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1 – 10 of over 18000Arifa Tanveer, Shihong Zeng and Wei Tian
This study aims to examine whether and how corporate sustainability capability influences energy efficiency through competitive intensity and slack resource availability.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine whether and how corporate sustainability capability influences energy efficiency through competitive intensity and slack resource availability.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors applied a two-wave research design and administered a survey questionnaire to senior-level managers of 78 ISO-14001 and ISO-50001 certified manufacturing companies. The authors use a multi-method approach for data analysis. AMOS 23 software was applied for covariance-based structural equation modeling. In addition, SPSS 25 software was applied for hierarchical regression analysis to examine the causal relationships in the model.
Findings
The finding reveals that corporate sustainability capabilities, which include energy-saving opportunities, seizing energy-saving opportunities and resource reconfiguration, significantly improve firms’ energy efficiency. In addition, competitive intensity and slack resource availability positively moderated the relationship between corporate sustainability capability and energy efficiency.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine the link between corporate sustainability capability and energy efficiency in developing countries such as Pakistan. Although the influence of various corporate sustainability capabilities on sustainable performance has been widely examined in the literature, the role of corporate sustainability capability has been limitedly explored with energy efficiency. This study extends the literature by adding to the knowledge of corporate sustainability capability that enhances boundary conditions in developing countries.
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Navid Gohardani, Tord Af Klintberg and Folke Björk
– The purpose of this paper is to promote energy saving measures concurrent with major planned renovation/refurbishment in residential buildings.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to promote energy saving measures concurrent with major planned renovation/refurbishment in residential buildings.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology comprises of case studies, in which the influence of various factors is identified on the overall decision making related to building renovation/refurbishment.
Findings
The employed operational decision support process enables energy saving opportunities for residential buildings in conjunction with planned major renovations/refurbishments.
Research limitations/implications
The research scope is confined to residential buildings in Sweden and cooperatives with tenants as the owners and governors.
Practical implications
A novel approach to synergistic energy saving and renovation in residential buildings is exhibited.
Social implications
The paper presents an altered viewpoint of energy renovation means for residential buildings in the built environment.
Originality/value
The paper presents a novel approach for building owners to renovate a building in terms of improved performance, energy efficiency and indoor comfort in combination with planned renovations/refurbishments.
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Nurul Sakina Mokhtar Azizi, Suzanne Wilkinson and Elizabeth Fassman
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the level of energy saving behaviour between green and conventional office buildings in Malaysia to determine if people in green…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the level of energy saving behaviour between green and conventional office buildings in Malaysia to determine if people in green buildings perform better energy saving behaviour than people in conventional buildings. The paper specifically focused on use of technology, computer usage and potential energy savings from that use. The paper then examines what strategies are used to encourage energy saving behaviour for building occupants.
Design/methodology/approach
Questionnaires were distributed to occupants in the buildings to evaluate the extent of energy saving behaviour practiced, and identify potential strategies to encourage energy saving behaviour.
Findings
The findings show better energy saving behaviour practice in green buildings and the paper show why this is the case. The recommended strategies to encourage energy saving behaviour are discussed, and include means of raising education awareness on energy efficiency among the occupants. This can be done through distribution of guidelines, posters, pamphlets and e-mails. Occupants can also be given live updates on the energy usage of the building. Briefing on the objectives and goals of the organisation’s commitment to energy efficiency can be given to newly employed staff. As seen in this paper, these multiple strategies have shown to be successful in encouraging energy saving behaviours.
Originality/value
To date, energy saving behaviour has been given less focus in improving green building performance. There is limited research that compares energy saving behaviour between green and conventional commercial buildings in Malaysia. The findings provide a better understanding on occupants’ behaviour in energy conservation and suggest strategies for future recommendation.
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Angel Ancha Lindelwa Bulunga and Gladman Thondhlana
In response to increasing energy demand and financial constraints to invest in green infrastructure, behaviour change energy-saving interventions are increasingly being considered…
Abstract
Purpose
In response to increasing energy demand and financial constraints to invest in green infrastructure, behaviour change energy-saving interventions are increasingly being considered as a tool for encouraging pro-environmental behaviour in campus residences. This paper aims to report on a pilot programme aimed at reducing energy consumption via behaviour change interventions, variably applied in residences at Rhodes University, South Africa.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected via structured questionnaires, energy consumption records and post-intervention programme focus group discussions.
Findings
Participant residences that received a mix of different interventions in the forms of pamphlets, face-to-face discussions, incentives and feedback recorded more energy reductions of up to 9 per cent than residences that received a single or no intervention. In post-experiment discussions, students cited personal, institutional and structural barriers to pro-environmental energy-use behaviour.
Practical implications
Overall, the results of this study suggest that information provision of energy-saving tips combined with regular feedback and incentives can result in energy-use reductions in university residences, which may yield environmental and economic benefits for universities, but addressing barriers to pro-environmental behaviour might maximise the results.
Originality/value
Given the lack of literature on energy conservation in the global South universities, this study provides the basis for discussing the potential for using behavioural interventions in universities for stirring pathways towards sustainability.
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Shankara Naik and Virupaxi Bagodi
The purpose of the paper is to examine the monitoring of electrical energy consumption, measures adopted for reducing energy consumption, barriers to energy efficiency improvement…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to examine the monitoring of electrical energy consumption, measures adopted for reducing energy consumption, barriers to energy efficiency improvement and driving forces for energy efficiency improvement in three industrial clusters. It is intends to capture the managerial perspectives on energy saving practices and to identify the possible energy saving opportunities in small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Design/methodology/approach
Three industrial clusters were identified for the study. Research instrument based in-person survey was conducted in which the authors directly administered the questionnaire to all the 181 organisations. This was thought of to facilitate not so well-educated respondents. The survey took about six months in which 110 units responded. Descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis and path analysis were used to draw inferences.
Findings
There is ample scope for energy savings in the studied clusters. Energy efficiency in many organisations has deteriorated. Their attitude to embrace new or modern technology is shunning. Management’s belief that prevailing technology is efficient, lack of skilled labour, lack of accessibility to updated or modern technology, and lack of compatibility of new technology are found to be the barriers to energy efficiency improvement. Benchmarking by appropriate governments and publicly financed energy auditing act as the driving forces.
Originality/value
The SMEs must use simple yet powerful energy auditing practices on regular basis to reduce energy consumption. This will not only result in lesser energy costs but also lessen the burden on environment. As these are predominantly small enterprises, appropriate governments interventions are essential to bring the desired change.
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This study aims to integrate the theory of planned behavior (TPB), norm activation model (NAM) and stimulus–organism–behavior–consequences theory (SOBC) with the moderators to…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to integrate the theory of planned behavior (TPB), norm activation model (NAM) and stimulus–organism–behavior–consequences theory (SOBC) with the moderators to investigate the main determinants of energy-saving behaviors as well as how group-level factors and media publicity significantly facilitate the energy-saving intention-behavior linkage among dormitory students in higher education institutions (HEIs).
Design/methodology/approach
A valid sample of 325 dormitory students resided in universities of Vietnam and a three-step analysis approach via SPSS 28.0 and AMOS 25.0 were used to test the hypothesized model.
Findings
This study yields that external stimuluses (subjective norms and perceived behavioral control) positively and strongly stimulate energy–energy attitude, while internal stimuluses (ascription of responsibility, awareness of consequences) arouse personal norms. Both internal and external stimuluses were found to have serially mediation effects on energy-saving behaviors via attitude toward energy saving, personal norms and energy-saving intention. Remarkably, group interaction and media publicity exert prominent positive moderation effects on the energy-saving intention–behavior relationship.
Practical implications
The findings of this research can be valuable for HEIs and policymakers to inspire university students’ energy conservation behavior for sustainable development goals.
Originality/value
This study contributed to the proenvironmental literature by adopting the SOBC paradigm that strengthens the integration of TPB and NAM models to explore the main determinants of dormitory students’ energy-saving behaviors, explain the underlying mediation mechanisms of organisms and behavioral responses and illustrate the moderation role of group-level factors and media publicity.
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Clauirton Siebra, Paulo Costa, Fabio Q.B. da Silva, André L.M. Santos and Angélica Mascaro
The set of services provided by the mobile phone platform, is becoming increasingly complex and requiring more computing power, hence higher energy consumption, and compromising…
Abstract
Purpose
The set of services provided by the mobile phone platform, is becoming increasingly complex and requiring more computing power, hence higher energy consumption, and compromising the autonomy of these devices. The purpose of this paper is to identify scenarios where methods could be applied to reduce such consumption and extend the mobile autonomy.
Design/methodology/approach
This mobile evolution has given rise to a lot of energy saving research activities, which mainly focus on the hardware side of computational systems. However, it is tempting to suppose that only hardware dissipates power, not software. This paper characterizes several hardware and software scenarios, which could be explored to develop energy‐efficient mobile techniques.
Findings
From this analysis, the authors argue that the development of applications that consider energy saving as one of their requirements, can result in a significant final energy saving because solutions will be part of their own software and they do not depend on external resources to obtain a lower consumption.
Originality/value
This paper provides a broad analysis about the different research directions in energy consumption optimization and stresses the important contributions that the software engineering area could offer to this subject.
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Paulette R. Hebert, Mihyun Kang and Rebekah J. Thompsen
– The purpose of this study was to examine lighting systems at 77 laboratories located within one building to save energy and associated costs.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine lighting systems at 77 laboratories located within one building to save energy and associated costs.
Design/methodology/approach
Field measurements of illumination were conducted and compared to lighting standards and industry recommendations.
Findings
For energy and cost saving, de-lamping all four-lamp luminaires down to two-lamp luminaires and installing occupancy sensors in all laboratories were recommended.
Research limitations/implications
The research team’s project working hours and study period were limited. This study begins to fill the gap in the literature regarding lighting field studies.
Practical implications
By carefully considering light level recommendations, industry standards and installation budgets, existing facilities can install appropriate retrofits to save energy and money without sacrificing illumination levels. Recommended retrofits are anticipated to significantly curtail annual federal energy consumption practices at the labs.
Social implications
The retrofits recommended in this study will reduce US federal government’s energy-related expenditures and greenhouse gas emissions in support of the 2010 Presidential Mandate. The proposed occupancy sensors are anticipated to compensate for humans’ failure to manually control lighting.
Originality/value
This field study adds value by documenting cost-effective methods to measure, record and manage laboratory lighting, and it calls for the implementation of social, economic and ecological interventions. The recommended retrofits will reduce US federal government’s energy-related expenditures and greenhouse gas emissions in support of the 2010 Presidential Mandate.
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The purpose of this paper is to present the details of key best practices that can help printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing companies to optimize energy consumption…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the details of key best practices that can help printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing companies to optimize energy consumption, conserve materials, and reduce waste and costs.
Design/methodology/approach
Various individual opportunities for making energy saving are discussed along with the accompanying manufacturing best practices.
Findings
There are many opportunities to reduce energy consumption across the whole PCB manufacturing process. Additional savings may also be made by enhancements to the broader activities within PCB manufacturing plants.
Research limitations/implications
The paper summarises key findings that have been reported in a much larger Best Practice Guide and due to space considerations the amount of information given is somewhat restricted.
Originality/value
The paper details how the introduction of best practices in each stage of the PCB manufacturing process can lead to material and energy savings that have value in helping board makers to reduce costs. Readers are directed to a larger Best Practice Guide which is freely available from the SurfEnergy web site.
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The issue of energy efficiency is becoming increasingly prevalent globally due to factors such as the expansion of the population, economic growth and excessive consumption that…
Abstract
Purpose
The issue of energy efficiency is becoming increasingly prevalent globally due to factors such as the expansion of the population, economic growth and excessive consumption that is not sustainable in the long run. Additionally, healthcare facilities and hospitals are facing challenges as their operational costs continue to rise. The research aim is to develop strategic frameworks for managing green hospitals, towards energy efficiency and corporate governance in hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Design/methodology/approach
This research employs a qualitative case study approach, with a sample of ten hospitals examined through interviews with senior management, executives and healthcare facilities managers. Relevant data was also collected from literature and analysed through critical appraisal and content analysis. The research methodology is based on the use of grounded theory research methodologies to build theories from case studies.
Findings
The research developed three integrated conceptual strategic frameworks for managing hospitals and healthcare facilities towards energy efficiency, green hospital initiatives and corporate governance. The research also outlined the concepts of green hospitals and energy efficiency management systems and best practices based on the conclusions drawn from the investigated case studies.
Research limitations/implications
The study is limited to the initiatives and experiences of the healthcare facilities studied in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Originality/value
The research findings, conclusions, recommendations and proposed frameworks and concepts contribute significantly to the existing body of knowledge. This research also provides recommendations for hospital managers and policymakers on how to effectively implement and manage energy efficiency initiatives in healthcare facilities.
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