Sustainable Development Management Research Articles

Circular Economy Principles and Their Integration into Global Supply Chain Strategies

The concept of circular economy has gained significant traction in recent years as a holistic approach to sustainable development and resource management. This review explores the principles of circular economy and their integration into global supply chain strategies. The transition from a linear 'take-make-dispose' model to a circular model focused on resource recovery, reuse, and regeneration is driving a paradigm shift in how businesses operate and manage their supply chains. Key principles of circular economy, including designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems, are examined in the context of supply chain management. Strategies for implementing circular economy principles across various stages of the supply chain, from product design and manufacturing to distribution, consumption, and end-of-life management, are discussed. The review highlights the benefits of adopting circular economy principles in supply chain strategies, including reduced resource consumption, waste reduction, cost savings, and enhanced resilience to external shocks. Case studies and examples from diverse industries illustrate successful implementation of circular economy principles in supply chain management, demonstrating tangible environmental, social, and economic benefits. Challenges and barriers to the adoption of circular economy principles in global supply chains are also addressed, including regulatory hurdles, technological limitations, and cultural barriers. Strategies for overcoming these challenges and promoting a circular mindset among stakeholders are explored, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, innovation, and cross-sector partnerships. The integration of circular economy principles into global supply chain strategies offers significant opportunities for sustainable growth, resilience, and value creation. By embracing the principles of circularity, businesses can unlock new sources of competitive advantage while contributing to the transition towards a more sustainable and regenerative economy. Keywords: Circular Economy, Supply Chain, Sustainability, Integration, Challenges, Opportunities.

Evaluating net primary productivity dynamics and their response to land-use change in the loess plateau after the 'Grain for Green' program

Assessing net primary productivity (NPP) dynamics and the contribution of land-use change (LUC) to NPP can help guide scientific policy to better restore and control the ecological environment. Since 1999, the “Green for Grain” Program (GGP) has strongly affected the spatial and temporal pattern of NPP on the Loess Plateau (LP); however, the multifaceted impact of phased vegetation engineering measures on NPP dynamics remains unclear. In this study, the Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach (CASA) model was used to simulate NPP dynamics and quantify the relative contributions of LUC and climate change (CC) to NPP under two different scenarios. The results showed that the average NPP on the LP increased from 240.7 gC·m−2 to 422.5 gC·m−2 from 2001 to 2020, with 67.43% of the areas showing a significant increasing trend. LUC was the main contributor to NPP increases during the study period, and precipitation was the most important climatic factor affecting NPP dynamics. The cumulative amount of NPP change caused by LUC (ΔNPPLUC) showed a fluctuating growth trend (from 46.23 gC·m−2 to 127.25 gC·m−2), with a higher growth rate in period ΙΙ (2010–2020) than in period Ι (2001–2010), which may be related to the accumulation of vegetation biomass and the delayed effect of the GGP on NPP. The contribution rate of LUC to increased NPP in periods Ι and ΙΙ was 101.2% and 51.2%, respectively. Regarding the transformation mode, the transformation of grassland to forest had the greatest influence on ΔNPPLUC. Regarding land-use type, the increased efficiency of NPP was improved in cropland, grassland, and forest. This study provides a scientific basis for the scientific management and development of vegetation engineering measures and regional sustainable development.

A gap approach for preventing stress in complex systems: managing natural hazard induced fiscal risks under a changing climate

Disasters associated with natural hazards as well as climate change are happening within complex socio-economic systems and desired system states, including sustainable development and resource management, are formulated on the global as well as regional and national levels. However, complex system approaches are yet only rudimentarily incorporated in related applications, and we discuss modeling as well as policy challenges focusing on fiscal risk. As an intermediate step we suggest a gap approach which we relate to fiscal stress levels a complex system may experience due to natural hazard events. We argue that in case of no gaps one can assume a no stress situation and therefore modeling of disruptions including cascading effects is less necessary. However, at the same time we also acknowledge that there is an urgent need to address corresponding challenges with complex system methods. Policy-wise our paper responds to concerns for real-world applications and can provide insights to support current discussions within the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement around both adaptation finance and the new funding arrangements for loss and damage from climate impacts established at COP27.

The State of Agricultural Development and Industrial Prosperity Pathway and Strategy Design in the Context of Data-Driven and Rural Revitalization

Current advances in materials science are providing a huge variety of novel adsorbents that could be used for the transformation and storage of low-temperature heat, such as the heat generated by renewable energy sources.Achieving industrial prosperity is a key step in building an all-round well-off society and realizing agricultural modernization. In the process of industrial prosperity, there are also many problems: firstly, the long-term traditional farming in China has led to the information blockage and ideological constraint of most farmers in China, so that they are slow to accept new things and new ideas; secondly, due to the "one long and one short" characteristic of long growth cycle and short storage cycle of agricultural products, it is difficult for rural transportation and deep processing of agricultural products. Secondly, because of the "long and short" nature of the long growth cycle and short storage cycle of agricultural products, the demand for rural transportation and deep processing of agricultural products is high. This study is based on the problems related to sustainable agricultural development in traditional agricultural areas. The main purpose of this study is to clarify the sustainable development status of agricultural systems under different agricultural development paths in traditional agricultural areas, to establish a methodological system for studying regional agricultural development paths, to explore the optimal path for sustainable regional agricultural development, and orderly management of sustainable agricultural development in traditional agricultural areas, so as to promote the sustainable development of traditional agricultural areas with economic prosperity, social stability and ecological health. The experimental results prove that the optimized SGA algorithm has carried out good system dynamics modeling for the typical traditional agricultural area - the problem of choosing the agricultural development path, and the comprehensive evaluation of the simulation results.

Unravelling the non-linear response of ecosystem services to urban-rural transformation in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, China

In our transforming world, ecosystem services (ESs) and biodiversity are threatened by urban sprawl with rapid urban-rural transformation (URT), jeopardizing human well-being. Understanding the effect of URT on ESs is critical, particularly in areas that have undergone rapid urbanization. Taken the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region of China as a typical case, this study measures the URT from the population-land-industry perspective and elucidates the influence of each index of URT on ESs at different stages. The URT process experienced a decline in population growth, an increase in land urbanization, and stability in non-agriculturalization rate. In particular, this study reveals an intricate and complex non-linear relationship between URT and ESs. URT negatively affects grain production (GP), habitat quality (HQ), soil retention (SR), and carbon sequestration (CS) and has a positive impact on water yield (WY). Furthermore, it was found that the response threshold of ESs to URTIs increased over time, indicating that ESs can maintain a certain degree of stability and resilience in the face of URT activities. However, ensuring the continued stability and resilience increasingly depends on the implementation of effective management and protection measures. This study advances our knowledge of the complex dynamics between URT and ESs in rapidly urbanizing areas and provides valuable insights for policymakers and planners to guide sustainable development and effective resource management.

Study on the Role of Human Resource Management in Sustainable Development

Study on the Role of Human Resource Management in Sustainable Development

Water Footprint Flow and Vulnerability of China’s Provincial Energy Sector

Water and energy are mutually reinforcing elements in production and consumption activities, forming an inseparable relationship. This study, conducted at the provincial level, investigates the intricate connections between energy water footprint flow, water shortage, and water pollution. It aims to elucidate the vulnerability of provincial energy sectors to water use, fostering regional coordinated management for sustainable energy and water development. Utilizing a multi-regional input–output model, the research analyzes both the quantity and quality of water resources. The water footprint of China’s provincial energy sector is quantified and scrutinized. Furthermore, an evaluation index system is constructed based on the water footprint concept. The entropy weight TOPSIS method is then applied to assess the vulnerability of inter-provincial energy sector water footprints. The key findings are as follows: (1) The energy water footprint has shifted from water resource-deficient areas, such as the northwest, North China, and northeast, to economically developed regions with relatively abundant water resources, such as East China and South China. This reveals that the transfer of water footprints in economic activities does not entirely alleviate water shortages in China and may even exacerbate shortages in certain water-deficient areas. (2) The graywater footprint of the energy sector is significantly larger than the blue water footprint and water shortage footprint. (3) The production and supply departments of power and heat emerge as the largest contributors to the transfer of energy and water footprints from water shortage areas to water-rich areas, followed by coal mining and dressing departments. (4) Top 10 Vulnerable Provinces: Tibet, Zhejiang, Ningxia, Tianjin, Jiangsu, Henan, Hunan, Beijing, Chongqing, and Hebei are identified as the top 10 provinces vulnerable to water footprints in the energy sector. This vulnerability closely correlates with the energy sector’s dependence on water footprints and production leverage. Recommendations include optimizing the energy mix and establishing stable external water footprint supply channels for provinces with high water footprint dependence. Provinces with high production leverage are advised to accelerate innovation and application of water-saving technologies in key energy sectors, increase the utilization of clean energy, and enhance resource recycling. National government departments should focus on controlling and reducing water pollutants in the energy sector across regions, addressing water shortages by purifying water bodies and improving water quality.

Strategic Inventory Management: Exploring the Interplay of Holidays, Market Demand, and Financial Factors

This study aims to explore the relationship between inventory and business operations as businesses increasingly focus on the strategic management of inventory. Inventory, or stock, refers to a catalog of items, components, and raw materials that a firm regularly uses or sells. The study starts by highlighting the significance of inventory in measuring a firm’s financial position, profitability, and liquidity. It then focuses on raw materials, work-in-process, finished goods, pending inventories, demand fluctuations, festive influences, and financial constraints. The paper begins with a detailed literature review of inventory types and factors that affect them. The study proposes the hypothesis that inventory changes are closely related to holidays, demand, and the firm's financial position. This paper examines the impact of holidays, market demand, and a firm’s financial position on inventories. It concludes that inventory management significantly affects firms’ operations and calls for further research on the relationship between inventory levels, cost of capital, and profitability to optimize inventory management for sustainable development.

Gender diversity, corporate social responsibility and real earnings management for policy management decision: evidence from emerging market

Purpose The study aims to examine whether board gender diversity and corporate social responsibility (CSR) affect real earnings management (REM) practices of public companies in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The study analyzes data of public companies for the period of 2011 through 2020. Data on board gender diversity, CSR and REM were collected from audited financial statements. Findings The empirical findings show that companies with greater diverse board are effective in restraining REM, thus supporting the theoretical framework of the study. Also, the result provides strong evidence of association between CSR performance and REM for policy management decision. Research limitations/implications The study is constrained by not considering all public companies in the country. Furthermore, it considered only gender among numerous important board attributes and environmental, social and governance (ESG) among numerous CSR attributes. Hence, future studies should consider other important attributes on REM and important attributes of board diversity and CSR on real earnings management. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the relationship between heterogeneous board gender diversity, CSR via ESG and REM in emerging markets such as Nigeria. Therefore, it provides appropriate treatment of CSR with science and technology via EGS viewpoint of organizational operations and behavior of managing earnings. Therefore, developing better policy management for sustainable development

Modern mechanisms of state management of sustainable development

Aim. To analyze contemporary mechanisms of public governance of sustainable development (SD) with a focus on the energy transition and climate agenda.Objectives. To focus on strategies and practices adopted in China and Russia, comparing their approaches to achieving SD goals; to examine international experience, analyze investments in renewable energy sources (RES) and decarbonization; to review adopted regulations and management strategies in these areas; to study national and international strategies, legislation and practices aimed at increasing the share of RES and reducing carbon dioxide emissions; to assess the effectiveness of measures taken to manage SD (with special attention to the eMethods. This article is based on the analysis of data from reports of international organizations, statistical data of governmental bodies, as well as on the review of national strategies and legislation. Mechanisms and results of RES management, climate policy and decarbonization in different countries are compared.Results. Despite differences in approaches and strategic priorities, both Russia and China are making significant efforts to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy systems and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, China demonstrates a more active and ambitious RE policy and climate initiatives, while Russia is at an early stage of this process.Conclusions. The importance of global and regional cooperation in sharing experiences and technologies to achieve SD goals is emphasized. Both Russia and China demonstrate a growing understanding of the need to regulate SD, but their approaches and strategies differ depending on internal and external factors.

Sustainable Entrepreneurship Management

Sustainable Entrepreneurship Management is important topic in the 21 st of century where each and every individual talking and researching about sustainable goals. In the business and new upcoming entrepreneurship projects sustainability and sustainable development management is necessary to grow in the market. This topics emerging the importance value and potential to increase knowledge of sustainability innovation in the entrepreneurship.

Sustainable community development through peer-to-peer learning in the online and in-person classroom

Purpose Prior research suggests that collaboration is key to sustainable community development and environmental management, and peer-to-peer learning (P2PL) may facilitate community building and collaborative learning skills. This study aims to examine the effect of P2PL on the enhancement of environmental management and sustainable development skills, community building and social capital (i.e. connectedness) and understanding of course learning objectives. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative and qualitative longitudinal survey data was collected in a sustainable development focused course offered at a large American public university that uses P2PL to explicitly facilitate community building and collaborative skills. Safety precautions and changing locational course offerings due to the COVID-19 pandemic in years 2020, 2021 and 2022 provided an opportunity to evaluate the impact of P2PL on these skills during both virtual and in-person formats. Additionally, this study compared in-course student evaluations with students taking other sustainable development-related courses with collaborative learning aspects to understand the wider effectiveness of this course structure. Findings This study finds that course format (virtual vs in-person) overall made no difference in either connectedness or conceptual understandings, and that students in both formats felt more connected to others than students taking other courses with P2PL. Scaffolding P2PL and supplemental peer support can yield improved connectedness and learning among students taking environmental coursework. Originality/value Sustainable development requires group collaboration and partnership building skills. Issues are consistently raised about the challenges to teaching these skills in higher education. The students and instructors in this research study identify P2PL strategies to address these challenges for in-person and virtual classroom settings.

Digital transformation in the management of sustainable development of an export-oriented construction enterprise: modern approaches and new mechanisms

Digital transformation in the management of sustainable development of an export-oriented construction enterprise: modern approaches and new mechanisms

УПРАВЛІННЯ РИЗИКАМИ НА МАШИНОБУДІВНИХ ПІДПРИЄМСТВАХ: ДЕЯКІ ПРОБЛЕМИ, ШЛЯХИ ВИРІШЕННЯ

The article presents the results of an in-depth analysis of risk management in the engineering industry, taking into account the importance of effective strategies of such management for business success and sustainable development. The main focus is on identifying problems faced by machine-building enterprises in risk management; some approaches to solving these problems are proposed. The fundamental nature of risks in business processes is outlined, their critical impact on the operational and financial aspects of machine-building enterprises is emphasized. Common industry risk factors such as market volatility, technological advancements, regulatory changes and operational inefficiencies are identified. Attention is paid to the outline of the current state of risk management practice in the engineering industry. The main difficulties faced by enterprises are highlighted, including insufficient risk control mechanisms, lack of integrated risk assessment systems at the planning and design stages, as well as insufficient use of modern technologies in risk management. The proposed recommendations include the development and implementation of a reliable risk control system that covers all stages of the business process, the implementation of modern technologies such as data analytics to improve the efficiency and accuracy of risk management methods. Certain risk management algorithms recommended taking into account the experience of the leading machine-building enterprises in the Vinnytsia region as components of strategic planning can contribute to competitive advantages, long-term development and long-term success in the activities of machine-building enterprises. It is emphasized that ignoring risk management or their insufficient control can cause serious consequences, including financial losses, deterioration of reputation and loss of competitiveness of enterprises.

Revisiting the EKC framework concerning COP-28 carbon neutrality management: Evidence from Top-5 carbon embittering countries

In the aftermath of the 28th Conference of the Parties (CoP) climate summit in the UAE, the majority of developing countries encounter challenges in attaining their objectives of carbon neutrality for a sustainable economy. The association of economic factors such as economic growth, governance structures, forest area, renewable energy consumption, technological innovation, and urbanization with environmental elements (carbon footprint) is vital for sustainable economic development and environmental management strategies. Therefore, this research reveals this association in five selected high-emitting countries spanning from 1990 to 2022. This research utilizes the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) framework to investigate the interrelationship between these variables. To do so, this study employs the cross-sectional autoregressive distributed lags (CS-ARDL) statistical technique to determine the short- and long-term impacts of the variables under investigation on carbon footprint. In contrast, the mean group (MG) and common correlated effect mean group (CCEMG) have been applied for robustness. The findings revealed that GDP, urbanization, and forest area have positive associations with carbon footprints, whereas GDP square, renewable energy consumption, technological innovation, and governance effectiveness have inverse relationships with carbon footprints. These findings provide all stakeholders with valuable policy recommendations and management advice for accelerating the transition of renewable energy to low-carbon and green growth.

Analyzing the relationship between natural resource management, environmental protection, and agricultural economics for sustainable development in China

Sustainable development is crucial for achieving a balance between economic growth, social well-being, and environmental preservation. This study aims to evaluate the dimensions of natural resource management, environmental protection, and agricultural economics for promoting sustainable development in China. In this regard, the fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and fuzzy VIekriterijumsko KOmpromisno Rangiranje (VIKOR) approaches are used for the analysis. The hybrid approach combines the benefits of fuzzy logic and multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques, allowing for the consideration of uncertainties and imprecise data in decision-making. The study incorporates six criteria, twenty-four sub-criteria, and five strategies in a comprehensive evaluation framework. According to the results obtained using the fuzzy AHP method, it is evident that the primary criteria influencing sustainable development in China are economic viability, policy and governance, and environmental impact. Within these criteria, specific sub-criteria such as cost-effectiveness, policy alignment, air quality, and social inclusion emerge as key areas of focus. Furthermore, the results of the fuzzy VIKOR method show that investing in research and innovation, strengthening environmental regulations, and strengthening climate change adaptation are the most suited strategies to guide sustainable development efforts. To ensure sustainable development in China, policymakers need to give importance to implementing strategies stressing research and innovation, strengthened environmental regulations, and enhanced climate change adaptation.

The synergy effect of energy security and carbon-haze collaborative management: From the perspective of biased technological progress

It is important to ensure energy security and achieve carbon-haze collaborative management for sustainable development. Reducing imported energy dependence is necessary to maintain energy security, while its impact on environmental quality remains unclear. From the perspective of biased technological progress, this paper estimates the level of biased technological progress towards self-sufficient energy by a heterogeneous stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) function, and then empirically examines whether self-sufficient energy biased technological progress has a dampening effect on haze pollution and carbon emissions. It is found that: (1) Self-sufficient energy biased technological progress can effectively reduce haze pollution and carbon emissions, achieving a synergistic effect between energy security and carbon-haze collaborative management. (2) “Efficiency enhancement” and “quality improvement” are the essential mechanisms for the synergistic effect. (3) Environmental regulation, abundant resource and technology endowments can enhance the haze reduction effect. And the lower dependence on foreign trade and stable global economic policy environment are more conducive to achieving carbon-haze collaborative control. (4) In the Eastern and Western regions, self-sufficient energy biased technology can be sped up to alleviate haze pollution. The findings can enrich the research exploring pollution control from the perspective of biased technological progress, and provide policy recommendations for promoting high-quality development.

Planning and management in cultural preservation and sustainable development in urban contexts

This exploratory study addresses innovation in the planning and management of urban sustainability, focusing on the intersection between the preservation of cultural heritage and sustainable development in cities. It emphasizes the importance of cultural heritage, which includes monuments, historical sites, and cultural practices, as fundamental to social cohesion, sustainable tourism, and education, amid the challenges of balancing urban growth with the preservation of cultural identity. Adopting an exploratory approach, the study aims to identify specific opportunities and challenges in urban contexts, proposing the integration of culture as an essential pillar for the sustainable development of cities. It highlights the need to transcend technical discussions on sustainability to include the valorization of tangible and intangible cultural elements, thereby promoting a more inclusive and resilient urban environment.

ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION ON THE INTRODUCTION OF “GREEN” TECHNOLOGIES IN THE FIELD OF RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT OF RUSSIAN COMPANIES

The article analyzes information on the introduction of “green” technologies in the context of managing the sustainable development of Russian companies in the field of residential real estate. It was revealed that the aspects of information support for the use of “green” technologies in practice are insufficiently developed, there is no or insufficient information on these aspects on the official websites of real estate developers and their sales offices, there is not enough relevant information in the media field and expert reviews on this topic.
 There is not enough activity on sales forums Asignificant PR campaign developing one of the criteria of the “green” standard was the placement of eco-containers for collecting tires, clothing and equipment and other items on the territory of residential complexes. The objectives of the campaign were defined as increasing comfort and responsible attitude to the environment in modern residential complexes.
 During the research, the strengths and weaknesses of advertising and PR support for the introduction of “green” technologies in the construction of residential real estate in Moscow and the Moscow region of the Group of Companies “Airplane” were identified.
 Recommendations on the development of information support for the introduction of “green” technologies in construction and residential real estate sales in the context of sustainable development management of Russian companies have been formed.

Intelligent green retrofitting of existing buildings based on case-based reasoning and random forest

The decision-making on green retrofitting of existing buildings relies on both explicit and implicit knowledge, and its efficiency and reliability need improvement. Intelligent approaches that can sufficiently utilize the text information of existing projects are required to provide more suitable strategies for green retrofitting. This paper describes a decision-making approach combining Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) and Random Forest (RF), which can identify similar cases from the database containing 109 green retrofit projects and revise outdated measures. A practical project case study shows that the revised retrofit measures can reduce Energy Use Intensity (EUI) by 37%. The proposed approach optimizes and standardizes CBR processes and provides guidance for coping with semi-structured green retrofit decision-making problems, thereby promoting sustainable development and intelligent management in the construction field. The system prototype will be developed and promoted after the case database is expanded.