Sustainable Actions Research Articles

Promoting sustainable national action to tackle antimicrobial resistance: a proposal to develop an antimicrobial resistance accountability index

Promoting sustainable national action to tackle antimicrobial resistance: a proposal to develop an antimicrobial resistance accountability index

Sustainability in occupational dermatology : Starting points, challenges, and potentials for sustainable care of work-related skin diseases

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in healthcare and has moved into focus at various levels. This article aims to provide an overview of guiding principles, concepts, and target systems of sustainability and to transfer these to occupational dermatology. Current and future starting points are outlined for various levels, e.g., politics, research, industry, and patient care, in order to link sustainability and occupational dermatology in astructured and systematic way and to transform the structures of patient care in occupational dermatology care towards sustainability. Using the specific example of protective gloves, which is apivotal personal protective measure to prevent work-related hand eczema, starting points, potentials, and challenges are analyzed and specific possibilities and perspectives for more ecologically sustainable action are presented.

GREEN LOGISTICS: DEFINING THE FACTORS INFLUENCING EMPLOYEE’S ENGAGEMENT IN SUSTAINABILITY, AND LINKING IT TO THE CORPORATE IDENTITY AND ITS SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

This study investigates the degree of congruence between employees' perceptions of company sustainability and their use of sustainable activities outside of work. A total of 217 participants from logistics enterprises in Istanbul completed a detailed questionnaire that assessed demographics, corporate social responsibility (CSR), pro-environmental behavior (PEB), and organizational identification. The findings show a robust relationship between CSR perception and PEB, confirming the idea that employees who see their employer as socially responsible are more inclined to take pro-environmental measures. Furthermore, organizational identification predicts PEB, demonstrating the importance of employee commitment to the business in generating sustainable habits. The mediation analysis also demonstrates that OI mediates the link between CSR and PEB, emphasizing its significance in influencing workers' sustainable actions. The report emphasizes the need of organizations improving their CSR programs and promoting organizational identification in order to raise sustainability practices both within and outside of the workplace. Limitations include the study's narrow emphasis on a single city and industry, which suggests opportunities for larger geographical and sectoral replication.

Texas Public Pensions: A Common Pool Resource Perspective

Public employee pension management is the nexus of public and private financial management systems that are significant long-term components of public finance. The idea that these pension systems can look quite similar yet perform in quite different and conflicting ways is significant when designing policy; system design templates are not successful in complex systems. Even pension systems within the same city can have radically different states of actuarial health based upon small differences in the rules (or adherence to the rules) establishing them. To better understand such systems, viewing them from a common pool resource perspective is useful. Elinor Ostrom (1990) , in her seminal book Governing the Commons, provides eight principles that facilitate governing common pool resources. The general theme running through Ostrom's principles is the need to facilitate the building and channeling of social capital. By facilitating constructive collective choice, the goal of effective, sustainable collective action is achievable. In this study, we examine the political, cultural, and institutional structures that are in place in the pension systems of Dallas and Houston, Texas. We examine the pensions’ governance practices to determine which appear to violate Ostrom's ideal institutional arrangements and their impact on the pensions’ long-term sustainability. Pertinent survey information from pension beneficiaries conducted as part of this research are provided

Achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals – innovation diffusion and business model innovations

Purpose The study aims to analyse the race towards green development and United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the cases of Huawei and Shell. Both companies are the leaders in their respective industries. Huawei is an example case study representing the information and communications technology (ICT) industry whereas Shell is an example case study representing the oil and gas industry. The research analyses of the races in achieving UN SDGs were undertaken based on the innovation diffusion framework with the use of machine learning algorithms trained to extract data on sustainability activities and initiatives. Design/methodology/approach The research analyses the two case studies of Huawei and Shell. The research was undertaken through the steps of training machine learning algorithms, industry benchmarking and evaluating the performance of the race. The analyses regarding the activities and initiatives of Huawei and Shell in contributing towards SDGs are based on the data in the past 10 years (Years 2010–2019) using machine learning to extract data on sustainability activities and initiatives. In the case of Huawei, 313 sustainability reports were fed to the unsupervised machine learning algorithms revealing 15,101 sustainability actions and initiatives related to UN SDGs in the ICT industry. In the case of Shell, 2,015 sustainability reports were fed to the unsupervised machine learning algorithms revealing 47,365 sustainability actions and initiatives related to UN SDGs in the oil and gas industry. Findings The analyses of findings revealed that Huawei and Shell performed very well in progressing towards the UN SDGs. Huawei had strong performance in the ICT industry with regard to SDGs No. 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12 and 16 while Shell had strong performance in the oil and gas industry with regard to SDGs No. 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12 and 16. Both companies had placed a focus on achieving SDG 12 responsible consumption and production, SDG 7 affordable and clean energy and SDG 4 quality education. The synthesised business model innovations of Huawei and Shell had shown their environmental, social and governance strategies – Huawei’s 2030 vision for green development and Shell’s 2050 vision for net zero emissions. Practical implications The five pillars of people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership according to the UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development have shown the way a company operates to promote sustainable eco-systems. The extent to which both Huawei and Shell link corporate strategies to the UN SDGs has reflected their implementation progress. Furthermore, the business model innovations of Huawei and Shell provides a useful framework which can be applied to encourage other companies/organisations in various industries to undertake ESG activities in practice. Originality/value The main contribution of this research is the application of machine learning algorithms and the innovation diffusion model in analysing the SDGs performance. The study applies the innovation diffusion framework to explore strategic actions and initiatives of Huawei and Shell in transitioning towards sustainability. The use of machine learning algorithms has identified their sustainability approach in achieving the UN SDGs.

Institutional Investors and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): A Comprehensive Review of Theoretical Frameworks and Empirical Insights

In the evolving discourse of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the role of institutional investors stands out as a pivotal area of exploration. This work delves deep into the intricate interplay between these investors and CSR, emphasizing its significance in the modern corporate landscape. Drawing upon the Institutional, Legitimacy, Agency, and Resource-Based View theories, this paper elucidates how societal norms, alignment with societal expectations, and strategic asset perspectives shape corporate behavior toward CSR. In this work, we highlight the diverse strategies and objectives of institutional investors, such as pension funds and hedge funds, and their profound influence on the CSR landscape. Our findings underscore that these investors not only steer corporations toward sustainable actions but also redefine the very essence of corporate responsibility. The conclusions drawn emphasize the need for synergistic regulations and incentives, aligning with the CSR objectives of these influential stakeholders. Furthermore, the significance of this study lies in its potential to guide future research, especially in understanding the nuanced roles of different investor types and their global implications. In summation, this paper offers a comprehensive insight into the institutional investor-CSR dynamic, spotlighting its profound responsibility and potential in shaping the future of corporate sustainability.

Innovation in Biology Education: Classroom Action Research as a Catalyst for the Renewal of Teaching Methods in Indonesia

Abstract. This study emphasizes the critical importance of enhancing Classroom Action Research (CAR) as a catalyst for more sustainable Biology education. The primary factors identified include a lack of comprehensive information regarding the implementation of CAR across various regions in Indonesia and the current weaknesses inherent in CAR. The objective of this research is to examine the effectiveness of CAR in improving the understanding of biological concepts and to propose a model for sustainable CAR. A systematic review method following the PRISMA approach was employed to analyze relevant studies. The findings reveal that CAR is effective across almost all Biology teaching methods, enhancing quality through student participation, creativity, and learning outcomes. However, the principal challenge lies in the unsustainable nature of CAR, which hampers long-term improvement efforts. This study develops a sustainable CAR design, referred to as Sustainable Action Research (SAR), which encompasses comprehensive planning, monitored implementation, evaluation of outcomes and processes, and reflective practices to develop new strategies. SAR acts as a catalyst for the renewal of Biology teaching methods, enabling educators to adapt to evolving educational challenges. Recommendations for future research include focusing on the implementation of SAR and evaluating its effectiveness. Active teacher involvement in every stage of SAR is essential to ensure that innovations are aligned with on-the-ground needs. Collaboration between academics and teachers is also crucial to improving the quality of education in Indonesia, particularly in the field of Biology education Keywords: classroom action research, sustainable action research, biology education, sustainable education

Mitigating operational greenhouse gas emissions in ageing residential buildings using an Urban Digital Twin dashboard

With the increasing stock of ageing infrastructure and resource constraints in Singapore, related risks and carbon emissions can be mitigated through long-term resilience planning, automated building inspection, and effective maintenance. Sustainable actions are needed to maintain Singapore's ageing infrastructure. Hence, a state-of-the-art control and management system is required in the form of smart city digital tools. We introduce an Urban Digital Twin (UDT)—GHG App for decision-makers in Singapore's operational building greenhouse gas (GHG) emission mitigation and decarbonisation initiatives. Based on multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), a Potential for Intervention (PFI) map was created to rejuvenate the building system. Decision-makers can use this map to prioritise the rejuvenation of low-carbon building systems in the built environment. A heat map of the PFI results highlights which buildings need urgent rejuvenation based on critical parameters. The GHG App utilises this method to generate maps and enables users to modify parameter weights based on their priorities, automatically updating the map. Users can plan an intervention for buildings with higher PFI values once the map is generated. The GHG App provides interactive data visualisation of 119,872 features representing Singapore's built environment, including the context size of 6,785 existing residential buildings modelled and used to demonstrate the analysis results. Our research findings can contribute to the development of standards for accounting for operational GHG emissions, setting emission limits, and planning decarbonisation in the built environment sector.

Awareness as a catalyst for sustainable behaviors: A theoretical exploration of planned behavior and value-belief-norms in the circular economy

This study explores the interplay of intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing sustainable behaviours within the Circular Economy (CE) through the lenses of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and the Value-Belief-Norm (VBN) theory. This objective was achieved by conducting a large scale survey in Brazil and using Composite-Based Structural Equation Modeling (cSEM) technique in conjunction with R software to analyze data and assess our research hypotheses. Our findings underscore the paramount importance of intrinsic factors—such as personal values, beliefs, and positive evaluations of sustainability outcomes—over external pressures like environmental laws and organizational policies in fostering sustainable actions. While increased awareness of the CE significantly enhances attitudes towards and the likelihood of engaging in sustainable behaviours, the study reveals that external pressures and perceived barriers, such as time, cost, and skill limitations, do not significantly deter those with a high level of awareness and positive sustainability evaluation from acting sustainably. Academically, the study enriches environmental psychology by extending TPB and VBN theories, advocating for a refinement of TPB to better account for contexts where personal values are stronger drivers than external pressures or immediate practical constraints.

Freecycling Markets as Sustainable Materialist Movements?

This paper seeks to redress the over-emphasis on state-driven circular policies in public and academic discourses by attending to two physical community-based freecycling markets at the emerging frontiers of circular waste/resource management in Singapore. Freecycling markets that close short reuse loops are a counterpoint to policies that close long recycling loops. Drawing primarily on empirical data from ethnographic fieldwork, we argue that freecycling markets exemplify a sustainable materialist movement concerned about the sustainability of material resources vis-à-vis the closing/shortening of material circularity loops. This is achieved through the reconfiguration of (a) material flows and (b) material relations. The redirection of unwanted but reusable household objects away from the incinerator and towards potential reusers animates a shift from a linear to circular material flow. We contend that this redirection of material resources for reuse is augmented by rescue and recirculation, which are relatively neglected within the scholarship on circular R-behaviours. Additionally, freecycling markets seek to transform material relations by encouraging care and stewardship, instead of use and disposal. Crucially, we highlight how freecycling markets may be plagued with material constraints that render them not-so-sustainable-and-scalable, thereby shedding light on the practical limits of sustainable materialist action. Taken together, this paper extends the scholarship on circular economies by bringing work on sustainable materialism into a productive dialogue with that on circular activisms and R-behaviours.

STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REPORTING: THE CASE OF MOROCCAN FIRMS

In business landscape, companies attempt to meet stakeholders’ expectations by publishing their corporate social responsibility (CSR) information in specific reports. In fact, CSR reports encompass a set of information related to companies’ sustainable actions, approaches, and motivations. CSR reporting readability is an important issue to handle at the corporate level in order to leverage companies’ sustainable disclosure. This article investigates CSR reporting to identify specific categorizations and structures related to published CSR information of listed stocks. Mixed research methods are applied to a sample of 58 Moroccan companies that have the CSR label. First, content analysis was conducted for each organization’s CSR annual report. Second, multiple correspondence analysis was conducted to detect specific associations and structures in CSR reporting. Our findings highlight that companies communicate more concisely and completely when they perform social actions based on a value creation approach and under normative motivations. The results shed light on companies’ awareness of integrating CSR dimensions into their corporate disclosure. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the extent to which CSR reporting structures could be used as indicators of the complexity and readability quality of companies’ sustainability reporting. It could serve as a tool to assess companies’ social and environmental engagement and reputation.

An investigation into the extent to which sustainable product development practices are implemented in manufacturing companies

In recent decades, the pressure from regulations and consumers for products with enhanced sustainability performance has escalated the implementation of sustainability actions by companies. For manufacturing companies specifically, Sustainable Product Development (SPD) is a key approach for reducing the sustainability impacts of the developed products, across their entire life cycle. Despite the availability of wide range of management practices for SPD to support embedding sustainability into the product development process, the extent of their application by companies remains underexplored. To fulfil this gap, an industry survey was conducted to investigate the capability of manufacturing companies to apply a consolidated set of 61 SPD management practices. The overall results which comprised 20 companies across 14 sectors revealed that most of the practices are still applied at a low capability level by most companies. This result indicates a large theory-practice gap particularly in understanding the influence of the type of business, variation in capability levels across different business processes and stages of the product development that influence the successful implementation of sustainability actions in companies. Hence, stronger collaboration between the academia and industry sectors are essential to transform new knowledge into actionable strategies.

Genomic differentiation and interoceanic population structure of two large pelagic scombrid species

Tunas of the family Scombridae are of paramount importance for fisheries and the international seafood trade. In order to ensure a sustainable use of these valuable resources, it is crucial that stock delineation and management plans are in accordance. Here, we examined the population genetic structure of the two data-poor scombrid species wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) and bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus), both of growing significance in tuna fisheries. Our study employed whole-genome sequencing methods to conduct the most extensive genomic analysis of wahoo and bigeye tuna samples to date, collected from the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. For both species, we observe genome-wide differentiation between samples from the Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific regions with little or no genetic structure within each of the ocean basins, indicative of high gene flow. However, by applying a set of extreme outlier tests, genomic differentiation between locations was identified within the Pacific Ocean for both species, as well as for wahoo within the Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, for bigeye tuna, we uncovered a putative chromosomal inversion with patterns of highly linked loci and strong population divergence, that may be involved in adaptive divergence across the distributional range of the species. Taken together, despite considerable gene flow, the detected substructures – most likely driven by local adaptation – challenge previously held assumptions of panmixia in both species. Our findings show that future stock assessment should consider genetic differences at both neutral and divergent loci to develop sustainable conservation and management actions for these valuable marine resources.

Sustainability, business strategy and innovation: a thematic literature review

Purpose Challenges related to sustainability have increasingly become pivotal in the realm of business strategy and innovation. Nevertheless, the incorporation of sustainability principles into business strategies and innovative practices remains a subject of ongoing scholarly debate. This paper aims to undertake a thematic literature review on this theme. Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered from the Scopus, Web of Science and Science Direct databases. The final sample comprised 85 papers. For analytical purposes, this study adopted topic modeling using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) methodology. Findings The authors identified five dominant topics concerning the relationship between sustainability, innovation and business strategy. Through a cross-analysis of these topics, the authors theorize that a sustainable innovation strategy encompasses three complementary and interdependent dimensions: capabilities, management and firm. Building on this analysis, the authors outline a research agenda aimed at further exploration and advancement of this theme. Practical implications This review enhances the synthesis of research on the theme, prompting reflections on how companies can initiate innovative sustainable actions that align with their business strategy. Additionally, the authors identify specific elements that require improvement to enhance each of the three dimensions of sustainable innovation strategies, such as eco-efficiency, circular economy and the adoption of innovative business models oriented toward services/servitization. Social implications By interweaving sustainability with innovation and business strategy, this study underscores the critical topics that companies and public policymakers should address to support sustainable development at the national level. Originality/value While previous literature reviews have focused on the dyadic relationships between sustainability and strategy, or sustainability and innovation, this study extends the boundaries of knowledge by integrating these three concepts into a hybrid theoretical stream.

Sustainable mobility and sports tourism: applying the theory of planned behaviour to football supporters

ABSTRACT Today, the importance of sustainable tourism has become a global issue. Sport tourism is a relatively recent area of focus, and football tourism is probably the most popular in leisure sport travel. Sustainable mobility is vital to reducing the environmental impact of sport tourism. Since attending football matches has a significant impact in terms of travel, this study investigated football spectators’ behaviours in relation to sustainable mobility. By administering approximately 1,500 questionnaires to French football supporters, this study explored what affects supporters’ decisions regarding mobility options. Based on the theory of planned behaviour, this study investigated the individual behaviour resulting from intentions, which in turn is influenced by attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. This study also considered the role played by other internal factors, such as environmental concerns. Using structural equation modelling, the results highlight that supporters’ attitudes and opinions, and their perceived control of the behaviour and society’s subjective norms influence their behavioural intention in relation to adopting sustainable mobility actions. This study recognizes the strong willingness to adopt green behaviours among football supporters, which football organizations and tourism actors should support.

The five levels of sustainability in European football: mapping the sustainability approaches of UEFA’s member national associations

ABSTRACT With increasing interest being drawn to sustainability development in sport, and UEFA’s recent sustainability strategy being introduced as a roadmap and pressure level for football organisations’ sustainability efforts to intensify, the implementation of sustainability policy is becoming key for football’s sustainable development. In this study, through the lens of institutional theory and isomorphism, we focused on the under-studied recipients of said strategy, the UEFA’s member national associations (NAs), to capture the existing sustainability efforts within them, as they are reported on their official communications, and thus the backdrop to which the strategy was introduced and is being promoted. Qualitative document analysis was conducted on all official communications (website, national strategies, press releases) of all UEFA’s NAs. Through this, five levels of sustainability in European football were identified, capturing patterns in the existence of social and environmental sustainability actions and strategies among UEFA’s NAs. The five levels of sustainability in European football presented allow for a better understanding of the full spectrum of sustainability in football to be depicted, while acknowledging potentially overlooked nuances in the existence of not only actions but also strategies to guide organisations in their sustainability efforts, and illustrating the gradual progression from no sustainability to more sophisticated social and environmental sustainability in football.

Towards a Sustainable Future: Challenges and Opportunities for Early‐Career Chemists

AbstractThe concepts of sustainability and sustainable chemistry have attracted increasing attention in recent years, being of great importance to the younger generation. In this Viewpoint Article, we share how early‐career chemists can contribute to the sustainable transformation of their discipline. We identify ways in which they can engage to catalyse action for change. This article does not attempt to answer questions about the most promising or pressing areas driving research and chemical innovation in the context of sustainability. Instead, we want to inspire and engage early‐career chemists in pursuing sustainable actions by showcasing opportunities in education, outreach and policymaking, research culture and publishing, while highlighting existing challenges and the complexity of the topic. We want to empower early‐career chemists by providing resources and ideas for engagement for a sustainable future globally. While the article focuses on students and early‐career chemists, it provides insights to further stimulate the engagement of scientists from diverse backgrounds.

Towards a Sustainable Future: Challenges and Opportunities for Early-Career Chemists.

The concepts of sustainability and sustainable chemistry have attracted increasing attention in recent years, being of great importance to the younger generation. In this Viewpoint Article, we share how early-career chemists can contribute to the sustainable transformation of their discipline. We identify ways in which they can engage to catalyse action for change. This article does not attempt to answer questions about the most promising or pressing areas driving research and chemical innovation in the context of sustainability. Instead, we want to inspire and engage early-career chemists in pursuing sustainable actions by showcasing opportunities in education, outreach and policymaking, research culture and publishing, while highlighting existing challenges and the complexity of the topic. We want to empower early-career chemists by providing resources and ideas for engagement for a sustainable future globally. While the article focuses on students and early-career chemists, it provides insights to further stimulate the engagement of scientists from diverse backgrounds.

Sustainability in Federal Universities: An analysis based on management reports

This study examines the integration of sustainability in Brazilian federal universities based on the analysis of 2022 management reports. In the current global scenario, the integration of environmental and social sustainability into the policies of higher education institutions is crucial. Brazil's federal universities play a vital role in nurturing leaders and producing knowledge that can positively influence society and the environment. This study questions how these institutions are incorporating sustainability into their management strategies, contributing to a more sustainable future. The study aims to analyze how Brazilian federal universities approach sustainability in their activities and decisions, using the 2022 management reports as a basis. The research is descriptive in nature and involved the selection of 12 recently created federal universities, whose 2022 management reports were analyzed. Content analysis was performed in two stages: coding and interpretation. The actions described in the reports were categorized into themes related to sustainability, including education, planning, control, technology, infrastructure, collective applicability, and administrative actions. Of the 12 reports analyzed, 8 universities demonstrated a commitment to sustainability, dedicating specific chapters to this theme. The economic dimension was the one that presented the most actions, with 78 initiatives identified, reflecting a conscious strategy to ensure financial and operational sustainability. The analysis reveals that Brazilian federal universities are increasingly integrating sustainability into their operations and management. Economic initiatives stand out as fundamental for the viability of institutions, promoting a virtuous cycle of sustainable development.

Sustainability and health promotion actions in Brazil

This study explores sustainable programs or actions implemented within the work environments of students enrolled in a Postgraduate Program in Health Promotion in Brazil. Seventy participants, primarily healthcare professionals, were tasked with identifying the sustainable actions during the Health Promotion and Sustainability course. Responses were analyzed using the IraMuTeQ V. 0.7 alpha 2 program. Of these participants, 15 individuals did not identify any actions, while 55 highlighted various initiatives. Key strategies included waste management, health education, promotion of physical exercise, optimization of food resources, composting, and conscientious water usage. These actions not only offer potential cost savings but also contribute to a more responsible utilization of natural resources and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals.