Management Certification Research Articles

A Comprehensive Model of Green Brand Assessment in the IT Industry

This study explores the ways we can evaluate green brands in the IT industry. It is important to have a method to assess the impact that these companies have on the environment and on ourselves. The model aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation framework, contributing to long-term value creation by aligning brand performance with sustainability and responsible practices. For this study, we will assess both financial indicators, such as the economic growth and economic efficiency of the brand, and non-financial indicators that deal with the environmental and social metrics. The proposed evaluation method is based on data collected through studies and literature reviews and through exploratory research, by applying a questionnaire. The study also examined key factors like energy efficiency, e-waste management, and environmental certifications. The analysis demonstrated the necessity for IT green brands to be evaluated, to have their environmental impact measured and assessed by a scoring system. Return on Green Equity (ROGE) and Return on Green Investment (GROI) are the indicators used with their corresponding mathematical formulas. The promotion of environmentally sustainable procedures for IT brands is the main goal as an evaluation model, more specifically, to distribute information to stakeholders and at the same time to support them in the transition towards efficient and sustainable production and consumption patterns. This study provides a structured framework for assessing the impact of green brands within the IT industry, using specific mathematical formulas. These indicators can influence consumer purchasing behavior, resulting in the development of a green and sustainable market, also encompassing macroeconomic impacts through changing buyer behavior.

Legal aspects and government policy in increasing the role of MSMEs in the Halal ecosystem

Background Indonesia currently could not make it to the top ten global halal due to some external and internal factors, although it is the largest Muslim country. In the external sector, the competition map is getting tougher, while internally, there are handicaps in the form of weak public awareness of competition. As a country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia can become one of the largest markets in the world. As indicated in the Global Islamic Economic Report (GIER), Indonesia is one of the top ten countries that control the Islamic economic market, yet it fails to dominate its Islamic market. Accordingly, the government needs to play a stronger role through regulatory policies to encourage the development of the Islamic economic ecosystem in Indonesia (halal value chain). The purpose of this study is to find out and analyse the existence of Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia in the world’s market for Halal products and Services. Methods The researchers have conducted a form of normative juridical research with the analytical descriptive method, namely by collecting, describing, analysing, and presenting what is (das sein) and what ought to be (das sollen). Results Support from the government and stakeholders has not been optimal in improving welfare - capital access, management, and halal certification, so the existence of the global halal ecosystem has not yet impacted MSMEs’ ability to compete competitively. Conclusions The conclusion of this study shows that the quadruple helix innovation system is capable of guaranteeing the development of MSMEs in a manner to achieves a high level of competitiveness - efficiency, and effectiveness of the products and services produced.

IMPACTS OF THE USE OF UNCERTIFIED CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGERS ON THE SUCCESS OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN NIGERIA.

This study investigates the influence of certified and uncertified construction project managers' impact on project success in the Nigerian construction sector, employing a quantitative and descriptive research design. Utilizing statistical tools such as SPSS and Microsoft Excel, data from 134 respondents underwent comprehensive analysis. The research explores demographic profiles, knowledge, skills, competencies, and project success criteria differences between certified and uncertified project managers. Demographic findings highlight a gender imbalance, predominantly male representation, and diverse age groups among project managers. Both certified and uncertified managers exhibit a robust understanding of project management principles, with certified managers showing a slightly higher proficiency. Certified project managers self-report higher skills, especially in communication and interpersonal areas. Evaluation of project success criteria, encompassing time, cost, quality, and stakeholder satisfaction, reveals no significant differences between certified and uncertified project managers. Barriers to project management standards adoption and certification include resistance to change as the most critical factor. Recommendations include enhancing education and training, promoting certification, strengthening regulatory frameworks, creating incentives for compliance, facilitating industry collaboration, and improving access to finance and infrastructure. Future research suggestions encompass in-depth analyses, longitudinal studies, industry-specific comparisons, regional disparities, qualitative assessments, and global benchmarking. This study contributes significant insights to both academia and industry, shedding light on the intricate project management dynamics in Nigerian construction sector.

CARBONLY

This project focuses on the development and implementation of a Carbon Footprint App designed to empower individuals and organizations to track and reduce their carbon emissions. By providing real-time tracking, personalized recommendations, and engaging features such as gamification and community challenges, the app aims to foster sustainable practices and raise awareness about the environmental impact of everyday activities. The methodology involves collecting user data on energy use, transportation, food consumption, and waste management, converting this data into carbon dioxide equivalents, and offering actionable advice to lower emissions. The app is applicable across various sectors, including personal use, corporate sustainability, policy support, education, supply chain management, urban planning, and environmental certification. The results demonstrate that informed individual actions, such as skipping a weekly cup of coffee or reducing chocolate consumption, can collectively lead to significant reductions in carbon emissions. This project underscores the importance of individual responsibility in combating climate change and promotes a community-driven approach to achieving a more sustainable future. Key Words: Carbon Footprint, Real-time Tracking, Gamification, Personalized Recommendations, Sustainability

Environmental Horticulture Management Certificate: A Path to Career Opportunities and Advancement

Florida is one of the top-producing states in the environmental horticulture industry (“green industry”), which includes garden centers as well as greenhouse, nursery, and landscape operations. Although, the industry is not without its challenges. A workforce that is knowledgeable of the issues facing the green industry and of proactive techniques that can help streamline operations and facilitate building efficiency can aid in alleviating some of the industry’s challenges. Graduates from the University of Florida Environmental Horticulture Management certificate program gain a background in sustainable ornamental horticulture practices used in the greenhouse, nursery, and/or landscape sectors of the green industry.

Forest management and FSC certification: a systematic review

Objective and Methodology: Many studies have been published since the creation of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to better understand this certification. Through a systematic review of the literature in 2022, this article aims to identify business entities motivations, benefits, and challenges of FSC certification. Through the definition of some inclusion criteria (Scientific Articles; Specific subject areas; FSC, or Forest Stewardship Council, appears in the title, abstract, and/or keywords; FSC means “Forest Stewardship Council”; FSC benefits and challenges), this study reviews a total of 74 publications from 2005 to 2022 from five different data bases (Scopus, Science Direct, Wiley Online Library; Springer Link; Web of Science). More than one author helped with the selection of papers to remove the risk of bias. Results: As main results, the motivations for deployments of the FSC certification are linked to economic issues as well as potential benefits. However, FSC still has several challenges to overcome, such as: high cost, lack of price premium, investment return, and financial dependency in the case of small producers. Social benefits and challenges were also mapped. Such results are directly linked to the type of methodology used in each paper. Originality: As a conclusion, many field studies still need to be developed due to the superiority of documentary research based on audit reports. Although this kind of document has several advantages, some disadvantages are also detected. This paper provides an overview of the FSC directing future research interested in the theme.

Legal Standards for Selenium Enriched Foods and Agricultural Products: Domestic and International Perspectives.

Background/Objectives: Selenium is indispensable for human health, yet vast regions worldwide grapple with selenium-deficient soils, rendering dietary intake a critical avenue for supplementation. This narrative review aims to systematically examine and compare domestic and international regulations and standards related to selenium enrichment, providing insights to enhance regulatory frameworks and standardization within the selenium-enrichment industry. Methods: From June to September 2024, we conducted a comprehensive search of official websites belonging to international organizations (e.g., Codex Alimentarius Commission, European Union) and governmental agencies of countries such as China and the United States. Keywords, like "selenium enrichment", "selenium standards", and "selenium detection methods", were employed to identify pertinent regulations, standards, and guidelines encompassing intake benchmarks, detection methodologies, product specifications, technical guidelines for production, labeling requirements, and certification management norms. Results: Our analysis reveals several challenges within the current selenium-enriched regulatory and standardization systems, including inconsistent product determination criteria and limit settings, incomplete technical guidelines for selenium-enriched agricultural production, and a lack of unified regulations for labeling selenium-enriched agricultural products. Conclusions: These findings underscore the need for harmonization of standards and enhanced regulatory oversight. To address these issues, we recommend bolstering safety risk assessments for selenium-enriched agricultural products, establishing and refining a comprehensive standard system for selenium-enriched agriculture, and intensifying quality and safety supervision. This study offers a valuable reference for policymakers and stakeholders to promote the sustainable development of the selenium-enrichment industry.

Investigating the Impact of Smartphones on Blended Learning Effectiveness for Project Management Certifications: Case Study in Bahrain

This paper examines the impact of smartphones through integration and enhancing the effectiveness of blended learning activities for project management training programs in Bahrain. Building on previous research, this study report on how smartphones can improve real-time communication, boosting engagement, and provide trainees’ continuous access to learning materials. Smartphones served as real-time tools for trainers by facilitating group chats, organizing meetings, and sharing educational content, such as YouTube videos and training PowerPoint slides, thus ensuring the fulfillment of training objectives. The case study demonstrates how smartphones contributed to a more dynamic, flexible, and collaborative learning environment, optimizing the blended learning model for professional project management programs in Bahrain. Additionally, since smartphones enabled real-time updates and notifications, they supported trainers to stay organized and engaged with the trainees while tracking their tasks throughout the course. Hence, this tool for sure supported the trainer role as project manager, encompassing the initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and control phases of activities, all in real-time, to ensure the successful completion of the training program.

The Effects of IT Management Certification Type and Corporate Social Responsibility Performance on Investors’ Responses to Cybersecurity Breaches

ABSTRACT We investigate the joint effects of IT management certification type (for example, International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 27001 certification, the certification of a company’s Information Security Management System against the ISO 27001 standard, the leading international standard focused on information security) and CSR performance on investors’ responses to cybersecurity breaches. We find that the ISO 27001 certificate issued by an independent certification body serves as a proactive remedial strategy for reputation management and attenuates investors’ negative reactions following data breaches. However, the connection between the certification body that issues the certificate and the financial audit firm of the audited company may impair the effectiveness of the certificate serving as a remedial strategy for cybersecurity breaches. Similarly, superior CSR performance provides insurance-like protection and spillovers to reduce investors’ negative responses to cybersecurity breaches. We also provide some evidence suggesting that IT management certification type and CSR performance are likely substitutive mechanisms.

Insights into Pharmacists' Participation in Professional Certification Programs in Saudi Arabia.

Professional certification programs play a crucial role in helping pharmacists develop specialized skills and establish their expertise in the field. This study explores how pharmacists in Saudi Arabia engage with these programs by examining their levels of awareness, attitudes, and participation. It also identifies the key barriers and motivators that influence their decision to pursue certification. An online survey was conducted among pharmacists in Saudi Arabia to assess participants' knowledge of certification programs, their perceived benefits, the actual participation rates, and their preferences regarding certification areas and assessment methods. Out of 394 participating pharmacists, around 47% had never participated in a professional certification program, and about 27% of our sample were unaware of such programs in Saudi Arabia. Financial constraints and a lack of awareness were noted as the primary barriers to participation. Almost 55% showed an interest in Clinical Pharmacy Specialties certification, while 54% were inclined toward Pharmacy Management and Leadership certifications. A preference for practical assessments in certification programs was suggested by 55% of participants. This study highlights a significant need for increased awareness and accessibility to professional certification programs among pharmacists in Saudi Arabia. Addressing participation barriers is vital to foster professional development and meet the healthcare sector's evolving demands in Saudi Arabia.

Two decades of stakeholder voices: Exploring engagement in Romania's FSC forest management certification

Stakeholders' engagement in forest management decision-making is a critical tool for enhancing the business acceptability of the forest sector, and the Forest Stewardship Certification (FSC) scheme proactively involves stakeholders in its implementation. Based on the stakeholder theory, this study examined stakeholder's engagement in the FSC forest management certification in Romania over the past two decades to identify the extent and inputs of their involvement in the process. Using in-depth content analysis and text mining techniques, we explored publicly available information from 209 public reports covering 45 forest management certificates. According to data available in 178 reports, the average number of stakeholders notified per audit was 50.7. However, response evidence was found in 128 reports, with an average of 1.2 responses per audit, suggesting a limited engagement in the process. Additional stakeholders' feedback was received as part of the on-site audits, with an average of 10.2 responses per audit. Given the inconsistencies in the reporting format between certification bodies, we set a structured framework to analyse the findings on stakeholders' engagement from different report sections. The employed analytical framework sheds light on stakeholder and legitimacy theories in forest certification. Our findings highlighted stakeholders' predominantly positive feedback tone, evenly distributed across all stakeholder types and the four analysis domains. Negative feedback accounted for only 9.4% of the findings, highlighting areas for improvement for certificate holders, companies in the timber supply chain and public authorities. This study's findings may assist FSC in refining its stakeholder engagement practices, contributing to enhanced participation and better risk mitigation of non-compliance with standard requirements.

To Avoid Accidents in Mines and Plants Adopt Safety System Standardization and Safety Management Certification Processes

No Abstract.

Strategies to Inelasticize the Halal Food Industry in Indonesia

This research has three main objectives. First, to analyze the potential and prospects of the halal food industry in Indonesia. Second, analyze the elasticity of the halal food industry in Indonesia. Finally, formulate a strategy to inelasticize the halal food industry in Indonesia. The research approach used in this study is mixed methods, which combines quantitative and qualitative research. There are several important findings in this study. First, the potential and projection of the halal food industry in Indonesia, which is based on estimates for 2021, continues to grow. Second, the factors that influence the demand for halal food in Indonesia are income, price, advertising, and halal labeling, and the highest -lowest short-term elasticity values are price elasticity, halal labeling, advertising, and income. Finally, the strategy to inelasticize the halal food industry in Indonesia is divided into two, namely priority strategies and supporting strategies. Priority strategies include: Maintain the stability of people's income; Increase production efficiency (technical efficiency and price efficiency); Improve the quality of Human Resources (HR) and technology improvement; Application of tax incentives; Improving the quality and quantity of advertising; Socialization of halal labeling; Halal certification management; Development of halal supply; Development of halal logistics. Supporting strategies consisting of Need for innovation in the development of halal food industry products; Guarantee of legal certainty and quality of halal food products; Increased ease of location and access; Service innovation; Improved facilities.

Comparative Security and Compliance Analysis of Serverless Computing Platforms: AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, and Google Cloud Functions

Serverless computing has revolutionized cloud services by abstracting infrastructure management, enabling developers to focus on application logic. This research examines the security and compliance features of three major serverless platforms: AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, and Google Cloud Functions. By evaluating authentication mechanisms, data encryption practices, vulnerability management, and compliance certifications, we aim to provide a comparative analysis that informs businesses and developers on the most secure and compliant platform for their needs. Keywords: Serverless Computing, Security, Compliance, AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, Google Cloud Functions, Cloud Security Alliance, Cloud Controls Matrix

The Effectiveness of the Implementation of HRDD and SIA in Advancing Sustainable Forest Management Certification in Indonesia

The Effectiveness of the Implementation of HRDD and SIA in Advancing Sustainable Forest Management Certification in Indonesia

Green innovation of heavily polluting enterprises under environmental liability insurance: Evidence from Chinese listed companies

We construct a novel data set of heavily polluting listed companies on the A-share stock market in China that applied for environmental liability insurance in 2014 and 2015. Our study aims to scrutinize the influence and underlying mechanisms of green insurance policies on enterprises' green innovation endeavors. The findings indicate that environmental liability insurance promotes green innovation achievements of enterprises. This positive impact is more pronounced in non-state-owned entities, firms without political affiliations, businesses known for their high information transparency, and locations with well-established legal structures and stringent environmental regulations. Mechanism tests unveil three pathways through which green insurance policies exert this favorable influence: mitigating external financing constraints, promoting environmental management certification, and encouraging environmental information disclosure. This paper provides new evidence for evaluating the role of environmental insurance within developing economies. Furthermore, it carries significant policy implications for promoting ecological civilization and high-quality economic development.

Impact of Project Management Practices on Cost and Time Overruns in Construction Projects in Nigeria

A major contributor to economic growth in Nigeria, the construction sector is frequently beset by large cost and schedule overruns that jeopardize project profitability and impede the development of infrastructure. This study looks into how project management techniques affect these overruns in building construction projects in Nigeria. The goal of the study is to pinpoint the major project management variables that lead to overspending and delays while also offering recommendations for best practices to address these problems. A mixed-methods strategy was used, integrating qualitative case studies with quantitative data analysis. Project engineers, contractors, Architects, and Technicians were given standardized questionnaires to complete about a variety of Nigerian building projects. In-depth interviews and focus groups were also held to acquire a deeper understanding of the real-world difficulties and experiences encountered in the field. The study pinpoints several crucial project management techniques that affect time and cost performance. The results show that Inadequate construction site management and supervision ranked 1st with an RII of 0.7877, Improper construction techniques and lack of experience of the consultant came 2nd and 3rd with RII of 0.7215 and 0.7213 respectively. Late payments during work progress and Use of improper equipment are contributors to project time overrun; while, factors affecting cost overrun are fluctuation in building material costs ranked 1st with RII of 0.7354, frequent design changes, (0.7138), omissions and errors in bills of quantities (0.6754), import of construction materials (0.6754). The report suggests enhancing project management through effective resource management techniques, ongoing training and certification programs, and implementing advanced technology to improve communication, resource management, and planning precision, contributing to sustainable growth in Nigeria's construction industry. Keywords: stakeholder management, construction sector, project management, major contributor

Review of the Adoption of TQM Models and the Achieved Sustainable Business Results in the MENA Telecommunication Industry

Purpose: Understanding the criticality of the telecommunication industry in the current time and appreciating the significance of adopting total quality management models in organizations to extend business sustainability. This paper provides a comparison between two telecommunication leaders in the MENA region: Zain & Etisalat, to assess their adoption of TQM models and the impact on their organizational and market success. Methodology: this study uses a comparative case study. a mixed-methods methodology was applied, combining quantitative and qualitative data. Primary data collection methods included surveys given to employees at different levels to gauge the internal effects of TQM models on operational efficiency and employee satisfaction, as well as semi-structured interviews with key management personnel from both companies, aimed at gaining insights into the implementation and outcomes of TQM practices. Secondary data came from a number of sources, such as government publications that described TQM adoption and telecommunication trends, market analysis and financial performance data from industry databases like Statista, annual reports and official documentation from Zain and Etisalat, and relevant quality management certifications and standards (like ISO 9001:2015). Thematic analysis of interview transcripts to find recurring themes and implementation insights, content analysis of company reports and publications to evaluate the strategic alignment and integration of TQM models, and case study analysis to compare and contrast Zain and Etisalat's approaches to adopting and implementing TQM models were some of the qualitative data analysis techniques used. Findings: The study found that the adoption of TQM models like EFQM, Kaizen and Lean six sigma across the whole organization is more effective than localizing the application to one aspect as indicated by the comparison between Zain & Etisalat. The comparison indicated that the application of TQM extended the sustainability and resilience of Etisalat and Zain in the face of business challenges by improving performance and streamlining processes to increase customer satisfaction. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommended that both Etisalat and Zain should consider incorporating sustainability practices into their TQM frameworks, given the growing focus on corporate social responsibility and sustainability. This could be illustrating a dedication to sustainable business practices by coordinating Kaizen and Lean Six Sigma initiatives with objectives related to social responsibility and the environment. To improve the synergy between Kaizen, EFQM, and Lean Six Sigma initiatives, both companies should foster cross-functional collaboration.

Blockchain and Smart Contracts Based Agricultural Supply Chain

Supply chain management (SCM), product traceability, and product quality certification are some of the initial prominent uses of blockchain technology. This is because blockchain technology is built on trust and cannot be changed. The popularity of blockchain technology is increasing as it is trustworthy and cannot be changed; hence making traceability easier for information such as where food came from, thus essential for managing the agricultural food supply chain (SC). On the contrary, suggested SCM systems premised on smart contract technology and blockchain tend to be specifically apply to production and production processes. Through qualitative research, this paper suggests framework for adoption of smart contracts based on Ethereum in the agri-food SC, with the aim to establish means to adopt blockchain for checking food quality and origins in the agri-food supply chain. Remix IDE is utilised to build and test the smart contract. The significance of the framework is realised through ensuring the traceability of product safety and quality.

창조경제혁신센터 발전방안에 관한 연구

This study selected 17 regional creative economic innovation centers, excluding two private autonomous innovation centers, out of a total of 19 nationwide, and conducted case studies based on previous studies, articles, center websites, internal data, and interviews with practitioners. To establish the identity of Creative Economy Innovation Centers as regional startup hubs and drivers of local innovation, it is necessary to redefine their roles not only through collaboration with universities but also through realigning their roles with relevant local institutions. Secondly, it was observed that most of the investment resources for Creative Economy Innovation Centers remain in the form of initial funding support. To facilitate the scale-up of early-stage startups, it is necessary to develop qualitative improvement measures from various perspectives, including support tailored to specific businesses and growth stages. Additionally, in response to the strengthening global and domestic ESG regulations, centers should consider implementing customized ESG management education and certification support for startups, as well as mentoring programs. Thirdly, to reduce regional disparities, Creative Economy Innovation Centers should actively operate open programs specific to each center and allocate budgets that allow for flexible engagement in collaborative projects within their internal structure. Policy measures are needed to address the issue of regional decline by considering business initiatives for local youth, which also contribute to the sustainability of startups. Furthermore, there is a need to expand educational programs and policy support for “born-global” startups that target niche global markets from the early stages of entrepreneurship. This study is meaningful in confirming and verifying that the various attempts and efforts needed to build a regional innovation start-up ecosystem, as well as quantitative results on supporting the growth of startups and existing local SMEs discovered and fostered through the Creative Economy Innovation Center, as well as job creation and maintenance based on regional economic growth, need to be maintained and developed continuously.