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Article
Publication date: 12 February 2024

María Victoria Rosique Rodríguez, Carmen de-Prado Ruiz-Santaella and María Ángeles Jordano Barbudo

The 2030 Agenda and the sustainable development goals (SDGs) constitute a new global roadmap for all institutions and sectors of society. Therefore, thanks to the initiative of…

Abstract

Purpose

The 2030 Agenda and the sustainable development goals (SDGs) constitute a new global roadmap for all institutions and sectors of society. Therefore, thanks to the initiative of Club of Córdoba for the Unesco (CUCO), a nonprofit association, in collaboration with the University of Cordoba, the need to create a tool for heritage management has been identified to guide personnel responsible for cultural heritage resources in the implementation of SDGs. The goal of this universal guide is to raise awareness of the importance of cultural heritage resources being aligned with the 2030 Agenda and provide the keys to apply the SDGs in the day-to-day activities of the different institutions. This publication is part of the proyect of the Junta de Andalucía “The Guide to Action on a Heritage Resource on the SDGs” (GARPODS).

Design/methodology/approach

SDG Compass is a powerful tool for the application of the SDGs in the business field and therefore has been considered appropriate to create a guide for cultural heritage resources based on it. To this end, we have held meetings with experts in the heritage field (directors and managers of different heritage resources in the province of Córdoba) both individually and collectively. Surveys have also been carried out on different interest groups (managers, employees, suppliers, visitors) which in turn have made it possible to provide an interdisciplinary nature to the sample and the results.

Findings

With the completion of this work, it has been proven that cultural heritage resource managers lack the necessary knowledge and resources to implement the SDGs in their management. Therefore, the proposed guide will be a practical tool that will allow all heritage resources to incorporate the SDGs into their management.

Originality/value

The tool proposed in this work, although it based on the SDG Compass methodology, aims to go beyond the business sphere and adapt to heritage resources so that they can apply the SDGs in their management. This work is ongoing and the full guide will be presented in February 2024.

Details

Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-1266

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 August 2024

Sónia Monteiro, Verónica Ribeiro, Patricia Gomes, Maria José Fernandes and Cristiana Molho

Local governments (LGs) play a crucial role as policymakers and catalysts for change at the local level, making them well-positioned to connect the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda…

Abstract

Purpose

Local governments (LGs) play a crucial role as policymakers and catalysts for change at the local level, making them well-positioned to connect the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda goals with local communities. Therefore, LGs should collect and analyze data to monitor progress toward the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and report on the outcomes. In this regard, webpages on the internet stand out as a valuable tool to enhance accountability in LGs and to promote stakeholder engagement with the community. Thus, this paper aims to analyze whether Portuguese municipalities disclose information regarding the SDGs on their websites, and to identify the main drivers of SDG web-reporting.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the theoretical foundation of legitimacy theory, this study examines the relationship between SDG reporting and the characteristics of several municipalities (such as geographical location, municipality size, financial performance, political ideology and gender), as well as adherence to some programs/networks/platforms (such as CESOP_Local and ODSLocal). The websites of 306 Portuguese municipalities were analyzed using the content analysis technique. A bivariate and multivariate statistical analysis was applied.

Findings

Bivariate analysis shows that coastal, larger and financially efficient municipalities are more likely to disclose SDG information on their websites due to visibility and stakeholder pressure. Contrary to extant literature, left-wing municipalities are not necessarily more inclined to embrace the 2030 Agenda. However, the presence of women in decision-making bodies and adherence to networks and sustainable programs positively influence SDG disclosure. In multivariate analysis, logistic regression identifies two significant factors impacting online SDG disclosure: the representation of women in municipal plenaries; and adherence to the CESOP_local network. Other factors show no significant influence, highlighting these two variables as the main drivers for SDG information disclosure.

Practical implications

The findings are in line with the literature review and lead us to conclude that SDG reporting in LGs is still in its infancy. Therefore, policymakers and regulators need to work together to implement and standardize sustainability reporting within LGs.

Social implications

Considering the significance of the gender variable, the findings could have implications for policy formulation, promoting gender diversity and its impact on the quality of SDG reporting.

Originality/value

Empirical research on SDG reporting remains limited, particularly within the context of LGs. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous studies have delved into the reporting of SDGs specifically in this Portuguese context.

Details

Measuring Business Excellence, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1368-3047

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 August 2023

Filipe Ferreira, Pedro Briga, Sérgio Ramos Teixeira and Fernando Almeida

This study aims to present an innovative sandbox platform that implements a decision support system (DSS) to assess the sustainable development goals (SDGs) addressed at the…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to present an innovative sandbox platform that implements a decision support system (DSS) to assess the sustainable development goals (SDGs) addressed at the municipal level. It intends to determine the relative importance of each SDG in municipalities and explore the synergies that can be discovered among them.

Design/methodology/approach

Participatory action research is used to develop a DSS and an algorithm designated as discrete heavy fuzzy was also developed, which extends the Apriori algorithm to include discrete quantitative assessments of the level of SDG compliance by each project. A scenario consisting of three municipalities in Portugal (i.e. Porto, Loulé and Castelo de Vide) was chosen to demonstrate the implementation of the sandbox platform and to interpret the observed results.

Findings

The results reveal significant differences in the typology of SDGs addressed by each municipality. It was found that municipal sustainable projects are strongly influenced by the contextual factors of each municipality. Porto has projects that address the first five SDGs. Loulé appears projects that promote innovation, the fight against climate change and the development of sustainable cities. Castelo de Vida has initiatives related to innovation and infrastructure and decent work and economic growth.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides knowledge about the relative importance of the SDGs in Portuguese municipalities and explores the synergies among them. The proposed sandbox platform fills the gaps of the ODSlocal Webtool by proposing a dynamic and interactive approach for the exploration of quantitative indicators regarding the implementation status of the SDGs established in the 2030 Agenda.

Originality/value

This study provides knowledge about the relative importance of the SDGs and the various synergies that exist between them considering the Portuguese municipalities. The sandbox platform presented and developed within this study allows filling the gaps of the ODSlocal Webtool that gathers essentially qualitative information about each project and offers a dynamic and interactive exploration with quantitative indicators of the implementation status of the SDGs established in the 2030 Agenda.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 August 2024

Alba Castellsagué and Peter Szyszlo

Considering the critical role of higher education institutions in the advancement of the 2030 Agenda, this paper aims to analyse the incorporation of the gender perspective…

Abstract

Purpose

Considering the critical role of higher education institutions in the advancement of the 2030 Agenda, this paper aims to analyse the incorporation of the gender perspective (Sustainable Development Goal 5) in the University Cooperation for International Development.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a qualitative methodological strategy, this paper identifies the potentialities and challenges of this perspective from the point of view of the technical staff of the cooperation units of seven Spanish universities.

Findings

Results show a strong intention to incorporate gender principles, in accordance with the SDGs framework. However, the findings also point to certain divergences in the forms of understanding and implementing gender equality in practice. Finally, this paper uncovers a variety of strategies to navigate the resistances, still existing in the university community.

Originality/value

Spain is orienting the legal framework of its cooperation and international relations towards the ambitious horizon of a feminist foreign policy. Universities are key actors in international development cooperation and the implementation of the SDGs. This is an issue that has received little research attention, particularly from a gender perspective.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 March 2024

Elizabeth Agyeiwaah and Bob McKercher

The purpose of this paper is to argue for the development of a vibrant domestic tourism sector in emerging economies as a means of moving towards a more sustainable tourism sector…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue for the development of a vibrant domestic tourism sector in emerging economies as a means of moving towards a more sustainable tourism sector and achieving many of the goals outlined in the UNWTO’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Design/methodology/approach

It uses a perspective approach through a critical state-of-the-art review of selected domestic and international tourism studies.

Findings

This paper illustrates how developing such a sector will provide a range of economic and social benefits to emerging economies and their residents, as well as lowering the per-capita tourism carbon footprint of destination areas.

Practical implications

This study identifies policy initiatives that can be developed to help emerging economies transition from an international tourism focus to a more balanced focus.

Social implications

This study indicates the social benefits of developing a domestic tourism sector in emerging economies.

Originality/value

It equips national tourism organisations and small and medium tourism enterprises with specific actions for the use of tourism as a prosperity tool in the pursuance of these benefits. It, further, calls for a research agenda on investigating how emerging economies are uniquely progressing towards this global goal through thriving domestic tourism recognising that each economy is culturally different.

目的

本文主张在新兴经济体发展充满活力的国内旅游业, 以此作为迈向更可持续的旅游业和实现联合国世界旅游组织《2030 年可持续发展议程》中概述的许多目标的手段。

设计/方法

通过对选定的国内和国际旅游研究进行批判性的最新文献回顾, 采用了前瞻性的方法。

研究结果

本文阐述了发展这样一个产业将如何为新兴经济体及其居民提供一系列经济和社会效益, 并降低目的地的人均旅游碳足迹。

实践意义

确定可以制定的政策举措, 以帮助新兴经济体从国际旅游业向更平衡的旅游业转型

社会影响

展现了新兴经济体发展国内旅游业的社会效益。

原创/价值

为国家旅游组织和中小型旅游企业提供了将旅游业作为繁荣工具以实现上文提到的这些利益的具体方向。此外, 论文还呼吁制定一项研究议程, 调查新兴经济体如何通过繁荣的国内旅游业独特地朝着这一全球目标前进, 也需要认识到每个经济体的文化都不同。

Objetivo

Este trabajo defiende el desarrollo de un sector turístico interno fuerte en las economías emergentes como medio para avanzar hacia un sector turístico más sostenible y alcanzar muchos de los objetivos esbozados en la Agenda 2030 para el Desarrollo Sostenible de la OMT.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

Adopta un enfoque de perspectiva a través de una revisión crítica del estado del arte de estudios turísticos nacionales e internacionales seleccionados.

Resultados

El trabajo ilustra cómo el desarrollo de este sector aportará una serie de beneficios económicos y sociales a las economías emergentes y a sus residentes, así como la reducción de la huella de carbono per cápita del turismo en las zonas de destino.

Implicaciones prácticas

Identifica las iniciativas políticas que pueden desarrollarse para ayudar a las economías emergentes en la transición de un enfoque turístico internacional a un enfoque más equilibrado.

Implicaciones sociales

Se indican los beneficios sociales de un desarrollo del sector turístico interno en las economías emergentes.

Originalidad/valor

Proporciona a las organizaciones nacionales de turismo y a las pequeñas y medianas empresas turísticas acciones específicas para el uso del turismo como herramienta de bienestar en la consecución de estos beneficios. Además, propone un programa de investigación sobre el modo en que las economías emergentes avanzan hacia este objetivo global a través de un turismo interno floreciente, teniendo en cuenta que cada economía es culturalmente diferente.

Article
Publication date: 29 August 2024

Jarunee Wonglimpiyarat

The study aims to analyse the race towards green development and United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the cases of Huawei and Shell. Both companies are the…

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to analyse the race towards green development and United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the cases of Huawei and Shell. Both companies are the leaders in their respective industries. Huawei is an example case study representing the information and communications technology (ICT) industry whereas Shell is an example case study representing the oil and gas industry. The research analyses of the races in achieving UN SDGs were undertaken based on the innovation diffusion framework with the use of machine learning algorithms trained to extract data on sustainability activities and initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

The research analyses the two case studies of Huawei and Shell. The research was undertaken through the steps of training machine learning algorithms, industry benchmarking and evaluating the performance of the race. The analyses regarding the activities and initiatives of Huawei and Shell in contributing towards SDGs are based on the data in the past 10 years (Years 2010–2019) using machine learning to extract data on sustainability activities and initiatives. In the case of Huawei, 313 sustainability reports were fed to the unsupervised machine learning algorithms revealing 15,101 sustainability actions and initiatives related to UN SDGs in the ICT industry. In the case of Shell, 2,015 sustainability reports were fed to the unsupervised machine learning algorithms revealing 47,365 sustainability actions and initiatives related to UN SDGs in the oil and gas industry.

Findings

The analyses of findings revealed that Huawei and Shell performed very well in progressing towards the UN SDGs. Huawei had strong performance in the ICT industry with regard to SDGs No. 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12 and 16 while Shell had strong performance in the oil and gas industry with regard to SDGs No. 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12 and 16. Both companies had placed a focus on achieving SDG 12 responsible consumption and production, SDG 7 affordable and clean energy and SDG 4 quality education. The synthesised business model innovations of Huawei and Shell had shown their environmental, social and governance strategies – Huawei’s 2030 vision for green development and Shell’s 2050 vision for net zero emissions.

Practical implications

The five pillars of people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership according to the UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development have shown the way a company operates to promote sustainable eco-systems. The extent to which both Huawei and Shell link corporate strategies to the UN SDGs has reflected their implementation progress. Furthermore, the business model innovations of Huawei and Shell provides a useful framework which can be applied to encourage other companies/organisations in various industries to undertake ESG activities in practice.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this research is the application of machine learning algorithms and the innovation diffusion model in analysing the SDGs performance. The study applies the innovation diffusion framework to explore strategic actions and initiatives of Huawei and Shell in transitioning towards sustainability. The use of machine learning algorithms has identified their sustainability approach in achieving the UN SDGs.

Details

foresight, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6689

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 July 2024

Sunet Grobler and Ann-Kathrin Dittrich

The explanatory study aimed to understand the global perspective of quality education and describe transformative strategies that empower teacher educators and equip the education…

Abstract

Purpose

The explanatory study aimed to understand the global perspective of quality education and describe transformative strategies that empower teacher educators and equip the education system and future teachers to act as change agents by fostering learning processes that support students towards a sustainable future.

Design/methodology/approach

The explanatory study used a descriptive qualitative design. The researchers conducted four semi-structured group interviews of the 23 participants including pre- and in-service teachers, teacher educators, and policymakers from Austria, Germany, Italy, Canada, the United States, and South Africa during the Teach4Reach 1.0 project on SDG4. The inductive thematic analysis of the data was guided by Kuckartz’s six-phase approach for constructing data-driven categories.

Findings

The study identified SDG4 as pivotal in supporting the overall UN Agenda 2030. Furthermore, three distinct themes unequivocally emerged and were developed concerning the imperative nature of envisioning transformation for sustainability: (1) collaboration, (2) well-being and context of individuals, and (3) strategies for skill development.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the qualitative nature of the study, the participants’ comprehensive understanding of the SDGs and their perceptions remained conditional to methodological subjectivity.

Practical implications

The study enabled a dialogue between educational stakeholders (pre- and in-service teachers, teacher educators, and policymakers), whereby an awareness and encouragement of SDG4 regarding quality education and training of quality future teachers occurred. A further implication includes increased collaboration and dialogue regarding the well-being of individuals (educational stakeholders), the context of individuals, and strategies for skill development.

Originality/value

The study elaborates on reaching the SDGs and identifies themes essential for sustainability transformation in teacher education. It also highlights further research and clarity about the responsibilities of educational stakeholders for quality education, for instance, (1) how to increase the supply of quality teachers by focusing on collaboration, well-being, and the contexts of individuals and (2) how value-embedded skills can support quality education for sustainability.

Details

International Journal of Comparative Education and Development, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2396-7404

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 July 2024

Anam Fazal, Alia Ahmed and Sagheer Abbas

The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence on the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and financial inclusion to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs)…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence on the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and financial inclusion to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs), an agenda set by United Nations for 2030. Financial inclusion is an enabler of 8 of the 17 SDGs. This paper emphasizes the introduction of AI in the financial sector, which is indispensable for achieving financial inclusion and plays a crucial role in the achievement of SDGs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts qualitative research methodology to highlight the significance of AI in achieving high levels of financial inclusion in an economy. Both narrative and comparative approaches are used to provide empirical evidence for reaching the UN SDGs target through AI-assisted financial inclusion.

Findings

AI implementation in finance enables people to take part in the formal financial sector and thus, enhances economic growth and reduces poverty.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited in its data. Only five top AI applications are chosen and comparison is made between two countries only. Future research should consider it as an established concept and include more data to strengthen the evidence.

Practical implications

The results of this paper will help policymakers convince governments and institutions to put their efforts toward AI implementation in financial infrastructure of countries.

Originality/value

This research is unique in providing real-life examples and cases demonstrating the significance of AI implementation in the financial sector. Recent literature lacks evidence on the relationship of AI, financial inclusion and SDGs. This study adds to the existing literature by compiling data on top AI applications and comparing the performance of countries in achieving financial inclusion with the help of AI.

Details

Qualitative Research in Financial Markets, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4179

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 16 January 2024

Federica Bosco, Chiara Di Gerio, Gloria Fiorani and Giulia Stola

This paper aims to identify the key issues that healthcare knowledge-intensive organizations (KIPOs) should focus on to define themselves as socioenvironmentally and governance…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the key issues that healthcare knowledge-intensive organizations (KIPOs) should focus on to define themselves as socioenvironmentally and governance responsible for integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) logic into their business strategy. At the same time, this provides an understanding of how healthcare KIPOs contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking a cue from the model developed by the World Economic Forum, an “ESG Processing Map” was constructed to identify qualitative disclosures that a healthcare company should consider when implementing sustainability logic. The aspects investigated were processed, considering national and international standards, frameworks and disclosures. The social network analysis technique was used to systemize and combine the outcomes of these processes and analyze their consistency with sustainable development.

Findings

Through the “ESG Processing Map,” 13 areas of action and 27 topics specific to the health sector were defined on which to intervene in sustainability in order to concretely help HCOs to place specific corrective and improvement actions over time concerning socioenvironmental and governance aspects.

Originality/value

The paper provides contribute, on the one hand, to enriching and updating the academic literature on ESG logic in a still underexplored field and, on the other hand, to provide these types of organizations with a “compass” to guide and orient their business strategies towards sustainability.

Details

Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting & Financial Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1096-3367

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 August 2024

María Calero, Tatiana Pina, Olga Mayoral, José Cantó, M. Ángeles Ull and Amparo Vilches

The purpose of this research is to analyse the level of knowledge about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of pre-service teachers in Early Childhood and Primary School…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to analyse the level of knowledge about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of pre-service teachers in Early Childhood and Primary School Education at the University of Valencia (Spain) and the origin of this knowledge over several academic years, as well as to compare it with that of students of the Degree in Environmental Sciences at the same university.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was designed, validated and administrated to 1,040 students of Degree in Early Childhood Education, Primary School Education and Environmental Science of the University of Valencia to analyse their knowledge of the SDGs and their evolution over three academic years (2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22).

Findings

Statistical analysis shows that most of the participants are either unaware of the SDGs and their importance or have insufficient knowledge of the SDGs and their linkages.

Practical implications

The need to continue promoting teaching resources to favour the implementation of education for the SDG in initial teacher training is highlighted.

Social implications

Pre-service teachers can become agents of change if they understand the magnitude and complexity of the socio-environmental crisis and get involved through their educational action in the required measures to advance in the construction of more sustainable societies.

Originality/value

This study aims to emphasize the necessary training and involvement of students of the Degree in Early Childhood Education, Primary School Education and Environmental Science at the University of Valencia to advance in the transition to Sustainability.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

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