Environmental Considerations Research Articles

Sustainable Management Strategies in Multinational Corporations: Balancing Profitability and Social Responsibility

Sustainable management strategies are increasingly critical for multinational corporations (MNCs) aiming to achieve long-term profitability while fulfilling social and environmental responsibilities. MNCs balance financial objectives with sustainability initiatives, addressing the complexities of integrating economic, social, and environmental considerations into corporate strategies. theoretical frameworks and empirical studies to elucidate the challenges and opportunities associated with sustainable management practices in MNCs. It investigates how successful organizations align business goals with sustainable development goals (SDGs), implement ethical practices across global operations, and engage stakeholders in fostering responsible corporate citizenship. Case studies and comparative analyses illustrate best practices and innovative approaches adopted by MNCs to mitigate environmental impacts, promote social equity, and enhance corporate reputation. The study emphasizes the role of leadership commitment, stakeholder engagement, and transparent reporting in driving sustainable business practices and achieving competitive advantage in global markets.

Environmental sustainability and ruminant production: A UK veterinary perspective.

Environmental sustainability is an issue of growing importance within the livestock industry, particularly for farmed ruminants. Changes to farming practices made to improve sustainability can have an impact on the health and welfare of animals, and so become the concern of veterinary practitioners. This review outlines the metrics used to measure sustainability and how sustainability interacts with ruminant health and welfare, allowing practitioners to incorporate environmental considerations into their existing livestock work. Topics covered include nutrition, disease control, genetics and stocking density.

Analysis of Kuttab School Curricula Using the Cipp Framework: A Social and Environmental Management Perspective

Objective: This study aims to analyze the curricula of Kuttâb schools through the CIPP framework, focusing on the social and environmental management aspects of these educational programs. The research investigates how the "Iman Curriculum" and "Qur'an Curriculum" of Kuttâb Ibnu Abbas Surakarta diverge from mainstream Islamic education and evaluates their effectiveness from a social and environmental perspective. Theoretical Framework: The analysis is grounded in the CIPP (Context, Input, Process, Product) model by Stufflebeam, which provides a structured approach to assess educational programs. This framework is employed to evaluate the curriculum's alignment with community needs, resource utilization, teaching methods, and educational outcomes, incorporating social and environmental management considerations. Method: A qualitative evaluative design was used, involving interviews, observations, and document analysis. Data collection focused on understanding the development, implementation, and impact of the Kuttâb curricula, with particular attention to their social and environmental dimensions. Results and Discussion: The study finds that Kuttâb Ibnu Abbas’s curricula are rooted in a grassroots model, distinct from conventional international curricula. The program is effective in addressing community needs but requires better alignment with individual student needs. While teaching methods are well-implemented, there is a need for improved teacher training and assessment practices. The study also discusses how the curricula's social and environmental management aspects could be enhanced to better serve both students and the community. Research Implications: The findings provide actionable insights for improving the effectiveness of Kuttâb school curricula. Recommendations include better alignment with student needs, enhanced teacher training, and more robust assessment methods, alongside considerations for social and environmental impacts. Originality/Value: This research is novel in applying the CIPP framework to the evaluation of Kuttâb school curricula from a social and environmental management perspective. It offers valuable insights into how alternative Islamic education models can be assessed and improved, contributing to the broader field of educational management and curriculum development.

Rapid Assessment of Sulfate Resistance in Mortar and Concrete.

Extensive research has been conducted on the sulfate attack of concrete structures; however, the need to adopt the use of more sustainable materials is driving a need for a quicker test method to assess sulfate resistance. This work presents accelerated methods that can reduce the time required for assessing the sulfate resistance of mixtures by 70%. Class F fly ash has historically been used in concrete mixtures to improve sulfate resistance. However, environmental considerations and the evolving energy industry have decreased its availability, requiring the identification of economically viable and environmentally friendly alternatives to fly ash. Another challenge in addressing sulfate attack durability issues in concrete is that the standard sulfate attack test (ASTM C1012) is time-consuming and designed for only standard mortars (not concrete mixtures). To expedite the testing process, accelerated testing methods for both mortar and concrete mixtures were adopted from previous work to further the development of the accelerated tests and to assess the feasibility of testing the sulfate resistance of mortar and concrete mixtures rapidly. This study also established criteria for interpreting sulfate resistance for each of the test methods used in this work. A total of 14 mortar mixtures and four concrete mixtures using two types of Portland cement (Type I and Type I/II) and various supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) were evaluated in this study. The accelerated testing methods significantly reduced the evaluation time from 12 months to 21 days for mortar mixtures and from 6 months to 56 days for concrete mixtures. The proposed interpretation method for mortar accelerated test results showed acceptable consistency with the ACI 318-19 interpretations for ASTM C1012 results. The interpretation methods proposed for the two concrete sulfate attack tests demonstrated excellent consistency with the ASTM C1012 results from mortar mixtures with the same cementitious materials combinations. Metakaolin was shown to improve sulfate resistance for both mortar and concrete mixtures, while silica fume and natural pozzolan had a limited impact. Using 15% metakaolin in mortar or concrete mixtures with Type I/II cement provided the best sulfate resistance.

Slovenia’s Food-Based Dietary Guidelines 2024: Eating for Health and the Planet

The dietary guidelines of Slovenia, ‘12 Steps to Healthy Eating’, were first published in 2000 and revised in 2011. The ‘Food Guide Pyramid’ was initially published in 2000 and subsequently revised in 2015. ‘The Healthy Plate’ was first introduced in 2007. In February 2023, the Slovenian Strategic Council for Nutrition proposed new Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) that integrate both health and environmental considerations. In September 2023, the creation of new FBDGs was included in the Action Plan for implementing the Resolution on the National Program on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Health 2015–2025. In October 2023, the Ministry of Health of Slovenia appointed the core working group of 10 multidisciplinary experts from fields such as nutrition, food science medicine, public health, environment, pharmacy, and agriculture led by Prof. Dr. Nataša Fidler Mis, who drafted the guidelines. In February 2024, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe organized a virtual international workshop to assist Slovenia in developing food-based dietary guidelines. In May 2024, an international expert meeting was organized by the Ministry of Health of Slovenia, the Ministry of the Environment, Climate, and Energy, and the National Institute of Public Health of Slovenia to present the first scientific draft of the SLO FBDG for external international peer review. The meeting included lectures from world-leading experts to present healthy diets from sustainable food systems, integrate climate and sustainability aspects into the new SLO FBDG, discuss the findings with the Slovenian core working group, extended working group of the SLO FBDG, and invited experts. The final version of SLO FBDG is expected to be released by the end of 2024.

Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of Gene-Environment Interaction Research.

Many complex disorders are impacted by the interplay of genetic and environmental factors. In gene-environment interactions (GxE), an individual's genetic and epigenetic makeup impacts the response to environmental exposures. Understanding GxE can impact health at the individual, community, and population levels. The rapid expansion of GxE research in biomedical studies for complex diseases raises many unique ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSIs) that have not been extensively explored and addressed. This review article builds on discussions originating from a workshop held by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) in January 2022, entitled: "Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of Gene-Environment Interaction Research." We expand upon multiple key themes to inform broad recommendations and general guidance for addressing some of the most unique and challenging ELSI in GxE research. Key takeaways include strategies and approaches for establishing sustainable community partnerships, incorporating social determinants of health and environmental justice considerations into GxE research, effectively communicating and translating GxE findings, and addressing privacy and discrimination concerns in all GxE research going forward. Additional guidelines, resources, approaches, training, and capacity building are required to further support innovative GxE research and multidisciplinary GxE research teams.

Exploring the Role of Environmental Ethical Consideration in Advancing Green Growth: Perspectives from India

Aims: The current study explores the intricate nexus between environmental ethical considerations and green growth in the context of India, a country grappling with dual challenges of rapid industrialization and environmental sustainability. As India seeks to balance rigorous economic growth, ecological preservation and integration of ethical principles into environmentally friendly policy design it is necessary to understand the meaning of ethical consideration and green growth relationship. Theoretical Framework: The research aims to understand the interrelationship and implication of the of environmental ethical consideration into driving green growth, by exploring the challenges and prospects in context of India- a rapidly developing economy. This paper is structured in the form of exploration of available literature and through providing a vast perspective and strategic framework in regards of Indian policy makers and scenario in context of countries socio-economic and cultural structure. Methodology: The study explores the available literature in the field and synthesizes the challenges available in the path of green growth management. Analysis of barriers to green growth in developing country framework is done by identifying chances of market failure, underinvestment in green technologies, and the lack of clear ethical guidelines present in the Indian developmental structure. Results: The findings of this paper suggest the possibility of enhancing current scenarios to achieve what is needed to follow the path of green growth in economic context and coming future challenges. The findings are supported by rational policymaking and strategic investment, which can significantly advance India’s green economy, ensuring long term benefits and environmental well-being.

Optimization and Modification of Bacterial Cellulose Membrane from Coconut Juice Residues and Its Application in Carbon Dioxide Removal for Biogas Separation

Driven by environmental and economic considerations, this study explores the viability of utilizing coconut juice residues (CJRs), a byproduct from coconut milk production, as a carbon source for bacterial cellulose (BC) synthesis in the form of a versatile bio-membrane. This work investigates the use of optimization modeling as a tool to find the optimal conditions for BC cultivation in consideration of waste minimization and resource sustainability. Optimization efforts focused on three parameters, including pH (4–6), cultivation temperature (20–30 °C), and time (6–10 days) using Design Expert (DE) V.13. The maximum yield of 9.31% (g/g) was achieved when the cultivation took place at the optimal conditions (pH 6, 30 °C, and 8 days). This approach aligns with circular economy principles, contributing to sustainable resource management and environmental impact reduction. The experimental and predicted optimal conditions from DE V.13 were in good agreement, validating the study’s outcomes. The predictive model gave the correlations of the optimal conditions in response to the highest yield and maximum eco-efficiency. The use of prediction modeling resulted in a useful tool for forecasting and obtaining guidelines that can assist other researchers in calculating optimal conditions for a desired yield. Acetylation of the BC resulted in cellulose acetate (CA) membranes. The CA membrane exhibited the potential to separate CO2 from a CH4/CO2 mixed gas with a CO2 selectivity of 1.315 in a membrane separation. The promising gas separation results could be further explored to be utilized in biogas purification applications.

Exploration of Sustainable Development Strategies for Budai Opera in the Eastern Fujian Region

This study explores sustainable development strategies for Budai Opera in the Eastern Fujian region, aiming to preserve and promote this traditional art form amidst modern challenges. Through a mixed-method approach, including qualitative interviews, quantitative surveys, and observational data, diverse dimensions of Budai Opera sustainability are examined. Results reveal a diverse demographic profile of stakeholders, varying levels of awareness and interest in Budai Opera, and preferences for cultural events. Economic viability, environmental impact, community engagement, policy support, audience preferences, and technological innovations are also explored. Key findings emphasize the importance of holistic approaches that balance economic, cultural, environmental, and social considerations in promoting Budai Opera sustainability. Addressing challenges such as declining audiences, economic pressures, environmental impacts, and policy constraints, while capitalizing on opportunities for diversification, innovation, community engagement, and advocacy, are essential for sustaining Budai Opera as a cherished cultural heritage in the Eastern Fujian region.

Recycling of Polyurethane Foams via Glycolysis: A Review.

Polyurethane foams constitute highly problematic waste due to their low density and consequently large volume. Among the most promising recycling approaches, the glycolysis of polyurethane waste stands out and was extensively discussed in this article. Existing literature reviews lack a detailed analysis of glycolysis processes and a clear presentation of the most important data. However, in this review, the scientific literature on glycolysis has been thoroughly examined and updated with the latest research in the field. The article provides an overview of glycolysis methods, categorized into rigid and flexible foams, along with a review of the catalysts and process conditions employed. Additionally, this study offers a comprehensive analysis of industrial methods protected by active patents, which has not been previously explored in the literature. This detailed examination of patent information adds significant value to the review and distinguishes it from others. Furthermore, this review also aims to introduce the main types of polyurethanes and their properties. It outlines the fundamentals of recycling strategies, thermomodernization trends, and environmental considerations, highlighting the critical role of recycling in the industry. The article serves as a complete foundation for exploring new alternative methods in this field.

Energy harvesting for automated storage and retrieval system with sustainable configuration of storage assignment and input/output point

The warehouse automation market has experienced significant growth due to the necessity for quick responses to customer needs. The adoption of Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS) aims to enhance operational efficiency and expedite order fulfillment, although environmental considerations are frequently overlooked. This study introduces the implementation of energy harvesting using Regenerative Braking System (RBS) on AS/RS to minimize the carbon emission impact. The best configuration of storage assignments and Input/Output (I/O) points is examined to improve travel time, response time, and carbon emission as sustainability indicators. This study employs a discrete-event simulation mimicking the AS/RS and warehouse environment under uncertainty. Simulation-based experiment was performed under 96 different scenarios and the result was assessed through statistical tests revealing the main and interaction effects between factors to performance indicators, including the trade-off between them. The result reveals that the implementation of RBS in AS/RS can result in 13% energy saving on average or equal to additional travel range of 28,800 m indicating the suitability adoption towards green operation. However, the lowest carbon emission is followed by higher travel time and response time. Thus, metamodel-based optimization was also performed via desirability function analysis. The optimization result reveals that the sustainable AS/RS configuration is obtained with a single-side for I/O point, non-class for storage classification, closest open location with column-order for slot selection, and closest open location with row-order for retrieval selection.

Simulation Framework for Substation Siting Integrating Load, Land Use, Neighborhood, and Cost Analysis

This study presents a comprehensive framework for substation siting to address power demand and urbanization challenges. It integrates economic, social, and environmental dimensions to ensure reliable power supply systems. Using simulation techniques, the paper evaluates substation placement by analyzing load distribution, land use, neighborhood satisfaction, and construction costs. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) assesses load distribution, while a hierarchical clustering algorithm maximizes land use efficiency. Neighborhood satisfaction is measured using hierarchical analysis and fuzzy logic. Construction costs are optimized via a genetic algorithm. These simulations formulate a multi-criteria decision-making tool, proposing an optimized siting strategy balancing technical, socio-economic, and environmental considerations. The framework enhances the accuracy of substation siting studies and provides practical implementation guidance, offering new insights and refined methodologies for modern power system planning and development.

Analysis of Sharia Accounting Students' Perceptions of the Public Accounting Profession

The main task of the public accounting profession is to examine financial reports. Students in the general accounting and sharia study program are at a linear level of education with the public accounting profession. This research aims to examine and analyze perceptions of the work environment, financial rewards, social values, market considerations, professional recognition, and personality towards the public accounting profession. The research sample was Sharia Accounting students at the Syarifudin Lumajang Islamic Institute using a purposive sampling method. The results of research using the partial test (t test) show that the variables of perception of the work environment and market considerations influence the public accounting profession. The variables financial rewards, social values, professional recognition and personality have no effect on the public accounting profession. The results of the simultaneous test (f test) show that together, the independent variables have a significant influence on the dependent variable.

Quantifying future carbon emissions uncertainties under stochastic modeling and Monte Carlo simulation: Insights for environmental policy consideration for the Belt and Road Initiative Region

This study critically examines future carbon (CO2) emissions in the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) region, considering factors such as energy consumption, economic growth, population growth, and population density. The objective of this study is to identify critical areas of higher emissions, which require policy intervention capable of strengthening sustainability in the BRI compact. A combined approach of stochastic modeling and Monte Carlo simulations was employed, utilizing panel data from 45 countries in the BRI region from 1990 to 2021. Results confirm that emissions are higher in all scenarios in direct proportion to electric power consumption, population growth, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. In scenarios with high emissions, a continuous and significant upward trend in CO2 emissions was observe. The medium emissions scenario exhibited a more moderated rise in emissions, suggesting a balance between economic development and environmental considerations. Critical areas for future environmental policy-making resides in electric power consumption, population growth, and GDP growth. The study strongly recommends for a shift from the current focus on road and railway infrastructure to renewable energy infrastructure, green innovations and efficient technology transfer to member countries. Without this, the BRI region is likely to face increased emissions, posing significant challenges to future sustainable development and global environmental sustainability.

Pendampingan Penyusunan Kajian Lingkungan Hidup Strategis sebagai Dasar dalam Pembangunan Berkelanjutan di Provinsi Kalimantan Tengah

The sustainable development goals (SDGs) are agreed-upon common goals that must be met by all nations by 2030. Efforts to meet the SDG targets are a national development priority that necessitates the coordination of planning policies at the national and regional levels. In Central Kalimantan, the provincial and district/city governments are currently preparing various Strategic Environmental Assessment documents (SEA). The goal of this activity is to increase the working group's and experts' understanding of the principles of sustainable development that have become the basis and integrated into the development of a region, so that they can provide recommendations for environmental considerations at the strategic decision-making level, particularly after the 2024 joint national and provincial election. It has been carried out to reduce the obstacles that have previously been a problem by providing technical guidance on various tools for preparing and validating SEA. Following the training, it was discovered that the understanding and mastery of district/city working groups and university experts could improve compared to before the assistance series.

The Impact of Urban Regeneration and Environmental Improvements on Well-Being

Urban areas worldwide are grappling with significant challenges, including rapid urbanization, environmental degradation, and socio-economic disparities. In response, urban regeneration has emerged as a vital strategy aimed at revitalizing declining neighborhoods and enhancing residents' quality of life. This paper investigates the complex relationship between urban regeneration, environmental improvements, and residents' well-being, which encompasses physical health, mental health, social connections, and overall life satisfaction. By synthesizing existing literature, the paper highlights how initiatives such as the creation of green spaces and sustainable urban design positively influence residents' well-being. Furthermore, it explores case studies, including the High Line in New York City and the London Docklands, illustrating the benefits of integrating environmental considerations into regeneration efforts. The findings reveal that while urban regeneration projects can lead to significant improvements in well-being, challenges such as gentrification and equitable access must be addressed. The paper concludes by identifying gaps in the current literature and suggesting areas for future research, ultimately contributing to a deeper understanding of the interplay between urban regeneration, environmental enhancements, and well-being.

Sugarcane bagasse derived carbon aerogels as anode materials for sodium-ion batteries

Biomass-derived carbons have been regarded as promising anode materials for sodium-ion batteries due to their tunable physicochemical properties, economic value, and environmental considerations. Nowadays, most of biomass-derived carbon materials are directly prepared through a one-step carbonization process, which may damage the inherent structure of biomass materials. In this work, hydrothermal and freeze-drying pretreatment before carbonization was employed to prepare sugarcane bagasse derived carbon aerogels, which can preserve the unique structure of the biomass material. When utilized as anode materials for sodium-ion batteries, the optimized carbon aerogel delivered an initial discharge capacity as high as 380 mAh g−1 at a current density of 50 mA g−1. After 50 cycles, the reversible specific capacity was still maintained at 248 mAh g−1.

Multi-criteria group decision analytics for sustainable supplier relationship management in a focal manufacturing company

In the context of sustainable development, while the benefits of incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into supplier management have been widely discussed in recent years, a significant gap in the literature remains. Specifically, there is a lack of a standardized decision analytics framework for ESG-oriented supplier relationship management (SRM) processes in the manufacturing sector. To address this gap, this study introduces a multi-criteria supplier analytics framework (MCSAF) towards sustainable SRM. Through referring traditional supplier evaluation criteria as well as emerging ESG criteria, a novel decision hierarchy for supplier segmentation is developed. The proposed system utilizes the Bayesian best-worst method and the Canopy-k-means clustering algorithm to formulate different supplier segments for strategic development. The proposed MCSAF has been successfully implemented in a German solar water pump manufacturer. The results show that the five highest-ranked criteria are ‘Quality’, ‘Impact and importance on product quality and business growth’, ‘Environmental policy/management’, ‘Customer and product responsibility’, and ‘Risk and crisis management’. 52 suppliers are categorized into five segments, leading to the formulation of ESG-enabled supplier development strategies are subsequently formulated. The successful implementation of the MCSAF showcases its effectiveness in advancing ESG practices in sustainable supplier management.

문제중심학습(PBL) 교수법을 적용한 수업이 간호대학생의 자기주도 학습능력과 의사소통능력, 학업적 자기효능감에 미치는 효과

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of flipped learning teaching and learning method on self-directed learning ability, communication ability, and academic self-efficacy of nursing college students. Methods The subjects of this study were nursing students at S University in Jeonnam, and the data collection period was from September 6, 2023 to December 6, 2023.,The collected data were analyzed by frequency analysis, reliability analysis, descriptive statistical analysis, correlation analysis, and paired t-test using SPSS Windows 20.0 Program. Results It was confirmed that the flipped learning method applied class had statistically significant effects on self-directed learning ability, communication ability, and academic self-efficacy of nursing college students.,Also, as a result of analyzing sub-areas of each variable, it was found that there was a significant effect in the recognition ability, learning strategy, learning activity, learning evaluation, interpersonal skills, confidence of academic self-efficacy, self-regulation efficacy, and preference of task difficulty. Conclusions This study is significant in that it verified the effectiveness by applying the problem-based learning teaching method that has recently emerged to the curriculum, and in the future, it is expected that this teaching and learning method will be applied to the curriculum in consideration of various environments and students' levels, and extensive research will be needed to confirm the effectiveness and to add various variables.

In-Depth Assessment of the Influence of Leadership Styles on Team Performance through the Lens of Wisdom Leadership

Examining team efficacy with the lens of leadership styles' effects on team performance of Wisdom Leadership (WL) highlights how different leadership styles impact team performance and highlights the part that WL plays in directing and improving team results through careful, well-considered decision-making. WL can be difficult to assess and use consistently in a variety of circumstances due to its subjective character, and it can ignore environmental considerations and practical limits that impact team effectiveness. There are 195 participants’ data are collected in leadership styles’ impact on team performance through the WL lens was gathered at random. Some questionnaires are also randomly gathered. Decision-making effectiveness (DME), conflict resolution skills (CRS), emotional intelligence (EI), visionary thinking (VT), team cohesion (TC), and employee satisfaction (ES) these factors are used to determine with the lens of WL, how leadership styles affect team performance. The statistical of PLS-SEM, Cronbach's Alpha, discriminate validity tests, Average Variance Extracted (AVE), and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) to evaluate leadership styles' impact on team performance, ensuring reliability and theoretical alignment. The results validate all of the hypotheses and demonstrate that variables such as DME, CRS, EI, VT, TC, and ES significantly positively correlate with WL.When examining how team performance is affected by leadership styles through the perspective of WL. The WL approaches provides a supportive and moral atmosphere that greatly improves team performance. The significance of incorporating wisdom into leadership techniques is underscored by the way that type of leadership fosters trust, efficient communication, and sustained success.