An Approach to Sustainability Management across Systemic Levels: The Capacity-Building in Sustainability and Environmental Management Model (CapSEM-Model)

Organizations may feel pressurized to improve their sustainability performance and increase their orientation towards sustainability, but may not have either the knowledge as to where, or the capacity, to begin. This chapter therefore presents a systematized methodology of assessment and management tools for sustainability and environmental management known as the Capacity building in Sustainability and Environmental Management Model (the CapSEM Model). To help streamline their application for the business sector and industry, the methods and tools are positioned in relation to four levels of development: (1) production processes, (2) products and value chains, (3) organization and management and (4) larger systems, for example, industrial sectors or social systems.The discussion and analysis of tools presented in this chapter and explained throughout this book, address the growing need to engage stakeholders and to consider environmental, social and economic impacts across the entire life cycles of products in business strategies and organization management. The CapSEM Model Levels move from incremental business tools and their application in production processes, to holistic tools for change in organizations and larger systems. The transition to sustainable societies is considered analogous to growth in both systems and performance complexity.

The study sought to establish the effect of sustainable supply chain management practices on innovative performance of manufacturing firms in Nigeria. The precise goals were to evaluate how Nigerian manufacturing companies performed in terms of innovation in relation to economic, environmental, and social dimension of sustainability. The Transaction Cost Economics (TCE) Theory and the Stakeholder Theory were both used in the study. The study employed a descriptive survey approach, with three Nigerian manufacturing companies as the target population. The study used a purposeful sampling strategy, and the researcher decided that a sample size of 120 was manageable. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the validity and reliability of the research instrument prior to the collection of data. A 91% response rate was obtained, and the results were displayed in tables using percentages. The analysis showed that sustainable supply chain management practices had a positive and significant impact on the innovative performance of manufacturing companies in Nigeria, demonstrating that economic, environmental, and social dimension of sustainability all had a significant positive impact on this performance. The research consequently advises manufacturing companies to engage in more sustainable operations so as boost their competitive edge.

Sustainable development has recently been identified as a challenge for many countries and has become a vital issue for food-related industries. This study of sustainable supply chain management practices and sustainability performance in the food industry was conducted at food companies in Iran. Data were gathered from 120 companies by means of a questionnaire; confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test the questionnaire's validity. Hypotheses were tested by path analysis. The results of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) indicate that sustainable supply chain management practices impact on the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability. Based on these findings, there is a need to improve sustainable supplier management practices, sustainable operations management practices and sustainable customer management practices in order to advance sustainability performance in the supply chain. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA

Sustainability of the seaweed Hypnea pseudomusciformis farming in the tropical Southwestern Atlantic

To meet the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Frame Work conventions on climate change, there is need to develop new business and environmental management models to mitigate the impact of the emission of Carbon (IV) Oxide (CO 2 ) into the environment by the Oil and Gas industry taking into consideration the advantage provided by the digitalization of technology. This research presents new models for environmental management and Carbon taxation within the frame work of environmental sustainability. This study focused on the sources of the Hydrocarbon rather than the sink for its analysis and modelling. Every Oil and Gas producing country is viewed as an Isolated Thermodynamic system in space whose emission of CO 2 must be sustainable. An Isolated thermodynamic system is one in which no transfer of mass or energy occurs across its boundary. Hence, Oil and Gas producing countries that benefit from the revenues of Oil and gas production are held directly responsible for the unfavourable impact of CO 2 emission rather than the sink (consumers) in accordance with the “Polluter Pays Principle”. Viewing every country as an Isolated Thermodynamic system ensures that each country strives to live sustainably. The model for computing the CO 2 Ecological Footprint (EF) was developed with MATLAB 7.5.0 Software based on the total Oil and Gas production from the Oil and Gas producing country (Nigeria was used as a case study). Based on the Computed CO 2 EF, model for the size of the forest required for sequestering all the emitted CO 2 was developed for environmental sustainability. Two of the available technologies for CO 2 sequestration (Ocean Fertilization and Ocean Injection of CO 2 ) were used to develop environmental cost models as a basis for taxation. The result of the research shows that by viewing each Oil and Gas producing country as an Isolated Thermodynamic System that will be held accountable for CO 2 emission, the attainment of the UN 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and the UN conventions on Climate change are easily achieved. Empirical analyses of data obtained with regard to CO 2 released during Oil and Gas production in Nigeria suggests that the CO 2 release by the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry is unsustainable. Digitalization technologies will rely on the new models developed in this research to develop new business tools for national and inter-country trading of CO 2 emissions and management of Forests for CO 2 sequestration.

Background and Aims: The amount of municipal solid waste generated tended to increase during the year 2017-2019 and there is more reuse of municipal solid waste, in which incorrect disposal tends to decrease, but with the situation of the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 since the beginning of March 2020, and continued until a new wave of outbreaks in late 2020 and early 2021. The problem of solid waste is increasing, the Local authorities will collect and transport waste, which the municipality will do by itself, but some hire private companies to carry out the collection in the area for waste management problems that are mostly found as residual waste. Thus, this research was; (1) to study the problems and needs of sustainable community environmental management. (2) To find a model and develop a sustainable community environmental management model by using the participation process of educational institutions and communities. Materials and Methods: This research was a qualitative study in Kaeng Loengchan Sub-district, Mueang District, Maha Sarakham Province. The research tools were semi-structured, observational, and recording interviews with a target population of 30 participants. Use content analysis. Results: The results showed that; (1) The community environmental problem that is currently facing is the continuous increase of solid waste from consumption and household consumption which, if not properly managed, will cause chronic problems. (2) Sustainable community environmental management model found that (1) the implementation of the 5R principles in the household, (2) the establishment of a community waste bank, and (3) the use of an application system to help collect solid waste management data. Conclusion: The local government should develop further by incorporating them into local ordinances to develop and support the budget for expanding the results to other areas. And the development of a sustainable community environmental management model by using the participation process of educational institutions and communities.

The UN World Water Development Report 2016, <i>Water and Jobs</i>: A Critical Review

Reducing SDG complexity and informing environmental management education via an empirical six-dimensional model of sustainable development

ABSTRACTThe United Nations set the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be reached by 2030, and they are included in the Agenda for Sustainable Development. This paper addresses the key role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in addressing environmental challenges by proposing an environmental model developed at a Mexican university to contribute to achieving the SDGs. HEIs, recognized for their neutrality and societal trust, can play a crucial role in fostering sustainability through educational programs. The proposed University Center for Health Sciences (CUCS) Environmental Management Model comprises seven elements: sustainability diagnosis, impact analysis, project design, pre‐ and post‐project evaluations, alliances with like‐minded organizations, fostering a sense of identity and belonging, and policy design and implementation. The model's application at CUCS is in the early stages, with initial focus areas including waste management, water quality, and energy consumption reduction.

Poland is Europe’s leader in international freight transport. The majority of companies in the Polish logistics sector are small-sized enterprises with limited human and material resources, which reduces their ability to implement corporate social responsibility practices. In this paper, we explore the logistics solutions (tools and practices) implemented by companies in the logistics sector to manage their business operations through the prism of the triple bottom line (TBL). We assume that a company might achieve sustainable performance even if it focuses mainly on the implementation of logistics solutions for economic performance, as some of those tools and practices also have an impact on the environmental and social performance without being dedicated to them per se. We define sustainable logistics management maturity (SLMM), as the extent to which a company implements modern logistics solutions (tools and management practices) to improve performance with regard to the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of sustainability. Results from focus group research are presented, where experts have assessed the impact of tools and management practices in logistics management on the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of sustainability. Then, we define the overall sustainable logistics management maturity indicator (OSLMI) to allow comparison and benchmarking between companies in the logistics sector. The maturity theory is applied, as it is a suitable tool for the positioning and benchmarking of companies. Through the conceptual model, we link the capabilities of a company (expressed by the application of the logistics solutions) with factors related to the company’s characteristics (size, business profile, source of capital), and the ability of a company to achieve a certain maturity level. The maturity concept is used here to measure the effectiveness of the performance of companies. We use a database of 190 Polish companies from the logistics industry to verify three research hypotheses. Bayesian statistics is applied to verify the existence of a relation between the level of SLMM and a company’s characteristics (size, scope of economic activities, and structure of capital). Statistical analysis proves that the size of a company and the type of economic activities it engages in affect its ability to achieve a higher degree of maturity.

Sustainable achievements and future aspirations in the NHS

Objective: The aim of the research is to propose a Sustainable Management Plan for Vale dos Dinosaurs Park aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Theoretical Framework: The theoretical findings regarding Sustainability and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are described by (SILVA; LIMA, 2020), (Costa, 2023), and (CESAR et al., 2018), focusing on the approach to the definition and characterization of SWOT Analysis by Ulrich (2002) and Sapiro (2003), underpinning the investigative phenomenon. Manager (2009) bolstered the theme of sustainable development through SWOT analysis. Method: The adopted methodology included the analysis of previous studies by Costa and Martins (2023) on the SWOT tool and Sustainability Indicators in the Dinosaurs Park in Sousa, Paraiba. Based on these sources, a strategic plan aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, focused on environmental conservation, regional socio-economic development, and paleontological preservation of the Dinosaurs Park, was developed. Results and Conclusion: The study emphasizes the relevance of SWOT analysis in sustainable management, identifying key points to boost competitiveness and profitability consciously. It integrates SWOT principles with sustainability indicators, aiming at environmental conservation and socio-economic development. Research Implications: The research identifies opportunities for sustainable management of Vale dos Dinosaurs Park, such as recycling programs, energy conservation, and collaborations with community organizations. It proposes the development of a Sustainable Management Plan aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing effective strategies, adoption of new technologies, and partnerships with other parks to promote sustainability. Originality/Value: The integrated and proactive approach to sustainable management of Vale dos Dinosaurs Park, proposing a Sustainable Management Plan aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), demonstrates a holistic and updated vision regarding the environmental and sustainability challenges faced by park management.

Digital technologies of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) are key drivers of sustainable development. However, addressing the impact of I4.0 on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires overcoming the challenge of lacking suitable assessment tools. Despite sustainability reporting serves to assess how companies face sustainability challenges, communicate efforts, and promote a sustainable corporate culture, a critical need arises for a comprehensive tool that clarifies the impact of I4.0 technologies on the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of sustainability. This paper proposes a conceptual framework that builds on existing literature regarding how I4.0 technologies contribute to SDGs and leverages the recognized linking between SDGs and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards to improve the reporting of SDG progress. Thus, the proposed framework identifies the GRI-based Key Performance Indicators necessary for a thorough understanding of how innovation stemming from I4.0, significantly impacts SDGs. Through a content analysis of sustainability reports of innovative companies in the electronic field, the study shows how the proposed framework can be applied in practice. Focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI), the application case allows a comprehensive understanding of the transformative potential of AI solutions towards sustainable development.

This book takes as its starting point the need to improve sustainability performance across the triple bottom line and reach global sustainable development goals. As such, it places sustainability at the heart of developing and explaining relevant theory, concepts and models in operations and supply chain management. Whereas previous textbooks on operations and supply chain management have focused on augmenting existing models of operations and supply chain management by simply adding on selected sustainability issues, this textbook places sustainability at the heart of operations and supply chain management. Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain Management consolidates the tools, concepts and methods of operations and supply chain management relevant for reaching sustainable development goals. This book includes not only descriptions of the theories and models but also practical cases based on the most recent developments in different industry sectors, including user electronics, healthcare, fashion and energy. Relevant student exercises are also included for use in the classroom or in personal study. This book provides an ideal introduction for Bachelor or&nbsp;Masters-level students, whether they are on general management and business degrees, or are focused on areas such as engineering management, technology management or sustainability management. Furthermore, university-level teachers and lecturers will find the material presented in this book a valuable basis for structuring their courses on operations and supply chain management in the context of sustainability.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) encompass environmental, social, and economic dimensions which are linked to the characteristics of place and have a strong local dimension. They are interconnected at local scales in complex ways which makes progress toward them difficult to predict. To understand how these interconnections play out at the local scale, we used knowledge coproduction to undertake systems mapping for the purpose of sustainability assessment framed by the SDGs. We partnered with a local community in Australia as our coproduction case study, with a multistage engagement process to understand how they interpreted sustainability and their vision for a sustainable community. We found that codeveloping a map of the local system with participants can elicit far more societal interconnections between the SDGs than might be expected without knowledge coproduction, as the participants viewed the system through a social lens. Issues from the social dimension of sustainability, in particular, were intensely local in origin and effect which suggests that attempts to represent them at national or global scales are unlikely to succeed. We teased out the interconnections between societal and nonsocietal issues with local knowledge, which enhanced the ability to identify effective actions to tackle broader sustainability problems. Our results demonstrate that knowledge coproduction can improve understanding of what sustainability is at the local scale and how it can be achieved, enabling the transformative change required to achieve the SDGs.