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1 – 10 of 15Paulo Guilherme Fuchs, Manoel Honorato Filho, Liziane Araújo da Silva, Ana Regina Aguiar Dutra and José Baltazar Salgueirinho Osório de Andrade Guerra
Universities and their actions affect the environment directly and significantly. Therefore, the carbon footprint (CF) needs to be implemented in these institutions for mitigating…
Abstract
Purpose
Universities and their actions affect the environment directly and significantly. Therefore, the carbon footprint (CF) needs to be implemented in these institutions for mitigating climate change and its potential risks. Based on this understanding, the university consortium quality and environment (QualEnv) stands out by its main objective – to increase the university's contribution to sustainable development (SD) through the deployment of systematic environmental practices and quality processes. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to present the CF of the Latin American universities of the QualEnv consortium.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was based on the actions for adopting CF and its implementation at the universities that take part in the QualEnv consortium. The measurement process and report presentation were done properly by the universities and published as institutional documents. Therefore, data were collected and analyzed through a document search, systematic literature review and participant observation.
Findings
The results show knowledge deepening and systematization on CF in higher education. In addition, it presents the effort of a group of universities that, through a research network, seek to adopt practices towards a carbon-neutral university, which requires an incremental and systematic change to break out of the traditional system.
Originality/value
This paper discusses the practical implications for universities and the need to implement initiatives for measuring and reducing their CF since it shows how the institutions belonging to QualEnv consortium have created their own strategies to mitigate climate change and contribute to SD.
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Rosamaria Cox Moura-Leite, José Carlos de Jesus Lopes and Carolina Yamazaki
This study aims to analyze the situation of Federal Universities (FUs) regarding compliance with the Sustainable Logistics Management Plan (PLS) Normative Instruction (NI…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze the situation of Federal Universities (FUs) regarding compliance with the Sustainable Logistics Management Plan (PLS) Normative Instruction (NI) 10/2012, the adoption of which is compulsory for all agencies and entities of direct, autarchic and foundational public administration and dependent state-owned enterprises, including FUs. PLS is an instrument intended to establish sustainability practices in the management of public organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected through searches on the websites of the 68 Brazilian FUs that constitute the study population, along with their plans of action (PAs) and monitoring reports.
Findings
The collected data revealed that only 25% of the FUs had a current PA and 15% published a report for the years 2020 or 2021. Furthermore, the most commonly found mandatory issue to be addressed in PAs was electricity, and the least frequent was sustainable procurement and contracting.
Research limitations/implications
Future research should be conducted with the Management Committee of the PLS to understand the reason for the discontinuity of this work in some universities and the rationale behind the mandatory issues.
Originality/value
Some studies address FUs’ implementation of PLS, which promotes sustainable management systems. However, each of the identified studies investigated only one of the seven mandatory issues set down in NI 10/2012, which did not allow a complete assessment of the FUs’ situation exclusively in respect of compliance with the PLS.
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Ifzal Ahmad and M. Rezaul Islam
This chapter explores the vital connection between ethics and community development, underlining the fundamental role of ethical considerations in shaping fair, just, and…
Abstract
This chapter explores the vital connection between ethics and community development, underlining the fundamental role of ethical considerations in shaping fair, just, and sustainable communities. It begins by emphasizing that community development is inherently ethical and delves into the concept of ethics, examining ethical theories like consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics in the context of community development. Real-world case studies from diverse countries, such as South Africa, Australia, and India, are interwoven throughout the chapter to provide practical insights. These case studies illustrate the complexities of ethical implementation in community development, from navigating power dynamics to addressing conflicts of interest and balancing immediate needs with long-term sustainability. The chapter also explores macro-level considerations, highlighting the need for systemic change to create a more just and equitable society. It guides practitioners on integrating ethics into their work, establishing a strong moral framework for community development. Continuous learning, reflective practice, and adaptability are underscored as essential in responding to evolving societal contexts, norms, and challenges.
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Ritab AlKhouri, Pashaar Halteh, Khaled Halteh and Milind Tiwari
This paper aims to outline how certain lessons from ethical systems can be relevant and applicable to tackling unethical behavior, including financial crime, within the finance…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to outline how certain lessons from ethical systems can be relevant and applicable to tackling unethical behavior, including financial crime, within the finance profession.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts a pragmatic perspective while acknowledging that there is a myriad of reasons managers act unethically, including the reality that many do so knowingly and deliberately. The matter is further complicated by human nature, given an individual’s behavior (ethical or unethical) is not easily discernable from their psychological, sociological, theological or cultural attributes.
Findings
Although such systems may not solve the problem of corrupt behavior, research suggests that industry professionals can learn to act in a more responsible and ethical manner. Given the wounded reputation of the financial sector, owing to their role in committing financial crimes such as money laundering, advances in ethical conduct would elevate both the effectiveness of the sector, as well as its reputation.
Originality/value
It is impractical to think we can completely resolve the problem of unethical behavior. Improvement, however, seems possible through promoting virtuous character traits and ethical behavior in individuals and organizations. Virtue ethics can play a significant role in combating financial crime and supporting anti-money laundering initiatives.
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The COVID-19 outbreak reached a critical stage when it became imperative for public health systems to act decisively and design potential behavioral operational strategies aimed…
Abstract
Purpose
The COVID-19 outbreak reached a critical stage when it became imperative for public health systems to act decisively and design potential behavioral operational strategies aimed at containing the pandemic. Isolation through social distancing played a key role in achieving this objective. This research study examines the factors affecting the intention of individuals toward social distancing in India.
Design/methodology/approach
A correlation study was conducted on residents from across Indian states (N = 499). Online questionnaires were floated, consisting of health belief model and theory of planned behavior model, with respect to social distancing behavior initially. Finally, structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses.
Findings
The results show that perceived susceptibility (PS), facilitating conditions (FC) and subjective norms are the major predictors of attitude toward social distancing, with the effect size of 0.277, 0.132 and 0.551, respectively. The result also confirms that the attitude toward social distancing, perceived usefulness of social distancing and subjective norms significantly predict the Intention of individuals to use social distancing with the effect size of 0.355, 0.197 and 0.385, respectively. The nonsignificant association of PS with social distancing intention (IN) (H1b) is rendering the fact that attitude (AT) mediates the relationship between PS and IN; similarly, the nonsignificant association of FC with IN (H5) renders the fact that AT mediates the relationship between FC and IN.
Practical implications
The results of the study are helpful to policymakers to handle operations management of nudges like social distancing.
Originality/value
The research is one of its kind that explores the behavioral aspects of handling social nudges through FC.
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Michael Nii Laryeafio and Omoruyi Courage Ogbewe
Qualitative research that involves the use of human participants calls for the need to protect those participants to give their honest view during data collection. This is an…
Abstract
Purpose
Qualitative research that involves the use of human participants calls for the need to protect those participants to give their honest view during data collection. This is an important part of every primary data collection in qualitative studies using interviews. This paper aims to investigate all available ethical considerations that need to be observed by the researcher when conducting primary data collection through interview and to explore the theories that underpin the ethics in qualitative studies.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper systemically reviewed existing qualitative data on ethics and gathered information that were analysed and presented on the topic area.
Findings
The findings show that ethical considerations deal with the various approaches adopted by the researcher to make the participants feel safe to participate in any given researcher. During an interview process in qualitative research, the findings show that anonymity, voluntary participation, privacy, confidentiality, option to opt out and avoiding misuse of findings are ethical considerations that must be observed by the researcher. The outcome of the investigation also shows that deontology and utilitarianism, rights and virtue are the main theories that underpin ethical considerations in research.
Originality/value
The rights of the research participants need to be respected in qualitative research to assist in gathering accurate information to achieve the objectives of study. This and other ethical principles such as anonymity, privacy, confidentiality, voluntary participation and option to opt out guide the researcher to systematically adhere to data collection approaches that yield valid results in qualitative data collection using interviews.
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Stephen Schweinsberg and David A. Fennell
The purpose of this paper is to chart the history of tourism academia and offer observations as to its future development in the 21st century.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to chart the history of tourism academia and offer observations as to its future development in the 21st century.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses a limited review of the literature and the personal reflections of the authors as its main approaches.
Findings
In reviewing the multi-generational history of tourism academia, it became apparent that whilst we have become a more scientifically rigorous community of scholars, a challenge for the academy going forward will be how best to cultivate a spirit of understanding among different parts of the academy when presented with viewpoints that do not appear to coalesce with one’s understanding of “truth”.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to scholarly debates over the history and future of tourism academia by challenging the academy to reflect critically on its increasing diversity and how to incorporate diverse viewpoints into the tourism knowledge canon.
目的
本文的目的是绘制旅游学术的历史, 并对其在21世纪的未来发展提出看法。
设计/方法论/方法
本文采用有限的文献综述和作者的个人反思作为主要方法。
调查结果
在回顾旅游学术界的代际更替历史时, 很明显, 虽然我们已经成为一个科学严谨的学者群体, 旅游学界未来面临的挑战将是, 当学术界不同群体提出的观点似乎与人们对“真理”的理解不一致时, 如何更好的培养大家的理解精神。
原创/价值
本文通过挑战学术界批判性地反思其增长, 为学术界关于旅游学术的历史和未来的辩论做出了贡献。
Objetivo
El objetivo de este trabajo es trazar la historia de la academia del turismo y ofrecer observaciones sobre su futuro desarrollo en el siglo XXI.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
Este artículo se basa en una revisión limitada de la literatura y en las reflexiones personales de los autores a sus principales enfoques.
Resultados
A lo largo de la revisión de la historia multigeneracional de la academia del turismo, se pone de manifiesto que, si bien nos hemos convertido en una comunidad de estudiosos más rigurosa desde el punto de vista científico, uno de los retos para el mundo académico en el futuro será cómo cultivar mejor un espíritu de entendimiento entre las distintas partes del mundo académico cuando se presenten puntos de vista que no parezcan coincidir con la propia concepción de la “verdad”.
Originalidad
Este artículo contribuye a los debates académicos sobre la historia y el futuro de la academia en turismo, al desafiar a la academia a reflexionar críticamente sobre su creciente diversidad y sobre cómo incorporar diversos puntos de vista al canon del conocimiento turístico.
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Tejendra Singh Gaur, Vinod Yadav, Sameer Mittal and Milind Kumar Sharma
Waste generated from electrical and electronic equipment, collectively known as E-waste, remains a persistent environmental, economic and social problem. Sustainable E-waste…
Abstract
Purpose
Waste generated from electrical and electronic equipment, collectively known as E-waste, remains a persistent environmental, economic and social problem. Sustainable E-waste management (EWM) has numerous benefits, such as preventing electronic waste from entering landfills, reducing the need for virgin materials by recovering valuable materials from recycling and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Circular economy (CE) practices are considered the initial steps toward sustainable EWM, but some hurdles have been reported in the adoption of these practices. Therefore, the current study aims to identify the common CE practices, sustainability of the EWM process and the challenges in EWM, and to develop a conceptual framework for effective EWM.
Design/methodology/approach
Very few studies have proposed frameworks that acknowledge the challenges and CE practices of EWM. To fill this gap, a systematic literature review (SLR) was performed, and 169 research articles were explored.
Findings
A total of seven challenges in the adoption of effective EWM were identified: rules and policy, infrastructure, consumer behaviour, informal sectors, community culture, technology and economy. Eight common CE practices were also found for effective EWM: reuse, recycle, remanufacturing, refurbishment, repair, reduce, recover and repurpose.
Originality/value
A conceptual framework guiding sustainable EWM was proposed, which includes solutions for the identified challenges, and CE practices with sustainable benefits.
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Mohammad Nazim and Mohammad Ashar
The present study aims to examine the use of open access (OA) scholarly communication in India and investigate the factors affecting the adoption and use of OA scholarly…
Abstract
Purpose
The present study aims to examine the use of open access (OA) scholarly communication in India and investigate the factors affecting the adoption and use of OA scholarly communication among researchers.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted a quantitative research approach using a survey method. Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED) of Web of Science database was selected as a source for identifying potential researchers and researchers' contact details. A web-based questionnaire was designed using Google Forms, and a link to the questionnaire was sent by email to 4,237 researchers belonging to Science and Technology. Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) is the primary basis for formulating the present study's conceptual model. Hierarchical multiple regression (HMR) was applied for identifying the factors that influence the adoption and use of OA scholarly communication.
Findings
The study found that researchers have limited knowledge of different OA concepts, initiatives and resources, resulting in a deficient level of participation in OA publishing. The HMR analysis authenticates that attitude, facilitating conditions, Internet usage self-efficacy, article processing charge (APC) and researchers' working experience significantly influence the adoption and use of OA scholarly communication. Based on the findings, the study proposed a validated model to investigate the adoption and use of OA scholarly communication in different institutions, research disciplines and developing countries with similar conditions.
Practical implications
The findings have several practical and policy implications for improving OA publishing in India, formulating OA policies and providing directions for further research.
Originality/value
This is the first study focusing on adopting and using OA scholarly communication in India. Findings may be helpful in planning and implementing OA initiatives. The influencing factors and the relative importance identified in the present study offered empirical evidence to demonstrate the researchers' attitudes and perceptions for adopting and using OA scholarly communication.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-05-2021-0265.
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