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1 – 10 of over 1000Silvia Albareda-Tiana, Gabriel Fernandez-Borsot, Jasmina Berbegal-Mirabent, Elisa Regadera González, Marta Mas-Machuca, Mariona Graell, Alba Manresa, Mónica Fernández-Morilla, M. Teresa Fuertes-Camacho, Andreu Gutiérrez-Sierra and Josep M. Guardiola
This study aims to assess the effectiveness of active teaching methodologies, namely, problem-oriented learning and the case method, to develop sustainability competencies. It…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to assess the effectiveness of active teaching methodologies, namely, problem-oriented learning and the case method, to develop sustainability competencies. It also analyses the advantages and challenges for teachers when implementing the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in eight undergraduate and postgraduate degrees within the framework of a cross-departmental collaboration.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed research methodology was used: a quantitative study to assess the levels of acquisition of sustainability and research competencies and the potential correlation between them, as well as a mixed study of the advantages and challenges for the teachers participating in the cross-departmental initiative. Curriculum content linked to the SDGs was worked on. Active teaching methodologies and a competency assessment rubric were used as curriculum implementation strategies in the eight courses involved.
Findings
Active teaching methodologies are suitable to implement the SDGs in university teaching and to develop both sustainability and research competencies. A synergic effect is observed between them. Coordinated work between teachers of different subjects in several degrees contributes to developing a culture of sustainability at the university.
Research limitations/implications
Although the collaboration between teachers from different disciplines was successful, this study did not promote interdisciplinary projects among students from different degrees. This promises to be highly valuable for future research.
Practical implications
Students can become present and future leaders in achieving the SDGs. This approach can be replicated in other educational institutions.
Social implications
This study bridges the gap between theoretical recommendations and the practical implementation of the SDGs in undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Originality/value
Coordinated work between teachers of different subjects in different degrees contributes to the development of a culture of sustainability at the university.
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María Ángeles García-Fortes, Isabel Banos-González and Patricia Esteve-Guirao
This study aims to analyse the self-perception of future secondary school teachers (FTs) of biology about their education for sustainable development (ESD) competencies and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyse the self-perception of future secondary school teachers (FTs) of biology about their education for sustainable development (ESD) competencies and evaluate the competence profile they develop in their educational proposals.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed methodological approach was used to analyse 162 FTs’ ESD action competencies as proposed by UNECE. Firstly, a six-point Likert-type scale questionnaire is used to explore their self-perception of the level of acquisition of these competencies. Then, a rubric is applied to analyse the competence profile when designing educational proposals to address socio-environmental issues related to consumption and waste generation. Besides descriptive analysis, inferential statistics were used to assess the significance of the differences detected between the competencies.
Findings
FTs self-perceive a partial acquisition of ESD action competencies, in line with their competence profile. Where they recognise and show significant difficulties is in assessing learning outcomes in terms of changes and achievements. Similarly, their best perception and competence profile is achieved in the approach to contextualised situations in the students’ lives. There are also some discrepancies between their perception and their profile. In particular, FTs regard themselves as very competent in considering different dimensions and perspectives of the issues, but this is precisely where they reveal a lower competence profile.
Originality/value
This study applies a fully replicable rubric for the assessment of teachers’ ESD competencies when designing proposals to address socio-environmental issues. This assessment allows one to approach the sustainability competencies that they will promote in their classrooms.
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Organisational responses to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals depend on the competency and mindset of business leaders to lead responsibly. This study is informed…
Abstract
Purpose
Organisational responses to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals depend on the competency and mindset of business leaders to lead responsibly. This study is informed and underpinned by the Principles of Responsible Management Education. This study aims to examine how embedding the “sustainability mindset principles” within a university programme can contribute to responsible management education and, by extension, leadership development.
Design/methodology/approach
An illustrative case study using 84 students was applied, including undergraduate, postgraduate and executive Master of Business Administration students. An exploratory, qualitative design was followed, primarily adopting focus groups.
Findings
Evidenced learning gains in connecting sustainability knowledge with personal beliefs and behaviours, provide a compelling basis for educational and business practitioners to focus on the sustainability mindset principles (SMPs). Mapping of mindset against leading global competency frameworks provides important theoretical insight. Learning is illustrated through multiple dimensions (i.e. cognitive, behavioural and affective) to inform leadership development approaches.
Research limitations/implications
The mapping of sustainability competency frameworks against the SMP, alongside qualitative research insights, provides a compelling basis for further research into the learning gains from embedding the mindset principles. The situated nature of the study and the lack of longitudinal measurement of what students take forward into their lives and workplaces is a limiting factor to be considered.
Practical implications
This study evidences the value of “whole-person” learning for responsible management, which can helpfully inform the design of both educational and workplace leadership development programmes.
Originality/value
This study is original in the pedagogic examination of the learning dimensions of the SMPs in a Business and Management programme. It also offers new insights in terms of the implications for leadership development.
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Ashalakshmy Nair, Sini V. Pillai and S.A. Senthil Kumar
The study aims to investigate the integration of human and machine intelligence in Industry 4.0 (I4.0), particularly in the convergence of industrial revolutions 4.0 (IR4.0) and…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to investigate the integration of human and machine intelligence in Industry 4.0 (I4.0), particularly in the convergence of industrial revolutions 4.0 (IR4.0) and 5.0. It seeks to identify employee competencies aligned with industry 5.0 (I5.0) and propose a framework for deep multi-level cooperation to improve human integration within the intelligence system.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses bibliometric analysis to review 296 research papers retrieved from the Scopus database between 2002 and 2022. The prominence of the research is evaluated by analyzing the publication trend, sample statistics, theoretical foundation, commonly used keywords, thematic evolution, country-based contributions and top-cited documents.
Findings
The study observed that research in I5.0 has been limited in the past but has gained momentum since 2015. An analysis of research papers from 2002 to 2022 reveals a gradual shift toward human-centric practices. The literature on I4.0, the internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), cloud manufacturing, blockchain and big data analysis has been increasingly highlighting the growing importance of digitalization in the future. An increase in the number of countries contributing to the field of study has also been observed.
Originality/value
This analysis offers valuable insights for managers, policymakers, information technology (IT) developers and stakeholders in understanding and implementing human-centric practices in I5.0. It emphasizes staying current with trends, embracing workforce empowerment through reskilling and upskilling, and prioritizing data privacy and security in adaptable systems. These strategies contribute to developing effective, inclusive and ethically sound approaches aligned with the principles of I5.0.
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Walter Leal Filho, Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis, Maria F. Morales, María Semitiel-García, Pedro Noguera-Méndez, Salvador Ruiz de Maya, María-del-Carmen Alarcón-del-Amo, Nuria Esteban-Lloret and María Pemartín
Higher education institutions (HEIs) offer courses and programmes focusing on sustainability in economics, as courses on sustainable development (SD), which examine the economic…
Abstract
Purpose
Higher education institutions (HEIs) offer courses and programmes focusing on sustainability in economics, as courses on sustainable development (SD), which examine the economic, social and environmental dimensions of SD. This paper aims to examine sustainability integration in economics degree programmes.
Design/methodology/approach
Through an extensive literature review in Web of Science (WoS) and information search in Google, conducting to 28 relevant case studies, this paper elucidates the emphasis given to sustainability as part of economics degree programmes in HEIs.
Findings
The results suggest that, whereas the inclusion of sustainability components in this field is a growing trend, much still needs to be done to ensure that matters related to SD are part of the routine of university students studying economics.
Research limitations/implications
It is worth noting that the literature review conducted in WoS was primarily aimed at assisting in the selection of university case studies. The 28 university case studies scrutinised in this study may lack sufficient representation from numerous developing countries.
Practical implications
This study highlights challenges in integrating the SD into economics degree programmes, suggesting the need for curriculum adjustments as underscoring operational issues, acting as barriers. The inclusion of sustainability in economics programmes must navigate operational issues stemming from packed timetables and busy schedules, requiring innovative solutions.
Social implications
As far as the authors are aware, this study holds substantial importance in its emphasis on implementing sustainability within HEIs’ economics programmes, assisting in pursuing SD.
Originality/value
The novelty of this study lies in addressing sustainability with the specific economics focus programmes within the HEIs context.
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The increasing adoption of informatization in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries has raised the competency requirements for AEC practitioners…
Abstract
Purpose
The increasing adoption of informatization in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries has raised the competency requirements for AEC practitioners. However, existing research primarily focuses on the integration of emerging technologies in AEC education programs, with little attention to the development of informatization-related competencies. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the competency requirements in the information age of the AEC industry.
Design/methodology/approach
Taking a policy perspective, this study investigates the competency requirements within the context of AEC industry informatization. By employing a competency-based theoretical framework, content analysis is conducted on China's policy document, the Outline of the Development of Informatization in the Construction Industry.
Findings
The study identifies crucial emerging technologies in the AEC industry, such as building information modeling (BIM), Big Data, Internet of things, networking, and cloud computing, along with their application scenarios. It considers various market players, including survey and design institutes, construction companies, and general contracting enterprises. Comparative analysis reveals the technology application patterns of these market players, shedding light on their preferences and perspectives. Based on these findings, the study proposes recommendations for competency requirements in the AEC industry.
Originality/value
This study extends the competency-based theory to AEC education from a macro perspective. The findings enhance understanding of informatization by providing insights into the related technologies, their applications, and the market players utilizing them. Moreover, the study's results have significant implications for AEC education, particularly in the design of curriculum systems for emerging technology-related fields.
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Philip Cardiff, Malgorzata Polczynska and Tina Brown
Education is widely recognized as a key domain for the promotion of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), prompting an increased focus on sustainable development in foreign…
Abstract
Purpose
Education is widely recognized as a key domain for the promotion of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), prompting an increased focus on sustainable development in foreign language education. Despite increased attention, guidelines about SDGs are often primarily policy-based without concrete guidance, and the integration of education for sustainable development (ESD) within higher education curricula has been slow. This paper aims to mitigate this gap by providing an outline for the curriculum development for three elective English courses integrating SDG themes.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper begins by introducing the SDGs, ESD and its application to language education. From there, this paper outlines three content and language integrated learning courses that integrate global issues into their curriculum. Finally, there is a discussion and consideration of various factors to consider when implementing global issues into an English language classroom.
Findings
Following practical examples of how to integrate global issues into an English language classroom, considerations such as socio-cultural context, teaching context and the expertise of the instructor are discussed.
Originality/value
This paper covers a variety of social topics related to sustainable development in addition to the often addressed environmental topics. Many guidelines about integrating SDGs into education are policy-based without concrete guidance, so this paper aims to provide practical examples and considerations.
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Bhuvaneashwar Subramanian and Som Sekhar Bhattacharyya
The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that contribute to the successful implementation and management of sustainable innovation in research-intensive sectors such…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that contribute to the successful implementation and management of sustainable innovation in research-intensive sectors such as the life sciences industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was conducted through a combination of two methods. The first was qualitative interviews of 21 sustainability experts and leaders in the life sciences industry who were responsible for implementing sustainable innovation. They were selected through nonprobabilistic purposive sampling. The second method was thematic content analysis using the MAXQDA software.
Findings
The study identified that successful implementation of sustainable innovation in research-intensive firms begins with the alignment of the executive vision for sustainability with the business objectives of the research-intensive firm. Furthermore, implementation of sustainability practices is identified as a function of organizational reconfigurations that facilitate purposeful inflow and outflow of ideas and knowledge between internal firm resources and external stakeholders, anchored by the objectives of the research-intensive firm.
Research limitations/implications
The study explicated factors only within life sciences industry based on qualitative interviews. The study offers scope for cross-sector quantitative evaluation.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first studies to systematically delineate the underlying factors that govern successful implementation of sustainable innovation in research-intensive industries, through integration of the resource-based view and stakeholder theory and thereby provide a framework for research-intensive organizations to implement sustainable innovation practices.
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Ramiro García-Galán, Isabel Ortiz-Marcos and Rafael Molina-Sánchez
Teamwork is necessary for engineering to address today’s complex challenges. Therefore, team members must improve their teamwork competencies for more significant team development…
Abstract
Purpose
Teamwork is necessary for engineering to address today’s complex challenges. Therefore, team members must improve their teamwork competencies for more significant team development and effectiveness. This study aimed to analyze how a non-directive coaching intervention model for an entire team influences the individual team members’ teamwork competencies.
Design/methodology/approach
Action research was used in this study with a quasi-experimental design featuring control and experimental groups comprising final-year engineering students from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. The sample included 168 students, with 132 in the control group and 36 in the experimental group. The experimental group underwent a non-directive team coaching intervention involving three sessions. Competencies were evaluated using the teamwork competency test (TWCT), administered at the course’s beginning and end to measure progress.
Findings
The results show that the individuals who participated in the team coaching significantly increased their competencies, particularly “conflict resolution” and “feedback.”
Originality/value
This study’s value contributes to identifying the positive impacts of non-directive team coaching interventions on individual teamwork competencies, fostering collaborative skills and supporting collective goals.
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The study's objectives are to conduct a comprehensive review of existing knowledge, thoroughly understand the present state of green finance, identify emerging research trends…
Abstract
Purpose
The study's objectives are to conduct a comprehensive review of existing knowledge, thoroughly understand the present state of green finance, identify emerging research trends, perform content analysis and offer valuable guidance for advancing this field.
Design/methodology/approach
Data has been collected by selecting highly indexed databases, Scopus and Web of Science. These databases are well-known repositories of academic papers, journals and other scholarly publications related to various fields of study. This research uses the PRISMA methodology for conducting a structured literature review and employs a bibliometric approach to summarize the findings of the previous studies. “R” studio and Biblioshiny are used to clean the data and visualize the results. The TCCM framework is utilized to propose potential avenues for future research in the domain of green finance.
Findings
The research uncovers the potential areas in the domain of green finance for future work, encompassing green bonds, the green economy, connectivity, forces, constraints and sustainable development. Furthermore, this process enhances the theoretical underpinnings of scholarly investigations within the discipline by succinctly synthesizing and evaluating preexisting literature. This contribution could facilitate more informed and focused research endeavors in green finance.
Practical implications
The research findings have practical implications for researchers, practitioners, regulators, legislators, issuers and investors involved in green finance. The results can take initiatives to improve practices related to issuing and pricing green financial products and enhance the understanding of interconnectedness within the field.
Originality/value
This ground-breaking research sheds light on various emerging areas by taking a new approach, including the most widely read articles, authors and journals and the broader conceptual and intellectual framework. That includes finding and expanding original research streams, summarizing the most seminal works, and suggesting new research pathways.
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