What is environmental sustainability if we don’t measure environmental outcomes?

Orientation: Lack in congruence amongst industrial and organisational psychologists (IOPs) as to the conceptualisation of its profession poses a significant risk as to the relevance, longevity and professional identity of the profession within the South African context.Research purpose: This study aimed to explore the professional identity of IOPs within the South African context. Specifically, the aim of this study was four-fold: (1) to develop a contemporary definition for IOP, (2) to investigate IOP roles, (3) to determine how the profession should be labelled and (4) to differentiate IOP from human resource management (HRM) from IOPs’ perspectives within South Africa.Motivation for the study: IOPs do not enjoy the same benefits in stature or status as other professions such as medicine, finances and engineering in the world of work. IOPs need to justify its relevance within organisational contexts as a globally shared understanding of ‘what it is’, ‘what it does’ and ‘what makes it different from other professions’, which is non-existent. In order to enhance its perceived relevance, clarity as to IOPs professional identity is needed.Research design, approach and method: A post-positivistic qualitative content analytic and descriptive research design was employed in this study. Data from practising industrial and organisational psychology (IOP) within South Africa (N = 151) were gathered through an electronic web-based survey and were analysed through thematic content analysis.Main findings: The results indicate that IOP in South Africa seeks to optimise the potential of individuals, groups, organisations and the community by implementing scientific processes to support both individual and organisational wellness and sustainability. ‘Work Psychology’ was considered a more fitting professional designation or label than industrial and/or organisational psychology. The industrial psychologist’s major roles related to the well-being and development of employees. A clear distinction between a more dynamic, pro-active approach of IOP compared to a more transactional approach of HRM was also evident. IOP within South Africa appears to have a community development function.Practical/managerial implications: The longevity, relevance and impact of IOP as a profession requires alignment amongst practitioners as to shared common professional identity.Contribution/value-add: This study provides a contemporary understanding of the roles, functions, labels and unique value proposition of industrial and organisational psychology within the South African context.

Occupational psychology significantly contributes to enhancing the health and well-being of healthcare professionals, who often face high-stress environments and emotional exhaustion. This critical review examines the role of occupational psychology in healthcare settings, focusing on its impact on burnout prevention, stress management, job satisfaction, team dynamics, and emotional resilience. Key areas include fostering positive workplace culture, improving team communication, and addressing compassion fatigue through emotional intelligence training. Despite the proven benefits, challenges such as resistance to change, resource constraints, and the stigma surrounding mental health hinder the effective implementation of occupational psychology interventions. To optimize its application, recommendations include leadership support, integrating well-being principles into organizational policies, and offering tailored psychological support programs. By addressing these factors, healthcare organizations can create a more supportive work environment, ultimately enhancing both employee well-being and patient care quality. This review underscores the importance of a holistic approach to occupational health psychology, highlighting its potential to reduce stress, improve job satisfaction, and ensure the sustainability of healthcare systems.

Purpose-. Work is an integral part of human life, where progress and productivity are more expected or demanded but an employee’s mental health is rarely considered a priority. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to highlight the significance of placing an organizational psychologist at the forefront of workplaces, to encourage the mutual wellbeing of individuals and organizations. Approach- This is a conceptual paper that builds upon a thorough review of existing conventional management theories to identify key cracks in knowledge about the importance of organizational psychologists to deal with a diverse range of social and behavioral issues within organizations considering common psychological safety at work. We start by conducting a content analysis of a few articles in the field that discuss the ‘why’ for organizational psychologists under work climate and continue with the strategies that can help organizations in reducing work-related stressors and improving social working conditions, and training. Findings- This study proposes a model that can be used to consider individual (employee) and situational (organizational) psychological wellness by underlining the direct interaction of organizational psychologists in managing human resources. The model of this study elucidates that collective wellbeing relies equally on organizational support teams (HR) and organizational psychologists through collective mindfulness. Originality/Value- Many studies are conducted in different countries with different perspectives of the organization and HR, where the role and importance of the organizational psychologist or psychologist in the organizations were highlighted, yet the concept is still blurry in Pakistan, and thus, this study is a novel contribution in a geographical context. Keywords- Psychology, Organizational psychologist, Employee wellbeing, Corporate wellness, Organizational development Paper type- Conceptual Paper

This study examines how different motivations impact environmental corporate sustainability outcomes in terms of eco‐innovation product and process adoption, and the mediating role of eco‐innovation strategy on these relationships. The empirical study uses a sample of 271 Mexican manufacturing and services firms of all sizes, 149 of which are family firms (FFs), and applies Baron and Kenny's procedure with hierarchical regression and sensitivity analysis to test mediation. The results show that eco‐innovation strategy plays a critical mediating role in transforming eco‐innovation motivations to environmental sustainability outcomes and provides evidence of differences in the environmental sustainability behaviour of family and non‐family firms. While FFs seem to be driven mainly by internal motivations, which lead them to adopt a more proactive eco‐innovation strategy that positively influences their environmental sustainability outcomes, for non‐family firms the external pressures are the main drivers of environmental outcomes, both directly and indirectly, through the firm's eco‐innovation strategy. In light of these findings, it seems clear that the academic debate on the differences between family and non‐family firms in driving eco‐innovation strategies and outcomes remains open; thus, more research is needed to complete the picture of the eco‐innovation management domain.

How can occupational psychology help organisations improve their environmental sustainability?

As aquaculture expands, ensuring the sustainability of practices requires a focus on minimising environmental effects. At the same time, where fish are cultured, their welfare needs to be secured to ensure compliance with legislation and gain social acceptance of farming practices. However, clear conflicts exist between protecting the environment and protecting welfare where either environmental or welfare outcomes are traded off against each other. We document 5 cases in aquaculture where environmental sustainability and welfare principles are antagonistic. If knowledge or management of environmental sustainability or welfare is weak in a specific setting, the best outcome may not be achieved. We contend that identifying conflicts between desired environmental and welfare outcomes as early as possible will allow for knowledge-based consideration of trade-offs using the best available evidence. Further, where different departments of regulators are responsible for different outcomes, targeted collaboration focused on identifying conflicts should reduce instances of unconscious trade-offs. Reducing conflicts between the 2 goals of good welfare and environmental protection should promote both ecologically and ethically sustainable aquaculture.

Taxing and trading for a greener future: The impacts of China's environmental and trade policies on environmental sustainability

Education and environmental sustainability are issues of great importance. Both are intertwined and cannot be meaningfully discussed in isolation. Nevertheless, it is education that serves the cause towards environmental sustainability. This would suggest that education in itself is incomplete if it fails to firmly integrate environmental sustainability within its agenda. A closer look at the SDGs suggests that the notion of environmental sustainability is not expressly integrated within Goal 4 on education (“Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”). While numerous points elaborate the individual targets, SDG Goal 4 makes no single explicit reference to any concern related to environmental sustainability. This raises a number of important questions. If environmental sustainability is not even embedded within the goal, can education be expected to deliver environmental sustainability outcomes? Do the SDGs, in aiming for “sustainable development”, predominantly refer to economic development, merely sustained over time and space? Are policy makers and development professionals in danger of inadvertently divorcing the inalienable union that education has with environmental sustainability? Is the sustainable development agenda risking diluting the fundamental basis—environmental sustainability—upon which it was originally articulated (Brundtland Report in Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our common future 1987)? These are enquiries the research addresses. This paper is informed by an analysis of expert literature, including a systematic keyword search, and field research conducted in Bangladesh.

Orientation: Managing mental health in the workplace has gained considerable attention in the field of industrial and organisational psychology, particularly as an essential element to managing employee well-being in South Africa. Research purpose: This study reviewed a decade of progress made in training industrial psychologists as workplace counsellors, as well as in identifying the best practices and future directions for addressing workplace mental health needs. Motivation for the study: Despite its growing recognition, significant gaps remain in training practitioners to ensure their preparedness in managing mental health in the workplace. Research approach/design and method: An integrative review was conducted on the author’s workplace counselling project, spanning from 2014 to 2025. A total of N = 23 studies met the inclusion criteria. Study characteristics and key findings were grouped into three domains – counselling models, trauma management frameworks and counsellor training methods. Main findings: Key findings showed progress in addressing training inadequacies, resulting in a revised edition of the framework for inspiring growth 2.0, which integrates mental health initiatives at individual, group and organisational intervention levels. Practical/managerial implications: A comprehensive workplace counselling training initiative incorporating multilevel approaches might enhance industrial psychologists’ competency and readiness in addressing workplace mental health challenges. Contribution/value-add: This review provides insight into developments in workplace counselling, including a review of past research. These practices guide future training of industrial psychologists in counselling practices.

Development strategies that are environmentally sustainable and socially resilient are increasingly being considered by developers in response to climate change. This study explores how ESG strategies can contribute to these goals by examining their practical implementation in two distinct market contexts. In this study, the EDGE Amsterdam West project in the Netherlands is compared with VaryAP Meridian in Turkey using a comparative case study methodology. Four dimensions were used to evaluate the projects in the study: environmental outcomes, social inclusion (such as affordability and tenant satisfaction), governance quality (such as stakeholder engagement and reporting standards), and economic sustainability (such as operational efficiency and investment value). The findings show that when ESG strategies are thoughtfully implemented, they lead to clear and meaningful improvements. EDGE Amsterdam West reduced carbon emissions by more than 40 percent through the use of smart building technologies. At the same time, Varyap Meridian showed that even in a challenging policy environment, it is possible to deliver energy-efficient and affordable housing that meets both community needs and environmental goals. This study provides targeted policy recommendations for Albania, which is in the process of developing ESG frameworks. Proposed measures include establishing a national green-building certification system, offering tax incentives for sustainable construction, and fostering capacity building through stakeholder engagement and education. Albania needs these steps to meet its climate goals, attract sustainable investments, and ensure long-term market resilience. For developing countries aiming for sustainable development, it offers practical guidance.

This study addresses a critical gap in the literature by exploring the intricate relationships between women’s empowerment, financial development, and natural resource management within the context of environmental sustainability in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Utilizing the Women, Business, and Law Index to quantify women’s socioeconomic empowerment alongside the ecological footprint as a metric for environmental sustainability, this study employs an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model to analyze data from 1990 to 2021. The findings reveal that women’s empowerment exerts a significant positive effect on environmental sustainability in both the short and long term. While financial development and natural resource rents also play roles in enhancing environmental outcomes, the long-term impact of natural resource rents is found to be statistically insignificant. Notably, the study uncovers a positive synergistic relationship between women’s empowerment and financial development as well as between women’s empowerment and natural resource rents, underscoring their complementary roles in advancing sustainable environmental objectives. Among the control variables examined, urbanization has been shown to positively influence long-term environmental sustainability, whereas foreign direct investment has a detrimental effect. Interestingly, the gross domestic product (GDP) has no significant statistical impact on environmental outcomes. Based on these insights, this study offers targeted policy recommendations, including the enhancement of women’s education and training in environmental sciences, promotion of gender-responsive green finance initiatives, and increased representation of women in natural resource management. These strategies aim to fortify sustainable governance and contribute to the UAE’s broader environmental sustainability goal.

Global demand for freshwater and marine foods (i.e., seafood) is rising and an increasing proportion is farmed. Aquaculture encompasses a range of species and cultivation methods, resulting in diverse social, economic, nutritional, and environmental outcomes. As a result, how aquaculture develops will influence human wellbeing and environmental health outcomes. Recognition of this has spurred a push for nutrition-sensitive aquaculture, which aims to benefit public health through the production of diverse, nutrient-rich seafood and enabling equitable access. This article explores plausible aquaculture futures and their role in nutrition security using a qualitative scenario approach. Two dimensions of economic development – the degree of globalization and the predominant economic development philosophy – bound four scenarios representing systems that are either localized or globalized, and orientated toward maximizing sectoral economic growth or to meeting environmental and equity dimensions of sustainability. The potential contribution of aquaculture in improving nutrition security is then evaluated within each scenario. While aquaculture could be “nutrition-sensitive” under any of the scenarios, its contribution to addressing health inequities is more likely in the economic and political context of a more globally harmonized trade environment and where economic policies are oriented toward social equity and environmental sustainability.

The global transition to renewable energy aims to reduce environmental impacts and combat climate change, yet challenges arise due to the intermittent nature of renewable sources, complicating their integration into traditional power grids and requiring advanced management solutions. Smart grid technology presents promising capabilities to optimize renewable energy management, promoting both environmental sustainability and economic efficiency. This study evaluates the environmental and economic impacts of smart grid integration, fo- cusing on carbon emission reductions, enhanced energy efficiency, and cost savings for energy providers and consumers. Using Structural Equation Modeling via SmartPLS, data were collected and analyzed from various stakeholders engaged in renewable energy and smart grid applications, allowing a detailed assessment of the relationships between smart grid integration, environmental outcomes, and economic benefits. Results indicate that smart grid integration significantly reduces carbon emissions and improves energy efficiency by over 30% while economically, it yields substantial cost savings, cutting operational expenses by up to 25% over time. The SmartPLS analysis confirms a positive relationship between smart grid deployment and both environmental and economic outcomes, highlighting that smart grids not only support emission reductions but also deliver considerable financial benefits in renewable energy management. These findings offer important insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders, emphasizing the role of smart grids in advancing sustainable and economically viable global energy systems.

Green supply chain initiatives among certified companies in Malaysia and environmental sustainability: Investigating the outcomes

Orientation: There is a worldwide emphasis on mental health in the workplace to support employee well-being and promote organisational performance. A core part of the roles that industrial and organisational psychologists (IOPs) assume in the workplace includes understanding mental health and exploring the root causes of mental health issues.Research purpose: This article highlights the importance of IOPs in developing strategies, frameworks and mechanisms to address mental health and well-being in the workplace.Motivation for the study: Industrial psychology practitioners must consider trends and strategies to effectively manage mental health in the workplace. These practitioners must be at the forefront of developing strategies to address mental health issues in the workplace.Research approach/design and method: This article is an opinion paper that includes a review of the literature and opinions of the authors.Main findings: The management of mental health in the workplace should ideally combine individual interventions with organisational structural changes. Furthermore, industrial psychology practitioners are uniquely positioned to implement these strategies, leveraging their scientific-practitioner expertise to create healthier workplaces.Practical/managerial implications: Industrial psychology practitioners are best suited to contribute to theoretical, policy-making and practical applications in managing workplace mental health. This includes exploring the drivers and enablers of mental health issues from the perspective of behavioural scientists.Contribution/value-add: This article contributes to the broader discourse on workplace mental health by emphasising the role of industrial psychology practitioners in managing mental health effectively. It explores how a strategic framework for organisations could address mental health challenges in the workplace.