Environmental Operational Performance Research Articles

Sex differences in autonomic functions and cognitive performance during cold-air exposure and cold-water partial immersion.

This study investigated the differences between males and females in autonomic functions and cognitive performance during cold-air exposure and cold-water partial-immersion compared to a room temperature-air environment. Although several studies have investigated the effects of cold-air or cold-water exposures on autonomic function and cognitive performance, biological sex differences are often under-researched. Twenty-two males and nineteen females participated in the current study. Subjects completed a battery of cognitive tasks based upon those used within the Defense Automated Neurobehavioral Assessment (DANA), consisting of five subtasks that assess simple and procedural reaction time, spatial manipulation, attention, and immediate memory. In total, subjects took the battery within a 15-minute period across 30-minute intervals throughout the duration of environmental exposure. Across three separate days, subjects were exposed to three different environmental conditions: room temperature air (23°C), cold air (10°C), and cold water (15°C; in which subjects were immersed up to their necks). Room temperature and cold-air conditions consisted of five sessions (about 2.5h), and the cold-water condition consisted of three sessions (about 1.5h). During each experimental condition, physiological data were collected to assess autonomic function, including electrodermal activity (EDA) data and heart rate variability (HRV) derived from electrocardiogram signals. Females showed slower reaction time in spatial manipulation tasks, immediate memory, and attention during cold-air exposures compared to room temperature air, whereas the performance of males were similar or better during cold-air exposures compared to room temperature air. Cold-water immersion affected the immediate memory performance of males. Both males and females exhibited smaller EDA amplitudes during cold-air and cold-water conditions compared to room temperature air. For HRV, only male subjects exhibited significantly greater values in low-frequency and very-low-frequency components during cold air exposure compared to the normal condition. Sex introduces important differences in cognitive performance and autonomic functions during exposure to cold-air and cold-water. Therefore, sex should be considered when assessing the autonomic nervous system in cold environments and when establishing optimal thermal clothing for performance in operational environments. Our findings can assist with determination of operational clothing, temperature in operating environment, and personnel deployment to operational sites, particularly in settings involving both males and females.

Healthcare procurement in the race to net-zero: Practical steps for healthcare leadership.

Although it is challenging to assess the greenhouse gas emission footprint associated with individual products and services, health leaders can play a pivotal role in emissions reduction by understanding and utilizing available tools and certifications that measure suppliers' operational environmental performance. Integrating environmental standards into procurement and supplier selection has the potential to greatly impact emissions production across the healthcare landscape as it will pressure suppliers to improve their operations in order to be selected. The purpose of this article is to emphasize the importance of the supply chain in addressing healthcare-related greenhouse gas emissions. We provide an overview of the types of tools available that can be used to evaluate the carbon footprints of individual companies and rate their performances, as well as certifications that formally recognize companies' sustainability practices and commitments.

Business Strategy and Corporate Environmental Performance: Evidence from High Environmental Risk Countries in the Asian Region

This study aims to provide empirical evidence of the effect of business strategy on the management and operational performance of the company's environment. This study examines business strategy as a company's fundamental element in corporate decision making and focuses on prospector and defender business strategies as strategies that are at opposite extremes of the continuum. The research sample is non-financial companies listed on the Indonesia, India and China Stock Exchanges. The final sample in this study consisted of 869 company observations and years, with the research period from 2015 to 2019. Data analysis was carried out by panel data regression using STATA 16 tools. We found that the company's business strategy had a significant effect on environmental management performance and performance. operational environment of the company. Overall, prospector and defender business strategies have different tendencies towards the level of environmental management performance and environmental operational performance. Companies with a prospector business strategy, even though they have a lower level of environmental management performance, are able to maintain their environmental externalities well. Meanwhile, a company with a defender business strategy managerially has a strategic planning system that has been stable but tends to limit involvement in environmental activities in real terms with cost considerations. This research can serve as an illustration for regulators to consider proactive environmental policies for companies. Keywords : business strategy, environmental management performance, environmental operational performance

The Impact of Relationship Trust, Environmental Protection Awareness, and Regenerative Innovation on Environmental Performance: A Case Study of the Industrial Waste Industry

In order to expand on the scope of research on partnership governance, this study explored the impact of relationship trust, stakeholder environmental awareness, and regenerative innovation on environmental performance. The study participants were primarily employees of legitimate public waste disposal and treatment facilities in the six special municipalities of Taiwan (including domestic and overseas facilities). The investigation was conducted via a questionnaire survey. A total of 1000 questionnaires were distributed and 550 were recovered, of which 539 were valid, indicating an effective recovery rate of 53.9%. Data analysis was conducted by structural equation modeling. The empirical results showed that relationship trust had a significant and positive impact on stakeholders’ environmental awareness, which, in turn, had a significant and positive impact on regenerative innovation. Relationship trust had no direct and significant impact on regenerative innovation. Hence, the impact of relationship trust on regenerative innovation is mediated by stakeholders’ environmental awareness. The results also showed that regenerative innovation had a significant and positive impact on environmental management performance, and no significant impact on environmental operational performance. Hence, the impact of regenerative innovation on environmental management performance is not mediated by environmental operational performance.

Corporate environmental performance, environmental management and firm risk

AbstractUsing a sample of 1,632 U.K. firm‐year observations from 2002 to 2013, this paper investigates the impact of multidimensional corporate environmental performance (CEP) on firm risk. Considering two dimensions of CEP, namely environmental management performance (EMP) and environmental operational performance (EOP), we find that EMP serves as an effective mechanism in reducing firm risk, and such an effect is mainly driven by the manufacturing sector. Meanwhile, there is no clear association between EOP and firm risk. However, our findings highlight a moderating effect of EOP on the relationship between negative EMP and firm risk. This provides new insights into the value of multidimensional CEP and suggests that the complex relationship between outcome‐ and process‐based environmental performance is important for understanding the real effects of CEP on firm risk. Our results have important implications for managerial decision‐making in strategy and risk management, as well as for policymaking in environmental regulation.

Spatial Auditory Cueing for a Dynamic Three-Dimensional Virtual Reality Visual Search Task

Maintaining spatial awareness is a primary concern for operators, but relying only on visual displays can cause visual system overload and lead to performance decrements. Our study examined the benefits of providing spatialized auditory cues for maintaining visual awareness as a method of combating visual system overload. We examined visual search performance of seven participants in an immersive, dynamic (moving), three-dimensional, virtual reality environment both with no cues, non-masked, spatialized auditory cues, and masked, spatialized auditory cues. Results indicated a significant reduction in visual search time from the no-cue condition when either auditory cue type was presented, with the masked auditory condition slower. The results of this study can inform attempts to improve visual search performance in operational environments, such as determining appropriate display types for providing spatial information.

Corporate environmental performance evaluation: A cross-country appraisal

Abstract This study scrutinises cross-country neutral evaluation of corporate environmental performance (CEP) using a multidimensional model. The study compares Australian and Indian CEP measurement and tests a model to explore whether that model can be effectively implemented in both countries. The model consist of four managerial performance (MP) and two operational performance (OP) indicators. Factor analysis with varimax rotation along with ordinary least squares regression were untaken to analyse the relationship and individual contribution of PM and OP to CEP. Two models were confirmed using AMOS Version 18 software. Results indicated that environmental managerial performance and environmental operational performance are two separate constructs of CEP and are mutually dependent and that a single model could not be effectively implement in different cultural locations. The results also inferred that firm environmental management standing would be transformed to decent operational performance but a single model can not be effectively implemented different locations. Gathering insights into CEP in the cross-country context is the key contribution of the current study. Findings of the study will be helpful to business managers to develop an appropriate CEP model to reduce both cost and risk and thereby increase firm value and competitive advantage.

Analisis Pengaruh Word of Mouth dan Brand Image Terhadap Keputusan Pembelian pada Waroeng Spesial Sambal "SS" Jember

The research aims to analyze influence of work discipline, Work Environment and Work Stress variables to employee performance Akademi Kebidanan Dr. Soebandi Jember. Data is used in this study was primary data obtained from a questionnaire that was given to the respondent. The sampling method used in this study was issaturated with a total sample of 44 respondents. Data analysis method used is multiple linear regression analysis method.The results of this study indicate that discipline significant positive operating environment performance employees Akademi Kebidanan Dr. Soebandi Jember, physical sgnificant positive operating environment performance employees Akademi Kebidanan Dr. Soebandi Jember. Workplace non physical significant positive operating environment performance employees Akademi Kebidanan Dr. Soebandi Jember. Job stress influential significant positive operating environment performance employees Akademi Kebidanan Dr. Soebandi Jember.
 Keywords: Work Discipline, Employee Performance, Work Environment, Work Stress

Symbolic reactions or substantive pro‐environmental behaviour? An empirical study of corporate environmental performance under the government's environmental subsidy scheme

AbstractDo firms substantively improve their corporate environmental performance (CEP), or do they just react symbolically under the government's environmental subsidy (ENS) scheme? There is little empirical research into this business ethical problem in the literature. To understand how firms respond to the government's ENS scheme, in this study, we empirically examine the relationship between ENS and CEP. Specifically, we distinguish two types of CEP, that is, environmental management performance (EMP) and environmental operational performance (EOP), and then test the effects of ENS on EMP and EOP and the moderating role of environmental enforcement intensity (EEI) in both effects. We collect 5‐year panel data of Chinese listed companies operating in heavily polluting industries for the empirical analysis and find that (a) China's ENS significantly improves EMP, but its effect on EOP is not significant. Subsidized firms mainly respond to the government's ENS scheme through the process‐oriented pro‐environmental behaviour such as implementing the ISO14001 certification to improve EMP rather than the outcome‐oriented pro‐environmental behaviour such as investing on environment‐related R&D projects and energy conservation and emission reduction to improve EOP. This sort of firm pro‐environmental behaviour under the Chinese government's ENS scheme is symbolic rather than substantive. (b) China's EEI positively moderates the effect of ENS on EMP, but its moderating role in the effect of ENS on EOP is not significant. Therefore, the power of the current environmental regulation enforcement mechanism in China is insufficient to push firms to engage in real pro‐environmental activities to improve EOP. Relevant policy implications are discussed in the paper.

The Value of sustainability

As the market place becomes increasingly competitive and there is a need to be able to differentiate oneself as a high performer. Andrew Vaughan the CEO of Redevco stated‘Greening ourportfolio over the next two years is not only environmentally the right thing to do, it also makes soundbusiness sense.’Buildings built and/or managed to sustainability standards, such as BREEAM have been shown to minimise risk and generate maximum profit via:• High and continuous rental income;• Low operating & maintenance cost;• Low depreciation.UK valuers do not think we are paying a premium for green buildings but having to give a discount because the building is not performing well. This gives a convincing business case for new build where the certification process leads to a high-performance building.However, what about the existing building stock?Is the operational environmental performance of an asset reflected by its investment performance?This paper describes a new research project which aims to test the Hypothesis –Better operational performance in-use leads to improved investment performance of commercial offices. Improved operational performance goes “hand-in-hand” with environmental performance; where the performance can be illustrated by certification and labelling schemes.

Gearing up sustainability thinking and reducing the bystander effect – A case study of wastewater treatment plants

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) emphasize the task of organizations to implement sustainability and especially environmental issues. So far, scholars have focused on private sector and manufacturing organizations as they are regarded as the main polluters. However, despite their positive influence to a circular economy, public service organizations such as wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have negative environmental impacts as well. WWTPs shoulder the important task of mitigating environmental impacts caused by organizations and households at the end-of-pipe. We question whether WWTPs are mainly guided by their core mission of wastewater treatment or have an environmental thinking beyond this core activity and, thus, pursue a holistic environmental sustainability management approach. We investigate WWTPs' experienced sources for pressure regarding environmental thinking and management in a multiple case study with three exemplary WWTPs by means of conducting semi-standardized interviews, analyzing homepages as well as reports, and attending internal meetings. Results indicate that WWTPs focus on the operational environmental performance of wastewater treatment, either regulated by laws, contributing to financial savings, or increasing customer satisfaction. However, WWTPs are highly reliant on the incoming wastewater streams on which they have little influence. To achieve the SDG, we conclude that it is important to gear up environmental sustainability thinking beyond reducing wastewater contamination in WWTPs as an end-of-pipe solution. To do so, WWTPs have to take responsibility beyond their core business and stakeholders have to rethink their prevailing wastewater discharging behavior at the pollution source. Rethinking habits and practices by all actors along the entire water cycle can contribute more to sustainable societies than taking a passive bystander role that attributes all responsibility towards WWTPs that continuously have to implement costly and elaborate upgrades.

Teaming with Technology at the TSA: An Examination of Trust in Automation’s Influence on Human Performance in Operational Environments

Automated systems are not only commonplace but a necessity to complete highly specialized tasks in many operational environments. Problems arise, however, when the automation is used injudiciously. Trust is known to influence how workers use and rely on automated systems, especially when the operational environment poses a great amount of complexity for the user. The environment in which most Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers operate is characterized by complexity that often demands the use of automation to complete required tasks. The TSA aims to better understand the influence of trust in automation on operational performance to better support its mission and workforce. This paper will discuss the methods, findings, and practical implications gleaned from an examination of the role trust plays on human-automation interactions in the operational environment at TSA.

Optimizing tradeoffs among housing sustainability objectives

Abstract The sustainability of housing units can be improved by integrating green building equipment and systems such as energy-efficient HVAC systems, building envelopes, water heaters, appliances, and water-efficient fixtures. The use of these green building measures often improves the environmental and social performances of housing units; however they can increase their initial cost and life cycle cost. This paper presents a multi-objective optimization model that is capable of optimizing housing design and construction decisions in order to generate optimal/near-optimal tradeoffs among the three sustainability objectives of maximizing the operational environmental performance of housing units, maximizing the social quality of life for their residents, and minimizing their life cycle cost. The model is designed as a multi-objective genetic algorithm to provide the capability of optimizing multiple housing objectives and criteria that include minimizing carbon footprint and water usage during housing operational phase, maximizing thermal comfort, enhancing indoor air and lighting quality, improving neighborhood quality, and minimizing life cycle cost. An application example is analyzed to illustrate the use of the developed model and evaluate its performance. The results of this analysis illustrate the novel capabilities of the model in generating 210 near-optimal tradeoff solutions for the analyzed housing example, where each represents an optimal/near-optimal and unique tradeoff among the aforementioned three sustainability optimization objectives of maximizing the operational environmental performance of housing units, maximizing the social quality of life for their residents, and minimizing their life cycle cost. These novel capabilities of the developed model are expected to improve the design and construction of housing units and maximize their overall sustainability.

Evaluation of operational environmental performance: an engineering-based approach

The corporate sector is increasingly required to understand and manage the environmental consequences of their activities by the use of Environmental Management Systems (EMSs). A diverse range of EMSs have been proposed in the literature. These methods have been reviewed and assessed in this paper according to their suitability for evaluation of operational environmental performance. Existing methods present limitations in accommodating changes in environmental performance, and do not incorporate fundamental process analysis to assess how the actual performance varies from what is theoretically achievable. A novel engineering-based risk evaluation framework is proposed to overcome some of the identified issues.

Corporate environmental performance evaluation: a measurement model and a new concept

AbstractWhile many third‐party organizations are practically evaluating corporate environmental performance (CEP), few academic studies have paid attention to third‐party environmental performance evaluation (EPE). To answer the question of what should be measured for third‐party EPE, we develop an environmental performance measurement (EPM) model consisting of environmental management performance (EMP) and environmental operational performance (EOP), and hypothesize that EMP be measured by four management performance indicators (MPIs: organizational system, stakeholder relations, operational countermeasures and environmental tracking) and EOP be measured by two operational performance indicators (OPIs: inputs and outputs). Further, to answer the question of how to enable third‐party EPE comparable across companies from different (sub‐)sectors, we propose to use the environmental intensity change index (EICI) as a measure of OPIs. Empirical tests confirm that the EICI and the evaluation based on it are comparable across companies from different sub‐sectors. Empirical tests also support the existence of the MPIs and OPIs and the two‐dimensioned constructs of CEP. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Environmental impact assessment follow-up and its benefits for industry

Applying follow-up within environmental impact assessment (EIA) is no longer an option but a sound precaution and a proactive measure in today's heavily regulated industrial environment, where the announcement of new development is treated with dismay and opposition by local residents. Increasingly, successful development is viewed in terms of its final result—its operational environmental performance, its acceptance by stakeholders, its contribution to sustainable development, and, critically, the scale or magnitude of environmental impact over all life-cycle phases. For astute proponents, the evidence suggests that EIA follow-up has a valuable role to play in good developmental practice. It can also encourage integration of environmental perspectives into developmental programmes, the systematic implementation of mitigation and the triggering of environmental risk responses posed through construction activities. This paper shares experience with EIA follow-up from an industry practitioner's viewpoint to assist with learning from experience and capacity building. Seven perceived functions of EIA follow-up are examined alongside specific case studies.

High-speed rail and air passenger transport: A comparison of the operational environmental performance

This paper presents an overview of the environmental performance of high-speed rail (HSR) and air passenger transport (APT) in the European Union (EU). This performance embraces the direct environmental burdens/emissions such as energy consumption, air pollution, noise, land-take and land use, safety and congestion. A comparison of the marginal values of particular burdens/emissions and their costs (externalities) is carried out. The results have shown that significant mitigation of the impacts and savings of costs could be achieved by substitution of air passenger transport by high-speed rail. The substitution can be carried out through competition and complementarity of operations of both modes.

Timely prediction of low-altitude radar performance in operational environments using in situ atmospheric refractivity data

A shipboard radar decision aid that may be used to predict current low-altitude radar performance and assist the radar operator in maximising system capabilities in the existing propagation environment is discussed. The system, developed for use aboard US Navy AEGIS-class ships, uses expendable rocketborne radiosondes to make high-resolution measurements of the atmo sphere. A version of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory's electromagnetic parabolic equation (EMPE) propagation model is used to calculate the effects of the measured refractivity environment on the propagation of energy radiated by the radar. A radar modeluses these data in predictions of the system's current low-altitude target detection capabilities. A colour display indicates the size of targets that may be detected through contour shading of a range-height display. The effects of many radar operator controllable options on target detectability may be evaluated in the current propagation environment with this system. A significant portion of the data acquisition-to-display process has been automated. Design and implementation of this system and results of recent at-sea testing are discussed.