Quest For Sustainable Development Research Articles

Does rising resources income, consumer prices, government outlay and globalization hinder Africa’s sustainable development?

This study examines the long-term effect of contemporary challenges such as growing resource income, rising consumer prices, inefficient public spending and globalization on Africa’s quest for sustainable development (SD). A robust measure of SD that integrates resource productivity is adopted. The study period spanned from 1991 to 2021, and data was sourced from 24 African countries. The empirical output for this study is derived using long-term methodologies, including feasible generalized least squares (FGLS), Driscoll-Kraay and panel dynamic ordinary least squares (PDOLS). The estimation of the long-term model is to capture the consequential effects of contemporary issues on SD. Evidence from the model reveals that increases in resources income, consumer prices, public outlay and globalization are deterrents to SD. The individual cross-sectional regression outputs also demonstrate similar effects. Given these contemporary challenges, the study proposes relevant policy measures to aid the attainment of SD.

Haustafeln: A Deconstruction Reading of the Household Codes in Ephesians 5: 22-25 for Sustainable Development in Nigerian Context

The quest for sustainable development has remained a recurring decimal in the history of man. Hence it becomes enigmatic for scholars and the society to admit the Pauline household codes on the verge of global challenges for advancement and technological breakthrough in the society as well. The paper adopts o multidimensional approach in order to heuristically examine the phenomenon. It discovers among other things that the restriction on the family was borne out of fear for the Greco-Roman government since the Jews were under Roman rule. Also, discovers that it is anti-society in outlook as women were meant to be seen and not heard their potentials denied while children and slaves the future leaders in our contemporary context were disenfranchised. Beside the men, every other person are denied of their rights, subjected and couched under the guise of patriarchal authority and harmonious living. The paper concludes by recommending a deconstruction reading that will empower women and youths to achieve speedy development. It recommends that the idea of patriarchy should be re-reinterpreted with love-submission in focus, where input from other members of the family counts and not blind submission to mediocrity and underdevelopment because of masculinity Keywords: sustainable development, patriarchal, submission, haustafeln, society, family and deconstruction

Social Media Integration and Financial Performance of Selected Micro Retail Businesses in Cebu City

The tremendous shift towards digital platforms has prompted businesses to go online during the heights of the pandemic. Among those who embraced this enormous shift are the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which are the backbone of the economic growth in developing countries. The efficient use of social media marketing has been a key player in the success of companies in today’s business environment, and the quest for sustainable development gives rise to the need for better strategic decisions in the MSMEs. This paper analyzes whether there is a relationship between social media integration and the financial performance of selected micro retail businesses in Cebu City. The level of social media integration and the total assets turnover of 385 selected micro retail businesses were correlated using Pearson’s correlation, with their related advertising expenses as the moderating variable. As observed in a non-contrived setting with minimal interference, our results showed a weak positive correlation among the variables correlated with such relationships varying per business industry. Our analysis also revealed that the average total assets turnover of businesses employing social media is higher than those which do not. The results also showed that the more integrated the business is, the more likely they are to invest in social media advertising.

Investigation of mycelium film as the adhesive for poplar veneer bonding: insight into interfacial bonding mechanisms

ABSTRACT The emergence of mycelium-bonded biocomposites has been stimulated in the quest for sustainable development. These biocomposites exhibit enhanced mechanical properties through hot pressing, with mycelium playing a crucial role as both the adhesive and reinforcing material in this composite system. This study aims to investigate and compare the effectiveness of different mycelium films for veneer bonding, with a specific focus on the interface between the mycelia and the substrate. Two fungal species, Pycnoporus sanguineus and Trametes versicolor, were utilized to colonize poplar veneers for 14 days. Subsequently, a wood bonding interface was successfully established between the mycelium film and the decayed veneer surface. The results revealed that bonded veneers with the mycelium film of Pycnoporus sanguineus exhibited higher adhesion strength with 1.76 ± 0.16 MPa. A series of analyses have revealed the occurrence of both mechanical and chemical bonds between mycelia and wood. The bonding interface between mycelium and wood was formed by a synergistic combination of mechanical interlocking, hydrogen bonding interaction, Schiff base reaction, and lignin repolymerization. This study provides valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms involved in the formation of interfacial bonding by fungal mycelia.

The Solar Energy Landscape in India: Navigating the Interplay of Opportunities and Challenges in the Quest for Sustainable Development

The Solar Energy Landscape in India: Navigating the Interplay of Opportunities and Challenges in the Quest for Sustainable Development

Policy (In)Consistency and Sustainable Development Goals in Africa: A Systematic Literature Review

The attainment of Sustainable Development Goals hinges on the alignment of SDGs policies. This systematic literature review delves into the intricate relationship between policy inconsistency and sustainable development goals in Africa. Through this study, we unveil the challenges, implications, and the potential pathways that emerge at the intersection of policies and the quest for sustainable development in Africa. Our investigation takes a close look at the diverse dimensions of policy coherence, encompassing economic, social, and environmental considerations, and how these dimensions impact the progress of SDGs. Employing a systematic review approach, we meticulously filtered through 1745 results from databases, selecting 353 articles for a comprehensive analysis. Our findings underscore the significant role that policy inconsistency plays in impeding the attainment of SDGs in Africa. We propose an approach anchored on the alignment of SDGs policies and each goal of SDGS for the attainment of the 2030 SDGs agenda in Africa.

Strengthening the Quest for Sustainable Development Through Persuasive Climate Argumentation

This study explored the nexus between framing, persuasion and the quest for sustainable development in a competitive policy debate setting using content analysis approach. Evidence from the analysis reveals several insights about the underlying mechanism that governs persuasive climate argumentation which shapes sustainable development trajectory. First, the study showed that arguers construct arguments that appeals to logos as a major persuasion strategy. Second, it demonstrated how persuasion strategy entrench a culture of persuasion in climate debates. Third, it found a discordant relationship between fallacies and persuasion strategy in climate argumentation, which jeopardises arguments' persuasive power. Finally, the study evaluated how tensions in the mainstream socio-economic and environmental ecosystem creeps into climate arguments and limit persuasive power of climate arguments. These are regarded as reflective pattern of climate argumentation that are capable of stimulating behavioural change and communication strategies for sustainable development.

Urbanization in France: An Overview of Transformations and Impacts

This paper explores the historical perspectives and contemporary trends of urbanization in France, shedding light on the transformations, challenges, and opportunities that have shaped the country's urban landscape over time. The article begins by tracing the roots of urbanization in the nineteenth century when industrialization spurred rapid urban growth in cities like Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux. The rise of urban infrastructure, including factories, transportation networks, and housing, accommodated the growing urban population.The twentieth century marked a transition in France's urbanization patterns, with post-war reconstruction, suburbanization, and changing societal dynamics playing significant roles. Efforts were made to rebuild and modernize cities after the World Wars, resulting in urban renewal projects and architectural changes. Suburbanization emerged as a trend driven by the desire for improved living conditions outside overcrowded city centers.In recent decades, globalization, technological advancements, and changing lifestyles have influenced urban development patterns in France. Metropolitan areas, particularly the Greater Paris Region, have experienced significant expansion, concentrating economic activities, cultural institutions, and population. However, smaller towns and rural areas have faced population decline and struggles to maintain services and infrastructure.The consequences of urbanization in France have been multifaceted. Cities have become centers of economic innovation, cultural vibrancy, and educational opportunities, attracting talent and fostering creativity. Additionally, urban areas have played a crucial role in France's tourism industry, with cities like Paris and Lyon being major global destinations. However, the rapid growth of cities has presented challenges related to housing affordability, transportation congestion, environmental sustainability, and social inequality.To effectively manage urbanization, policymakers, urban planners, and researchers must understand the driving factors, impacts on local communities, and strategies for sustainable urban development. The article emphasizes the importance of examining demographic shifts, urban planning initiatives, transportation systems, housing dynamics, cultural transformations, and the quest for sustainable development. By analyzing the historical trajectory and current trends of urbanization in France, valuable insights can be gained into the opportunities and challenges faced by the country as it navigates the complexities of a rapidly changing urban landscape.The article concludes by highlighting the need for comprehensive urban planning, sustainable development practices, and inclusive policies to address the challenges posed by urbanization in France. It emphasizes the importance of transportation systems, housing dynamics, affordability, and environmental considerations in creating resilient and livable cities. Additionally, the article suggests that examining specific case studies like Paris, Lyon, and Marseille can provide deeper insights into the unique challenges and successes of urbanization in different cities.

Assessing Energy Policies, Legislation and Socio-Economic Impacts in the Quest for Sustainable Development

The energy sector in Africa, particularly in countries like Uganda, plays a pivotal role in shaping economic development, social progress, and environmental sustainability. This study delves into the nuanced interplay between energy policies, legislation, and their real-world consequences in Uganda. By employing a case study approach, this research investigates the multifaceted impact of Uganda's energy policies and legislation on various stakeholders, including government institutions, businesses, and local communities. This study provides an overview of Uganda's energy landscape, highlighting the challenges faced by the nation in ensuring a stable and sustainable energy supply. It then meticulously examines the evolution of energy policies and legislation over the past few decades, analysing their formulation, implementation, and effectiveness. Through qualitative and quantitative analyses, this research assesses the socio-economic consequences of these policies and legislations. It explores how regulatory decisions have influenced energy accessibility, affordability, and reliability for urban and rural populations. Additionally, the environmental impact of energy policies is scrutinized, focusing on their contributions to climate change mitigation, natural resource conservation, and the promotion of sustainable practices. The study also evaluates the social repercussions, including the empowerment of local communities, employment generation, and overall improvements in the quality of life resulting from energy policy interventions. This research critically examines the challenges faced during policy implementation, such as bureaucratic hurdles, financial constraints, and political influences, which often hinder the desired outcomes. It identifies key lessons from Uganda's experiences, offering valuable insights for other African nations grappling with similar energy challenges.

A novel approach for enhancing the bond performance of bamboo reinforced concrete by surface treatment and corrugation

In the quest for sustainable development and to address the challenges of urbanization, researchers are exploring alternative sources of materials for construction and bamboo has emerged as a promising alternative to steel reinforcement in concrete construction due to its impressive weight-to-strength ratio. The goal of the present work is to investigate the bond properties of three different corrugation patterns in surface-treated bamboo alongside non-corrugated and epoxy-treated bamboo samples through pull-out testing. Bamboo corrugation is advocated as an ingenious mechanism to foster a robust interlocking effect between bamboo and concrete, effectively bolstering cohesion and optimizing skin friction to amplify the overall bond strength significantly. The findings revealed significant improvements in bond strength for rectangular corrugation, V-notch corrugation, and trapezoidal corrugation patterns, with strength enhancements of 46%, 85%, and 81% respectively, compared to plain bamboo. Furthermore, a theoretical bond model was developed for each corrugation pattern, which has been successfully validated against the experimental results with a notable accuracy ranging from 78.7% to 95.6%. Finally, the theoretical model was suggested as a tool for estimating the bond between bamboo and concrete. These findings underscore the potential of using corrugated bamboo reinforcement as a sustainable solution for enhancing bond performance in concrete.

Sustainability and Trible Concerns in Baraguru Ramachandrappa's 'Shabari'

Sustainable development has become noteworthy and stylistic phrase in today’s developmental society and its discourse. However, in spite of its massive popularity it has developed over the ages, the concept still seems even ambiguous as many people continue to understands about its very meaning and history, as well as what it entails and implies for development theory and practice. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the discourse of the tribal concerns further explaining the paradigm and its implications for human actions and thinking in the quest for sustainable development. For this regard Prof. Baraguru Ramachandrappa’s Novel which is written in Kannada language is one example of its kind.

Educational Leadership and Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development

The imperativeness of educational leadership and artificial intelligence in contemporary society cannot be overstated in the quest for sustainable development, given the pivotal role of education in achieving the stated developmental objectives. Sadly, educational leaders in Nigeria face several challenges in maximizing the use of AI for sustainable development. This has not only influenced their effectiveness negatively but has equally deprived them of optimal achievement of the objectives of education in the country, considering the roles of teachers in education service delivery. Using a qualitative research approach, this study offered insights into ways of using artificial intelligence and educational leadership for the attainment of sustainable development in Nigeria. Specifically, this study explored educational leadership, artificial intelligence, sustainable development, artificial leadership and sustainable development. Furthermore, the paper underscores the need for educational leadership that is fortified with artificial intelligence for sustainable development by revealing the roles of artificial intelligence in effective educational leadership and its implications for sustainable development. Also, it considers the associated challenges, such as inadequate infrastructure and funding, a lack of technical expertise among educators and education administrators, a lack of policies and regulations, ethical concerns, and a lack of public awareness, and the mitigating strategies, which include providing infrastructure and funding, technical expertise, policies and regulations, ethical concerns, public awareness, and education to address them.

Editorial

The editorial of Thermal Engineering of this issue continues the discussion on scientific research needs in vital areas in which thermal engineering has important participation. The main goal is to motivate the readers, within their specialties, to identify possible subjects for their future research. The word "energy" has a historical origin that goes back to ancient Greek philosophy. Derived from the Greek word "energeia", which described the ability of a being or system to perform work or activity, the notion of energy was later incorporated into Latin as "energy" which was also used to describe the vital force that animates living beings. With the development of physics and engineering in the 19th century, the concept of energy was refined and acquired a more concise scientific meaning, linked to the ability to produce changes, or perform work in a physical system. Energy is recognized as the corner stone of several field of knowledge, considered a key concept for science, technology and economics. Energy is fundamental not only in the description and analysis of natural phenomena, but also in discussions related to energy resources, efficiency, sustainability and their impact in the global economy. Understanding and mastering the principles of energy generation is essential for the understanding natural processes, as the conception of strategies to advance the development of technologies and nations. Therefore, energy plays a decisive role in modern society, with significant implications in social and environmental sciences and in the quest for sustainable development. An economic study combined with thermodynamics principles is called thermoeconomic analysis. When taken into consideration, thermoeconomic analysis brings a new perspective for the decision making process when a current of new manufacturing process, product development, new energy generation strategies and its technologic applications are under scrutiny. Several well-known technology applications, from the thermodynamic point of view, have been seen with different lenses when they are studied considering thermoeconomic principles. Such analysis does not weaken previous conclusion but promote development. It does not only enhance the technology itself but also promotes scientific growth, since more scientific investigation must be performed to make a process not only highly efficient but also economic viable. The mission of Thermal Engineering is to document the scientific progress in areas related to thermal engineering (e.g., energy, oil and renewable fuels). We are confident that we will continue to receive articles’ submissions that contribute to the progress of science.

Data-driven prediction and optimization of residential building performance in Singapore considering the impact of climate change

Research on the performance of tropical residential buildings requires careful consideration of the effects of the changing weather conditions. Based on machine learning and multi-objective genetic optimization algorithms, this study proposes an integrated framework for predicting and optimizing the performance of residential buildings in Singapore. The framework was used for two Singapore residential building types, the point block building and the slab block building, to examine their optimal performance in terms of daylight performance, energy efficiency, and thermal comfort under future climate conditions in the short term (2021–2040), middle term (2041–2060), and long term (2061–2100). The results show that the XGBoost algorithm and transfer learning method perform well in building performance prediction, specifically in the source domain (point block buildings) with R2 = 0.95 and in the target domain (slab block building) with R2 = 0.87. The general trend in the optimal design parameters for residential buildings is to enhance the thermal insulation of building walls and envelopes to better cope with future warming climate conditions, while providing adequate indoor lighting. This study contributes to the field of climate-resilient residential buildings in Singapore. This is closely linked to the Singapore government's quest for sustainable development and to enhance the well-being of its residents.

Indigenous Knowledge and Africa’s Quest for Sustainable Development

In Africa’s quest for sustainable development, it is important to consider the various factors that make African societies unique and different from others. As a people with special interests, beliefs, and social and political organizations which are culturally transient, Africa cannot develop outside the scope of its cultural ties. Since the gap between indigenous or cultural knowledge and sustainable development is so closely knitted, no society can progress by neglecting its values and bonds. Every development comes with the need to improve the existing condition, and where there is an absolute lack of knowledge of the existing condition of things, every effort directed toward the development of such a society will inevitably fail because the system will only be working on a trial-and-error basis. Hence, Africa’s sustainable development must be construed within the ambience of African society taking cognizance of her communal way of life. In this paper, therefore, we shall argue that the major problem for the technological, economic, social, and political backwardness of Africa lies in her attempt to attain sustainable development without recourse to its rich cultural knowledge. The paper adopts both the speculative and analytic methods of philosophical investigation to affirm the position that Africa must look inward in her quest to attain sustainable development.

How to Put the AI in Sustainability - An Empirical Qualitative Study on AI and Sustainability

Both the widespread diffusion of artificial intelligence (AI) and the quest for sustainable development are transforming businesses and society. Businesses are increasingly stepping forward to address grand challenges associated with sustainability, but are faced with complex challenges inside and outside their organizational boundaries. AI appears particularly suited to address these problems as it not only enables businesses to make better predictions but also reduces the costs of predictions. Unfortunately, the intersection of AI and sustainability still exhibits a lack in theory building and empirical investigation. Hence, this study conducted interviews with 21 experts from AI and sustainability to examine the phenomenon, antecedents and effects of utilizing AI for sustainability. As a result, the study presents four themes consisting of patterns that delineate firm activities for managing the use of AI for sustainability. Moreover, it introduces the concept of ambidexterity by demonstrating that the identified activities can be differentiated based on whether they are marked by exploitation, exploration, or ambidexterity. Thus, we contribute to the literature by providing a new theoretical angle to scrutinize AI and sustainability. The findings lay the ground for future quantitative empirical studies and serve practitioners in managing the nexus of the digital and sustainable transformation.

Examining the Sectorial Differences in ESG Practices of Select Companies in India : A Comparative Testing Based on Scores

A quest for sustainable development has propelled investors and corporates to adopt environmental, social, and governance (ESG) philosophy in their investment and business decisions. In this scenario, ESG scores appear to be an indicator of the sustainable performance of a firm. The present study seeks to compare the ESG practices of 100 top companies (by market capitalization) across 10 sectors in India. For analysis, CRISIL’s overall ESG scores and the scores of each of its dimensions have been used. Application of oneway ANOVA and Welch ANOVA reveals that there exist statistically significant differences between sectors on all the three dimensions of ESG viz; environment, social, and governance. Information Technology and Financials sectors turned out to be the leaders in ESG performance owing to low carbon footprints, water consumption and waste generation, and job-related injuries. Companies in cement, metals & mining, and chemicals were found to be underachievers due to their intrinsic nature of production resulting in the emission of toxic gases and a high propensity for energy and power usage. These sectors try to compensate for low environmental performance by undertaking numerous social welfare measures and high disclosures. It was also found that irrespective of the sector, companies’ environmental performance lagged behind social and governance performance.

COVID-19 AND SOUTH AFRICA–CHINA ASYMMETRIC RELATIONS

While South Africa–China relations were only formalized in 1998, relations between these states date back to the 1800s. South Africa's quest for sustainable development through partnerships with global powers motivated its close ties with China. The 2015 Cape Town Declaration committed the two countries to improve health facilities and disease control. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic presents an opportunity to rethink this partnership. Drawing on desktop research, this article engages the reality of COVID-19 and explores South Africa–China relations in the context of the pandemic. The emergence of the virus in China, its rapid spread, and the high fatality rate have had devastating repercussions across the world. This article argues that Beijing's response to COVID-19 raises more questions than it answers. The outbreak of the virus in China, its response, and emerging cases of racism and xenophobia against Africans in China also raise concerns about the future of South Africa–China relations.

Economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection: assessing the existence of green growth in Pakistan.

The Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific (MCED-5) provided a regional implementation plan to pursue economic development in Asia-Pacific. Achieving environmentally sustainable economic growth or green growth is considered necessary by the ministerial declaration of the conference. The ministerial declaration defines green growth as an approach to sustaining economic growth and employment creation, a prerequisite for effective poverty reduction while coping with natural resource constraints and climate change. Based on the importance of green growth, the study seeks to investigate the progress towards sustainable economic development in Pakistan from 1990 to 2019. The study employs structural equation modeling (SEM) to determine the direct and indirect effects of the variables of the green growth model adopted in the MCED-5. The results of the study indicate that an increase in the net national income of the country leads to increased natural resource depletion. The declining stock of natural capital points towards the difficulty in fulfilling biocapacity sustainability in Pakistan while achieving social progress and declining carbon intensity in the quest for sustainable development. Based on the analysis, it can be claimed that the negative impact of increasing inclusive wealth on natural capital makes Pakistan in environmental terms a weakly sustainable nation. Thus, the conclusion is that Pakistan is following a path of weak sustainability. As a result, there is a need to shift the country's sustainable economic development from weak sustainability to strong sustainability if the increasing natural resource depletion is to be restrained.

Self-Switchable Polymerization: A Smart Approach to Sequence-Controlled Degradable Copolymers

In the quest for sustainable development, degradable polymers are attractive alternatives to traditional fossil-based plastics. As monocomponent degradable polymers often suffer from unsatisfactory performances, the utilization of corresponding copolymers with tailored block compositions is viable for improved properties. To this end, the emerging field of self-switchable polymerization offers a facile access to the on-demand synthesis of degradable copolymers with controlled sequences, in which the polymerizations were regulated by the monomers themselves. This Perspective outlines state-of-the-art self-switchable polymerization systems based on ring-opening (co)polymerization with various types of monomers. The scope of catalysts and monomer types are summarized. Comprehensive comparison between different types of monomers is offered along with an outlook on possible monomers in the future.