Sustainable Development Paradigm Research Articles

Social and economic aspects of environmental problems in the globalized world

Globalization is the phenomenon that has made quite a loud statement about itself during the last decades of the 20th century and found its representation in the formation of global economic, financial, cultural, legal, and political areas. Having been the conglomerate of various national states for thousands of years, the world’s social, economic, ecological, cultural space is now transforming into space without borders. The formation of global economic relations, ecological, demographic challenges can’t be solved individually, with local measures and means. In the second half of the 20th century, the world faced global problems and crises (ecological, demographic, reorganization of the economic and political world order), which have become the challenges that can’t be solved with the help of local actions. The global community is forced to raise issues about the ecologization of the entire industrial activity taking into account its consequences at all levels: local, national, and international. That’s what common threats and problems require. The sustainable development paradigm requires both reviewing and changing the “human-nature” system and realizing the necessity of preserving nature for ensuring the existence of the next generations. Sustainable development is to provide the transfer to a new economic type – the green economy, which requires significant investments, particularly in the renewable-energy industry, industrial waste treatment, restoration of soil fertility, preservation of forests.

Profitability of multi-national corporations in the context of sustainable development: Scania business practices

In this article, I explore the relationship between sustainable development and commercial success, using the example of the multi-national corporation (MNC), Scania. Despite broad discussion of necessity for businesses to be actively engaged in the sustainable development of goals at global and national level, only a small number of MNCs are actually taking concrete actions towards reaching any of them. In reality, corporations’ commitment to these goals often remains of a declaratory nature. Organizational practices emphasising social responsibility and environmental obligations have rarely been connected to generating income. This work attempts to investigate sustainable development as a source of new business opportunities to bring MNCs additional income. With concrete business practices from Scania I illustrate howcorporations may adjust their strategic behavior, approaches and positioning in the global market whithin the context of the sustainable development paradigm. The analysis is based on the public account records and official documents of Scania, as well as the company’s official site and open sources of information.

The Maqasid Al Shariah and the Sustainability Paradigm: Literature Review and Proposed Mutual Framework for Asnaf Development

Purpose - The study examines through analysing the literature, that the zakat recipients (asnaf) can be better entertained by a sustained mechanism than one-off measures. The main aim towards asnaf upliftment should be based on a self-reliance goal-oriented-action strategy plan to alleviate them from any further deprivation. The aim of Maqasid in addressing these issues is to ensure that an asking basket gets smaller day by day through an effective regime.
 Design/Methodology/Approach - The paper analyses and synthesises the relevant literature on Maqasid and sustainable paradigm, then proposes a conceptual convergence to understand the paradigmatic similarities between the two in appreciating the welfare of zakat recipients.
 Findings - The paper attempts to examine the latitude of sustainability and Maqasid necessities in relation to asnaf welfare. The sustainability development’s main concern that the future generation benefits from the present development, which is quite similar to Hifzul Nasl or protection of progeny in Maqasid fulfilment. It can be stated that the three jurisdictions of sustainable development (SD) paradigm i.e., namely, the social, economic and environmental concerns are in actual fact, more in conformity with the Maqasid requirements. But many authors stated that indeed Maqasid is more wholesome and more encompassing than the traditional SD paradigm. Islam categorically highlights that human being as a caretaker of environment, need to ensure a better, and harmonious society, that should be erected with constructive and productive economic activities and not resorting to any damages to the nature. These concerns clearly conforms with Maqasid when it conditions that the protection of life or health, or intellect or progeny or wealth needs to be with true understanding about the self as well as the kindness of the creator, which truly encompasses faith, and that to achieve any higher dimension, may require that these basic necessities are fulfilled and ascertained at the foremost.
 Originality/value - This study scrutinises a comprehensive understanding about sustainability and Maqaisd needs in addressing the asnaf development and welfare. The study further elucidates that even the nature is in constant salutation towards thanking the Lord for all the bounties.

Sustainable Development: Economic, Social, and Environmental Sustainability in Asian Economies

The study analyzes the relationship between social, economic, and environmental sustainability in a paradigm of sustainable development. Panel analysis is carried out for nineteen Asian economies, these are divided into three sub-groups; South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Central & East Asia. Results divulge a trade-off between economic and environmental sustainability when all countries are considered. Whilst, in the case of sub-regions no such trade-off is apparent. Furthermore, interactions between economic, social, and environmental sustainability with each other are found to be statistically significant, thus proving that these factors affect each other. It implies that, regarding the allocation of scarce financial resources, policymakers should be cautious while prioritizing among economic, social, or environmental sustainability and it should be done with discretion and prudence, nevertheless, ultimately these three pillars should converge to culminate in sustainable development. Some of the important factors, such as institutional quality, technological change, globalization, and social inclusiveness need to be the focus of sustainable development policies in Asia. These factors may act as transmission channels to achieve sustainable development in the region.

Energy function of beech forestsin Bukovyna Precarpathian region

Energy function of forest ecosystems is an important component of the system of their ecosystem functions. In this context, quantitative and qualitative assessment of the energy function of beech forests in Bukovyna Precarpathian region as an information tool for ensuring efficient forest management on the basis of the sustainable development paradigm is proposed within the framework of this research. The main indicator characterizing the energy function of forests is their energy content, i.e. the energy content of live biomass components, because the key processes that ensure the effective functioning of any ecosystem on Earth, including forest ecosystems, are the processes related to energy input, transformation and use. As a result of the research, quantitative indicators of energy content in live biomass of beech stands within the study region as well as their energy productivity were assessed. In total, over 230 PJ of energy have been accumulated in beech stands of the study region. Tree stands of seed natural origin account for about 97 % of the total amount of energy accumulated in live biomass of beech stands in the study region. The energy productivity of the stands under research is about 15 PJ∙year-1. At the same time, mid-aged stands feature the highest energy productivity – 260 GJ∙ha-1∙year-1. The energy productivity of mature and over mature beech stands is at the level of 200 GJ∙ha-1∙year-1. In rich (D2, D3) and relatively rich (C2, C3) conditions, quantitative values of energy productivity are respectively 260 and 220 GJ∙ha-1∙year-1. It has been found that annually beech stands form the energy potential of wood biomass ranging from 3.6 to 1.5 PJ depending on the type of potential.

DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONALITY INNOVATIVE CULTURE: MODERN PHILOSOPHICAL AND PEDAGOGICAL DISCOURSE

The article is devoted to determining the essence of the process of development of personality innovative culture. The phenomenon of innovative culture of the future manager of educational institution has been studied. The study considers the place of the innovative culture of the future manager of the educational institution in its components system. Great attention has been given to disclosing the dialectical and synergistic understanding of the personality innovative culture. The innovative personality culture in the context of the paradigm of humanity sustainable development has been characterized. It has been stated that the educational system of any country is the national foundation of society innovative development. Only a high level of education provides a significant rate of innovation progress. This is evidenced by the rapid development of countries with advanced education systems that have made a significant innovation breakthrough, thanks to a powerful advance in the application of the latest educational technologies and principles. It is emphasized on the development of personality innovative culture in the context of philosophical and pedagogical discourse.

Деякі особливості сучасної системи лісівничої освіти

Викладено окремі аспекти сучасної системи лісівничої освіти в контексті світових трендів. Метою огляду є узагальнення інформації з питань реформування лісівничої освіти вищої школи України. Перспективними напрямами її є подальша екологізація знань для реалізації парадигми сталого розвитку, а також послідовне впровадження системи профільних навичок і знань компетентності, креативності, синтезу формальної та неформальної освіти від компетентнісної до ціннісної системи навчання. Необхідні подальші напрацювання у системі лісівничої освіти задля впровадження сучасних технологій навчання, зокрема з фундаментальних лісівничих наук, та запровадження мобільної платформи лісівничих дисциплін, аналогічної Prometheus. Доцільно опрацювати більш модифіковані програми формальної і неформальної освіти задля підсилення універсальності вищої лісової освіти, в якій поєднуються біологічна, інвайроментальна, технічна та економічна складові. Позитивний досвід реформування вищої лісівничої та екологічної освіти в європейських країнах базувався на вдосконаленні організації, структуруванні, фінансуванні, акредитації вищих навчальних закладів, упровадженні нових форм навчання та надання можливості академічної мобільності студентам і викладачам.

Improvements in energy efficiency and the potential use of hydrogen fuel cells in railway transport

This article presents the value of further increase of the energy efficiency in railway transport in combination with transition to the non-standard sources of energy. This is done within the paradigm of sustainable development and decarbonization in the global economy and by also taking into account the objectives stated in the document “Global perspective of railway transport development until 2050.” Hydrogen fuel cells, which are being studied by the Technical and Scientific Council of the JSC “RZD”, have demonstrated to be the most beneficial. The global trends of commercial use of fuel cells for transport are based on the unique properties of hydrogen as a fuel: high energy efficiency, ecological safety, and capability to be used without electric grids. Taking into account technological and ecological value, the transition from diesel traction to hydrogen fuel cell traction is justified and can be evaluated as a step of evolution that is as valuable as the transition from steam traction to diesel traction. Empirical proof is available that hydrogen is not hazardous to handle with properly designed equipment. The potential of the Russian science allows fulfilling appropriate research and development. We have taken into account that the required scientific and technological competences are available in different scientific centers and their effective integration is required. The conclusion states that the required conditions exist for introduction of the hydrogen fuel cells to the rolling stock in Russia. Although manufacturing of the critical fuel cells is not currently available in the Russian Federation, it can be arranged if demand is sufficient. This will require the collaboration of customers and scientific investigators in the project development of electric rolling stock in which hydrogen fuel cells can be used.

Multi-Criteria Analysis of Design Solutions in Architecture and Engineering: Review of Applications and a Case Study

The primary goal of this paper is to present the application potential of MCDM/MCDA (multi-criteria decision-making/multi-criteria decision analysis) methods in the field of architecture and urban planning and in energy efficient construction, especially in the context of sustainable development paradigm. The first part of this paper is devoted to literature studies pertaining to multi-criteria decision-making support in the selected fields. On the basis of the delivered review, it was demonstrated that the most popular methods belonging to the MCDM/MCDA group that have been used so far for the purpose of resolving selected decision-making challenges, is the AHP (analytic hierarchy process) method with modifications, TOPSIS (technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution) method, as well the up-and-coming COPRAS (complex proportional assessment) method. In addition, by reviewing the literature, it was found that MCDM/MCDA methods constitute an effective support tool at the stage of evaluating and selecting project solutions, and are especially helpful in framing various social, economic, environmental criteria that are permanently linked to the rule of sustainable development. The empirical section of this paper, through a case study, presents a comparative analysis of the classical AHP method with its extension onto fuzzy sets. The case study pertained to the criteria for the location of single-family residential buildings with solar installations.

Precision Medicine: Implications for value chains and business models in life sciences

Precision Medicine (PM) is expected to be one of the biggest revolutions of the upcoming years and not only in the healthcare industry. PM aims to prevent and treat disease on the basis of a person's unique genetic makeup, lifestyle habits, and environment. While the topic has attracted huge attention from scholars in the biomedical field of research, in contrast, literature in the field of business studies is almost absent. This in itself is surprising: this revolution implies a profound impact on the business models of companies and institutions as it pushes a new paradigm of sustainable development for healthcare and welfare systems at the global level. However, little is known about whether, to what extent, and in what direction these dynamics are impacting on the way organisations and value chains are managed, from research to care delivery. Our study addresses this gap: we discuss both theoretical arguments and empirical evidence from a multiple case study survey. Findings show that PM is a multi-faceted phenomenon grounded on novel forms of innovation eco-systems and bundled-based models. We reveal a dramatic shift in the value chain, which is moving upstream from recovery and surgery to prevention and monitoring.

DETERMINANTS OF THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MODERN WORLD

<jats:p>Paradigm of sustainable development is not a stationary state but a global resolution of problem in a peacefully manner across the planetary boundaries. It is a normative (ethical) concept, an analytical concept, the science about complex systems, and at the same time a saving formula of the global survival of the world and the most complex human challenge in the 21st century. As an ideal this is a utopian concept, there are no reliable scientific arguments in support of its realisation and predictable time proximity. As an idea, it is a call to mobilizs the whole of mankind. The basic thesis and problem, whether and to what extent sustainable development is achievable or if it remains a fiction and a real danger of excessive technological mind and ecological degradation of the world of life.</jats:p>

The ‘Lunar Side’ of the Story: Exploring the Sustainability of Curricular Internships in Higher Education

Curricular internships are increasingly seen as an effective strategy capable of contributing to the objectives and targets of the sustainable development paradigm, both in its social, economic and institutional dimensions. This positive outlook is ingrained within the large bulk of existing research, which has been focused on the discussion of positive outputs, such as the enhancement of graduates′ competences (employability) and their work integration (employment). An important, albeit relatively unexplored, feature of the sustainable institutional politics of curricular internship management pertains to the assessment of its associated liabilities and tensions. This article seeks to address this challenge, by analyzing two interrelated dimensions. First, it seeks to understand the internship processes ranging from the planning to the implementation stages. Second, it elicits the associated negative aspects (the ‘lunar side’) of internships, allowing for an assessment of the features where there is room for improvement. Empirically, this article draws on in-depth qualitative research. It presents the results of four focus groups, voicing the perceptions of top management structures and students involving first cycle degrees in the areas of Marketing, Management, and Accounting from four public Portuguese Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)-three polytechnics and one university. Findings confirm the general positive outlook of internships. Perceived negative perspectives report to both internal problems (such as the lack of institutional support and curricular design) and external problems (e.g., the shortage of suitable internship placements), constituting barriers towards sustainable institutional policies and strategies. Adaptive strategies to overcome specific difficulties are highlighted (e.g., establishment of advisory committees with local businessmen). Finally, recommendations regarding curricular internship management at HEIs are delineated (e.g., investment in monitoring and evaluation strategies of internships).

The Research on Sustainable Tourism in the Light of Its Paradigms

This study investigates the nature and specificity of the concept of sustainable tourism against the background of the paradigm of sustainable development (with regard to the conditions for the implementation of its practices in Polish conditions). The study assumes the hypothesis that researching sustainable tourism as a category within a new scientific concept—i.e., an emerging paradigm of sustainable development—requires the use of an appropriate scientific methodology. This study, in its essential part, has an overview and theoretical character. A critical analysis of the literature on the subject from books and journals, as well as Internet sources, is used in the study. Documentary and observation methods are applied, and the results of qualitative research based on case study research methodology are presented; thus, the empirical part of the paper has an exploratory nature. Research on sustainable tourism as a category within an emerging paradigm of sustainable development shows that researchers use an appropriate scientific methodology, which is compatible with the interpretive paradigm in the highest degree. In case studies, the research is often limited to the analysis of one example. Due to the prevalence of studies applying qualitative methods, an interpretivist approach is prevalent, while a functionalist approach, associated with quantitative research and model testing, is less frequent.

АВСТРАЛІЯ В ЦІЛЯХ СТАЛОГО РОЗВИТКУ 2019

Усвідомлення людством реальної небезпеки екологічної катастрофи, яка загрожує існуванню цивілізації, стало причиною початку розробки концепції сталого розвитку. Новою парадигмою розвитку суспільства розглядається парадигма сталого розвитку, яку доцільно розуміти не лише в контексті зміни стосунків людини і природи задля розширення можливостей економічного зростання, а як скоординовану глобальну стратегію виживання людства, орієнтовану на збереження і відновлення природних спільнот у масштабах, необхідних для повернення до меж господарської місткості біосфери.

The Framework of the Civil Servants’ Education in the Conditions of Sustainable Development of the Republic of Belarus

Achieving the goals of sustainable development largely depends on the state machinery effectiveness and the professionalism of civil servants. Continuous education (life-long training) is an effective tool for ensuring competence level of civil servants. According to the results of the analysis of the education system of civil servants, it can be argued that in the Republic of Belarus it has developed a mixed framework of education for civil servants, which is characterized by a combination of innovative and traditional forms and teaching methods aimed at their professional and personal development. The training of civil servants is carried out within the annual governmental order. The existing educational framework was developed before the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, in this regard, the education of public servants does not fully take into account the paradigm of sustainable development. The solution is seen in the transition from the annual government order for training of civil servants to long-term, medium-term and short-term planning of their training, which correlates with the Sustainable Development Goals. It is also important to implement the principle of inclusion in education. This will entail not only the improvement of the scientific and methodological support of the educational process and the creation of new educational programs, but also an increase in the requirements for the level of teachers training and the intensification of the students role. We also believe that the use of advanced foreign experience in the learning process will strengthen the personnel capacity of the state machinery and promptly implement changes to reflect the new realities. The listed aspects of the civil servants education framework transformation in the Republic of Belarus can become potential growth points that in the long term will allow Belarus to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Sustainable land use and its assessment: global trends

Sustainable land use is a necessary building block for the sustainable development of agriculture, and it is a key component of sustainable development goals, an essential condition for improving environmental, economic and social opportunities for the benefit of present and future generations, while maintaining and improving the quality of land resources. The article investigates the historical development and assesment of sustainable land uses, which serves to increase the effectiveness of decision-making on land management. The conceptual terminology and tools for assessing sustainable land use in the process of land and landscape management at national, subnational and local levels are analyzed. It provides an analysis of the main elements and sub-elements of any sustainable development program, regardless of its reference point: region, community or country. It is proposed to improve the concept of "sustainable land use" in the context of the examined inverstigated world tendencies of the paradigm of sustainable development of territories adapted to the realities of Ukraine. Keywords : sustainable development, spatial formation of land use, sustainable use, assessment.

Sustainability Thinking In The Paradigm Of Electrical/Electronic Engineering: Concept And Relevance

Sustainability thinking plays a vital role for achieving a shift in environmental, economic, social and technical sustainability. Education has also been identified as an essential tool for achieving a sustainable future and improving the capacity of people to address sustainability issues which are inextricably tied to sustainable development. However, engineering curricula in Nigerian polytechnics is found to be deficient in terms of skills, knowledge and values in sustainability and its associated contexts/derivatives. This study therefore, investigated the perceptions of electrical/electronic engineering experts from academia and industry on the concept of sustainability and relevance of sustainability thinking in engineering education in Nigerian polytechnics. A qualitative approach was used in data collection through interview with experts in electrical/electronic engineering from both academia and industry. Findings showed that the participants clearly demonstrated an adequate understanding of the concept of sustainability thinking in line with the various United Nation’s report on sustainable development. They have also shown divergent views on the notion of sustainability thinking, and have advanced strong reasons for why integrating sustainability thinking in engineering curricula is inevitable. Responses are generally in line with the global reasons for re-orienting engineering curricula. But planet’s catastrophe are evidently on the increase in the Nigerian society, which suggests the need for incorporating sustainability thinking in engineering programmes as a new paradigm for sustainable development, to help curb out the menaces.

THE FIQH PARADIGM OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The paradigm of fiqh that is currently developing has not been able to answer the demands of sustainable development that has become a global agenda. The weakness of the fiqh perspective is because it uses the perspective of a third person who positions Al-Quran as the object of interpretation. This paper uses a second-person perspective and social system paradigm. These two perspectives form the fiqh paradigm of sustainable development. Based on this paradigm, the problems that become the priorities of sustainable development are understood as the excesses of dominating cognitive (subjective) relations that encourage humans to be individualistic and materialistic. This paper offers the importance of trans-cognitive (trans-subjective) relations that control recognition (subjective) relations and cognitive relations. Furthermore, in trans-cognitive relations, Al-Quran is positioned as a communicative act (speech act) of God to humans.

Green conceptions for the development of cities in the light of a sustainable development paradigm

The concept of sustainable development is adopted at various levels of territorial organisation, including the city level as the basis for all the activities. Modern cities should provide efficient public services in order to eliminate the lack of comfort resulting from an excessive urban sprawl, which is why the importance of ecological conditions in socio-economic development is increasingly indicated. The purpose of this article is to present selected concepts and indicate the conditions for the implementation of the city’s sustainable development assumptions. The econometric modelling was used in the research process.
 
 Keywords: Green areas, sustainable development, city.

From gross domestic product to wellbeing: How alternative indicators can help connect the new economy with the Sustainable Development Goals

In a 2014 issue of Nature, members of our research group called for abandoning the gross domestic product as the key indicator in economic policymaking. In this new article, we argue that a new post–gross domestic product economy focusing on wellbeing rather than material output is already emerging in the Anthropocene, thanks to the convergence of policy reforms and economic shifts. At the policy level, the Sustainable Development Goals require policymakers to protect ecosystems, promote greater equality, and focus on long-term equitable development. At the economy level, the provision of services has outpaced industrial production as the key driver of prosperity, with innovative business models optimizing the match between supply and demand and giving rise to a burgeoning “sharing economy”, which produces value to people while reducing output and costs. The economic transformation already underway is, however, delayed by an obsolete system of measurement of economic performance still dominated by the gross domestic product–based national accounts, which rewards the incumbent and disincentives the new. We show that a different approach to measuring wellbeing and prosperity is the “missing link” we need to connect recent evolutions in policy and the economy with a view to activating a sustainable development paradigm for a good Anthropocene.