Implementation Of Sustainable Management Research Articles

A risk management model for large projects in the construction phase in Egypt

The implementation of major projects is complicated by the multiplicity of beneficiaries, owners, and all participants in the project as well as the technical overlap between the various engineering, financial and administrative works, while the specific features of the construction activity have a clear influence in shaping the nature of construction projects because the implementation processes were associated with a deep and long-term intervention in the natural environment, where construction is a burden on the environment, both in the construction phase and during the maintenance and liquidation phases: it requires depreciation of a large number of material resources. Through that, this study focused on clarifying the most important concepts of risk management and modern strategies in risk analysis and how to respond to them and monitor projects. The study then presented a questionnaire for the risks facing major projects in Egypt. Through analyzing the results of the questionnaire, a qualitative risk analysis was conducted that can be used to prioritize response to risks, in addition to conducting a Monte Carlo simulation based on theoretical foundations and providing a new process for prioritizing project risks related to sustainability, where the (Primavera Risk Analysis) program was used to clarify the impact of risks on project time and cost. All analyses are based on the theoretical background regarding risk, risk management process, and project life cycle approach in the sustainable construction sector. with the help of this study, it is possible to address ways of mitigating the harmful effects on the environment through the implementation of sustainable management in the planning of future projects and better management of current projects.

Cambios en propiedades de suelos en entidad cañera, y su incidencia en los indicadores agroindustriales

The research took place in the sugarcane production entity "El Limpio", in Cienfuegos, Cuba, with the objective of identifying changes in soil properties, and the State Indicators that affect the agribusiness efficiency in the sugar extraction process. For the analysis and organization of the research, the Manual of Procedures for the implementation of Sustainable Land Management was used and other theoretical and empirical methods were also applied, with their corresponding techniques. The data were recorded in worksheets and matrices. The parameters and qualifications were evaluated according to the aforementioned Manual, applying statistical and mathematical methods. The results are: characterization of the sugarcane entity based on Sustainable Land Management; identification of specific indicators to evaluate their status in the implementation of Sustainable Management and identify changes in soil properties that most affect agro-industrial efficiency. As the main conclusion: that the entity has conditions that compromise both the efficiency of its processes and those of the sugar industry to which it is taxed, which could find answers in the systematic implementation of the Sustainable Land Management Plan that is drawn up to this entity.

Connecting research infrastructures, scientific and sectorial networks to support integrated management of Mediterranean coastal and rural areas

Many Mediterranean coastal areas encounter similar problems and gaps between science, governance, and implementation of sustainable management at local-regional scales. There is often a lack of coordination between management of inland and coastal areas, and a lack of integrated land-sea data and knowledge exchange to support transitions towards sustainable development and synergies between rural and coastal areas. In this paper, we illustrate the main challenges to reach a sustainable development of coastal-rural areas related to data availability, knowledge exchange and governance, which could be tackled by coupling regional and international research infrastructures (RIs) with scientific and stakeholder collaboration networks to facilitate knowledge exchange and co-creation of solutions. We first identified the main challenges in sustainable development of coastal-rural areas followed by a review of major existing RIs, scientific knowledge and collaboration networks that can help support integrated management of Mediterranean coastal zones. Based on this, we developed recommendations for a better integration of RIs and collaboration networks in the management of coastal-rural areas, including (1) the creation of local networks to facilitate periodical meetings between all sectors involved and to connect science and policy actors and (2) setting up local RIs that support the data processing and the use of regional and international RIs by scientists and policy stakeholders.

Soil quality indicator of oxisols grown with sugarcane and native forest in northeastern São Paulo state, Brazil

The evaluation of soil quality is an important tool for degradation monitoring and sustainable management implementation. The objective of this study was to measure physical and chemical soil properties to set soil quality and validate a model of soil quality indicator in latosols (oxisols) under sugarcane cropping and native forest. The study was carried out in the cities of Araras, Santa Ernestina, and Guariba in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. We collected 24 samples of disturbed and undisturbed soil at 0.0–0.10 m layer from three areas grown with sugarcane and neighboring locations under native woodland. We assessed the following soil properties: (a) chemical—pH in CaCl2, organic matter (OM), phosphorus (P), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), potential acidity (H + Al), aluminum (Al3+), and sulfur (S); (b) physical—macro- and microporosity, soil bulk density (Ds), aggregate stability, mean weight diameter (MWD), rill (Kr) and interrill (Ki) global erodibility, shear stress (τc), and magnetic susceptibility (MS). Data underwent multivariate statistics to identify the properties that denote soil quality and to set their weights within the functions of soil quality indicator (SQI). This study showed that the multivariate analysis was efficient in determining which physical and chemical properties were most sensitive, of which we can mention total sand, MS, clay, microporosity, Mg, Ca, pH, and OM. We can therefore conclude that the quality indicators of soils grown with sugarcane were lower than those under forest were, showing the need for adoption of conservation management practices.

Responsibility for Poverty: Sustainable Management by Mining Multinational Corporations in the Mekong Countries

To what extent can multinational corporations (MNCs) alleviate poverty in host countries? This paper explores this important question by examining managerial perspectives from MNCs and stakeholders in international business in Lao PDR and Thailand. In developing countries in Mekong region, such as Lao PDR and Thailand, the legitimacy of MNCs has been increasingly questioned in recent years. The rise of MNCs in the region has been evident since the end of the cold war. This has persisted during the era of trade liberalisation in Mekong area. When it comes to strategy for MNCs to promote sustainable management that promote long-term benefits to the citizens of the host countries, there has been little attention to understand how MNCs engage with other stakeholders to achieve their sustainable management strategies. In order to comprehend this complex issue, the researcher interviewed 18 professional personnel; 12 of them were managers and team members responsible for the development and implementation of sustainable management and strategies within their organizations (six participants from each country). The remainder were four participants from IGOs in Laos and two participants from a local labour association in Thailand. Participants were asked to discuss four broad topics: motivation for engaging CSR, major CSR activities in the local area, poverty alleviation and CSR activities, and relationships with all stakeholders in their projects. These broad topics were used to direct the conversation on critical aspects of internal and external influences, tools involved in developing CSR within their organizations, conflicts and opportunities around CSR and how they were addressed, and how this informed their understanding of CSR as organizations. The results confirm that contributions by MNCs in the form of economic and social development (public health promotion and educational development) require support from regulatory and community stakeholders in the host countries. Mining MNCs will need to work closely with formal and informal institutions in the community in order to practice and achieve their developmental objectives. Several other factors, such as cultural insensitivity and lack of social initiatives can promote unsustainable and disengagement practices among stakeholders. This study suggests that MNCs and stakeholders in international business should focus on preventive strategies to mitigate chronic poverty in the host countries. The critical perspectives of MNCs and poverty alleviation in developing nations require further discussions. This study has confirmed that MNCs can improve the condition of poverty in the host countries, if they fully understand the condition of the host countries, be flexible and can engage with local stakeholders in various circumstances.

Implementation of Sustainability Management and Company Size: A Knowledge‐Based View

AbstractImplementing corporate sustainability strategies requires knowledge and application of sustainability management tools. While much progress has been made in developing such tools in both small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and large companies, the literature claims company size positively affects application. However, the role of knowledge as a mediating factor has not yet been investigated. Using the knowledge‐based view as a theoretical underpinning, this paper draws on empirical survey data from SMEs and large companies in Germany. It analyzes how company size affects the degree of knowledge and application of sustainability management tools. Even though the results reaffirm that SMEs know and apply significantly less tools, company size does not influence the share of tools applied once they are known. Thus, knowledge is identified as a key difference between SMEs and large companies as well as an important mediator to promote sustainability management. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment

Motivations for Corporate Sustainability Management: Contrasting Survey Results and Implementation

ABSTRACTThis paper compares empirical findings on the implementation of sustainability management with the results of earlier surveys on corporate motivations to deal with sustainability. We analyze the relevance of three different motivations, i.e. seeking corporate legitimacy, market success, and internal improvement. This is accomplished by matching these motivations with empirical findings on the engagement of functional areas. The underlying rationale is that differences in the engagement of functional areas can be expected to depend on the overall corporate motivation for sustainability management. Our analysis shows low engagement in finance and accounting, whereas the public relations department is actively engaged. Since this functional area commonly aims to legitimize corporate activities, this finding contradicts the results of earlier studies which concluded that legitimacy is not an important motivation for sustainability. We discuss reasons for these contradictions and derive implications for future research and business activities. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment