Sustainability Assessment Practice Research Articles

Exploring Sustainability Assessment Practices in Higher Education: A Comprehensive Review through Content and Bibliometric Analyses

The drastically increasing significance of sustainability development has motivated higher education institutions (HEIs) to make efforts to achieve sustainability development goals (SDGs). This has led to the inevitable need to track and assess these efforts. This review is centered on the meticulous collection and analysis of pertinent papers within the context of HEIs, subsequently organizing and consolidating them into distinct sustainability domains by utilizing the PRISMA methodology. A collection of 83 pre-existing articles and publications retrieved from the Scopus database is employed for an in-depth exploration of the current research. This study employs both bibliometric and content analyses to explore distribution and citation dynamics and identifies six primary thematic concentrations within the field. The key findings highlight a significant increase in the importance of sustainability, emphasizing the critical need for HEIs to integrate SDGs across all departments. Additionally, the development of cross-institutional evaluation tools tailored to various sustainability aspects is underscored. These tools elucidate key competencies and broaden the application of educational sustainability in both research and curriculum development. The study also identifies a need for future research to explore how effectively these assessment methodologies drive tangible sustainability outcomes within HEIs. It suggests that developing more nuanced and adaptable evaluation tools could better meet the diverse needs of institutions globally. Additionally, the findings support HEIs’ and stakeholders’ decision making by identifying potential challenges in the implementation and assessment of sustainability.

Quantifying sustainability in the agri-food system: a comprehensive methodological framework and expert consensus approach

Assessing the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of food production is imperative for aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda and adhering to evolving regulatory and strategic frameworks. The absence of a standardized methodology for quantifying sustainability in the agri-food system value chain necessitates the development of an effective approach. This study proposes a comprehensive methodological framework for quantifying the sustainability of agriculture, livestock, and the agri-food industry. The proposed methodology is based on the consensus achieved by a panel of experts using the Delphi methodology. The study emphasizes the identification of activities requiring corrective measures to enhance sustainability within the circular economy principles. The proposed model incorporates 70 indicators, with a particular emphasis on environmental indicators, aligning with the consensus of the expert panel. The resulting composite indicator and the accompanying battery of indicators provide a nuanced understanding of agribusiness sustainability. The study's findings underscore the need for prioritizing environmental considerations in evaluating agribusiness sustainability. The proposed model facilitates the formulation of actionable plans to enhance the viability of agribusinesses, enabling their adaptation to the evolving social and political landscape. This adaptation is crucial in meeting the contemporary demand for a reduction in the environmental footprint associated with food production and transformation. The developed methodology contributes to the harmonization of sustainability assessment practices, fostering a more comprehensive and standardized approach across the agri-food sector.

What matters the most, the assessment method or individual skills in marketing research learning?

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to generate knowledge about assessment methods in blended business education, which have become increasingly important to establish sustainable assessment practices that support knowledge acquisition for undergraduate students in business administration at a Colombian university.Design/methodology/approachFor the analysis, a two groups comparison was performed using a nonequivalent control group design with a sample of 420 students. As this study wants to find insights to improve the knowledge on assessment topics in marketing research (MR) education, it was focused on the students from the business administration program. This study also uses individual scores from the state test as prior cognitive scores and the high school classification provided by the National Ministry of Education in Colombia (2012).FindingsIt was found that the variables that best predict performance on the MR course examinations were the mathematics skills and reading comprehension scores on the state test. The study also showed a better performance of female students on both assessment methods. There were no significant differences between the assessment methods or among the high school levels.Research limitations/implicationsOne of the limitations of this study is the limited number of items on the tests. Additionally, the authors recommend conducting an analysis of the differences between the testing items to provide a detailed explanation of students’ performance when comparing computer-based testing and paper-and-pencil testing.Practical implicationsFurther design of teaching material and assessments online and offline, based on local and regional marketing problems, is suggested. As the current text and readings are more oriented to the English-speaking contexts, most of the problems presented are oriented to multinational companies and brands.Social implicationsInsights into the skills required for future jobs provide valuable guidance (World Economic Forum, 2020). Essential skills for emerging roles, like data scientists, can find robust support within the MR course. To further enrich in-class and online exercises with Excel and SPSS, Colombian educators can leverage data sets obtained from sources like the national statistics office and international market intelligence databases available through the university’s library, including Passport and Statista. Engaging with authentic data sets provides students with a more profound understanding of practical applications in MR.Originality/valueThis approach facilitates the identification of key variables, such as assessment and cognitive abilities in math and reading, which predict students’ knowledge acquisition in MR. It not only offers insights into the relevant factors influencing learning in MR but also provides valuable feedback. Additionally, it suggests potential avenues for future research in this field.

Measuring Commitment to Sustainability: Proposal of Performance Indicators for a Public University in Northeast Brazil

Objective: This study discusses sustainability indicators for HEIs and presents a proposal for a set of indicators for a public University in the Brazilian Northeast. Theoretical framework: The assessment of sustainability in higher education institutions (HEIs) has been the subject of scientific discussions over the last few years, as just the application of strategies that promote sustainability is not enough to affirm that the institution is sustainable or not. This study includes assessment instruments already consolidated in the literature and the importance of environmentalizing universities. Method: The study employs a methodological approach that proposes and validates sustainability indicators for the university studied, totaling 171 indicators in 11 categories. Results: Based on the assessment instruments identified in the literature, 171 indicators distributed in 11 categories were proposed and validated, which can form a sustainability assessment instrument for the university in this study. Most of the indicators identified were considered compatible and applicable to the reality of this university institution. Implications of the research: The study highlights the need to expand sustainability assessment practices in HEIs, pointing to the importance of sustainability reports as a way of communicating socio-environmental commitment. Originality/value: The research fills a gap by proposing specific sustainability indicators for a public university in the Northeast of Brazil, contributing to the construction of a contextualized assessment instrument for the institution. Furthermore, it highlights the scarcity of studies on sustainability assessment in universities, especially in the Brazilian context.

Assessing the Climate Performance Potential of Start-ups: Insights and Guidance on Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Young Ventures

The role of early-stage venture capital (VC) investment in financing for ambitious climate action is often overlooked. In the developing field of climate-tech investment, one of the biggest challenges is to identify the start-ups and business models that contribute to climate change mitigation. The potential of a start-ups business model to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is defined as the start-ups climate performance potential (CPP). The assessment of a start-up’s CPP could enable start-ups and VC investors to invest in a more informed way with greater precision, impact, and purpose. The objective of this paper can be expressed in two steps: First, to gain insights into and identify the potential for improvement in the environmental sustainability assessment practices of VC firms through an exploratory case study. Second, to provide life cycle-based guidance on environmental sustainability assessment of innovative products offered by start-ups to determine their CPP, by eliciting appropriate criteria and procedures for directionally sound assessment. For this, the assessment approach developed by the climate-tech VC firm World Fund was used for the exploratory case study. In a first step, the CPP assessment process was described, based on document review and observation. Next, the CPP carbon footprint method was compared with ISO standardizations of life cycle assessment (LCA) and carbon footprint (CF) along eight criteria. Development potential was identified and discussed for seven of the eight criteria, including, for example, the use of scenarios, the complexity of meta-analyses, and the need to avoid misleading incentives.

Stakeholder’s practices for the sustainability assessment of professional urban agriculture reveal numerous original criteria and indicators

With the rapid growth of professional intra-urban agriculture (PIUA) projects in the Global North, sponsors, projects leaders, and experts developing these projects are seeking to evaluate their sustainability. As existing assessment tools are not adapted to PIUA projects, they establish their own assessment practices. Our study examines these practices to identify their original features, criteria, and indicators used. To this end, we analysed 19 case studies of different PIUA projects. We identified four dimensions underpinning sustainability assessment, namely, internal sustainability, external sustainability, the project leader’s credibility, and the innovative nature of the project. We also shed light on the wide diversity of the 67 assessment criteria identified, as well as the qualitative nature of 78% of indicators used. In addition, our study highlights that assessment practices evolve over time as the project progresses from ideation to implementation, according to the variety of assessment situations. Our study is the first to provide an in-depth exploration of PIUA stakeholders’ sustainability assessment practices and to shed light on their specific features. Our results afford a better understanding of the way the sustainability of PIUA projects is assessed and contribute to reflection on the design of a flexible assessment tool, considering the diverse criteria and practices used by stakeholders to assess the sustainability of PIUA.

Numerical and environmental analysis of post constructive application of PCM coatings for the improvement of the energy performance of building structures

In recent years, the post-constructive application of phase changing materials (PCMs) as coating to improve the thermal behavior of buildings, is gaining more ground. The question that arises concerns the required properties that these materials should have under different environmental conditions, in order to achieve optimal energy savings. Another issue concerns the overall evaluation of PCMs, considering sustainability assessment practices, a fact which is often neglected in PCM studies. This work investigates the post-constructive use of different PCM coatings under diverse environmental conditions, as well as for different structural elements. In the context of this work, a validated finite elements numerical model is utilized, as well as Life Cycle Assessment practices, for the holistic determination of the optimal application conditions of PCM coatings. The work examines the application of PCM coatings in 8 different structural elements, for diverse meteorological conditions in Europe, for all major buildings’ orientations. Life Cycle Assessment is also employed to determine the overall environmental performance of the investigated structural elements. In certain cases, the study revealed that PCM implementation can contribute to energy savings, varying from 0.24 up to 29,84 [kWh/m2a] and energy payback periods from 0.81 to 19.40 years. The purpose of this study is to provide informed answers with regard to the post-constructive application of PCM in existing structures for the energy upgrade of buildings.

Towards Sustainable Assessment in Higher Education: Teachers’ and Students’ Perspectives

Abstract Assessing students’ knowledge and skills has been widely discussed among educators. The present study investigates lecturers’ and learners’ views on the assessment practices implemented in two higher education institutions. Their perceptions on providing feedback, variety of assessment tasks, use of peer-evaluation, and promotion of learning through the assessment activities have been explored. Twenty-one students and thirteen teachers from the Uzbek university and ten students and eight lecturers from the Latvian university participated in the semi-structured interviews. The comparative analysis revealed participants’ similar opinions on the importance of varying assessment assignments and feedback-giving practices. However, different views on the peer review, assessment and students’ learning processes were observed. The study has identified that despite some differences teachers at both universities promote sustainable assessment practices.

Sustainability Assessment in Manufacturing for Effectiveness: Challenges and Opportunities

Manufacturing organizations continuously improve their energy, environmental, and economic performance at different manufacturing levels (products, processes, enterprise, etc.) using various assessment methodologies for visibility and a competitive market edge. Sustainability assessment has become the focus of the manufacturing performance measurement in the last decade and has triggered numerous methodological developments and adoption in practice. The assessment focus has broadened from process to enterprise-level, single to multiple parameters, fragmented to a holistic point of view, and local businesses to global sustainability and circularity. Increasing global environmental burden, resource scarcity, and human health challenges urge a shift toward effective assessment practices. This article critically reviews sustainability assessment practices in manufacturing from a methodological efficiency-effectiveness perspective. A clear distinction between efficiency and effectiveness practices has been discussed. The requirements and research challenges for effectiveness in the sustainability assessment practice in theory (academia) and practice (industry) is presented.

A sustainability assessment framework for population density in central Indian cities

PurposeThe urban population in Indian cities is increasing at an alarming speed. Accommodating such a huge population while sustaining the environment is a challenge in urban areas. Compact urban forms with high-density planning is claimed to be a sustainable solution in such situations. Thus, this approach needs to be tested for Indian urban areas.Design/methodology/approachThis paper formulates a neighbourhood sustainability assessment (NSA) framework for monitoring, assessing and managing the population density of urban neighbourhoods. The paper identifies context-specific built density indicators at the neighbourhood scale. It assesses the indicators in neighbourhoods with varying population density by physical and perceived measures. This helps in verifying the feasibility of density by physical density assessment and verifies the acceptability of density by perceived density assessment.FindingsWhen tested in the Indian context, the framework shows that although high-density neighbourhoods are sustainable, certain indicators may endorse differing densities. The result displays that high-density planning is sustainable compared to low- and medium-density neighbourhoods in the selected cities.Practical implicationsThe study demonstrates the application of formulated assessment system in three central Indian cities with useful results. Similar studies can be conducted to identify the gaps for improving sustainability and achieve a livable density pattern.Originality/valueAlthough sustainable development goals are part of new planning policies, there exist very few assessment systems to determine the sustainability of neighbourhoods, especially for density. The methodology will assist in developing sustainability assessment frameworks and encourage the practice of sustainability assessment in developing countries like India.

Sustainability Assessment of Modern High-Rise Timber Buildings

As woodworking and construction technologies improve, the construction of multi-storey timber buildings is gaining popularity worldwide. There is a need to look at the design of existing buildings and assess their sustainability. The aim of the present study is to assess the sustainability of modern high-rise timber buildings using multi-criteria assessment methods. The paper presents a hierarchical system of sustainability indicators and an assessment framework, developed by the authors. Based on this framework, the tallest timber buildings in different countries, i.e., Mjøstårnet in Norway, Brock Commons in Canada, Treet in Norway, Forte in Australia, Strandparken in Sweden and Stadthaus in UK, were compared across the three dimensions of sustainability (environmental, economic/technological, and social). Research has revealed that none of the buildings is leading in all dimensions of sustainability. However, each building is unique and has its own strengths. Overall multi-criteria assessment of the buildings revealed that the Brock Commons building in Canada has received the highest rank in all dimensions of sustainability. The paper contributes to the theory and practice of sustainability assessment and extends the knowledge about high-rise timber buildings. The proposed sustainability assessment framework can be used by both academics and practitioners for assessment of high-rise timber buildings.

Determining Sustainability Assessment Indicators for the Holy City of Makkah, Saudi Arabia

The development of urban sustainability indicators has become one of the new topics explored around the world, while cities are growing uncontrollably. The different cities adopt their sustainability assessment indicators according to their local needs and conditions. The current state of sustainability assessment practices depicts that an assessment approach is hardly found in a comprehensive and integrated manner that can meet local conditions, as well as international norms. Historically and traditionally, the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, is one of the oldest and most sacred cities in the world where millions of Muslims gather in this city as a religious pilgrimage throughout the year. The unique form of the city and the gradual increase in the number of pilgrims pose enormous challenges for city dwellers, as well as management authorities. As a result, the development of a sustainability assessment approach has become inevitable to deal with these challenges. This study presents a comprehensive sustainability assessment indicator index for the Holy City of Makkah through the use of an expert opinion method to reach consensus among the experienced researchers in the city. A set of 92 indicators has been formulated among 115 primary sets, with five major aspects, including the physical, socioeconomic, environmental, institutional and spillover, which influence and shape the performance of the city.

A Consensus Model: Shifting assessment practices in dietetics tertiary education.

The aim of this research was to evaluate a Consensus Model for competency-based assessment. An evaluative case study was used to allow a holistic examination of a constructivist-interpretivist programmatic model of assessment. Using a modified Delphi process, the competence of all 29 students enrolled in their final year of a Master of Nutrition and Dietetics course was assessed by a panel (with expertise in competency-based assessment; industry and academic representation) from a course e-portfolio (that included the judgements of student performance made by worksite educators) and a panel interview. Data were triangulated with assessments from a capstone internship. Qualitative descriptive studies with worksite educators (focus groups n = 4, n = 5, n = 8) and students (personal interviews n = 29) explored stakeholder experiences analysed using thematic analysis. Panel consensus was achieved for all cases by the third-round and corroborated by internship outcomes. For 34% of students this differed to the 'interpretations' of their performance made by their worksite educator/s. Emerging qualitative themes from stakeholder data found the model: (i) supported sustainable assessment practices; (ii) shifted the power relationship between students and worksite educators and (iii) provided a fair method to assess competence. To maximise benefits, more refinement, resources and training are required. This research questions competency-based assessment practices based on discrete placement units and supports a constructivist-interpretivist programmatic approach where evidence across a whole course of study is considered by a panel of assessors.

4th International Conference on soil bio- and eco-engineering (SBEE2016) ‘The Use of Vegetation to Improve Slope Stability’

This editorial describes a 10-paper special issue that arises from the 4th International Conference on Soil Bio- and Eco-Engineering (SBEE2016) ‘The Use of Vegetation to Improve Slope Stability’ held at the University of Sydney, Australia, in July 2016. The conference focused on current topics and progress in slope stability research and the successful application of soil bio-engineering and eco-engineering techniques to stabilizing slopes in a variety of climatic and geomorphic settings. The papers are divided into the following categories: vegetation and slope stability (1 paper); root-soil interactions (5 papers); slope stability modelling (2 papers); eco-engineering and land restoration (2 papers). Most of the papers present case studies documenting bio- and eco-engineering techniques, site-specific investigations or innovative slope stability modelling approaches and two papers are aimed at standardizing data collection and sustainability assessment practices within the discipline. Case studies are presented by scientific researchers, practitioners, geotechnical and civil engineers, biologists, ecologists, geomorphologists, and foresters from North America, Europe, South-East Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

Sustainability of Farms of Natural Persons in Bulgaria

The issue of adequate assessment of socio-economic and ecological sustainability of divers agricultural holdings is among most topical academic and practical problems. It is particularly important for smallholder farms accounting for the majority of all farms in the globe. In Bulgaria unregistered farms of Natural Persons account for almost 98% of all farms in the country, cultivate a third of all farmlands, graze 85% of cows, 90% of sheep, and around a third of pigs, and employ almost 93% of workforce in the sectors. This article applies a holistic framework and assesses sustainability of farms of Natural Persons in Bulgaria during current stage of EU CAP implementation. Initially a new governance aspect of farm sustainability is justified and method outlined. After that assessment is made of integral, governance, economic, social, environmental sustainability of farms of Natural Persons of different size, specialization, and location, and comparative sustainability to other type of farms. Finally, directions for further research and amelioration of sustainability assessment practices are suggested. Overall sustainability of Natural Persons in the country is at a good level, with superior levels for environmental and social sustainability, close to the low level governance sustainability, and inferior economic sustainability. Comparative sustainability of holdings is lower than other juridical type. There are great variations in sustainability levels of farms of different kind and location. Share of Natural Persons with good and high sustainability is smaller than other categories of farms and majority of Natural Persons have no comparative advantages in terms of sustainability, and in a middle term will cease to exist.

Reconceptualising sustainability assessment

Sustainability assessment as an ex ante tool for directing decision-making towards sustainability has emerged in a diverse range of forms across the world over the past decade or so. This broad practice of sustainability assessment embraces a wide and continually evolving range of processes, making the field potentially conceptually confusing and difficult to navigate. In recognition of this, there have been numerous attempts to develop conceptual frameworks to make sense of the diversity of practice. Through a process of literature review and reflection upon practice, this paper builds on earlier work, including our own, to develop a new descriptive conceptual framework for sustainability assessment. The conceptual framework distinguishes two dimensions of sustainability assessment, each with several sub-dimensions: sustainability concept (with sub-dimensions of underpinning sustainability discourse and representation of sustainability) and decision-making context (with sub-dimensions of subject of assessment, decision-question and responsible party). Drawing upon further literature, several examples of different approaches are then identified for each sub-dimension, demonstrating the range of approaches evident within current and emerging global practice. Within the ‘sustainability concept’ dimension, the first sub-dimension calls for critical reflection upon what the normative goal of the sustainability assessment is, while the second refers to how the concept of sustainability is represented in the decision-making process through the use of indicators. Although these two sub-dimensions are closely related their distinction is a key feature of the conceptual framework. The second dimension describes the practical context of a sustainability assessment. The proposed new conceptual framework enables a particular body of practice to be located within the broader field, as we demonstrate by categorising five examples of sustainability assessment according to the framework. We believe this framework has value to both researchers and practitioners, as a structure to guide sustainability assessment research and analysis and as the basis for comparing bodies of sustainability assessment practice within the range of possibilities defined by the contours of the framework. The framework encourages reflective practice, particularly in relation to how the concept of sustainability is understood and embedded within the process, and what the practice might deliver. This new conceptual framework is presented as a relatively simple road map and guide as sustainability assessment theorising and practice enters its second decade.

School-based Assessment in English Language Teaching: Weighing the cow will not fatten it

Education systems of the 21 st century face the challenge of reflecting the needs of an extremely dynamic global society. Of paramount importance is students’ aptitude for life-long learning; a quality that needs to be fostered and enhanced by sustainable assessment practices that focus on promoting learning instead of merely testing existing knowledge and skills. Within any contemporary educational system, school-based assessment (SBA) may be utilised to promote higher-order thinking skills. SBA is especially valuable in English language learning which involves the acquisition of a variety of linguistic and communication skills. In the South African system, however, SBA in English classrooms seems to amount to nothing more than regular summative testing, grading and record keeping of marks to satisfy bureaucracy and prepare candidates for high-stakes examinations

Toward supply chain-wide sustainability assessment: a conceptual framework and an aggregation method to assess supply chain performance

Due to factors such as increasingly stringent regulations and growing public awareness, companies are trying to reduce exposure to economic, environmental and socio-political risks in their supply chains. This paper addresses the problem of assessing such sustainability issues supply chain-wide. First, to clarify the status quo regarding current approaches, it reviews the literature and then groups the various approaches. Second, the paper provides a conceptual framework for supply chain sustainability assessment. Finally, an overview of available methods is provided, and three approaches to assessing and aggregating sustainability indicators are proposed. These approaches allow for the aggregation of the sustainability performance of individual companies into a supply chain-wide sustainability performance by means of quantitative and qualitative indicators. The results are based on a literature review of sustainability assessment in supply chains as well as on focus group workshops with experts from the European automotive and electronics industry. This paper contributes to the theory and practice of sustainability assessment in supply chains by providing a literature analysis, seven key industrial requirements, a conceptual framework and aggregation approaches. The framework and the methods integrate a comprehensive sustainability perspective emphasizing the understudied social dimension. They lay the groundwork for defining specific indicators and for an integration into a software solution for supply chain sustainability data exchange. This enables corporate decision makers to assess and trace the supply chain sustainability performance of products and organizations.

Matching a community assessment tool to the requirements of practice

Over the last two decades, performance-based metrics have been applied in master planning as a means to estimate the impacts of large-scale development on the local and global environment. Community sustainability assessment has developed to provide a practical method for assessing the performance of a spatial master plan against an array of sustainability indicators. This paper considers the adequacy of such a tool to provide reliable information when and as required for decision-making in the planning process. It reviews Breeam (building research establishment environmental assessment method) Communities 2012 specifically examining whether this tool provides an analysis which is strategic, comprehensive and integrated. Breeam 2012 is found to be adequately comprehensive in the current operational context of the British planning system. The sustainability assessment model can usefully inform decision-making at the strategic ‘stage gates’ of master planning. However, the analytical methodology of the assessment model is inherently fractional. This complicates how a ‘balanced’ evaluation of the relative importance of sustainability issues is reached and agreed. It is suggested that a project culture of trans-disciplinary dialogue and explorative learning is required to promote the understanding and use of sustainability assessment practice in master planning.

Conceptualizing the Effectiveness of Sustainability Assessment in Development Cooperation

Sustainability assessment has emerged as a key decision-support process in development cooperation in response to the growing acknowledgement of the impacts of global change. This paper aims at conceptualizing the effectiveness of sustainability assessment as applied in development cooperation, by focusing on the sustainability assessment practice by actors of the official Belgian Development Cooperation. The conceptualization of the effectiveness of sustainability assessment is synthesized in a set of issues and concerns, based on semi-structured interviews. The paper highlights the specificity of sustainability assessment in the development cooperation sector (e.g., through the cultural and discursive compatibility dimensions of assessment in a North-South context). Effectiveness is inherently linked to the expected functions of sustainability assessment in the decision-making process, which include fostering organizational change, shaping contextually adapted framings of sustainability and operationalizing the sustainability transition. These findings highlight the relevance of a discourse-sensitive approach to sustainability assessment if one is to strengthen its credibility and legitimacy.