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1 – 10 of over 46000Llorenç Bagur-Femenías, Marian Buil-Fabrega and Juan Pedro Aznar
The purpose of this research is to analyse how to adapt teaching and learning methodologies to new generations of digital natives to promote their commitment to sustainable…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to analyse how to adapt teaching and learning methodologies to new generations of digital natives to promote their commitment to sustainable development. The research explores the existence of a relationship between digital natives’ characteristics, individual dynamic capabilities and their commitment to innovation and therefore to sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
A structural equation model is used to test the proposed hypothesis by a survey conducted with 532 digital-native higher education students.
Findings
The results show the existence of a significant relationship between digital natives’ competences, individual dynamic capabilities and a better approach to managing situations with regard to relationships with key stakeholders and the fostering of innovation and commitment to the social and environmental issues demanded by society.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of this study are that it is based on a sample from a specific Spanish university that cannot be representative of all digital natives from all universities and different cultural contexts. The variables measuring the characteristics of digital natives have only recently been used in the academic literature.
Practical implications
The research proposes including individual dynamic capabilities and innovation courses in sustainable development education to accelerate the implementation of sustainable development goals. These research findings can be used as insights into the development of university programmes and courses.
Originality/value
This research is one of the first attempts at understanding how to promote education for sustainable development among digital natives and at identifying them as future change makers for sustainable development.
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Valérie Charrière and Sophie Morin-Delerm
An in-depth analysis of management and academic literature regarding sustainable development, on the one hand, and retailers' involvement on the other, has been conducted. Related…
Abstract
An in-depth analysis of management and academic literature regarding sustainable development, on the one hand, and retailers' involvement on the other, has been conducted. Related topics such as responsibility (Barthel, 2006; Binninger, 2008; Lauriol, 2004; Pasquero, 2005; Thierry, 2005), trust (Guibert, 1999; Lapeyre & Bonnefont, 2004; Sireix et al., 2004; Swaen & Chumpitaz, 2008), and consumer resistance (Aouina-Mejri & Benhallam, 2009; Peñaloza & Price, 1993; Roux, 2007) have also been investigated. Furthermore, we studied the theoretical corpus of the frameworks used (Stakeholder Theory and Legitimacy Theories).
Peter Jones and Daphne Comfort
The sustainable development goals (SDGs) agreed at a United Nations General Assembly in 2015 embrace an ambitious and wide ranging set of global environmental, social and economic…
Abstract
Purpose
The sustainable development goals (SDGs) agreed at a United Nations General Assembly in 2015 embrace an ambitious and wide ranging set of global environmental, social and economic issues designed to effect a transition to a more sustainable future. The United Nations called on all governments to pursue these ambitious goals but also acknowledged the important role of the private sector in addressing the SDGs. This paper offers an exploratory review of how some of the UK's largest volume housebuilders publicly claim to be committed to addressing the SDGs.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper provides an outline of the characteristics of sustainable development, of the SDGs and of the frame of reference and method of enquiry employed in the study, prior to reviewing the findings from the largest UK housebuilders.
Findings
The findings revealed that seven of the largest housebuilding companies claimed to be committed to contributing to the SDGs, though the scale and the extent of their claimed commitments varied. In reviewing the housebuilders approach to the SDGs, the authors drew attention to three challenges the housebuilders may face in pursuing their claimed commitment to the SDGs, namely, concentrating on specific goals, measurement and reporting.
Originality/value
The paper offers an accessible review of how seven of the UK's largest housebuilders claimed to be committed to addressing the SDGs.
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Peter Oluwole Akadiri and Olusanjo Olaniran Fadiya
During the last decade, the practice of sustainability has been gradually adopted in the UK construction industry, with the increasing interest in the discourse of sustainable…
Abstract
Purpose
During the last decade, the practice of sustainability has been gradually adopted in the UK construction industry, with the increasing interest in the discourse of sustainable development. This paper therefore aims to investigate the role and ability of sustainable development-based requirements – top management commitment, government regulations and construction stakeholder pressures – as potential determinants of adoption of proactive environmentally sustainable practices, with a view of promoting sustainable innovation in the UK construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The research approach selected for this research comprised of a questionnaire survey of the UK construction industry practitioners – architects and designers, structural engineers, construction managers and quantity surveyors – with the aid of an Adobe Livecycle Designer. Purposive sampling techniques using maximum variation strategy were adopted for selecting the target survey respondents. The Predictive Analysis Software (PASW) Statistics 17.0 (formerly SPSS statistics) was employed to analyse information from the survey.
Findings
Empirical results indicate a positive effect of government regulations, top management commitment and construction stakeholder pressures on sustainable construction practices. Government regulation was found to be the most important determinants of sustainable practices. In addition, top management commitment appears to be linked with government regulation as the defining factor increasing managers sustainability awareness, helping sustainable practices to be effectively implemented and appealing to firms.
Originality/value
The research results provide useful information in understanding the determinant factors of sustainable construction innovation and are particularly essential in aiding better decision-making in implementing sustainable practices, thereby facilitating the sustainability of the construction sector.
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Nigel John Roome and Ronald Bergin
This paper seeks to present a longitudinal case study of Ontario Hydro – an industrial organization that used sustainable development as the basis for a strategy of social and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to present a longitudinal case study of Ontario Hydro – an industrial organization that used sustainable development as the basis for a strategy of social and organizational transformation.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper describes the complex factors that influenced the formulation and implementation of this strategy.
Findings
The findings indicate the advanced ambition and authenticity of Ontario Hydro's strategy, even though it was formulated some ten years ago. The study suggests that the strategy was abandoned for reasons that include the gap between the processes identified in the strategy and the processes followed in practice, the absence of platforms to discuss and agree the meaning and practice of sustainable development within the company and its wider system, and the scarcity of skills to facilitate sustainable development as a process of multi‐actor innovation. Consequently, the concept of sustainable development was not translated into practices that had shared meaning for the many actors involved in the energy system of Ontario. While based on a case study of one organization, the findings appear to speak to more general issues of sustainable development as the management of organizational and contextual change.
Practical implications
The paper indicates much about the process of organizational change to effect more sustainable practices within a company and its social context.
Originality/value
No other organization has pursued a strategy for sustainable development with the same claim to authenticity as that of Ontario Hydro, where the strategy was cross‐referenced to Agenda 21 and developed with input from some of the main architects of Agenda 21. Moreover, few studies of sustainable development in the literature span a period as long as this case.
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Annina Takala and Kati Korhonen-Yrjänheikki
The paper aims to examine the current status and development of sustainable development in Finnish engineering education.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to examine the current status and development of sustainable development in Finnish engineering education.
Design/methodology/approach
The study consists of interviews with key stakeholders supplemented with the analysis of documented material. Development is discussed in relation to the findings of collaborative strategy process in the year 2009.
Findings
The paper observes that the Finnish universities providing engineering education are committed to sustainable development in their strategies. However, a lot of work remains to be done before the strategies are implemented and sustainable development is integrated to all degree programs. Explicit knowledge and individual learning in clearly defined disciplinary boundaries have been the main focus of engineering education.
Practical implications
The paper suggests that engineers need to be provided with mental tools to cope with uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. Key competencies include holistic understanding, communication and collaboration skills, ability and willingness for critical and reflective thinking, creativity, innovativeness and entrepreneurship. Thus, collaborative learning, open dialogue and innovation are at the heart of education for sustainable development.
Originality/value
This paper has a relatively wide approach as it analyses sustainable development in the context of Finnish engineering education both on institutional and societal levels and is based on a national project.
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The notion of sustainable development, which appears to have become a permanent fixture in political and economic discussions at the national and international level, carries with…
Abstract
The notion of sustainable development, which appears to have become a permanent fixture in political and economic discussions at the national and international level, carries with it approvals of various sorts. At a time when the sheer number of human beings on the planet is ecologically problematic, sustainable development has replaced motherhood as that which everyone unreservedly commends. The different foundations upon which approval rests successfully blanket sustainable development with an all encompassing positive assessment. Positively assessed economically, politically, ecologically and purportedly topped off with moral support from human rights and justice considerations, sustainable development has attained the status of an unquestioned good. Frequently it is touted as the highest good. The means to achieving sustainable development globally and how to contribute to it nationally are seriously debated worldwide. While courses of action plotted to secure the end may rest in pages of committee reports or be poorly implemented, the few voices raised against the recommendation to pursue it are scarcely discernable as a murmur in the cacophony of those who sing its praises. Consequently, when the support from economic, political, ecological and moral theories combines with “the people's” commitment to sustainable development, this notion functions to identify today's most powerful justification for the actions or omissions of governments, individually or jointly.
Russell Tatenda Munodawafa and Satirenjit Kaur Johl
To combat concerns over the state of the natural environment, energy security and deteriorating air quality, the oil and gas sector needs to implement eco-innovations. Interest in…
Abstract
Purpose
To combat concerns over the state of the natural environment, energy security and deteriorating air quality, the oil and gas sector needs to implement eco-innovations. Interest in eco-innovation is growing, as its implementation facilitates the transition toward sustainable development and a circular economy, while enabling firms to attain a competitive advantage vis-à-vis capabilities that foster sustainable economic and environmental development. However, literature on eco-innovation capabilities construct development, measurement and validation is scant. This study, therefore, develops an Eco-innovation Capabilities Scale for oil and gas firms.
Design/methodology/approach
Three dimensions of Eco-innovation Capabilities are identified through an extensive literature review and qualitative interviews. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis is applied to data collected from managers of Malaysian Oil and Gas Services and Equipment (OGSE) companies.
Findings
Results reveal a parsimonious three-dimensional structure with nine items. The construct of eco-innovation capabilities is manifested by Product Service Stewardship, Environmental Pollution Prevention and Sustainable Development Commitment dimensions. Reliability analysis confirms the reliability and validity of the scale.
Originality/value
The eco-innovation capabilities scale should be useful to researchers in exploring dimensions, factors and outcomes of eco-innovation capabilities. Oil and gas firms play a key role in the global energy mix; hence managers of oil and gas firms may also find this scale useful in measuring their eco-innovation implementation.
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Susan Albers Mohrman and Stu Winby
We argue that in order to address the contemporary challenges that organizations and societies are facing, the field of organization development (OD) requires frameworks and…
Abstract
We argue that in order to address the contemporary challenges that organizations and societies are facing, the field of organization development (OD) requires frameworks and skills to focus on the eco-system as the level of analysis. In a world that has become economically, socially, and technologically highly connected, approaches that foster the optimization of specific actors in the eco-system, such as individual corporations, result in sub-optimization of the sustainability of the natural and social system because there is insufficient offset to the ego-centric purposes of the focal organization. We discuss the need for OD to broaden focus to deal with technological advances that enable new ways of organizing at the eco-system level, and to deal with the challenges to sustainable development. Case examples from healthcare and the agri-foods industry illustrate the kinds of development approaches that are required for the development of healthy eco-systems. We do not suggest fundamental changes in the identity of the field of organizational development. In fact, we demonstrate the need to dig deeply into the open systems and socio-technical roots of the field, and to translate the traditional values and approaches of OD to continue to be relevant in today’s dynamic interdependent world.
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Paulo Fuchs, Carlos Raulino, Diogo Conceição, Samara Neiva, Wellyngton Silva de Amorim, Thiago Coelho Soares, Maurício Andrade de Lima, Carlos Rogerio Montenegro De Lima, João Coelho Soares and José Baltazar Salgueirinho Osório de Andrade Andrade Guerra
Sustainability is understood as a complex and integrating area, involving the most diverse areas and fields of knowledge. Because of the innumerable socio-environmental challenges…
Abstract
Purpose
Sustainability is understood as a complex and integrating area, involving the most diverse areas and fields of knowledge. Because of the innumerable socio-environmental challenges in the current scenario, a sustainable development that finds the necessary changes and advances for communities, industry and the various stakeholders involved is required. In this process of promoting sustainable development, universities stand out for being institutions capable of taking an analytical and questioning look at the directions of the society in which they are inserted and not just helping them to pursue them, serving as a model and living laboratory for the implementation of greener practices in cities. One of the actions that contributes to the consolidation process of a more sustainable university and the development of the green campus is the use of green marketing, understood as a set of all the practices that involve conventional marketing, focused on the search to reduce the negative impact or promote positive effects on the relationship between the institution and the environment. This paper aims, based on the balanced scorecard (BSC), to propose a strategic management tool as support for green marketing strategies, thus promoting, more quickly, the promotion of sustainable development in higher education institutions (HEIs).
Design/methodology/approach
Four universities were chosen, from the literature, in terms of best practices for sustainable development, where the main dimensions used by green marketing were mapped. Based on them, the BSC structure was adapted to enhance its strategies.
Findings
To achieve the objective of this work, this paper proposed an adaptation of the original BSC for better management of green marketing strategies for universities, based on four dimensions: community members, university members, product and strategy.
Originality/value
The main contribution of this paper is to propose a BSC as a strategic management system focused on the green marketing of universities to accelerate the promotion of sustainable development in HEIs.
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