Nacera Latreche, Louvain Research Institute in Management and Organizations
Summary
Cubic tangible interfaces are a promising yet underexplored modality in educational settings that could inform their development. This paper investigates gestural interaction with cubic objects, specifically AudioCubes, in learning contexts. Using the Goal-Questions-Metrics framework as a foundation, this study employs a systematic literature review, gesture elicitation studies, and usability evaluations to determine how cubic tangible interfaces can be adapted to meet the needs of diverse users in various educational contexts. It examines how cubic tangible interfaces can support learning activities by identifying preferred gestures and movement patterns across various tasks and user contexts. This highlights the need for a structured engineering methodology that supports the creation of reusable, generalizable cubic tangible interface designs, moving away from one-off designs that are often valid only for a particular case. The study classifies core gesture types using µGlyph notation to enable consistent representation across tasks. Usability assessments reveal common issues, user preferences, and ways to enhance user immersion. Furthermore, the research emphasizes adapting interfaces for diverse users, especially younger learners and individuals with different motor or cognitive abilities.
Keywords: Cubic tangible interaction. Gesture input. Learning activities. Tangible user interfaces.
Grégory De Boe, Louvain Research Institute in Management and Organizations
Marie Lamensch, Louvain Research Institute in Management and Organizations
Valérie Swaen, Louvain Research Institute in Management and Organizations & Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 9221 – LEM – Lille Economie Management, IESEG School of Management, Lille, France
Summary
Since the 1950s, the widespread use of plastic has led to significant environmental challenges. In response, the European Union launched its “Circular Economy Action Plan” in 2015, aiming to shift from a linear to a circular economic model. One of its key fiscal instruments is the EU Plastic Packaging Levy, effective from 2021, which requires Member States to contribute to the EU budget based on the weight of non-recycled plastic packaging waste. Although the revenues are not earmarked for environmental purposes, the Levy indirectly encourages national policies that promote plastic circularity. This article investigates the diverse tax strategies adopted by EU member States and the United Kingdom in response to the Levy, comparing their design and effectiveness in fostering circular practices. Three countries have introduced new plastic packaging taxes since the announcement of the Levy: the United Kingdom applies a weight-based tax on plastic packaging containing less than 30% recycled content; Spain levies a proportional tax on the weight of non-recycled plastic; and Portugal imposes a fixed per-unit tax on single-use packaging, regardless of weight or material. The article further assesses the potential benefits and drawbacks of introducing a harmonized European Union plastic packaging tax, in relation to existing instruments such as Extended Producer Responsibility and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. It argues that the optimal design of such a tax would need to balance several dimensions – rate, type, scope, exemptions, liable parties, and administrative feasibility – while anticipating unintended consequences. The analysis concludes that a harmonized tax could serve fiscal objectives and reduce legal fragmentation within the internal market, but its additional environmental impact would remain limited when compared to the influence of existing regulatory and market-based mechanisms.
Keywords: EU Plastic Packaging Levy; Circular Economy; Environmental Tax; Plastic Tax; Extended Producer Responsibility; Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation; EU Harmonization
