Sustainability Lens Research Articles

Exploring the relevance of Universal Design for Learning implementation in the post-secondary landscape from the perspective of sustainability

This presentation showcases findings from a Canadian study which was carried out through 2023-24. This project explores an innovative facet of the momentum around sustainability within higher education, one that goes beyond the focus on environmental and operational preoccupations and concentrates on social and pedagogical sustainability. It examines the way the introduction of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to a campus, through the creation of a cross-discipline community of practice, can (i) empower faculty to develop sustainable accessible practices within their own classroom, (ii) significantly reduce the reliance of the campus on accessibility services and reduce the pressure felt by these services, (iii) successfully integrate accessibility and inclusion within institutional strategic thinking around sustainability. The presentation synthesizes findings from a qualitative action-research project which examined perceptions and experiences of 14 stakeholders with different status and toles across the campus. The study adopted a phenomenological approach to data collection and analysis (Holland, 2014) and explored the participants’ own constructs in relation to the overlap between UDL and sustainability. Accessibility in the higher education has thus far been addressed through a medical model approach focused on retrofitting. In a nutshell, teaching and learning is designed for the ‘traditional learner’ and support services take on the task of supporting students who experience barriers in this design, with remedial, targeted services outside the classroom. The demographics of higher education, however, have changed widely over the last two decades, and retrofitting approaches are no longer sustainable. The volume of demand is growing exponentially, wait times increase, and the cost of Accessibility Services increases in a way that becomes unmanageable within most post-secondary campuses (NEADS, 2018). Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can address many of these strains on resources. Indeed, UDL is an emerging model for the management of diversity in the classroom which equips instructors to remove the majority of barriers to access to learning and support the needs of most diverse learners within the classroom itself (Al-Azawei et al., 2016). The literature highlights that most of the needs of diverse learners can be addressed with ease within the classroom itself once inclusive design and UDL are adopted and integrated as a mindset, across institutions (Baumann & Melle, 2019; Dalton et al., 2019). UDL can therefore address some of the concerns over the sustainability of current disability service provision models. The need for a sustainable lens in this area is therefore tangible and pressing. Accessibility services, student services personnel, and faculty are all painfully feeling first-hand the inability of the current structure to meet the needs of diverse learners and to address the volume of service requests. UDL has the potential to address this strain on support services and to re-empower faculty to create inclusive provisions within the classroom space. A practical example of this would be the considerable pressure placed on accessibility services to digitalize printed material or to seek alternate versions of PDFs that are shared in class but are not accessible with reading software. This is an example of costly, repetitive use of resources that can be solved sustainably by empowering instructors to use the UDL principles in their class design and not rely on print only or on non-accessible digital documents. This has immediate resource and funding implications. UDL integration represents a clear example of sustainable transformation: an initial focus on professional development with faculty leads to a reduction in spending and resources that are non-renewable (Fovet, 2017). The presentation showcases the wider implications for UDL development across the sector.

Technology-Enhanced Art and Sustainable Discourse Practices

This study explored the potential of technology-enhanced art in fostering sustainable discourse practices and social connection in the digital age. As technology advances, new opportunities emerge to integrate digital tools into creative practices, particularly in the realm of art. By examining the intersection of art, technology, and discourse analysis through a sustainability lens, this research aims to uncover innovative approaches to promoting effective communication, civic engagement, collaboration, intercultural understanding, empathy, and resilience incorporating co-design processes, shared decision-making, or collaborative art-making activities. The study provides an overview of technology-enhanced art practices including social media, virtual reality, interactive installations, and digital storytelling tools, and their impact on discourse practices within diverse socio-cultural contexts. It investigates the role of digital platforms and creative processes in facilitating social connection through discourse. The research focuses on a thematic approach to technology-enhanced art interventions that promote sustainable discourse practices and social connection. Through a thematic and intervention-based approach, this research combines a review of current literature with case studies showcasing the successful implementation of technology-enhanced art interventions. So the current study argues that technology-enhanced art holds significant potential for fostering sustainable discourse practices and social connection in the digital age. By harnessing the power of digital tools and creative processes in an environmentally conscious manner, artists, educators, and practitioners can support social connections. This, in turn, contributes to personal, social, and environmental resilience in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Scaling up joint efforts to tackle cardiovascular diseases and diabetes in Europe

Abstract JACARDI, a Joint Action on cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes (DM), aims to support EU countries in reducing the burden of CVD and DM and related risk factors, both at individual and societal levels, while ensuring health systems sustainability and equity. In particular, JACARDI aims to implement best practices and pilot testing of innovative practices throughout the entire patient journey. Commencing by improving health literacy and raising awareness among general and target populations, moving through primary prevention and screening of CVD and DM among high-risk populations, and then address people living with CVD and DM and their health service providers, through the improvement of service paths and (self) management, including through digital tools, and completing the path by supporting and encouraging the labour participation of people living with these diseases. With 21 European countries and 76 partners engaged, JACARDI undertakes 142 pilot projects, promising to advance CVD and DM care for millions across Europe. In particular, through an innovative Work Package on methodology, JACARDI will develop and implement a methodological framework to guide all the pilot projects in the design, preparation, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and assessment processes. This framework will encompass transversal and intersectional aspects, ensuring a harmonized and efficient approach for all JA activities. Through rigorous and multidimensional evaluation, JACARDI aims to uncover new approaches to enhance healthcare systems, grounded in evidence-based practices and current needs, while adopting the lens of equity and sustainability throughout the entire methodological and implementation process.

Is environmental information disclosure driving green energy development? Contextual evidence from Chinese city level data in the lens of sustainability

As an important supplement to mandatory environmental regulation, third-party participation in environmental regulation has become an important driving force for the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development. Environmental information disclosure (EID) has become a widely used form of third-party participation ecological regulation, and the study of its impact on green energy development (GED) is receiving more and more academic attention. However, the research on this issue is still insufficient in academia. Based on resource-based theory and information processing theory, with IPE project of pollution information survey in China as an exogenous impact, this paper analyzes the causal impact of EID for GED using panel data of 285 Chinese cities from 2000 to 2020. The findings revealed that EID is a strong driver of GED in the long run, further amplified by the smart city pilot program. Besides, industrial structure transformation (IST), substantive green technological innovation (SGTI), non-substantive green technological innovation (NOSGTI), and green finance development (GFD) are important mediating mechanisms through which EID facilitates the GED. Concerning resource endowments of different regions and cities, the heterogeneity test asserted that the promotion effect of EID for GED is best in resource-based cities and old industrial parks. These results emphasize the importance of public participation in urban sustainable development and provide new ideas for promoting green growth.

Unveiling Environmental Crime Trends and Intensity in the EU Countries Through a Sustainability Lens

AbstractEnvironmental crime poses a significant threat to global ecosystems, biodiversity, and human well-being, encompassing activities such as pollution, illegal waste disposal, trade in protected species, and natural resource degradation. Understanding the dynamics of these crimes is essential for devising effective mitigation strategies and promoting sustainability at micro, meso, and macro level. The aim of the study is to examine environmental crimes in the EU, focusing on their current trends, patterns, and Intensity, as well as the impact on sustainability across its three dimensions. Fourteen EU countries environmental crime data from 2016 to 2021were analysed to reveal variations and trends. Geographic information systems (GIS) utilized to identify countries with elevated environmental crime rates, emphasizing the need for interventions in pollution control, waste management, and resource conservation. Results indicate high environmental pollution intensity in Italy, Sweden, and Denmark. Moreover, Italy emerges as the epicentre of illegal waste dumping, with notable cases also present in Belgium and France. Additionally, France, Slovakia, and Italy show alarming levels of illegal wildlife trade. Furthermore, France and Sweden exhibit the highest density of natural resource degradation cases. In addition, the study unveiled a positive correlation ($$\:b>0$$) between environmental pollution, trade in protected species, and natural resource degradation with population growth, while waste disposal exhibited a negative correlation ($$\:b<0$$). Moreover, trade in protected species and resource degradation correlated negatively ($$\:b<0$$) with the poverty ratio. Addressing environmental crimes aligns with the pursuit of green justice, recognizing the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic factors. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, environmentalists, and communities, guiding interventions towards a sustainable and resilient future.

Hosting Large Sports Events Sustainably: A Contemporary Administrative and Economic Evaluation

In the modern era characterized by digitalization and technological advancement, it is especially important to understand whether the country is ready to host large sports events sustainably from contemporary legal, administrative and economic point of view. Therefore, the aim to explore the administrative and economic dimensions of hosting large sports events through the lens of sustainability. This evaluation is crucial for policymakers, event organizers, and stakeholders committed to fostering a balance between economic gains, environmental preservation, and social well-being in the planning and execution of future large-scale sporting events. The methodological foundation of the study is built upon a range of general scientific methods, including the monographic, analytical, historical, and comparative methods, as well as the techniques of induction and deduction. Additionally, the study employs various methods for interpreting legal norms, such as grammatical, historical, teleological, and systemic approaches. Keywords: economic activity and impact assessment, good governance, sports law

Reviewing and reconceptualising cyberbullying through a social and sustainable lens

ABSTRACT The turn of the century saw a rapid increase in the rate of cyberbullying and with it, the long-term damage it causes young people, their families, and communities. Cyberbullying is now considered a high priority policy around the world. With COVID-19 revealing and reinforcing the increasingly technosocial nature of contemporary society, there are calls of concern around the unintended consequences of the pandemic. For example, school closures or lockdowns have resulted in adolescents spending an increased amount of time online. This increase has exacerbated the problem, compounded negative outcomes, and put the safety, health and wellbeing of youth in the virtual space at further risk. Given the far-reaching mental and physical health impacts, this hidden epidemic needs our full attention. Yet, cyberbullying as a field is characterised by definitional inconsistencies and lack of theoretical foundations. Research to date has largely individualised and decontextualised cyberbullying from its social, cultural and political contexts. Therefore, this paper aims to review and reconceptualise cyberbullying using critical social theories and a sustainable development lens to demonstrate the wider and macrosocial drivers and impacts of this form of cyber-harm. This paper will present how discriminatory attitudes and behaviours, known as othering processes, are mediated through technology, alongside highlighting some broader implications of cyberbullying at a holistic and systemic level beyond individuals.

Social Sustainability in Event Management: A Critical Commentary

This critical commentary focuses on the development of research in Event Management on social sustainability in the context of events. Findings suggest that while there has been a plethora of articles published in the journal that touch on elements of what we understand to relate to social sustainability (e.g., resident impacts; sense of community, place, belonging, etc.) there are very few that have explicitly situated their work in the sustainability field. This means that it is somewhat difficult to pull together the various threads of disparate studies to comment on the evolution of research on events and social sustainability as a whole. There is considerable scope for articles published in Event Management to build on these growing efforts to think systematically and comprehensively about festivals and events through the lens of social sustainability.

Investigating Rural Logistics and Transportation through the Lens of Quadruple Bottom Line Sustainability

Background: An alternative to unsustainable urban developments, rural living is on the rise, but it already has its challenges. To that end, rural logistics and transportation (RLT) calls for a comprehensive analysis of its context, especially in a climate-changed and socially turbulent world. Unlike urban logistics, there is limited focus on RLT in academic literature. However, rural areas’ lack of transportation and limited logistics operations negatively affect rural residents’ daily lives, especially socially disadvantaged groups such as older people, children, women, and low-income households. Methods: This study first identifies the key literature on RLT and sustainability using a systematic literature review. Then, it synthesizes from the extant literature the challenges in RLT and proposed solutions to understand how to improve accessibility and address some barriers to implementation, all through the perspective of quadruple bottom line (QBL) sustainability pillars. Results: The lack of opportunities presented to rural residents due to limited RLT leads to inequality between rural and urban populations, requiring academic attention. Moreover, despite the growing emphasis on sustainability in academic literature, there is a noticeable lack of attention to sustainability in RLT. Conclusions: This study leads policymakers toward a better understanding of rural communities’ complexities, directs practitioners to adopt the QBL perspective in decision-making, and aims to stipulate innovative RLT topics for further research for academicians.

Mapping the landscape: a bibliometric review of mergers and acquisitions through the lens of sustainability

Mapping the landscape: a bibliometric review of mergers and acquisitions through the lens of sustainability

Exploring Apulia’s Regional Tourism Attractiveness through the Lens of Sustainability: A Machine Learning Approach and Counterfactual Explainability Process

Visitor attraction dynamics lead tourism industry paths. A complex artificial neural network model was built to predict the incoming tourism flow in the Apulia region of Southern Italy as a function of the heterogeneity of the tourism supply available in this area. Open data from the Regional Tourism Observatory were targeted. Information on the distribution of facilities and activities that attract regional tourist flows was collected and grouped by municipality. An artificial neural network model was built with total tourist attendance as the dependent variable and tourist attractions as regressors. The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) was used to select the optimal model using the lowest value. The final model was run with a hidden layer consisting of three neurons and a decay value of 0.01. A Multi-Objective Counterfactual model (MOC) was then constructed using a randomly selected row of normalized data frame to validate a useful tool in increasing total tourist attendance by 20% over that of the randomly selected municipality. A Garson’s variables importance plot indicated natural landscapes such as beaches, sea caves, and natural parks have a primary role expressed in terms of variable importance in the AI algorithm when used as an innovative methodology for evaluating tourism flows in the Apulia region. A further MOC model built using a randomly selected row of normalized data frame showed convents, libraries, historical buildings, public gardens, and museums as the top five features most modified to improve total attendance in a randomly selected municipality. Use of AI modeling revealed that the implementation of nature-based solutions may speed up the flow of tourism in the Apulia region while also promoting sustainable social development.

Corporate positioning in Australia for a new investment outlook

Government intervention and increased regulatory scrutiny have altered the investment environment for the energy sector in Australia. Asia’s efforts to decarbonise will drive long-term investment in Australia’s renewable, hydrogen and carbon capture potential. But as the energy sector shifts emphasis back towards security of supply and affordability, Australia remains a key destination for upstream investment. Looking closer at Australia’s oil and gas sector, how are companies positioned to manage the rising complexity and uncertainty faced when making long-term capital decisions? Are Australia’s homegrown players leaders or laggards when pitched against their international peers? And how competitive are Australia’s oil and gas champions in the context of the country’s wider natural resources sector? Benchmarking corporate positioning through the lens of near-term resilience and long-term sustainability, we will identify the challenges, opportunities and strategic implications for Australia’s corporate oil and gas landscape.

Sustainability performance of Dutch firms and the role of digitalization: The case of textile and apparel industry

The textiles and apparel industry is a major contributor to economic development while at the same time being one of the most polluting industries due to its lengthy supply chain and resource intensive production operations. To address these sustainability challenges, digitalization is seen as one of the potential solutions. Using the lens of sustainability and digitalization in Supply Chain Management (SCM), this paper analyses the sustainability and digitalization status of Dutch textile and apparel firms. We used a mixed methodology of quantitative text mining of 94 Dutch textile and apparel firms as well as qualitative thematic and coding analysis of experts’ views and opinions on sustainability and digitalization in the Dutch textiles and apparel industry. Quantitative analysis of website data shows that Dutch textile and apparel firms predominantly communicate the environmental, to a lesser extent social, and least of all economic sustainability factors. Keyword analysis also shows that the use of technological keyword indicators is less prominent, while certain technologies such as IoT, sensors and blockchain correlate mostly to environmental sustainability factors. Moreover, qualitative analysis reveals that to address sustainability via digitalization, it is important to link sustainability goals to Key Performance Indicators, which requires data for traceability. We recommend firms to: (1) re-evaluate their business models and assess the extent traceability can be incorporated in their sustainability strategy; (2) enhance stakeholder collaboration within and outside the supply chain to utilize traceability; and (3) proactively use traceability information to improve transparency and accountability to meet legal requirements and address greenwashing. This study contributes to literature by showing the importance of traceability for (a) linking sustainability and digitalization in SCM, b) achieving the ultimate goals of transparency and accountability, and c) predicting demand and supply to address overproduction and waste in the textiles and apparel sector.

Civil Conflict’s Impact on the Pursuit of Inclusivity, Safety, Resilience and Sustainability in Anglophone Cities of Cameroon

Cities are increasingly becoming sites where violence and conflict thrive. In the African continent, civil conflict has been rife, with cities not only being targets but also hosts to civil unrest. Since 2016, Anglophone (English-speaking) cities in Cameroon have been host to a civil conflict that has had devastating impacts on the socio-economic well-being of the Anglophone regions, impeding efforts to achieve sustainable development goal 11 (SDG 11), related to inclusivity, safety, resilience and sustainability in Anglophone cities. Moreover, the conflict has deepened the divide between the Anglophone and Francophone populations, making peaceful coexistence between them increasingly difficult. Utilising a content analysis methodological approach, this paper examines the Anglophone Cameroon civil conflict through the lens of urban sustainability, looking to unravel how the conflict has affected efforts towards pursuing SDG 11 in Anglophone cities. The paper argues that civil conflict has robbed Anglophone cities of the required ingredient of socio-economic and political stability necessary for SDG 11 to thrive, and unless the civil conflict is curbed and a stable peace attained, the pursuit of inclusivity, safety, resilience and sustainability in Anglophone cities would be a futile venture. This paper recommends the establishment of a comprehensive approach to resolve the conflict in a way that considers the root causes of the conflict, as well as measures to foster urban sustainability in Anglophone cities. When this is done, it would be more feasible to attain inclusivity, safety, resilience, and sustainability in Anglophone cities.

287 Perceptions of Scientist and Community Members Regarding the Social Responsibility of Translational Science.

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Translational Science includes the social responsibility to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities. This study aims to determine how scientists and community members perceive the social responsibility of translational science. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Methods include a series of 12 one-hour semi-structured focus groups. Six groups were held with a total of 34 scientists and four with approximately 32 community members (community focus groups still ongoing). Sample includes scientists and community members affiliated to one of three research fields: HIV/AIDS, Maternal Health, and Mental Health/Substance Use. Inclusion criteria for scientists were based on their scholarly contributions to a field. Community members included individuals who self-identified as affiliated to any above fields. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we analyzed the transcripts against existing frameworks on social responsibility. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Literature on social responsibility suggests that translational science should be relevant, usable and sustainable for end-users. Scientists and community members identified the same groups for whom research is relevant. Scientists often conceptualized social responsibility through the sustainability lens, focusing on results that might have long-term societal impacts. Due to this, they saw limitations to social responsibility in academia and funding structures. Community members often conceptualized social responsibility through the usability lens, focusing on the complexity of research use and access. They saw barriers to social responsibility in systemic disparities. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Although participants emphasized different practices in focus groups, participants seemed generally interested in pursuing future discussions to develop best practices and commitments regarding social responsibility. Further discussions will take place in a deliberative dialogue activity in January 2024.

Role of Corruption and Governance Quality on Green Electricity Transition: Learning Through the Lens of Economic Complexity and Sustainability

Role of Corruption and Governance Quality on Green Electricity Transition: Learning Through the Lens of Economic Complexity and Sustainability

Learning from socially driven frugal innovation to design the future of healthcare: A case of mobile Primary Health Center

AbstractBackground and AimDespite their flaws, the low‐cost but powerful economical solutions can ensure everyone has access to health. The main aim of this study is to extract characteristics of frugal innovation (FI) and social innovation (SI) for Primary Health Centers (PHCs) in low resource settings (LRS) for sustainable development. We will use the gained insights to design the mobile primary healthcare infrastructure using FI and SI strategies. There is a lack of methodology to design sustainable healthcare infrastructure for LRS. There is a gap in the literature about building sustainable infrastructure to provide basic healthcare facilities essential to the community. This article studies several factors necessary for designing sustainable infrastructure from the lens of FI, SI, and sustainability to develop a mobile healthcare infrastructure for last‐mile people.MethodsStarted with purposive sampled case studies to find out factors and criteria that most affect the success for an innovation to be frugal, social, and sustainable. The established criteria were used to design, develop, and deploy the mobile Primary Health Center (mPHC). Moving forward, we tested the system designed with stakeholders to gather insights. At this stage we found the feedback loop from the stakeholders and the role of interdisciplinary discussions between experts, medical officers, nurses, patient, and other staff of PHCs during the design, development, deployment, and test stage to be useful in taking design decisions efficiently.ResultsThe designed healthcare infrastructure of mPHC through the aspects of FI and SI proves to be efficient in providing key healthcare services to LRS.ConclusionFocusing on essential capabilities and optimizing performance with technology, methodologies, and processes reduces costs in an innovation. Focus on socially inclusive and rebalancing power disparities, overcome societal challenges and improve human capabilities will create a sustainable and novel solution.

Regional Products and Sustainability

The production, sale, and consumption of regional products can positively influence a region’s sustainable development. Despite this significance, there is little research on how consumers perceive regional products using a sustainability lens. This study investigates the perception of regional products in terms of sustainability and related customer purchasing behaviour. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants in Tyrol, Austria. Data analysis employs a deductive-inductive coding approach and shows a high awareness of sustainability among respondents. The main reasons for purchasing regional products are supporting the local economy and regional agriculture. Shorter transport routes or the cultural landscape maintenance are also important factors due to environmental concerns. Most participants report that sustainability was a decisive factor in their purchase decision pertaining to regional products. Regional products and sustainability are thus intertwined from a customer perspective and are shown to have decisive roles in related purchasing behaviour.

Re-evaluating the Alignment of Omnivorous Choice and Animal Farming with Sustainable Development: Insights from Care Ethics

C Care ethics plays a significant role in the philosophical investigation of sustainable development. This paper is an attempt to comprehend the intricate relationship between care ethics and omnivorism, particularly in the context of economic sustainability, animal farming, and holistic well-being. Care ethics emphasizes empathy, relationships, and responsibility, basically applied to human interactions with other humans, animals, and the environment. Omnivorism denotes the consumption of both animal-based foods and plants. Inspecting all these concepts through the lens of economic sustainability involves considering the impact of consumption choices on agriculture, resources, and environmental costs. Self-care sustainability involves assessing personal choices regarding health, well-being, and the broader ecological system. By examining omnivorism and care ethics in the context of these two sustainability dimensions, this paper finally proposes to provide insights into the complex interplay between moral values, consumption habits, and the long-term well-being of individuals and the planet.

Sustainability reporting and total quality management post-pandemic: the role of environmental, social, governance (ESG), and smart technology adoption

PurposeThis study aims to espouse the concept of sustainable environment, social and governance (ESG) practices as the proxies of sustainability reporting (SR). In the presence of smart technology adoption (STA), ESG drives total quality management (TQM) of sustainability matters in advanced medical device (AMD) companies post-pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses two stages of rigorous data collection. Two focus groups comprising board members, investment advisers and senior managers of AMD were formed to establish the external validity of the constructs proposition. It then used a Web survey to solicit 240 respondents from AMD. Data were analysed using the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to provide robustness of predictive power in the model estimation.FindingsResults show SR has positively impacted TQM. It reveals positive relationships between SR and ESG and ESG and TQM. Findings indicate that STA moderates the relationships between ESG and TQM with large effect sizes.Research limitations/implicationsThis study offers direction to expedite strategies and action plans by sustainability practitioners in an asymptotic quest for ESG and TQM best practices. Future research should focus on the protection of sustainable social using qualitative methodology.Originality/valueUsing the lens of corporate sustainability, this study develops a framework that integrates ESG, TQM and STA to examine the synergistic effects post pandemic. It provides evidence that ESG practices and STA adoption drive TQM in transition to attain sustainability among the AMD at the country level.