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Article
Publication date: 2 February 2024

Israel Javier Juma Michilena, Maria Eugenia Ruiz Molina and Irene Gil-Saura

The purpose of this study is to identify groups of employees based on their motivations, detecting the main barriers that may influence their willingness to participate in the pro…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify groups of employees based on their motivations, detecting the main barriers that may influence their willingness to participate in the pro-environmental initiatives proposed by their employer.

Design/methodology/approach

To identify the different groups of employees, an online survey was conducted, and the Chi-square automatic interaction detection algorithm segmentation technique was used with a sample of 483 employees from 9 Latin American universities.

Findings

The results allowed us to identify various segments, in which the main obstacle linked to intrinsic motivation is the university culture and, to a lesser extent, the lack of equipment, while for extrinsic motivation, the lack of infrastructure is the most determining factor. Likewise, the results reflect that, compared to the less motivated employees, those who show greater motivation (both intrinsic and extrinsic) are the ones who encounter the greatest barriers, so that the perceptions of the most motivated, as expert observers, help to identify the main obstacles that organisations must remove to promote pro-environmental behaviours among staff members.

Practical implications

The results obtained help to guide the representatives or organisational leaders on the actions that generate the greatest impact in the mitigation of climate change from a motivational approach of behavioural prediction.

Social implications

This study contributes to a more sustainable society by developing an understanding of how employees react to issues related to climate change. Knowing the perceptions of employees can be a turning point so that other members of society can get involved in pro-environmental behaviours.

Originality/value

Many studies have analysed the intrinsic and extrinsic motivations of employees to engage in pro-environmental behaviours; however, as far as the authors are aware, this has not been analysed from the perspective of barriers to motivation.

Details

Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8021

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 June 2021

Ajay Khatter, Leanne White, Joanne Pyke and Michael McGrath

The paper presents the findings of research into the barriers to and drivers of environmentally sustainable policies and practices (ESPPs) in the Australian hotel industry. This…

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Abstract

Purpose

The paper presents the findings of research into the barriers to and drivers of environmentally sustainable policies and practices (ESPPs) in the Australian hotel industry. This study aims to explore these drivers and barriers from the perspective of hotel managers and involve a range of hotels with different hotel industry profiles and management structures.

Design/methodology/approach

The study conducted one-on-one interviews with hotel managers to explore the barriers to and drivers of ESPPs. The purpose of the sample and sample size was to ensure representation of different segments of the hotel industry to include international chain affiliated hotels, Australian chain affiliated hotels and independent hotels.

Findings

An analysis of the findings suggests that the major barriers to implementing and sustaining environmental sustainability in the Australian hotel industry are time, financial challenges, availability of resources and the views and imperatives of hotel owners and shareholders. The major drivers are financial, marketing, owner and shareholder interests and guest preferences. These stakeholders play a major role in creating both barriers and drivers.

Research limitations/implications

Based on the results, this study can modify the application of stakeholder theory to a degree and argue that stakeholders need to co-operate further to drive sustainability. This study demonstrates that management of environmental sustainability is a challenge for many hotels and there is a particular need for small and independent hotels to embrace environmental sustainability to keep pace with their larger counterparts.

Originality/value

This study is broadly informed by the stakeholder theory. Owners, shareholders and associated stakeholders have a significant influence over environmental sustainability in the Australian hotel industry and they create both drivers and barriers. Responses from hotel managers in this research demonstrate that owners act as a barrier to as well as a driver of environmental sustainability initiatives in the Australian hotel industry.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 33 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 October 2021

Ahmad Khodamipour, Mahdi Askari Shahamabad and Fateme Askari Shahamabad

Many developed countries have been using environmental taxes in their economic systems for many years. These taxes have a great impact on reducing the environmental damages of…

Abstract

Purpose

Many developed countries have been using environmental taxes in their economic systems for many years. These taxes have a great impact on reducing the environmental damages of companies and individuals in society. But many developing countries have not used this tool effectively yet, and some countries face barriers to the effective implementation of environmental taxes that make it difficult and unsuccessful. To increase the effectiveness of the implementation of environmental taxes, governments must prioritize barriers and solutions to overcome its barriers. The identified knowledge gap of the pre-literature review is that an overview of the identification which completely considers all barriers and solutions of environmental taxes implementation does not exist. In response to this knowledge gap, this study aims to identify and prioritize the barriers and solutions of environmental taxes implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

Ranking the barriers and solutions is a complicated multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) problem that requires consideration of multiple feasible alternatives and conflicting tangible and intangible criteria. This study addresses the prioritization of solutions of Environmental Taxes implementation by proposing hybrid MCDM methods based on the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy-AHP) and the Fuzzy Technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (Fuzzy-TOPSIS) under fuzzy environment. Fuzzy AHP is used to determine the weight of each barrier using a pairwise comparison, and fuzzy TOPSIS is used to finalize the ranking of solutions for more effective implementation of environmental taxes.

Findings

The results showed that environmental tax reform (ETR) (S3) has the highest value among the solutions for more effective implementation of environmental taxes. The result of the proposed model is validated by performing sensitivity analysis.

Research limitations/implications

This study could foster research on the discussion of these barriers and precise ways of implementing solutions to pay more attention to environmental taxes.

Practical implications

Ratings of solutions can be a guide and help governments to improve the implementation of environmental taxes or even develop this policy by being aware of the ranking of barriers and solutions.

Social implications

This paper creates a new perspective on the effective implementation of environmental taxes, which is closely related to improving environmental performance and increasing social welfare through improving the tax system.

Originality/value

For the first time, this study comprehensively identifies barriers and solutions for more effective implementation of environmental taxes and ranks them using two MCDM techniques.

Details

Journal of Applied Accounting Research, vol. 23 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0967-5426

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 March 2018

Ben Ruben R., Vinodh S. and Asokan P.

The purpose of this study is to prioritize and analyze the barriers that affect Lean Six Sigma (LSS) adoption with environmental considerations.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to prioritize and analyze the barriers that affect Lean Six Sigma (LSS) adoption with environmental considerations.

Design/methodology/approach

To find interrelationships and mutual influences among the identified barriers, an integrated interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and Fuzzy MICMAC (Matrice d’Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliqués à un Classement approach was applied). In total, 20 crucial barriers that affect LSS adoption with environmental considerations have been derived from the literature and in consultation with experts hailing from the industry and academia.

Findings

Based on the analysis, the most dominant and dependent barriers that affects LSS adoption with environmental considerations have been identified. The barriers, namely, “lack of top management commitment”, “lack of training and education” and “lack of funds for green projects”, occupy the base segment of the ISM hierarchy; the barriers, namely, “difficulty in adopting environmental strategies”, “stringent government policies”, “negative attitude towards sustainability concepts”, “improper communication” and “lack of defect monitoring analysis”, occupy the top level of the ISM hierarchy.

Practical implications

The analysis helped in identifying and prioritizing the barriers that affect LSS adoption with environmental considerations using a mathematical approach. This approach is also helpful for practitioners to focus on removing the key dominant barriers and to enable LSS adoption with environmental considerations smoothly.

Originality/value

The analysis helped in identifying and prioritizing the barriers that affect LSS adoption with environmental considerations using the Fuzzy MICMAC approach which has not been attempted in the past. The structural model is developed holistically based on the inputs gathered from practitioners and academicians to ensure practical validity. Also, this approach is helpful for practitioners to focus on removing the key dominant barriers and enabling them to deploy LSS concepts with environmental considerations smoothly.

Details

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 9 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-4166

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 4 November 2014

Barbara M. Altman, Donald J. Lollar and Elizabeth K. Rasch

In recent years, recognition of environmental influences in public health has expanded to include more components of the environment such as the built environment, attitudes, and…

Abstract

Purpose

In recent years, recognition of environmental influences in public health has expanded to include more components of the environment such as the built environment, attitudes, and public policies. This environmental attention has addressed the need for healthier housing, schools, roads, and work sites, as some examples. Paralleling the development of awareness of the impact of environment on health and health behaviors, the influence of the environment and its contribution to the experience of disability has become more apparent. This national descriptive analysis of environmental barriers contributes to our understanding of the extent of environmental considerations for the entire U.S. adult population, not just older individuals, and will document those problems for those with self-reported functional limitations (i.e., disability).

Design/methodology/approach

This analysis uses the 2002 National Health Interview data to examine physical, social, and policy barriers experienced by the U.S. national population of adults age 18 or over. Focusing specifically on those who report a physical, activity, participation, or mental health limitation, the experience of barriers in the home, workplace, school, and the community is examined using descriptive analyses.

Findings

Results indicate that approximately 11% of the population with disabilities and 2% of the nondisabled adult population experience barriers in their daily lives. Severity of limitations and poor health status among those with disabilities increase the experience of barriers. The only sociodemographic factor related to reporting barriers was income. Depending on the kind of limitation, up to 28.6% of the population with disabilities experience barriers. The two most frequently reported types of barriers were building design and attitudes of other people.

Social implications

This analysis provides an indication of how the environment is experienced by adults with disabilities and identifies perceived barriers found in the home, the work/school environment and the community. It starts to provide a baseline for understanding of the environment as experienced by persons with disabilities and suggests the most pressing areas for attention.

Originality/value

To our knowledge, this is among the first nationally representative analysis of barriers that interfere with daily activities experienced by adults in the United States. It highlights the experience of adults with disabilities and describes numerous types of potential barriers.

Details

Environmental Contexts and Disability
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78441-262-3

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 April 2020

Sreejith Balasubramanian, Vinaya Shukla and Janya Chanchaichujit

Effective environment and climate change management require supply chain-wide focus (from the initial design to the end-of-life management) as well as universal participation and…

Abstract

Purpose

Effective environment and climate change management require supply chain-wide focus (from the initial design to the end-of-life management) as well as universal participation and commitment of firms. However, the environment-related role and contribution of different sized firms in the supply chain are unclear from previous research which this study seeks to clarify using the context of UAE's construction sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data collected from a structured survey (455 responses) and semi-structured interviews with 20 key supply chain stakeholders, this study analyses and understands hypothesized differences between small and medium firms (SMEs) and large firms on three key supply chain environmental sustainability aspects: the extent of green supply chain practices (GSCP) implemented, the strengths/influences of drivers and barriers affecting the implementation of GSCP, and the associated environmental, cost-related and organizational performance benefits derived from GSCP.

Findings

Large firms were found to show significantly greater levels of implementation of GSCP, greater internal drive for implementation and lower barriers to implementation than SMEs. SMEs though were found to be not too far behind large firms with regards to the environmental, cost-related and organizational performance benefits from GSCP implementation.

Practical implications

Findings from this study is useful for benchmarking the GSCP implementation of large firms and SMEs, influences of drivers and barriers affecting the implementation of GSCP and associated performance benefits derived from GSCP implementation. Policymakers and practitioners could use the study findings to develop suitable policies/interventions so as to ensure that all firms irrespective of their size can contribute equitably towards improving the environmental sustainability of supply chains.

Originality/value

This study is arguably the first comprehensive attempt to understand how various environmental sustainability aspects in supply chains are perceived and performed by SMEs and large firms.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 31 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 1994

James E. Post and Barbara W. Altma

Organizations face formidable obstacles to the institutionalization ofenvironmental management programmes. Longitudinal studies show thatcompanies face two major types of barriers

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Abstract

Organizations face formidable obstacles to the institutionalization of environmental management programmes. Longitudinal studies show that companies face two major types of barriers to change: industry‐specific barriers, which affect all organizations in a line of business; and organizational barriers, which are not specific to environmental problems, but may impede a company′s capacity to deal with any form of change. Evidence shows that these barriers can be overcome through effective environmental management programmes. Argues that by overcoming these barriers, organizations can move along an environmental performance curve, consisting of phases involving adjustment to regulatory and market realities; adaptation and anticipation of emerging issues; and innovation in achieving economically and environmentally sustainable performance through change programmes involving internal and external elements.

Details

Journal of Organizational Change Management, vol. 7 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0953-4814

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 September 2021

Prince Amoah and Gabriel Eweje

This paper aims to examine the barriers to the environmental sustainability practices of large-scale mining companies throughout a mine lifecycle, analysed in the context of the…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the barriers to the environmental sustainability practices of large-scale mining companies throughout a mine lifecycle, analysed in the context of the plural and competing logics and tensions in the broader institutional environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper used a qualitative methodology based on multiple cases involving multinational mining companies, regulators and other major stakeholder groups, as it offers an opportunity for analytical generalisations where the empirical results are compared to previously established theories.

Findings

The empirical results indicate that the environmental sustainability barriers are embedded within gaps in Ghana’s natural resources governance framework. The gaps arise out of contradictory interests and values, which hinder the direction and practices of large-scale mining companies.

Research limitations/implications

The findings may only apply to the context of this study and is inadequate as the basis for assessing the effectiveness or otherwise of specific initiatives of large-scale mining firms in Ghana.

Practical implications

This study have implications on how large-scale mining companies and their stakeholders define their values and goals, and engage in a dynamic process to accommodate the multiple and competing logics by implementing effective structures at the organisational and institutional levels.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the sustainability and institutional complexity perspective by showing that plural logics are often contradictory, but may also be complementary in situations of complicit commonality, hindering sustainable outcomes. The authors argue that this is one of the few studies that have examined the barriers to environmental sustainability explicated in the context of institutional complexity.

Details

Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society, vol. 22 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-0701

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 May 2023

Hazwan Haini, Roslee Baha and Pang Wei Loon

This study examines the interconnected effects of formal, informal, environmental and skill-based institutional barriers on firm performance. The Economic Community of West…

Abstract

Purpose

This study examines the interconnected effects of formal, informal, environmental and skill-based institutional barriers on firm performance. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region has implemented various reforms and policy initiatives to support small businesses yet are unsuccessful as formal institutional framework and governance remains a challenge.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ a sample of 3,515 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from the ECOWAS and a two-stage instrumental variable approach to control for endogeneity. Additionally, the authors check for robustness using various measures of firm performance such as profitability, productivity and export intensity.

Findings

The authors confirm that formal institutions are insignificant for firm profitability and productivity, whilst reducing informal, environmental and skill-based institutional barriers are associated with firm performance. However, when barriers to informal, environmental and skill-based institutions are at the lowest, formal institutions are associated with firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation lies in the policy implications. Informal institutions come into play when formal institutions are weak. However, informal practices must be addressed in the form of formal enforcement. This leads to a conundrum.

Practical implications

Policymakers should continue to market-supporting institutions and a conducive business environment to complement the formal institutional framework.

Originality/value

This study provides new empirical evidence on how institutional quality affects firm performance by examining whether other institutional factors, such as the informal, environmental and skill-based institutional barriers, can moderate this effect.

Details

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, vol. 43 no. 11/12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-333X

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 16 October 2017

Abhijeet Ghadge, Merilena Kaklamanou, Sonal Choudhary and Michael Bourlakis

Food supply chain (FSC) in Greece is dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), who face several challenges in adopting green practices. The purpose of this paper is…

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Abstract

Purpose

Food supply chain (FSC) in Greece is dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), who face several challenges in adopting green practices. The purpose of this paper is to identify the key drivers and barriers influencing the environmental performance of SMEs within the Greek dairy supply chain (SC).

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive research methodology attempts to prioritize the drivers and barriers for improving the environmental sustainability performance. Analytical hierarchy process and sensitivity analysis are used to understand the complex nature of the influencing factors.

Findings

The analysis identifies five barriers and six drivers for the implementation of green practices within the dairy SC. While external drivers significantly influence the market structure and logistics network, government, competitors and customers are the driving factors for improving environmental performance.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to filling the literature gap on key factors influencing the implementation of green practices within the FSC. The identified influential factors will contribute toward building a framework for improving sustainability performance within the Greek dairy SC.

Practical implications

The study is expected to benefit the Greek and European SMEs by driving their environmental practices within the perishable SC network.

Originality/value

The paper provides directions for researchers, practitioners and policy makers in understanding the challenges for implementing green practices in the dairy SC. The holistic approach followed in this paper is a building block for a conceptual framework on implementing environmental sustainability within the FSC. Apart from contributing to the current literature by extending the research horizon to SMEs’ green adoption capability, this study also provides better understanding of the pivotal role of internal and external key factors in influencing sustainability performance.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 117 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

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