Impact of Affective-Motivational Dispositions on Competence in Sustainability Management

Abstract. The paper discusses an examination of the dimensions of a competence model for sustainability management. A central assumption is that the dimensions of the competence model differ according to knowledge representation (i. e., declarative vs. schematic and strategic knowledge) and content area (i. e., business administration and sustainability from a societal perspective, as well as sustainability management). Study participants included 850 students from 16 universities in Germany, and the analyses were conducted on the basis of structural equation modeling. The results reveal an expectation-compliant finding whereby the types of knowledge addressed by different assessment formats and content requirements can be presented in two disjunct dimensions. On the one hand, the model analyses indicate a better fit to the multidimensional model, which distinguishes between declarative knowledge in the field of business administration and sustainability from a social perspective, while on the other hand, the analyses suggest a better fit to sustainability management.

Sustainable achievements and future aspirations in the NHS

The article aims to develop conceptual foundations for integrating project, logistics and sustainable management to form effective sustainable logistics systems. Research subject and methodology. The study examines the processes of integrating different management approaches in the context of logistics systems and sustainable development. The research employs systems analysis to examine relationships between basic management approaches, comparative analysis for characteristics evaluation, typology method for classification, and conceptual modeling using Venn diagrams for visualizing integration zones. Results. The theoretical foundations of three basic management approaches have been systematized: logistics management ensures systematic optimization of flow processes, project management guarantees structured achievement of unique goals under constraints, and sustainable management integrates balanced development principles. It is proven that their combination creates a qualitatively new management paradigm with emergent properties impossible when using separate methodologies in isolation. A typology of four integrated management types has been developed: project-logistics management for structured implementation of logistics innovations, sustainable project management with expanded success criteria, sustainable logistics management based on circular economy principles, and sustainable project-logistics management as the highest level of complete system integration. The synergetic effect manifests through multiplicative nature of results, expansion of strategic horizon, enhancement of innovation potential, and formation of systemic transformation capacity. Specific outcomes have been identified, with the most complex being a sustainable project of sustainable logistics system that combines sustainable implementation methods with sustainable system creation goals. Practical application. The results can be applied in logistics companies for developing sustainability strategies, in project organizations for implementing sustainability principles, in educational institutions for training specialists, and by government bodies for policy formation. Conclusions. Integration of project, logistics and sustainable management ensures creation of new generation management systems capable of simultaneously providing operational efficiency, project effectiveness and long-term sustainability, contributing to achieving global sustainable development goals.Keywords:sustainable management,sustainable logistics system, sustainable project, synergetic effect.

Updates of the global concept of sustainable development and the spread of its principles among business organizations have led to the need for changes in management systems. The management's response to the trends of increasing business sustainability manifested itself in the practice of social responsibility, which has become widespread among the world's leading companies. The research is dedicated to studying modern formats of the manifestation of socially responsible management based on implementing social values of sustainable development in practical activities. The key differences between different forms of social responsibility of business are analyzed. Among such forms, the following were highlighted: corporate social responsibility (CSR), socially responsible business (SRB), three-sector partnerships (TSP), and charitable corporations. The system of values that become decisive for constructing sustainable management systems at the enterprise is defined. The following are separated among such values: economic, ecological, and moral values. It was determined that their totality should become the basis for making sustainable management decisions for the organization. Management based on sustainable development is proposed to be considered from the standpoint of a systematic, structured approach to the integration of social, economic, and ethical values of the existence and development of the company in the process of making managerial decisions to ensure the long-term viability and social responsibility of business. The research identifies key features of sustainable management, including risk management tools, the ability to maximize long-term value, a blend of financial and non-financial goals, and a high level of corporate management culture. It also studies the main characteristics of sustainable development management within the context of value chain creation, such as purchasing and supply sources, logistics and transport management, increased business transparency and openness, and enhanced data analytics and performance monitoring. The study also examines current international standards of business social responsibility and proposes a phased approach to management decision-making that supports the processes of sustainable business development. The research highlights the significant benefits of management based on the principles of sustainable development, including risk optimization, branding, and compliance with sustainable development standards.

Context Tropical regions have exceptional biodiversity and serve as invaluable sources of natural resources, particularly wood (Krainovic et al. 2025). The vast array of tree species in these forests results in significant variations in wood properties, including colour, density, biological durability, hardness, and mechanical strength (Bessa et al. 2023). These diverse characteristics make tropical wood highly versatile, offering numerous applications in construction, manufacturing, chemicals, energy, and beyond. In this context, tropical forests supply some of the most sought-after wood species in the global market, prized for their aesthetic appeal, mechanical properties, and long-term durability – qualities that enhance their commercial value (Richardson et al. 2023). The abundance of forests in tropical regions ensures that wood remains accessible to both urban and rural populations. For centuries, it has been a primary material for construction and cooking fuel, particularly in lower-income areas where alternative materials are scarce or prohibitively expensive (Pipa and Doug 2014). The widespread reliance on wood has led to overexploitation, driven by unsustainable harvesting practices that jeopardise the long-term health of these forests. A significant consequence of this heavy dependence on wood is the alarming rate of deforestation (FAO 2022), which is further exacerbated by illegal logging activities. The unlawful extraction of valuable timber species not only accelerates forest degradation but also undermines attempts to enact legal and sustainable management strategies (Pan et al. 2024). Addressing these challenges requires a strong commitment to research and innovation aimed at promoting the sustainable utilisation of tropical forest resources. Achieving a balance between forest resources demand and forest conservation is essential for ensuring the viability of these ecosystems for future generations. Emphasising technological advancements, enhancing resource efficiency, and adopting responsible forestry practices can help mitigate environmental impacts while creating economic opportunities for local communities. By integrating sustainability into forest management strategies, a harmonious relationship between economic development and long-term ecological preservation can be achieved. In this sense, the primary objective of the International Conference on Tropical Wood (ICTW 2024) conference was to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices that integrate the productive utilisation of wood with the sustainable use of tropical forest resources. The target audience was professors, researchers, students, ministries, and industry professionals. The event aimed to inspire further research and innovations that would enable tropical forests to meet human needs while maintaining the integrity of these vital ecosystems. This conference was organized by the IUFRO (International Union of Forest Research Organizations), in collaboration with the École Supérieure des Sciences Agronomiques and its local academic and institutional partners. As described in figure 1, the conference addressed four main themes: (i) Tropical wood identification and traceability; (ii) Wood usage in construction across tropical countries; (iii) Wood energy in tropical countries; and (iv) Tropical non-timber forest products (NTFPs). Organisation and objectives of the International Conference on Tropical Wood (ICTW 2024) The ICTW 2024 conference was scheduled from the 26th to the 28th of August 2024 in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. It included invited keynotes, voluntary papers, round-table discussions, and field visits. The language of the conference and its publications was English. The conference was organised by the Research Group 5.01.00 “Wood and Fibre Quality” of the IUFRO (International Union of Forest Research Organizations), in collaboration with the École Supérieure des Sciences Agronomiques and the École Supérieure Polytechnique d’Antananarivo of the University of Antananarivo, the École Supérieure Polytechnique d’Antsiranana of the University of Antsiranana, the Institut Supérieur de Technologie Antananarivo, the Centre National de Formation des Techniciens Forestiers Angavokely, and the University of Edinburgh, under the patronage of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development. The conference was attended by 106 people (figure 2) from 10 countries, including 4 invited keynotes, 60 voluntary papers and posters, a round-table discussion with local industries and ministries, and a field visit to Mandraka Saha Maintsoanala community forest, approximately 60 km from the capital (figure 3). All presentations were held live and on-site. The scientific program committee believes the selected articles provide a comprehensive overview of the conference’s four following themes: Tropical wood identification and traceability Accurate identification of wood species is essential for sustainable logging practices, as it helps ensure that only specific tree species are harvested, leaving others untouched to preserve biodiversity (Dormontt et al. 2015). Additionally, wood identification is crucial for tracking products along the supply chain, ensuring they are sourced from legal and sustainable origins (Raobelina et al. 2023; Tonouéwa et al. 2024). This session highlighted recent advancements in wood identification methods and traceability systems, focusing on the development of databases and technologies that can support these practices (figure 4). By enhancing wood identification, the industry can better manage resources and improve the sustainability of wood supply chains. Wood usage in construction across tropical countries Wood is widely used in construction across tropical regions, particularly in rural areas where access to other materials is limited. While some examples of tropical wood used in modern multi-story buildings exist (Murphy and Smallwood 2024), most constructions are still traditional, often using wood inefficiently or inadequately (Taleb et al. 2023). The choice of wood species and construction methods is influenced by factors such as material availability, cultural traditions, technical knowledge, and economic considerations. This session discussed the challenges and opportunities related to using wood sustainably in construction, particularly in tropical climates. Key topics included designing wood-based structures suitable for high humidity, heavy rainfall, termites, and other climate-related challenges, as well as improving wood preservation techniques and exploring alternative materials such as bamboo. Wood energy in tropical countries In many tropical countries, firewood and charcoal remain the primary sources of energy for cooking, particularly in rural areas where access to modern energy is limited. This widespread use of traditional fuels contributes significantly to deforestation (Randriamalala et al. 2017; Sedano et al. 2021). To address this, it is essential to improve technologies that reduce reliance on wood-based fuels and promote the use of alternative energy sources. This session focused on innovations in carbonisation techniques, the use of improved cookstoves, improvements in wood energy conversion technologies, and the exploration of alternative fuels such as green charcoal. It also discussed strategies for enhancing wood energy production through sustainable plantation management. Tropical non-timber forest products (NTFPs) Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have become increasingly important in tropical economies, as they offer an alternative to timber and contribute to the livelihoods of local populations (Ramananantoandro et al. 2013; Shackleton and de Vos 2022). This session focused on the latest advancements in the processing and commercialisation of NTFPs. By creating value-added products from these resources, NTFPs can provide financial benefits to communities while reducing pressure on timber resources. Presentations covered a wide range of NTFPs (essential oils, barks, resins, fruits, and more) and their applications in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, and chemicals, highlighting their potential for both sustainable forest management and economic development. Strong relationship with the Research Group “Wood and Fibre Quality” of the IUFRO The IUFRO is a global network of forest scientists and researchers focused on advancing knowledge and research related to forests, trees, and their sustainable management. Established in 1892, the IUFRO aims to foster international cooperation among forestry researchers and institutions, promote scientific knowledge, and support the development of sustainable forest management practices worldwide. The IUFRO brings together a wide range of forest-related research disciplines, from ecology to economics, and engages in initiatives that address global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, and forest health. It organises conferences, workshops, and collaborates with governments, organisations, and stakeholders in the forestry sector to promote evidence-based policy and practices. The organisation’s activities are structured around research groups and working parties that focus on specific areas of forest science, such as wood quality, forest restoration, forest carbon dynamics, and more. Through this collaboration, the IUFRO contributes to global forest sustainability by sharing knowledge and research findings, and fostering innovation in forest science. The Research Group “Wood and Fibre Quality” of the IUFRO, part of the conference organisers, is dedicated to exploring various aspects of wood science, from its formation and structure to its processing and end-use properties. This group aims to deepen the understanding of the fundamental characteristics of wood, which are crucial for its sustainable utilisation. Through research on how environmental conditions, silvicultural practices, and genetics affect wood properties, the group seeks to improve wood and fibre quality for a wide range of applications. The group sponsors regional and international events, including technical meetings, training sessions, workshops, and symposia, which foster communication and collaboration among global experts. The goal of these activities is to share the latest developments in wood science and enhance the quality of research across borders. The Research Group currently has five Working Parties: Wood quality modelling Tree-ring analysis Understanding wood variability Non-destructive evaluation of wood and wood-based materials Fundamental properties of wood and woodbased materials ICTW conference papers published in Bois et Forêts des Tropiques The journal Bois et Forêts des Tropiques (BFT) from the CIRAD publisher was a partner of the conference by being a member of its Scientific Committee. This partnership offers an opportunity to publish a full-length manuscript in a special issue of the Bois et Forêts de Tropiques journal, showcasing notable contributions presented during the conference. Articles in the framework of this special issue will be continuously published in the form of dossiers, inserting them in the table of contents of each following issue. They will be identified with the conference logos. The first article from the ICTW is included in this present issue (BFT N° 361). The article from Ramilison et al. (2024) (figure 5) deals with a comparative analysis of charcoal produced by three carbonisation methods in Madagascar. This research is issued from a PhD thesis work (doctoral student and his supervisors), representing a great example of the ICTW scientific theme “Wood energy in tropical countries”. Acknowledgments The authors thank the ForesTIA project funded by the UK Royal Academy of Engineering, the journal Bois et Forêts des Tropiques published by CIRAD, Global Biodiversity Framework Implementation / Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Madagascar, the #DigitAg project supported by a public grant overseen by the French National Research Agency (ANR) as part of the “Investissements d’avenir” program (ANR-16-CONV-0004), DP Forêts & Biodiversité, Groupe de Recherche (GDR) Sciences du Bois, G3D2 project funded by the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Madagascar and the Union of the Comoros, Biodev Consulting Madagascar, ACEP Madagascar S.A., TELMA Madagascar, Hazovato, Les Scieries du Betsileo, and Tropical Wood, for their support in organizing the conference.

Sustainable development is a priority research areas for technology philosophy in contemporary China. This article takes forestry resource in Jiangxi as the research object, collects data of forest resource in 2001and 2010, combines with previous research results of forestry sustainable development evaluation index, finally establishes evaluation indicators for sustainable forest resource management referring to a large number of literatures on the previous study. Secondly, using AHP method to carry out the forestry sustainable development comprehensive evaluation, which has extremely important and practical significance to scientifically determine the region forestry resource management, reasonably plan sustainable forest management measures and promote local forestry sustainable development and sustainable management.

This study examines the impact of sustainable waste management on the quality of life of the inhabitants of Croatian island communities, focusing on how waste management practices contribute to sustainable tourism development. This study aims to provide policymakers and local stakeholders with insights into the implementation of effective waste management strategies that improve environmental protection and the well-being of residents. This research aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by promoting sustainable waste management in island communities, SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by encouraging waste reduction and recycling, and SDG 14 (Life Below Water). This study uses a survey-based quantitative research method, collecting data from 585 residents of the Kvarner islands using a structured questionnaire. The hypotheses are tested, and the relationships between waste management practices, quality of life, and sustainable tourism development are looked at using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). This study concludes that sustainable waste management, driven by the active participation of residents in waste separation and recycling, significantly increases the quality of life of residents and supports the sustainable development of tourism on the Kvarner islands. This study concludes that effective waste management supported by community participation is crucial for improving the quality of life of residents and promoting sustainable tourism on the Croatian islands. It emphasizes that integrating sustainable waste management practices into tourism development policies can conserve environmental resources and ensure the long-term well-being of communities.

Eco‐control offers an integrated management approach to transitioning toward corporate sustainable development, such as sustainable agriculture management. Despite the need to consider organizational and managerial changes and development in the field of sustainable agriculture, the use of integrated management controls has not yet been explored. This study identifies how the eco‐control procedures in sustainable agriculture management change when a commercial tea company transits to different stages of corporate sustainable development. It has developed an analytical framework, combining the sustainability management development perspective with the processual view of integrated eco‐control. Using a longitudinal case study approach, the data have been collected via in‐depth interviews, site visits, and document analyses, in respect of a commercial tea company in Sri Lanka. The findings show how the processual eco‐controls have changed as a result of internal and external challenges faced in the different sustainability management development stages of the transition to sustainable agriculture management. The findings emphasize the need for gaining a better understanding of the actions and decisions at the field (operational) and organizational level in promoting sustainable agriculture management practices in agribusiness firms.

This article aims to identify the relationship between sustainability and strategic management to determine whether sustainability can be considered a strategic management research fashion. This involves a bibliometric analysis of recent academic literature from 2021 to 2023 to identify the latest academic research, key trends, collaboration and keyword networks within this relationship. The analysis was conducted using two datasets from the Scopus database. These datasets focus on English-language journal articles on business, management and accounting. The first covers academic research on strategic management, while the second expands to sustainability and sustainable development. The results show that strategic management research focusing on sustainability has recently grown faster (24.70%) and with higher funding frequency (22.4%) than the whole strategic management research field (14.30% and 17.5%, respectively). Furthermore, the geographical analysis of co-authorship identified articles from 88 countries, suggesting a broad interest in this relationship. Notably, the strategic management network mapping revealed a unique, sustainable development, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability cluster. Moreover, extended mapping revealed four clusters: strategic and innovation-driven sustainability, operational corporate sustainability, crisis management and environmental economics, and sustainable supply chain and resource management. The thematic analysis further highlights well-developed sustainability and strategic management research topics like digitalisation, circular economy, sustainable supply chain management, sustainable development goals, industry 4.0, COVID-19, environmental sustainability, etc. that are contributing to the progress of sustainability and strategic management research. The results thus confirm the rapid growth and widespread coverage of research on sustainability and strategic management, highlighting sustainability as a strategic management research fashion.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify how human competences are associated with sustainable strategic management (SSM) within organisations.Design/methodology/approachThis is a qualitative study in two phases: first, a theoretical phase is developed, resulting in a proposal for the role of human competences in organisational sustainability; second, an empirical phase including instrumental case studies of two large, sustainability-oriented Brazilian companies. Data were obtained from interviews and companies’ reports. The authors used Atlas.ti software to perform the thematic content analysis.FindingsDespite the importance of human competences in SSM, the authors find evidence that this concept has not been developed, even for companies with a consolidated position in sustainability. Human competences are a requirement for effective SSM.Research limitations/implicationsCoexisting elements within an organisation, often referred to as elements of organisational and human behaviour, can influence the dynamics of the expected interrelationships between human competences and sustainability management, in addition to the influencing factors presented in this study.Originality/valueIn general, studies advocate that the relationships among organisational competences, human competences and organisational strategies must be aligned and reinforced. Nevertheless, these relationships are not that solid as they should be as stated in both the literature and the conventional discourse of practitioners.

An instrumental perspective still dominates research on sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). As an alternative, this study presents a paradox perspective and argues that sustainability and other business aims are not always compatible, particularly in an emerging market context. Often, paradoxical tensions originate in conflicts between the socioeconomic environment of emerging market suppliers and their Western customers’ demands for both cost competitiveness and sustainability. We argue that Western buying firms can play a key role in moderating such tensions, as experienced by emerging market suppliers. Specifically, we explore how purchasing and sustainability managers within buying firms make sense of and respond to paradoxical tensions in SSCM. We conduct an in‐depth case study of a Western multinational company that sources substantially from Chinese suppliers. While we found strong evidence for a persisting instrumental perspective in the sensemaking and practices of purchasing and sustainability managers, we also observed an alternative response, primarily by sustainability managers that we labeled as “contextualizing.” Contextualizing can alleviate the tensions otherwise present in SSCM by making sustainability standards more workable in an emerging market context, and it can help individual managers to move toward paradoxical sensemaking. We outline the value of paradoxical sensemaking in bringing about changes toward “true sustainability” in SSCM.

This paper aims to provide evidence regarding the interpretation that test scores of a newly developed test instrument reflect learning progress in competence in sustainability management. As competence in sustainability management is conceptualised as mainly acquired through academic opportunities to learn (OTLs), students in courses with relevant academic OTLs (focus group) should display greater learning progress than those without (control group). Non-academic OTLs should not predict learning progress. 499 students were tested between winter term 2017/2018 and summer term 2018. We specify SEM with fixed effects for the courses and calculate linear contrasts between the focus and control group. In addition, we predict learning progress by self-rated academic and non-academic OTLs. Results show that for two of the tests, academic OTLs indeed predict learning progress on course level and non-academic OTLs do not. In sum, evidence suggests that scores for two of the tests reflect learning progress in competence in sustainability management.

The public continuously requests for a greener and sustainable living environment. Recognising the importance to balance the coexistence of people and natural environment, CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLPP) takes initiatives to develop the transmission systems in a sustainable manner. Together with the fast development of Hong Kong, CLPP is developing and reinforcing the electricity network to ensure reliable and adequate supply of electricity to the people of Hong Kong. Since 1997, CLPP started the journey of sustainable development and twelve substations had been built with green substation protocol. A number of transmission substations are being designed for coming years. Sustainable development consists of 3 basic elements for both present and future generations namely: - 1 Maximum conservation of environment; 2 Energy efficiency; and 3 Balance the social, economic and environmental interests. CLPP supports the Green Building Concept which was developed in Hong Kong in late 90's when Business Environment Council (BEC) advocated Green Building Assessment Tool. With more than 4 decades of experience in developing transmission systems, CLPP initiated a Green Protocol for substation and developed a total environmental solution since 1997. The environment features of Green Electricity Substation design include deployment of low noise transformers and architectural screen features; to explore the possibility of natural ventilation for transformer heat by utilization of Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling technique (CFDM); and adoption of best practice of green construction approach to reduce wastage through prefabrication techniques and recycle of materials. For the network construction, CLPP adopted the best practice of green construction approach to construct the circuit in a sustainable and holistic manner, acquired much appreciation from community in reducing the disturbance to a minimum. Energy conservation is the main theme for design and construction of the building services installations inside the substation building. In 2005, CLPP is the first Hong Kong's power utility company to obtain the Registration in the Energy Efficiency Scheme of lighting installations and air-conditioning installations for newly built substations as accredited by the Hong Kong SAR Government. CLPP takes the lead to adopt the world best practice of Life Cycle Analysis in the substation design and development. This study aims to develop an assessment tool that appraises life cycle cost and performance of building materials and components. With the photovoltaic panel and water recycle system at a newly commissioned substation; CLPP is the first power utility which has developed an integrated system of renewable energy and rain water conservation for the substation building in Hong Kong. CLPP also endeavors to maintain the substations in a green manner throughout its life-cycle. Among all, CLPP has strived to regenerate the insulating oil filled in the transformer to make the operation process more environmental- friendly. This paper will review the CLPP's transmission substation projects from 70s to nowadays with illustrations of various successful examples in stages of the sustainable substation development from design to construction phrases. The design started from the prescriptive approach to the green substation, energy efficiency design and total sustainable development approach. (8 pages)

In this paper we present a teaching approach offered to sixth-semester students pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration at a German University of Applied Sciences, who have chosen Environment and Sustainability Management as one of their electives. The sustainable management course is designed to equip future (sustainability) managers with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to incorporate ecological and societal considerations into their decision-making, publicly and credibly report on them, and foster positive change within their future careers, organizations and industries. The utilization of role-play and the selection of a relevant and familiar case study, designed as a cross-semester approach, aim to enhance motivation and ownership among students and enable them to critically reflect on and evaluate sustainable impacts of business activities. Our work contributes on how teaching on sustainable management can be designed through role-playing and a real-world case study in higher education.

This study aims to construct a mathematical model to determine the dimensions of an economic, social, and environmental project with the goal of sustainable management. By identifying the optimal weights, the synergy values for sustainable management can be maximized. Taking aesthetic medicine companies as examples, this study attempts to construct the index projects of the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable management in an uncertain environment. Linear relationships (a combination of fixed synergistic values and varying synergistic values) are used to calculate the import optimal weight under optimistic, normal, and pessimistic circumstances. This study helped companies to introduce triple bottom line (TBL) indices to plan their issues under sustainable management and development, thus, enabling the parent company to achieve the optimal weight for the project costs to put in its subsidiaries. Additionally, this study prioritizes the weight of the influence on the management of the aesthetic medicine industry according to the risk probabilities, to minimize the uncertainties of risk management in corporate management and reduce the possibility of direct and indirect cost losses caused by financial distress, functional fluctuations, and negative impact on the medical equipment market, thereby maximizing the estimated total project value under sustainable management. This study constructs an aesthetic medicine-specific mathematical model concept using the triple bottom line model as the basis for sustainable corporate management and proposes an approach to obtain sustainable weight in uncertain conditions. By doing so, companies can add various managerial methods for the same industry, and new ideas are provided to the academic community to discuss the development of decision-making assessment criteria for risk assessments in sustainable management.