Introduction Of Sustainable Development Research Articles

A holistic model of dynamic capabilities and environment management system towards eco-product innovation and sustainability in automobile firms

PurposeEnvironmental pollution has emerged as a major concern in the 21st century following the introduction of sustainable development (SD) by the year 2030, whereby one of the predominant goals is related to the manufacturing industry. In Malaysia, the automotive industry is acknowledged as the backbone driving for economic growth and recognised as a source of environmental deterioration. Therefore, eco-innovation is, thus, introduced as one of the efforts for minimised environmental effects, reduced social impact and firm value sustenance. In particular, eco-product innovation is one of the renowned environmental innovation dimensions and displays high adoption and diffusion rates in developed countries due to green awareness and government financial assistance. However, developing countries such as Malaysia show relatively low adoption of such practices amongst companies, whereby most of the efforts are driven by the governments, supplier and customer demands. Therefore, this paper aims to delineate the factors of voluntary initiatives undertaken by the Malaysian automotive and auto parts industry towards eco-product innovation.Design/methodology/approachThe research drew from the micro-level perspective, thus using dynamic capabilities (DC) constructs and environmental management system (EMS) strategy variables. The constructs included technology collaboration, green human resources and eco-culture, while the variables denoted formal EMS and top management support. Survey data were obtained from 242 entities within the Malaysian automotive and auto parts industry, which were subjected to analysis via confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling.FindingsThe findings revealed the moderating role played by eco-product innovation for the association linking EMS strategy and sustainability development, while no moderator effects were observed between DC and sustainability development. Thus, future research can be performed in the meso and macro-level areas by using qualitative research across different sectors.Originality/valueThis paper explicates novel literature content, particularly for the field of eco-product innovation; it positions an empirical analysis from the micro-level perspective regarding the antecedence of DC and environmental strategy towards eco-product innovation and SD, mainly in the automotive industry.

Information Model For Improving Accounting And Analytical Support For Economic Potential Management

The relevance of the study is conditioned by the need to strengthen the management function of an agricultural enterprise that focuses on the principles of sustainable development and aims to modernise accounting and analytical support for managing economic potential. The purpose of the study is to form a strategy for the desired improvement of accounting and analytical support of the enterprise with an emphasis on: reporting on sustainable development; expansion of the analytical complex of indicators of economic potential, capacity and performance of an agricultural enterprise; improvement of accounting and analytical support of enterprises using this information model through updating the documentation of control and audit. The theoretical and methodological basis was formed by scientific methods based on the dialectic of knowledge and objective laws of the development of the economy, nature, and society. Economic and mathematical modelling, systematisation and synthesis helped to develop a strategy to improve accounting and analytical support for managing the economic potential of agricultural enterprises, taking into account the principles of sustainable development. This type of modelling can help to effectively modernise accounting and analytical support for managing the economic potential for agricultural enterprises. The developed information model of selective adaptation helps managers of various levels to monitor the implementation of business processes for improving accounting and analytical support for economic potential management, assess the degree of achievement of priority goals and compliance with the principles of sustainable development. One of the steps of long-term modernisation of accounting and analytical support for agricultural enterprises through the introduction of sustainable development reporting is proposed, which should include indicators and documents on managing the economic potential, economic capacity, and performance of agricultural enterprises. The advantage of this information model is the ability to calculate the complexity index of transformation of accounting and analytical support for economic potential management using the principles of sustainable development, which shows the level of complexity of future modernisation of these aspects

Embracing Sustainability in Shipping: Assessing Industry’s Adaptations Incited by the, Newly, Introduced ‘triple bottom line’ Approach to Sustainable Maritime Development

Increasing environmental, social and economic problems, born by unceasing economic growth, have transformed our approach to the development concept. The 1980s saw the appearance of the sustainable development term and, during the 1990s, sustainability notion was implicitly framed as an integrated concept, frequently, termed as the ‘triple bottom line’ approach. Among several initiatives and efforts to balance our economic and societal pursuits with environmental challenges the, lately, introduced United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) refer to a remarkable evolution, which came to strengthen and establish sustainability conception as an integrated social, economic and environmental triptych. International shipping, as the major carrier of world trade and significant contributor to environmental degradation has, definitely, a vital role to play in facilitating the UN’s sustainability venture. Although there is a great amount of legislative instruments, codes and guidance to address sustainability in shipping, though, limited research has been devoted to identify how the tanker and dry bulk maritime sector has responded to such recent cohesive attitude to sustainable maritime development. Through a quantitative research approach this empirical study aimed to investigate maritime industry’s insights and attitudes in relation to the, newly, introduced triple bottom line approach to global sustainable development. Research data were collected via a questionnaire survey conducted to 50 tanker and/or dry bulk shipping companies. Pearson’s chi-square test of independence and Spearman’s correlation coefficient measures were utilized to test our three formulated hypotheses. Findings highlighted increasing awareness and adaptation of the maritime sector to the triple bottom line approach and, subsequent, sustainability absorption under the auspices of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) business model. Introduction of sustainable development in an integrated manner appears to have influenced the extent that statutory maritime regulations occupy to the formulation of marine safety management systems. To sum up, the integrated management system model turned out to be the most rated tactic to manage sustainability and, as such, a conceptual CSR framework was proposed to facilitate such an objective.

The challenges of introducing sustainable development in the curriculum at a UK university

It might seem that implementing sustainable development in the curriculum at universities is a straightforward win-win for all concerned, with access to expertise in the latest research and understanding concerning the issues and a dynamic, transient population who are open to change and embracing new ideas. Yet, this optimism can be faced with an institutional framework that is inflexible and non-compliant, almost draconian at times, to aspects that are not perceived as central to the success of research, funding and teaching. Academics, by nature, are strongly opinionated and have robust worldviews, which can be resistant to proposed changes to individual aspirations, ambitions and priorities. With this in mind, this paper presents the results of some first steps that were taken at a UK university regarding the introduction of sustainable development in the curriculum. The results, coming from various sectors across the institution, were very mixed. Some sectors, for example, were open to the introduction of a mandatory sustainability module for all students whilst others were not sure whether or not there was a place, or even a necessity, for sustainability considerations at all. The viable options for the university are discussed along with the influences and driving forces that affect such a move, including group dynamics, individual attitudes and behaviours, and resources and support – and how students can best help to nudge the process forward. This paper will be of interest to others who are implementing sustainable development in the curriculum, especially those taking the initial steps and finding more brick walls and reticence than opportunities.

Sustainable Development in Chemical and Biological Engineering Education

Sustainable development and integrated bio-refineries are modern concepts in the chemical and biological engineering discipline for the economic development and sustainability of all countries. An integrated system approach based on system theory is used to investigate the systems and subsystems and their relation to education. Introduction of sustainable development into chemical and biological engineering education is suggested using two general approaches. Decentralized approach introducing them in a well-chosen good number of courses and centralized approach introducing specific courses on sustainable development and its subsystems as compulsory courses. This paper will discuss both approaches with special emphasis to possible application to a Malaysian and USA departments.

What do engineering students learn in sustainability courses? The effect of the pedagogical approach

The introduction of sustainable development (SD) courses into engineering education has been a key goal for many technological universities, accreditation agencies and national and international university networks. This paper presents the results of a 5-year research project that analysed how SD competences were introduced into technological universities. To evaluate which pedagogical approach best facilitates SD learning, ten courses on sustainability from five European technological universities were analysed using conceptual maps as assessment tools. The findings show that: • Students initially perceived sustainability as mainly related to technology, which they consider should be able to resolve the environmental problems of the planet. They saw little relevance in the social and attitudinal aspects of sustainability. This misunderstanding was partially redressed by the course. • Courses that apply a more community-oriented and constructive, active learning pedagogical approach, increase students' knowledge of SD. This paper presents the methodology and results of the research, as well as recommendations for the teaching of SD in technological universities.

Introduction of sustainable development in engineers' curricula

PurposeOwing to its complexity, sustainable development cannot be simply integrated as a supplementary course within the engineers' curricula. The first point of this paper aims to focalise on how to reflect pedagogically. After dealing with these questions, a tool that can evaluate the student's understanding of sustainable development concepts will be presented.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis of a student's sustainability comprehension, based on cognitive maps, has been developed. The students are asked to write and connect by arrows all the terms that they associate with the concept of sustainable development. The assessment of the aforementioned cognitive maps is based on an approach via semantic category.FindingsThis study shows that the students' perception of sustainable development before the training seems mainly focalised on environmental and economical aspects. After the SD course, an increase in the number of words quoted is noted for each category (social and cultural aspects; the stakeholders, the principles of sustainable development and the allusions to complexity, temporal and spatial dimensions). Their vision seems richer and wider. The training seemed useful to help the students who did not associate sustainable development with diverse dimension to improve this perception.Research limitations/implicationsTo reduce the length of the elaboration of the maps, there is no preliminary training for the construction of maps. To simplify this elaboration, only one type of arrows is used to connect words. To minimise the time of analysis of the maps, the relevance of the relations made between the words is not verified. Besides, the classification of words within the semantic categories implies a certain level of subjectivity.Practical implicationsThis cognitive map method can be a useful tool to improve learning in quantitative terms but also in qualitative terms. Identifying knowledge gaps and misunderstood ideas allows the improvement in the training.Originality/valueThis study presents a new method that can be used to evaluate the impact of training sessions on students. Another advantage is to analyse how the students' knowledge is interconnected. This seems particularly interesting because the study of this transdisciplinary concept also necessitates an integrated vision.

Why build a network about introduction of sustainable development into scientific education?

More and more universities are thinking about the application of the concept of sustainable development to the education of engineers. In France, this movement generally results from isolated initiatives taken by committed individuals. In an attempt to make up lost ground, the Association pour les Pratiques du Developpement Durable has set up a working group, concerning the French engineering schools and universities which are preparing the way for the introduction of sustainable development into their teaching programmes, to pool their experience and optimize learning effects by identifying a number of principles and methods which should, in time, facilitate the spread of best practices among the members of the group and other educational establishments.

Integrating Stormwater Management with Economic, Social, Cultural and Ecological Goals in Christchurch, New Zealand

New Zealand's Christchurch City Council has adopted a cost-effective integrative stormwater management strategy that addresses ecological, cultural, landscape, heritage and recreational values. The strategy complements the evolution of sustainable development thinking in New Zealand locally and nationally, and reflects the integrative management approach of the Local Agenda 21 framework. In this article, a case study of the Christchurch stormwater management program shows how the process of dealing in an integrated way with the various issues relating to stormwater management can be used to promote sustainable development. The study shows that the introduction of sustainable development can be assisted by having a specific practical problem and a ‘sustainability entrepreneur’ who can take advantage of a policy ‘window of opportunity’ created by a receptive political climate. At the implementation stage, a number of problems are identified including limited opportunities to apply new ideas due to the voluntary nature of their adoption to date; restricted physical space for implementation; limited Council staff expertise; and clarifying who should pay. Difficulties in resolving these problems means the fragmented and, therefore, less effective implementation of the strategy to date.

Environmental port management

The 1990s will see new and more structured approaches to environmental management as ports. Part of the impetus, in western Europe at least, will be due to the fact that port managers may be personally liable to prosecution as a result of environmental damage. But the new approach has more creditworthy antecedants than this. It stems from a much loftier goal of saving the planet through the introduction of sustainable development and better, more integrated methods of environmental planning and management. This paper attempts to summarize the processes by which port objectives relate to this basic aim. It considers new legislation in Europe and some methodologies that are evolving towards better management. The global aspects are referred to first followed by the port dimensions.