Foster Environmental Sustainability Research Articles

Mediation of psychological ownership between green human resources management and nursing faculty's green behavior.

Greening organizations have become a top priority for decision-makers in the 21st century. Psychological ownership can be improved through responsible administration, which, in turn, improves green behavior. Investigating the mediating role of psychological ownership in the relationship between green human resources management (HRM) and green behavior among nursing faculty. A correlational analytical research design was utilized to conduct the study following the STROBE guidelines. A convenience sample of 204 academic staff was used. Four data collection tools were used: sociodemographic characteristics, the green HRM questionnaire, the Psychological Ownership Scale, and the Green Behaviour Scale. Faculty members who perceive strong green HRM practices are more likely to have heightened psychological ownership, positively influencing their engagement in green behavior. Conversely, weaker perceptions of green HRM are associated with lower levels of green behavior. Psychological ownership was found to act as a partial mediator between green HRM and green behavior. Even when considering the influence of psychological ownership, green HRM has a significant and direct impact on green behavior. Faculty members who perceive a high level of green HRM practices are more likely to have a high level of psychological ownership that, in turn, influences their green behavior. Workshops on psychological ownership and green behavior can foster environmental sustainability. Policies should integrate green HRM practices into nursing education and healthcare facilities, recognizing psychological ownership's role. Incentivizing green initiatives can motivate staff, aligning with broader conservation goals. Encouraging an ethos of environmental stewardship benefits both the healthcare and sustainable development agendas.

Promising Nature-Based Solutions to Support Climate Adaptation of Arizona’s Local Food Entrepreneurs and Optimize One Health

This study explores the uptake and potential application of nature-based solutions (NbS) that are particularly promising for small-scale farmers, ranchers, and food entrepreneurs operating in arid and semi-arid regions. Studying the adoption of NbS by local food entrepreneurs (LFEs), including related strengths and limitations, remains an area of exploration due to their potential to optimize interventions that foster environmental sustainability at the intersection of people, animals, and natural ecosystems (i.e., One Health). A multi-method design was used, including literature review, questionnaires, and semi-structured key informant interviews to assess adaptation needs and NbS among a sample of LFEs located in Southern AZ, USA. The findings revealed that existing NbS have been introduced mostly through learning-by-doing practices that are bounded by economic and technological resource constraints. The paper describes a range of accessible approaches and practices that can be piloted and/or scaled up to enhance local food system resilience and contribute to the overlapping health of people, animals, and natural ecosystems. The priority adaptation pathways for NbS were identified to be funding and financing and the co-creation and sharing of knowledge through peer-to-peer and expert-to-peer approaches. The results suggested that AZ LFEs are likely to adopt NbS based on their capacity to address priority climate-driven issues, revenue generation potential, and seamless augmentation with existing food production and operational activities.

Advancing environmental sustainability in the creative sectors: A strategic HR framework based on data analytics and eco-innovation

In response to the growing urgency of environmental sustainability, industries across the globe are seeking innovative approaches to mitigate their ecological footprint. The creative sectors, encompassing fields such as design, advertising, media, and entertainment, wield significant influence in shaping societal norms and consumer behavior. However, their activities often come with substantial environmental consequences. This proposes a strategic human resource (HR) framework grounded in data analytics and eco-innovation to foster environmental sustainability within the creative sectors. The proposed framework emphasizes the pivotal role of HR practices in driving organizational change towards sustainability. Leveraging data analytics, organizations can gain insights into their environmental impact across various stages of production and consumption. By analyzing this data, firms can identify key areas for improvement and implement targeted strategies to reduce resource consumption, waste generation, and carbon emissions. Moreover, eco-innovation emerges as a central pillar of this framework, encouraging organizations to rethink traditional practices and develop creative solutions that minimize environmental harm. Through eco-innovation, firms can design products, services, and processes that align with principles of sustainability while maintaining competitiveness in the market. Strategic HR practices play a critical role in facilitating this transition towards environmental sustainability. HR departments can champion sustainability initiatives by fostering a culture of environmental consciousness, providing training on eco-friendly practices, and incentivizing employees to contribute to sustainability goals. Furthermore, HR professionals can spearhead recruitment efforts to attract individuals with expertise in sustainability and facilitate knowledge sharing within the organization. The integration of data analytics and eco-innovation into HR practices represents a forward-thinking approach to addressing environmental challenges in the creative sectors. By adopting this strategic framework, organizations can not only minimize their ecological footprint but also capitalize on opportunities for innovation and differentiation in an increasingly environmentally conscious marketplace. Ultimately, this review advocates for a holistic approach to sustainability that encompasses both environmental and organizational objectives within the creative sectors.

Reducing the energy consumption of buildings by implementing insulation scenarios and using renewable energies

The reduction of fossil energy sources, the harmful environmental effects caused by high energy consumption, and the increase in the share of energy consumption in the building sector have increased the need to pay attention to building energy consumption. This study offers an intricate examination of a residential locality in Florida, with a particular emphasis on the architectural design of a building, issues related to the local environment and several possibilities for enhancing energy efficiency. It examines the influence of the environment in the area on architectural design and investigates two different possibilities for improving energy efficiency. The first scenario focuses on assessing thermal insulation and shading, while the second scenario envisions utilizing photovoltaic cells to achieve a zero-energy building. The proposed initiatives seek to optimize energy efficiency, save expenses, and foster environmental sustainability in the region. In this research, the total energy consumption of a building with residential use in the climate of the case study was validated by DesignBuilder® simulation software, and the results obtained from the software. Then, using the standard of energy consumption of the building, various strategies for optimizing energy consumption have been simulated. Using energy simulation software, solutions for using external horizontal awnings and installing a thermal insulation sheet on the external wall of the building were investigated, which resulted in a reduction of 200 kWh of energy consumption compared to the normal state. Then, the building’s energy consumption intensity was calculated for each of the proposed solutions, and the building’s energy classification was determined with energy star and LEED standards.

The effects of hotels’ environmental sustainability communication strategies on social Media engagement and brand advocacy: The roles of communication characteristics and customers’ personality traits

Prior research has overlooked the significance of two distinct communication strategies used by hotels over social media platforms to foster environmental sustainability (ES), namely informative communication strategy (ICS) and engaging communication strategy (ECS). Understanding the role of these communication strategies in cultivating social media engagement (SME) with sustainability content, and deciphering the conditions that govern these relationships have yet to be addressed. The current study endeavors to fill these research voids. First, it investigates the effects of ICS and ECS on SME with sustainability content. Second, it examines the moderating effects of two key communication characteristics (perceived intensity and perceived transparency) and two customers’ personality traits (conscientiousness and extraversion) in the investigated relationships. Finally, it establishes the potential role of sustainability-oriented SME in generating online brand advocacy. Data from Japan-based online panelists were analyzed using AMOS 28. The results generally lend support to the study's hypothesized relationships. ICS and ECS are equally important in driving SME. Their effects are positively moderated by the intensity and transparency of the ES communication as well as by customers’ conscientiousness and extraversion. SME is positively associated with online brand advocacy. The article discusses the implications of the findings, and closes with the study's limitations and directions for future research.

Adopting Green Marketing Approaches that Foster Environmental Sustainability and Contribute to the Growth of a Business

Adopting Green Marketing Approaches that Foster Environmental Sustainability and Contribute to the Growth of a Business

Beyond Food: using smart pest management in IoT greenhouses to foster environmental sustainability

Higher yields and year-round crop cultivation are provided by greenhouse farming, but there are drawbacks as well, such as the need to maintain ideal environmental conditions and safeguard crops from pests. Conventional techniques frequently use chemical pesticides, which raises issues for the environment and human health. Through the integration of smart pest management within an Internet of Things (IoT)-powered greenhouse, the “IoT GREEN” project provides a sustainable solution. This creative system monitors important environmental variables including temperature, humidity, light, and soil moisture using wireless sensors and a Raspberry Pi. Farmers are given the ability to remotely monitor their crops thanks to the transmission of real-time data to an open-source cloud server and its visualization via a local web server. Importantly, “IoT GREEN” incorporates smart pest detection, which goes beyond simple monitoring. By identifying possible insect infestations early on and using sophisticated algorithms and picture recognition, this technology enables targeted interventions. “IoT GREEN” reduces dependency on hazardous pesticides by using non-chemical techniques like biocontrol agents or pheromone traps, promoting a more sustainable agricultural ecosystem. In addition to protecting crops, this all-encompassing strategy also fosters biodiversity, lowers environmental impact, and guarantees food safety.

Natural resources-financial innovation-carbon neutrality nexus: The role of policy robustness

This study sought to investigate the impact of a natural resources, financial innovation, and policy robustness on carbon neutrality of a nation. Cross-country data from 6 major Asian economies: China, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Japan, from 2010 to 2020, were drawn for the analysis. This study employed the Westerlund panel cointegration approach to examine the long term relationship among the variables. Three models were developed and analyzed keeping CO2 emissions, natural resources, and financial innovation as dependent variables. Our findings of model-1 revealed that abundant natural resources and increase financial innovation are linked to lower carbon emissions. Policy robustness plays a significant role in reducing carbon emissions, highlighting the importance of strong environmental policies for sustainable development. However, economic growth is associated with higher carbon emissions, suggesting the need to manage growth sustainably. As economies expand, the consumption of natural resources also increases, indicating the necessity for strategies to decouple economic growth from resource use. In the model-2, GDP positively influences the exploitation of natural resources, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices. In the model-3, financial innovation is positively related to carbon emissions, indicating the potential for innovative financial instruments in emissions mitigation. Conversely, a negative relationship between natural resources and financial innovation suggest the importance of sustainable financial practices. This study stresses the complexity of factors influencing environmental sustainability and calls for comprehensive research. It underscores the significance of combining economic development with sustainable resource use, innovative financial practices, and robust policy frameworks to foster environmental sustainability in the Asian context.

Technoeconomic analysis of hybrid energy system for health clinic in Salalah Oman

Diesel generators are being employed as a means of generating electrical power in various regions across the globe. Considering the imperative to foster environmental sustainability, it appears that conventional electric-producing systems may not be economically viable or environmentally sound, necessitating their replacement with renewable energy alternatives. This study examines the viability of utilizing hybrid electric systems powered by renewable energy sources in health clinics located in Salalah, Oman. The HOMER software, which is utilized for the analysis of system configurations, was employed to examine the application and functional constraints of each hybridized setup. The results indicated that the renewable energy system exhibited the lowest cost of energy in contrast to both the generator set and hybridized energy systems. Renewable energy has superior power generation capabilities in comparison to hybridized energy and standalone generator set systems, rendering it the most economically feasible option and a more favorable choice for meeting the electrification requirements of health clinics.

Enhancing industrial environmental performance: interplay among environmental sustainability, green HRM, and green competitive advantage.

This study highlights the importance of green human resource management (HRM) practices, which investigates the connection between environmental sustainability and green competitive advantage. Using the CGM model and the generalized method of moments (GMM), this research investigates how green HRM may foster environmental sustainability by creating a competitive advantage for businesses. Research shows that green HRM may achieve green competitive advantage practices, crucial for environmental sustainability. By "green HRM practices," we mean incorporating environmental concerns into traditional HRM processes, including hiring, training, evaluating, and compensating employees. However, the importance of green HRM practices cannot be overstated due to their efficiency in creating a competitive advantage and advancing environmental sustainability. Specifically, the research shows that businesses that have adopted "green HRM practices" outperform their competitors in terms of environmental sustainability. The last section emphasizes the importance of green HRM as a key facilitator of environmental sustainability. Implications for businesses that want to improve their environmental performance are also provided.

Do green finance and green innovation foster environmental sustainability in China? Evidence from a quantile autoregressive-distributed lag model

Do green finance and green innovation foster environmental sustainability in China? Evidence from a quantile autoregressive-distributed lag model

The synergistic roles of green openness and economic complexity in environmental sustainability of Europe's largest economy: Implications for technology-intensive and environmentally friendly products

The degrowth approach posits the idea that sustainable development and economic expansion are mutually exclusive. Conversely, it is believed that international trade within a complex economic system can help distribute green products to simultaneously ensure economic expansion and sustainable development. For this reason, the dynamic ARDL simulations technique was adopted to analyze the German economy's data from 2000 to 2020 toward determining the specific and interactive ecological implications of international green openness and economic complexity in Europe's largest economy. We discovered that green openness and economic complexity each have desirable impacts on ecofootprint, and their interaction further confirms a strong ecological-enhancing synergistic effect. The presence of the EKC phenomenon was also upheld from the analysis while clean energy exerts a positive impact on Germany's environmental quality level. The study further posits that a faster shift into the manufacture of technology-intensive and environmentally friendly products is possible for nations that invest in strengthening their internal technological skills to curb ecological harm. It is therefore advocated that even if the manufacturing of green items is not optimally done domestically, the special opportunities presented by international trade in the distribution of green products should always be leveraged to foster environmental sustainability.

Adoption of Sustainability Innovations and Environmental Opinion Leadership: A Way to Foster Environmental Sustainability through Diffusion of Innovation Theory

Environmental sustainability is a major challenge for the governments of various countries. The industrial sector and the growth of startups have created a challenge for sustainable development, with little concept of innovativeness for environment sustainability. The current research aims to foster environmental sustainability by adopting sustainability innovation and environmental opinion leadership in the hospital industry. The adoption of sustainability innovation along with environmental opinion leadership in the hospital industry is rarely studied in the literature. Particularly, this concept is completely ignored in the context of Pakistan. Quantitative research approach is employed in this study. A survey instrument in form of a questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents. Respondents of the study were the employees working in public hospitals of Pakistan. Simple random sampling was employed for data collection. The data analysis was carried out by using partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings of this study concluded that the role of trialability, innovativeness, compatibility, simplicity, and relative advantage must be considered when adopting sustainable innovation in hospitals. The practical and theoretical implications of this study are significant for the improvement of environmental sustainability in Pakistan.

Comparison between circularity metrics and LCA: A case study on circular economy strategies

The concept of circular economy consists of a wide range of strategies that aim to reduce the environmental impact of production systems and consumption patterns through increased circularity of resources. Circularity is mostly associated with material efficiency strategies that either close, slow or narrow loops, and a multitude of circularity metrics have been developed to evaluate the efficiency of such strategies. Relatively little effort has been made to quantitatively assess the connection between circularity, material efficiency, and environmental sustainability. More knowledge is required about how material-based circularity metrics can be used to guide practitioners of the circular economy towards strategies that foster environmental sustainability. In this study, a novel structured approach is adopted to perform such a comparison by including closing, slowing, and narrowing strategies on a lawn mowing case. Four circularity metrics that can capture material strategies throughout product value chains (Material Efficiency Metric, Material Circularity Indicator, Circularity Potential Indicator and Circular Economy Indicator Prototype) are compared to three complementary midpoint categories using Life Cycle Assessment (Global Warming Potential, Material Resource Scarcity, and Human Non-Carcinogenic Toxicity). The results show that the studied circularity metrics generate accurate results when evaluating Material Resource Scarcity and that they rank the material efficiency strategies equally with all environmental impact categories. The circularity metrics are unable to capture the benefits of reduced energy and the correspondence to all impact categories is lower in scenarios with higher energy use. We conclude that the strength of the studied circularity metrics is twofold: i) promoting solutions that reduce material demand and waste creation and ii) highlighting the advantages of combining complementary circularity strategies. This research shows that the material-based circularity metrics can be valuable guidance tools for practitioners of circular economy, as they do not require methodological expertise and can align the results with Life Cycle Assessments in some specific situations. More comparisons between circularity metric results and Life Cycle Assessments are needed in future research to establish state-of-the-art circularity metrics for specific situations and purposes, including energy-focused circularity metrics.

Green Initiatives and Environmental Concern Foster Environmental Sustainability: A Study Based on the Use of Reusable Drink Cups.

Unsustainable production and consumption have threatened human life and nature. Therefore, practitioners around the globe have paid attention to sustainability issues and adopted pro-environmental strategies to protect the environment. Using single-use cups contributes to environmental pollution. This study aims to understand university students’ intention to use reusable drink cups in university campuses. This study has extended the theory of planned behavior (TPB) model by including moral norms, green university initiatives, environmental concerns, and moral norms. The purposive sampling technique has been employed to collect students’ data from the twelve universities in Pakistan. Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) has been employed to test the hypothesized model. The study’s results revealed that green university initiatives and norms significantly shape students’ intention to use reusable cups. However, environmental concern has an insignificant impact on the perceived behavioral control. This study’s results help higher education institutions to formulate strategies that create awareness among students and promote environmentally sustainable practices.

Infrastructure design stage considerations for environmental sustainability in Zambia

PurposeWhile previous studies have highlighted the importance of incorporating environmental sustainability in building designs, there is a paucity of studies that assess the extent to which design teams in developing countries consider environmental sustainability at the building design stage. Therefore, using Zambia as a case study, this study examined the extent to which infrastructure design teams in a developing country consider environmental sustainability at the design stage.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a qualitative research approach using structured interviews because there are hardly any studies which have explored the extent to which designers incorporate environmental sustainability in infrastructure designs in developing countries. The data is analysed thematically using the ATLAS.ti software.FindingsThe results show that environmental sustainability is not an important design consideration because it is secondary to functional, technical and aesthetic considerations. Environmental considerations are also made in an ad hoc manner and when it is cost-effective for the project. Regulatory requirements pertaining to environmental protection are adhered to without any cost considerations. It was, therefore, theorised that building design teams in developing countries make technical, functional and aesthetic consideration during the infrastructure design stage ahead of environmental considerations.Originality/valueThere is a paucity of studies that have investigated whether building infrastructure designers consider issues of environmental sustainability at the design stage in developing countries. The findings have practical implications on how developing countries can foster environmental sustainability at the design stage and avoid generating a building infrastructure stock that will require environmental resilience adaptation in the future.

National innovation systems and sustainability: What is the role of the environmental dimension?

Innovation systems can play a decisive part in the globally coordinated efforts towards creating a sustainable future. However, the research that bridges national innovation systems and sustainability is scant. This study seeks to contribute to bridging this gap by exploring the relationships between national innovation systems and environmental sustainability at the country level. The multiple regression analysis shows that developed national innovation systems can enhance environmental sustainability at the country level, which should be accompanied by a transition towards sustainable consumption behavior and business practices. This study suggests that developing national innovation systems to foster environmental sustainability should encompass systemic changes that nurture and mold the multiple national innovation systems' factors and enable (environmentally) sustainable outputs. Implications of the findings for policy, theory, and management are discussed before concluding with the study's limitations and suggestions for future research.

The Deviation of the Behaviors of Rice Farmers from Their Stated Willingness to Apply Biopesticides-A Study Carried Out in Jilin Province of China.

The substitution of chemical pesticides by biopesticides is crucial to ensure the quality of agricultural products and to foster environmental sustainability. This study takes the willingness and the behaviors of rice farmers on the application of biopesticides as the research object. The survey questionnaire was designed based on the theory of rational small-scale farmers from three aspects: “individual and family characteristics of farmers”, “cognition of farmers” and “external factors”. The survey was then conducted on 163 rice farmers in seven prefecture-level cities in Jilin Province of China. The logistic model was used to analyze the influencing factors resulting in the deviation of the behaviors of the rice farmers from their initial willingness on the application of biopesticides. The explanatory structure model (ISM) was used to analyze the logical hierarchical relationship among various influencing factors. The results show that: (1) For 45% of the farmers surveyed, there’s a deviation between their willingness and behaviors regarding the application of biopesticides; (2) Among the significant factors leading to the deviation between farmers’ willingness and behaviors concerning the application of biopesticides, the surface-level direct factor is biopesticide awareness. The mid-level indirect factors are agricultural product quality and safety awareness and the deep-level root cause is farmers’ education level. (3) The primary reason for the deviation of the farmers’ behaviors from their willingness is their lack of knowledge about biopesticides and the biopesticides’ incomplete market structure. Based on the comprehensive analysis, it is recommended to improve the professionalization of the farmers, to strengthen the publicity of green production and to accelerate the formulation of the biopesticides market to further promote the usage of biopesticides.

Analysis of Solid Carbide Drilling Performance on AISI 316L Austenite Stainless Steel using MQL (Minimum Quantity Lubrication) using Peck Drilling Approach

Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) minimizes refrigerants and lubricants mixed with air to foster environmental sustainability. Austenitic AISI 316L stainless steel is often used for the aviation, biomedical equipment and food appliances. However, low machinability of this material makes it difficult to cut resulting low hole surface quality. The objective of the study is to evaluate the drill performance of solid carbide tools while drilling AISI 316L austenite stainless steel and to study the effect of drilling parameters, cutting speed (Vc), feed rate (Fr) and drill geometry (point angle) on tool life, surface integrity and holes accuracy. Solid carbide drilling performance analysis on AISI 316L Austenite Stainless Steel using MQL was assessed in terms of tool life, surface roughness, and hole accuracy. Investigation for optimal conditions of cutting speed, feed rate and point of angle when drilling AISI 316L austenite stainless steel would obtain the optimum output indicates longer tool life, better surface roughness and adequate accuracy in high-speed machining conditions. This MQL oil-air flow is accurately measured and sent to the drill tool edge. The cutting speeds applied for the machining process are 100m / min, 130m / min and 150m / min. For feed rate parameters, the selected values are 0.05mm / rev, 0.1mm / rev and 0.15mm / rev. Rotational drill angles are 110 °, 120 ° and 130 °. The peck drilling investigation is performed on high-speed milling machines keenly will provide guidance to produce good and optimal machining settings of cutting speed, feed rate and angle point to others when they want to drill a hole.

Green talent management and turnover intention: the roles of leader STARA competence and digital task interdependence

PurposeCongruent with the world-wide call to combat global warming concerns within the context of advancements in smart technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, algorithms (STARA), and digitalisation, organisational leaders are being pressured to ensure that talented employees are effectively managed (nurtured and retained) to curb the potential risk of staff turnover. By managing such talent(s), organisations may be able to not only retain them, but consequently foster environmental sustainability too. Equally, recent debates encourage the need for teams to work digitally and interdependently on set tasks, and for leaders to cultivate competencies fundamental to STARA, as this may further help reduce staff turnover intention and catalyse green initiatives. However, it is unclear how such turnover intention may be impacted by these actions. This paper therefore, seeks to investigate the predictive roles of green hard and soft talent management (TM), leader STARA competence (LSC) and digital task interdependence (DTI) on turnover intention.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used a cross-sectional data collection technique to obtain 372 useable samples from 49 manufacturing organisations in Nigeria.FindingsFindings indicate that green hard and soft TM and LSC positively predict turnover intention. While LSC amplifies the negative influence of green soft TM on turnover intention, LSC and DTI dampen the positive influence of green hard TM on turnover intention.Originality/valueOur study offers novel insights into how emerging concepts like LSC, DTI, and green hard and soft TM simultaneously act to predict turnover intention.