers is a novelty and remains underutilized due to several socio-economic factors. Accordingly, this paper aims t...

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, two major agricultural powers, has numerous severe socio-economic consequences that are presently being felt worldwide and that are undermining the functioning of the global food system. The war has also had a profound impact on the European food system. Accordingly, this paper examines the implicati...

For countries that depend on nonrenewable resources such as oil and gas, economic diversification is vital to ensure sustainable and resilient economic development. In July 2008, the government of Qatar launched the long-term national strategy Qatar 2030 (QNV 2030), intending to transform Qatar into a knowledge-based economy capable of attaining su...

An increasing corpus of data demonstrated the disruptive impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on food consumption habits, particularly food waste, but the Balkan area is often overlooked. Accordingly, this study investigates the immediate effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumer knowledge and reported behaviours linked to food waste in Bosnia and H...

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced food preparation and consumption habits, as well as food wastage. The pandemic also affected the lives of university students worldwide; their learning and living environments changed, influencing their eating habits. Aim The purpose of this study was to evaluate the repercussions of the COVID-19 pan...

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), identified at the end of 2019 in Wuhan (China), is nowadays one of the most pressing global challenges facing humanity. Data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) show that there are currently more than 150 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 3 million reported deaths. Alongside the dramatic...

This research aims to determine the influence of COVID-19 on consumer knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours related to food waste in Iran. From April 24 to May 24, 2020, an online survey was conducted in Iran with a standard questionnaire delivered in Persian. Descriptive statistics and various non-parametric tests were used to analyse the survey re...

Water security has been an ongoing challenge in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Due to the hot climate, marked by low and infrequent rainfall and high evaporation, water is a highly scarce resource, and the six GCC states (viz., Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) are considered in absolute water sca...

The COVID-19 pandemic influenced the lives of university students all across the globe. Indeed, the pandemic has impacted many aspects of their daily routine, changing their social and health habits and food-related behaviors. There is now no approved therapy, and vaccination is the only clinical preventative measure that provides the highest prote...

COVID-19 has influenced consumers’ diet and food preparation activities, food safety knowledge and attitude, and food shopping habits. Given the several changes in everyday life, it is expected that consumers’ attitudes about food and food safety have also shifted. Though food safety is a collective responsibility, individual consumers and food han...

Food losses and waste (FLW) is considered a critical issue in the ongoing debate on the sustainability of agri-food systems. However, the scholarly literature on FLW is still geographically-biased, with more attention devoted to developed countries, even in Europe. In this context, this article analyses the state of research on FLW in the Western B...

The economic crisis and decline in oil prices caused by the pandemic led governments in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region to step up their diversification efforts. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries were already striving to diversify their economies away from dependence on hydrocarbons, with varying...

As a conflict between two major agricultural powers, the Russia–Ukraine war has various negative socioeconomic impacts that are now being felt internationally and might worsen, notably, for global food security. If the war deepens, the food crisis will worsen, posing a challenge to many countries, especially those that rely on food imports, such as...

Purpose During a pandemic, risk and uncertainty are the most important factors affecting consumer behavior. Near Eastern marketplaces are undergoing dramatic change during the COVID-19 global pandemic. As a result, this paper aims to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on food shopping habits in four countries of the Near East sub-region, namely, Le...

Food security has been a constant issue in Qatar and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region since the 2007–2008 global food crisis. The Qatari government implemented two significant strategies: overseas agri-investments and long-term food imports based on its fiscal capability. Qatar was therefore placed third in the Arab world and 37th internat...

Economic diversification is vital in achieving sustainable economic development, especially for countries relying on nonrenewable natural resources, such as oil and gas, in the case of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Moreover, the global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the significance of boosting resilience to adve...

As the coronavirus pandemic spreads, measures to contain it—such as home confinement, social isolation, closure of businesses and educational institutions, and remote work—have affected everyday life. Further, some voices were worried about these measures’ psychological, social, and economic impacts on food-related activities and practices. These i...

Wetlands are vital to human wellbeing, inclusive economic growth, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. However, some 64% of the world's wetlands have disappeared during the last century. To address this severe loss, the Programme on Communication, Capacity Building, Education, Participation, and Awareness (CEPA) of the Convention on Wetlan...

Food losses and waste (FLW) is considered a critical issue in the ongoing debate on the sustainability of agri-food systems. However, the scholarly literature on FLW is still geographically-biased, with more attention devoted to developed countries, even in Europe. In this context, this article analyses the state of research on FLW in the Western B...

The COVID-19 pandemic-related measures in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region have resulted in many lifestyle modifications, including changes in diet and food buying patterns among adults. However, the pandemic has impacted women and men differently and exacerbated existing socio-economic and gender inequalities. Indeed, numerous studies...

The Serbian government has taken several measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These measures may have led to a disruption of daily life and affected food-related behaviors. This paper investigates the state of food waste management in Serbia and COVID-19’s direct effect on consumer awareness, food consumption, and food waste behaviors. The s...

This paper aims to study the perceptions of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on behaviors related to diet and food shopping on a sample of 356 adults in Oman. The study is based on the results of an Arabic-language online survey conducted between September 15 and October 10, 2020, using the Survey Monkey platform. The questionnaire had 25 quest...

Purpose: Global lockdowns and restrictions linked to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have affected food environments and consumption patterns. Conflict-affected countries are disproportionately affected from economic and food security perspectives. In this regard, the Palestinian territories (namely West Bank and Gaza Strip), which...

Stockpiling and panic buying are significant components of crisis- and disaster-related consumption behaviors that have gained significant media coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper aims to analyze the features of stockpiling behavior during the second wave of COVID-19 in Serbia based on a structured online questionnaire. This study se...

Innovation plays an essential role in addressing the interlinked environmental, social, and economic challenges facing the agri-food sectors in the North Africa region. This systematic review analyses the state of research on innovation in North African agri-food sector and investigates whether sustainability is addressed in the research strand. Th...

Alongside the dramatic impact on health systems, eating, shopping, and other food-related habits may have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis. This paper analyses the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on food shopping habits and food-related activities of a diverse sample of 340 adult consumers in Morocco. The study is based on an online survey con...

Bosnia and Herzegovina has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing quarantine and other social distancing measures. These measures, however, have mental, social, and economic consequences on diet and food behaviors. The Bosnian case is particularly pertinent since the country has one of the highest global mortality rates relative to its...

Purpose Right after announcing the first cases, several governments worldwide have implemented stringent measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. This disruption in individuals' daily routines transformed food consumption habits. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on food consumption, diet and...

The Russian government took strong containment measures to prevent the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with rigid hygiene protocols and restrictions on daily living, such as social distancing and closing businesses and schools. While these measures were crucial to stop the diffusion of SARS-CoV-2, numerous...

There is a need for transition towards sustainability in agriculture and food systems. New technologies and innovations can play a central role in improving agriculture productivity and sustainability. However, there is still a gap in understanding the factors that determine the acceptance and adoption of technologies in agriculture. Therefore, thi...

The Government of Qatar took strong containment measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 with restrictions on daily living such as social distancing and the closing of businesses and schools. While these measures are essential to stop the virus spreading, several voices came to warn of their potential disruptive impact on the agri-food system. Th...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the current state of the knowledge-based economy in two distinctive case studies in the Arab World: Qatar and Lebanon. Based on five aspects of the knowledge-based economy namely: ICT, human capital and education; innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic and institutional regime, we provide a carefu...

The chapter explores the contribution of knowledge and innovation in agriculture to food security and sustainability. First, it introduces the concepts of innovation and knowledge in agriculture as well as AKIS (Agricultural Knowledge and Information System / Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System). Then, it analyses the role of knowledge and...

Agri-food markets are vital in achieving food security, especially for resource-poor, food-importing countries such as Qatar. The paper provides an overview of the evolution of agri-food markets in Qatar and explores the implications of past and ongoing changes in terms of food security and food system sustainability. In particular, the review anal...

Food waste (FW) is a critical challenge in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This paper analyzes research dealing with food waste in the GCC countries (viz. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates). It draws upon a systematic review performed on Scopus in January 2020. The paper covers both bibliometrics (e.g., authors, a...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the characteristics and dynamics of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the ICT sector in Qatar. Design/methodology/approach The methodology of this research is based on a literature review and information collected through semistructured interviews with the different stakeholders involved in the entre...

Food losses and waste (FLW) refer to food intended for human consumption that has been discarded, lost or degraded along the food chain, from production to consumption through processing and distribution. Food losses occurring at consumption stage are called food waste. FLW represent one of the most critical environmental, social and economic chall...

The chapter explores the contribution of knowledge and innovation in agriculture to food security and sustainability. First, it introduces the concepts of innovation and knowledge in agriculture as well as AKIS (Agricultural Knowledge and Information System / Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System). Then, it analyses the role of knowledge and...

Food insecurity concerns are as old as humanity. Food security exists when all population, at all times, has access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food. It is built on four pillars, namely food availability, food access, food utilisation, and stability. While it is widely admitted that food security increases with economic development, also ric...

Food insecurity concerns are as old as humanity. Food security exists when all population, at all times, has access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food. It is built on four pillars, namely food availability, food access, food utilisation, and stability. While it is widely admitted that food security increases with economic development, also ric...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the factors that make Beirut a fashion hub by studying the characteristics of creativity and the role of the different stakeholders in setting an environment that encourages creativity in Beirut. Design/methodology/approach The methodology of this research is based on a literature review and inform...

Oil and natural gas revenues still form the main part of national income and government revenues in Qatar. However, since, 1995, Qatar’s economy is undergoing a critical transformation, shifting from a high dependence on hydrocarbon towards a diversified economy, with the focus firmly on the knowledge-based economy. Qatar 2030 explicitly promotes t...

The software industry is strongly influenced by knowledge and innovation. The ability to develop new solutions and services is considered essential to firm survival and growth. The innovation process, being long and costly, relies heavily on interorganizational relations and the interaction between different types of actors (e.g., intermediary supp...

Intermediary actors and innovation : an intersectoral comparison in the Montreal region Research in social sciences has shown that innovation has a territorial dimension that determines the dynamics of the process and, therefore, companies may be more or less innovative depending on the characteristics of the territory in which they are embedded. T...

Cet article décrit les conditions de développement de quatre grappes industrielles et les mécanismes d’insertion de ces dernières dans l’économie régionale. Les cas à l’étude sont les grappes de l’aérospatiale et du vêtement à Montréal, ainsi que de l’agroalimentaire et des sciences et technologies maritimes dans la région du Bas-Saint-Laurent. Les...

This article analyzes the mechanisms through which metropolitan governance is established in Montreal's aeronautics sector, one of the most important and innovative industries in the region. The article also examines the role of lead firms, socio-economic actors, and public agencies from a territorial point of view. It is established that on the on...

L’aéronautique est le plus important secteur économique à Toulouse, dont le destin est, depuis prés d’un siècle, en grande partie lié à ce secteur. Aujourd’hui, Toulouse est considérée sur l’échiquier mondial comme l’un des grands centres mondiaux de l’aéronautique au même titre que Seattle, Hambourg et Montréal. Composé de quatre parties, l’ouvrag...

Grappes, districts industriels, réseaux, milieux innovateurs, territoires à succès, vallées, régions apprenantes, etc. la littérature économique abonde de termes pour designer une nouvelle forme d'organisation du tissu industriel. Ce concept, générique de zones spécialisées, est devenu la pièce maîtresse de la pensée et de la pratique en matière de...