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1 – 10 of 83Małgorzata Pink, Barbara Kiełbasa, Vojtěch Tamáš, Fernanda Maria Dos Santos Maria Pereira, Juan C. Santamarta, Noelia Cruz Pérez, Joselin S. Rodríguez-Alcántara and Lidia Luty
This study aims to diagnose the perception, knowledge, awareness and position of the bioeconomy in university education and research.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to diagnose the perception, knowledge, awareness and position of the bioeconomy in university education and research.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on a questionnaire survey conducted at universities in Poland, the Czech Republic, Spain and Portugal (n = 464). The questionnaire consisted of open-ended, dichotomous and Likert-type questions. Variable frequency distribution methods and the non-parametric chi-square test were used to test the independence of the characteristics. The Cramer’s V contingency coefficient was used to determine the degree of dependence between the variables.
Findings
The researched academic community is dominated by a traditional approach to the bioeconomy, which relates to agriculture and ecological aspects. Respondents believe in the positive environmental impacts of the bioeconomy, while less often being aware of its importance from a socio-economic perspective. Insufficient teaching and research in the field of the bioeconomy can be widely observed. The presumed link between the existence of a bioeconomy strategy at national level and awareness of the bioeconomy was not confirmed.
Research limitations/implications
The limited sample, the narrow geographical scope of the study does not allow for a comprehensive analysis of the topic. Another limitation is the lack of representativeness of the results in relation to all university representatives in the countries studied and the uneven composition of the samples.
Originality/value
This study fills the knowledge gap about the status of the bioeconomy in European academic communities by analysing its perception among both teachers and students of social, natural and applied sciences.
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Wei Yang, Luu Quoc Phong, Tracy-Anne De Silva and Jemma Penelope
This study aims to understand New Zealand sheep farmers’ readiness toward sustainability transition by assessing their intentions of transition and adoption of sustainability…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to understand New Zealand sheep farmers’ readiness toward sustainability transition by assessing their intentions of transition and adoption of sustainability tools, with information collection considered to mediate the intention–adoption relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the data collected from a survey of New Zealand sheep farmers in 2021, the empirical analysis was developed to investigate farmers’ perceptions of and attitudes toward readiness to move toward a sustainability transition. Structural equation modeling associated with principal component analysis was used to empirically test the theory of planned behavior constructs.
Findings
The results show that pressure from the public and the sheep industry, and the perceived controls of transition drive the intention of sustainability transition; farmers with higher intention of sustainability transition are found to be more likely to adopt sustainability tools. However, there is an attitude–behavior gap, wherein positive attitudes toward sustainability transition may not lead to a higher likelihood of adopting sustainability tools. There is no evidence of the mediating role of information collection on the intention–adoption relationship, while a positive effect was found in information collection on the adoption of sustainability tools.
Practical implications
The empirical evidence indicates that policymakers need to help increase the awareness of sustainable production and help farmers overcome barriers to achieving sustainable production by finding ways to turn intentions into adoption.
Originality/value
Being the first attempt to empirically assess farmers’ readiness toward sustainability transition, the study fills the gap of limited understanding of the link between sustainability transition intention and sustainable tools adoption in sustainability transition.
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Madhura Rao, Lea Bilić, Aalt Bast and Alie de Boer
In this case study, we examine how a citrus peel valorising company based in the Netherlands was able to adopt a circular business model while navigating regulatory, managerial…
Abstract
Purpose
In this case study, we examine how a citrus peel valorising company based in the Netherlands was able to adopt a circular business model while navigating regulatory, managerial, and supply chain-related barriers.
Design/methodology/approach
In-depth, semi-structured interviews with key personnel in the company, notes from field observations, photographs of the production process, and documents from a legal judgement served as data for this single, qualitative case study. Data were coded inductively using the in vivo technique and were further developed into four themes and a case description.
Findings
Results from our study indicate that the regulatory and political contexts in the Netherlands were critical to the company’s success. Like in the case of most fruitful industrial symbioses, partnerships founded on mutual trust and economically appealing value propositions played a crucial role in ensuring commercial viability. Collaborating with larger corporations and maintaining transparent communication with stakeholders were also significant contributing factors. Lastly, employees’ outlook towards circularity combined with their willingness to learn new skills were important driving factors as well.
Originality/value
In addition to expanding the scholarship on the adoption of circular business models, this research offers novel insights to policymakers and practitioners. It provides empirical evidence regarding the importance of public awareness, adaptable legislation, and harmonised policy goals for supporting sustainable entrepreneurship in the circular economy.
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Nurcan Kilinc-Ata, Abdulkadır Barut and Mucahit Citil
Today, many industries are implementing creative approaches in response to increasing environmental awareness. It is of great importance to answer the question of whether the…
Abstract
Purpose
Today, many industries are implementing creative approaches in response to increasing environmental awareness. It is of great importance to answer the question of whether the military sector, one of the most important sectors, can support renewable energy (RE) adaptation. This study aims to examine how military spending affects the supply of RE in 27 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nations as well as the regulatory function of factors such as innovation, international trade and oil prices between 1990 and 2021.
Design/methodology/approach
The study examines the effects of military spending, income, green innovation, international trade, oil prices and the human development index on the supply of RE using various econometric approaches, which are the cointegration test, moments quantile regression and robustness test.
Findings
The findings demonstrate that all factors, excluding military spending, quite likely affect the expansion of the renewable supply. Military spending negatively influences the RE supply; specifically, a 1% increase in military spending results in a 0.88 reduction in the renewable supply. In addition, whereas income elasticity, trade and human development index in OECD nations are higher in the last quantiles of the regression than in the first quantiles, the influence of military spending and innovation on renewable supply is about the same in all quantiles.
Practical implications
OECD nations must consider the practical implications, which are essential to assess and update the military spending of OECD countries from a green energy perspective to transition to clean energy. Based on the study’s overall findings, the OECD countries should incorporate the advantages of innovation, economic growth and international trade into their clean energy transition strategies to lessen the impact of military spending on renewables.
Originality/value
The study aims to fill a gap in the literature regarding the role of military expenditures in the RE development of an OECD country. In addition, the results of the methodological analysis can be used to guide policymakers on how military spending should be in the field of RE.
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This chapter focusses on analysing the origins and evolution of the SWOT analysis. It explains the drivers and limitations of the conventional SWOT analysis, laying the groundwork…
Abstract
This chapter focusses on analysing the origins and evolution of the SWOT analysis. It explains the drivers and limitations of the conventional SWOT analysis, laying the groundwork for new decision-making models that can aid researchers and practitioners in comprehending both the external landscape and the internal characteristics of a company. This chapter demonstrates how the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the SWOT analysis can be approached dynamically. Conventional SWOT analysis offers only a limited perspective on the environment and employs terminology that can confuse users, hindering their clear understanding of the factors that influence an organisation’s situation. This chapter provides a concise literature review of tools for evaluating quality management, its resources, and the surrounding environment, which serves as a valuable means to grasp the economic and social context within which a firm operates.
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Arani Rodrigo and Trevor Mendis
The purpose of this paper is to provide the theoretical insights with regard to the green purchasing intention–behavior gap and the role played by…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide the theoretical insights with regard to the green purchasing intention–behavior gap and the role played by social media influences in abating this gap. This paper takes into consideration a wider aspect with regard to the antecedents of behavioral intention through personal and social identities in place of the antecedents presented in the theory of planned behavior and social-identity theory. Furthermore, as the theories lack an explanation of how to reduce the intention–behavior gap, this paper also argues the source credibility model (SCM) in explaining the impact that social media influences can have on the behavioral gap.
Design/methodology/approach
Hypothetical deductive method is proposed for this concept paper under the positivism research paradigm.
Findings
Not applicable as this is a concept paper. However, the paper discusses the theoretical and managerial implications.
Research limitations/implications
This is a concept paper. Yes this paper discusses the theoretical, managerial, and social/ecological implications.
Practical implications
This paper highlights the relevance of consumers' personal and social identities when consumers make purchasing decisions regarding green products. How managers can make marketing strategies, based on credibility model, involving social media influences as product endorsers and ambassadors, as well as the policy makers to design products, earmark consumer behavior and to conduct marketing campaigns in time to come.
Social implications
As to how policies can be designed and adopted for bio-based economies where sustainability and circularity are given priority and to increase the attention of businesses moving toward sustainable practices.
Originality/value
Original thought developed based on research, theoretical and market gaps.
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This article aims to provide an insightful analysis of the UIA World Congress of Architects held in Copenhagen in 2023. The Congress adopted the aspirational motto “Leave no one…
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to provide an insightful analysis of the UIA World Congress of Architects held in Copenhagen in 2023. The Congress adopted the aspirational motto “Leave no one behind,” prompting debates on how to realize this vision. Six major congress tracks centered on architecture's function in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each track focused on a particular design challenge: climate adaptation, circular design strategies, community resilience, public health, inclusive built environments and challenging power structures. There were 250 scholarly papers and pre-and-post-events for further debate on the tracks.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper provides an insightful overview of the major panels, analyzes the events' content and analyzes the efficiency of the final ten principles underlining the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, community participation and new design approaches in achieving the SDGs.
Findings
Organizing an inclusive global event is a multifaceted challenge, demanding a careful representation of diverse participants. The selection of an appropriate venue, effective exhibition curation and thoughtful scientific representation play pivotal roles. The exhibition successfully engaged a broad spectrum of attendees. While the structure of six distinct tracks focusing on climate adaptation, resource reevaluation, resilient communities, public health, inclusivity and partnership for change was commendable, an excess of parallel sessions impeded the potential for robust discussions. A more cohesive approach with integrated sessions and flexible timeframes could foster meaningful exchanges, aligning with the essence of the motto “Leave no one behind.” It is suggested to prioritize in-depth engagement over breadth, enabling profound dialogues among stakeholders in shaping the agenda for future congresses.
Originality/value
This paper offers originality through its analysis of the UIA 2023 Congress's major events spotlighting architecture's significance within the UN SDGs. Enriched by the author's active engagement and reflective insights from the event, this paper adds value to the academic dialogue surrounding architecture and sustainable development. Additionally, the insights garnered from this analysis can inform the planning of future congresses and the refinement of guiding principles.
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Rizwan Ullah, Habib Ahmad, Fazal Ur Rehman and Arshad Fawad
The aim of this research is to understand how government incentives (financial and non-financial) influence the relationship between green innovation and Sustainable Development…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this research is to understand how government incentives (financial and non-financial) influence the relationship between green innovation and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in SMEs.
Design/methodology/approach
To contribute to the literature, this research uses empirical evidence of 204 Pakistani small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and tests the moderating role of government support between green innovation and SDGs.
Findings
The findings indicate that green innovation has a significant influence on SDGs, community development and environmental activities. The government support significantly strengthens the relationship between green innovation and environmental practices, while it does not moderate the path between green innovation and community development.
Practical implications
The research recommends SMEs focus on the adoption of green innovation and green technology to protect the environment and facilitate the community. Moreover, the research advises the government to assist SMEs financially and nonfinancially, so they will in turn help in the attainment of SDGs.
Originality/value
This research is the first attempt to assess the importance of green innovation in SDGs with a moderating role of government incentives in emerging SMEs. It provides several useful implications for policymaking.
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ABM Fazle Rahi, Jeaneth Johansson and Catherine Lions
This study aims to examine the factors that influence the relationship between sustainability and financial performance (FP) of the European listed companies.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the factors that influence the relationship between sustainability and financial performance (FP) of the European listed companies.
Design/methodology/approach
This study analyzed data from 795 companies in 21 European countries by applying linear mixed-effects multilevel regressions, a two steps system generalized method of moments and quantile regression models to uncover the links between sustainability and FP.
Findings
The past four decades have witnessed abundant research to determine the relationship between corporate sustainability and FP. Thus, conducting further research in 2023 could be seen as “reinventing the wheel.” Yet, earlier research considered firms as isolated entities with sustainability and FP being dependent only on that firm’s actions. By contrast, with the help of network governance theory, this study shows that a firm’s sustainability and FP depend on an interplay among interorganizational actors, such as institutional qualities, macroeconomic factors and an embrace of sustainability. Here, large firms play an essential role. Three significant findings are drawn. First, sustainability performance has a significant impact on FP in the European context. Second, the institutional quality (IQ) of the rule of law and control of corruption plays a crucial role in enhancing sustainability and FP, and finally the interaction of IQ and economic growth helps to increase companies’ market value (Tobin’s Q). The consistent and empirically robust findings offer key lessons to policymakers and practitioners on the interplay among multiple actors in corporate sustainability and FP.
Practical implications
A synergetic multifaced relationship between governmental institutions and corporations is inevitable for ensuring sustainable development. The degree of intimacy in the relationship, of course, will be determined by the macroeconomic environment.
Originality/value
In this research, this study theoretically and empirically identified that corporate sustainability and FP are not solely dependent on corporate operation. Rather, it is transformed, modified and shaped through an interaction of multiple actors’ trajectories in the macro business environment.
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Elise Stephenson and Sarah Furman
This paper aims to explore synergies between feminist, first nations and queer theories and social, circular and climate entrepreneurship, to build a framework for supporting…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore synergies between feminist, first nations and queer theories and social, circular and climate entrepreneurship, to build a framework for supporting climate just entrepreneurship.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper draws on an extensive qualitative review of the literature on gender justice, equality, social entrepreneurship, the circular economy, climate entrepreneurship and climate action, as well as theorising feminist, first nations and queer approaches to climate action through entrepreneurship.
Findings
Whilst climate change is a “threat multiplier” for existing gender (and other) inequalities, gaps remain in engraining gender equality and gender justice principles in social, circular and climate entrepreneurship. Through analysing the literature for critical gaps and theorising at the intersection of climate entrepreneurship and feminist, first nations and queer theories, the authors advocate that a framework for climate just entrepreneurship could play a pivotal role in combining proactive climate action and gender equality measures through entrepreneurship. It could also be a significant step towards ensuring entrenched, systemic inequalities are not perpetuated in nascent and rapidly evolving fields such as the circular economy, social enterprise and climate entrepreneurship.
Originality/value
The literature on climate entrepreneurship is burgeoning, yet key entrepreneurial concepts lack an explicitly feminist or gender lens approach, even whilst being inextricably linked to effective climate action. This paper seeks to rectify this gap by promoting climate just entrepreneurship as a model for effective climate action.
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