Sustained Commitment Research Articles

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

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

African countries’ Rio convention commitments for selected agricultural measures related to soil security and soil health

This study examines the commitments of African countries that would support improved soil security and soil health. Measures for agroforestry, erosion control, grassland management, soil organic carbon (SOC), and wetlands were assessed within the frameworks of the Rio Conventions. By analyzing national commitments in Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets, and biodiversity (Aichi) targets, and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), submitted until January 31, 2024, the research identifies the extent and quantification of these commitments. Results reveal a varying emphasis on these measures across different national targets, with significant focus on agroforestry, grassland, SOC, and wetland conservation in LDN targets and NDCs. Where quantified commitments for a single measure have been set across LDN, NDC, and biodiversity targets, the necessity of national coordination in setting, planning, and monitoring sustainable soil management commitments is highlighted. The study concludes that implementing sustainable soil management practices remain pivotal for achieving agricultural and environmental goals in Africa, thereby calling for a unified approach to leverage existing commitments towards setting future priorities in soil health and soil condition, drawing attention to the critical need for integrated national processes to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of these commitments.

Delivering fusion energy needs bold decisions and sustained commitment

Delivering fusion energy needs bold decisions and sustained commitment

A reflection on the voluntary disclosure of sustainable development goals: The role of sustainability committee

A reflection on the voluntary disclosure of sustainable development goals: The role of sustainability committee

The Impact of Work Conflict and Work Stress on Organizational Commitment: The Mediating Role of Motivation

Aims: This study examines the influence of job conflict, work-related stress, and employee motivation on organizational commitment, addressing their critical importance to organizational sustainability and employee commitment levels. Study Design: This is a quantitative research study. Methodology: Data were collected through surveys from a diverse sample of employees. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was applied using tools such as SPSS, Partial Least Square (PLS), and the Sobel Test to analyze the data. Results: The findings indicate that job conflict directly influences organizational commitment, whereas work stress does not have a direct impact. However, work stress significantly affects employee motivation, which subsequently impacts organizational commitment. Motivation serves as a mediator between job stress and organizational commitment, a relationship not observed with job conflict. Conclusion: This study contributes to the literature by elucidating the complex relationships among job stress, workplace conflict, and motivation, highlighting the mediating role of motivation in the link between job stress and organizational commitment. Future research should consider longitudinal designs and a broader range of industries to enhance the generalizability of these findings.

Impact of Board Committee Characteristics on Social Sustainability Reporting in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Moderating Role of Institutional Ownership

The corporate strategic planning of businesses in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) largely focuses on immediate financial performance with minimal credence to social sustainability. Thus, studies on the linkage between corporate governance (CG) and sustainability reporting have focused on developed economies. This study therefore investigated the role of institutional ownership in the impact of board committee characteristics on social sustainability reporting. This study involved strongly balanced panel data with 1969 observations of 275 publicly listed non-financial firms in SSA within the timeframe of 2012 to 2021. Data were analyzed using STATA 14.1. The hypotheses were tested using the two-step system of the generalized method of moment (GMM) using the Arellano–Bond dynamic panel data estimation method. The rate of social sustainability reporting was 39.4%. Relatively, Mauritian and South African firms had the most effective board committee characteristics and higher levels of social sustainability reporting. Although institutional ownership had no significant effect on social sustainability reporting, it moderated the effect of sustainability committee independence and sustainability committee gender diversity on social sustainability reporting. This paper presents a new perspective on the corporate governance and social sustainability literature by examining the effect of institutional ownership on board committee characteristics and social sustainability reporting in SSA. In terms of policy implication, there is the need for mandatory regulatory and legal CG framework that is regularly updated at national and regional levels in SSA to motivate listed firms to establish sustainability committees with efficient characteristics to promote social sustainability reporting.

Sustainability strategy: Strengthening SDGs desa through CSR communication program

Purpose: This study aims to examine the sustainability strategy of Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa Cirebon West Java in implementing the sustainability commitment of Heidelbergcement Group 2030 (SC2030) which contains long-term commitments and targets of the group including the company until 2030. Research Methodology: This study used a qualitative case study approach. As a research instrument, I played an active role in collecting data through direct interaction with informants to conduct interviews and observations and analyze available documents. The object of research or social situations in this study focuses on the activities of people in a particular place. Results: The findings obtained from this study are that community empowerment programs implemented sustainably through Bilikom CSR are key elements in building national economic resilience. Through Bilikom's CSR, companies can achieve development goals at the village level. However, in practice, sustainability strategies become good neighbors through Bilikom's CSR programs, with occasional misperceptions in designing and implementing programs that have been prepared together. Limitations: The limitations of this study include social, environmental, and economic aspects. Contributions: This research is expected to contribute to the development of a new science. This research is also very useful for the government in developing and managing an ideal communication system to implement community empowerment programs Novelty: The novelty of this study is that strengthening SDGs in villages can create a positive impact in reducing economic inequality, improving the quality of life of the community, and supporting sustainable natural resource management.

Navigating Sustainability and Inclusivity: Women-Led Community-Based Businesses in Post-Disaster Recovery

Community-based businesses have emerged as a means of addressing socio-economic challenges in the aftermath of disasters. This study investigates the contribution of women-led community-based businesses to recovery and their long-term sustainability. It draws upon case studies in the Tohoku region of Japan and Banda Aceh, Indonesia, areas impacted by major earthquakes and tsunamis over a decade ago. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal that the community-based businesses surveyed had evolved from mere “reconstruction goods” by maintaining sustained commitment and developing products. Enhancing organizational credibility through quality improvement efforts was crucial for securing long-term contracts with private companies, a key factor for business continuity. However, prioritizing sustainability often came at the cost of diminished community inclusivity, as differences in skill levels and misaligned values among participants led to departures. This study highlights the challenges in balancing business longevity with maintaining businesses’ role as spaces for social interaction and community rebuilding.

Picture book videos incorporating key word signing for children who require AAC and their families: design and evaluation of a multimedia-enhanced setting

Key word signing (KWS) is an unaided form of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and is frequently used by children with cognitive impairments and their families. Successful implementation of KWS requires a family environment that provides aided language input by modeling the signs. However, families face challenges implementing the signs in their everyday lives. KWS requires effort and sustained parental commitment. Users may also struggle with finding good learning resources and stimulating and enjoyable shared contexts for communication. Signed videos of popular children’s books may help to implement KWS and create a signing environment which exposes children and their families to KWS in meaningful ways. The aim of this study was to create videos of this type and investigate whether and how they might serve as an attractive medium of support for families’ KWS experience. Three families tested the videos. A triangulated qualitative study incorporating interviews and participant observation explored the families’ experience of using these videos as a context for shared communication. The findings suggest that picture book videos supplemented by KWS may be appropriate resources for the use of KWS in everyday family life. They serve as a child-centered activity involving KWS exposure, in which children and their families can participate joyfully and naturally.

The Double-Edged Sword of Carrots: Exploring Their Simultaneous Effects on Threat and Imposition Stages of Economic Sanctions

This article investigates the effectiveness of incentive-based policies, or “carrots,” during the threat and imposition stages of sanctions, with a focus on addressing potential endogeneity arising from self-selection processes in designing sanctions strategy. Successful sanctions require the sender’s sustained commitment until the target concedes, demonstrating a consistent policy stance and a readiness to bear associated costs. Carrots utilized during the threat stage represent a tit-for-tat approach, complementing the sender’s consistent policy stance of conditionally combining both carrots and sticks, and potentially reducing the perception of bluffing, thereby increasing target compliance probability. However, introducing carrots during the imposition stage may be misinterpreted as a sudden shift towards appeasement, undermining policy coherence and indicating a lack of capacity or willingness to enforce sanctions. This perception could lead the target to await sanctions removal, resulting in a failed outcome. Following the mitigation of potential sender self- selection into carrots, the findings emphasize the importance of combining carrots with sanctions threats. Nonetheless, caution is advised when using carrots as a substitute for ineffective punitive strategies, as adverse effects may arise.

Do Consumers Value Agri-Food Industries' Environmental Commitment? The Case of the Table Olive Industry.

An increasing number of food companies are voluntarily adopting environmental policies and sustainability initiatives to tackle climate change. The aims of this study were to analyse the presence of environmental labels on table olive products, to explore consumer perceptions of these companies' environmental commitment and initiatives, and to evaluate the influence of these messages on purchasing decisions. For this purpose, a market study was conducted in different hypermarkets and supermarkets in Spain, and an online survey was submitted to consumers (n = 227). The results show that environmental claims and/or certifications related to sustainability do not appear on table olive products, despite most of the companies that produce and/or market table olives having adopted environmental and sustainability policies and commitments (34.3% have their environmental policy published on their website). More than 85% of consumers positively value these companies' sustainability commitments and consider environmental initiatives to be very important. As a sector of consumers pays close attention to environmental commitments, it would be interesting for table olive companies to identify their sustainability policies on their products' labelling to, thus, facilitate pro-environmental consumer purchase choices. These results could help the food industry develop the best strategies to publicise their social and environmental policies and commitments.

Bank sustainability, climate change initiatives and financial performance: The role of corporate governance

This study elucidates the interrelationships among corporate governance disclosure index (CORPGOVDISCIN), bank sustainability characteristics (BSCs), bank-based climate change initiatives (BCCIs) and financial performance (FP) through the lens of multi-theoretical framework. Based on a panel dataset of 2785 observations (220 banks) from 16 Sub-Saharan Africa countries between 2007 and 2022, we observe that bank sustainability reporting framework (BSRF) and board sustainability committee (BSCOM) are positively related to increased levels of BCCIs. Second, the study shows that the BSRF-BCCIs and BSCOM-BCCIs associations are positively moderated by CORPGOVDISCIN, indicating that these relationships are contingent on the quality of the bank's corporate governance mechanisms. Third, the study then provides evidence that BSCOM is positively related to FP, but BSRF has no effect on FP. Fourth, we also observe that BCCIs disclosure has positive impact on FP, but actual BCCIs investments do not seem to improve FP. Fifth, the study detects that the association between BCCIs and FP is significantly moderated by CG mechanisms. We identify CG disclosure as the possible channel through which BCCIs and FP are interlinked. Finally, we show that the predicted relationships vary across banks' operating periods. Our findings are robust to endogeneity and selection bias concerns.

Perspectives and Awareness of Environmental Sustainability in the Infection Prevention and Control Community Nationally

Background: Healthcare contributes significantly to waste production and greenhouse gas emissions. This became especially apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet there is modest recognition of this issue, particularly within decision-making in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC). The aim of our study was to gauge general knowledge and attitudes of hospital epidemiologists (HEs) and infection preventionists (IPs) around the intersection of environmental sustainability and IPC, and to identify related institutional practices. Methods: An online survey, composed of ten questions related to environmental sustainability in IPC, was created and emailed to members of the SHEA Research Network (SRN), a national consortium of healthcare facilities collaborating on IPC research, from August - October 2023. Survey answers were collated via Redcap© and descriptive results were obtained. Results: Forty-two individuals (33 HEs, 7 directors of IPC, and 2 IPs) from unique institutions completed the survey. Thirty (71.4%) were from academic medical centers, 5 (11.9%) were from VA medical centers and 7 (16.7%) were from community hospitals. Over half of participants correctly estimated the amount of waste and carbon emissions produced annually by the US healthcare system (6 million tons and 8.5% of national emissions, respectively). However, only 42.9% considered environmental sustainability concerns important or very important when making IPC decisions. Fifteen (34.9%) had an environmental sustainability committee at their institution and of these, 8 had an established relationship with the IPC department. The most common techniques to promote sustainability amongst institutions were water/energy conservation (59.5%), reusable personal protective equipment (52.4%) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification (47.6%). When asked which efforts they would support at their institution, 28.6% would eliminate the use of single-use endoscopes and one third would avoid use of ethylene oxide for sterilization. In deciding whether to support environmental sustainability measures, key considerations participants articulated were patient safety concerns, knowledge about effectiveness and costs, and administrative support. Conclusion: Although there is growing awareness around the contribution of the healthcare industry to carbon emissions and waste production, IPC professionals have not yet universally adopted measures to promote environmental sustainability. In our survey, many participants acknowledged the importance of balancing patient safety and sustainability concerns. Our study demonstrates the need for more research and education to inform decisions around environmentally sustainable efforts in IPC that also preserve patient safety. Additionally, professional and regulatory bodies must acknowledge and promote the importance of environmental sustainability in IPC decision-making.

Strategi Peningkatan Efisiensi Dan Efektivitas Operasi Agrorelasi

This research aims to analyze the business development strategy of an agricultural community, namely Agrorelasi, through SWOT analysis. The research method used was descriptive, with primary and secondary data collection. The results showed that Agrorelasi has strengths in large mass numbers, a lot of networking, actors have extensive knowledge and specific expertise, have a lot of collaboration, and commitment to sustainability. The suggested strategy is to integrate network strengths, optimize sustainability commitments and build strategic partnerships. Overall, the research suggests Agrorelations leverage internal strengths, minimize weaknesses with external support, and build cross-sector collaboration to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

The HepHIV 2023 Madrid conference: A call to action for political leadership in reaching the sustainable development goals on earlier testing and linkage to care for HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections.

The HepHIV 2023 Conference, held in Madrid in November 2023, highlighted how Europe is not on track to meet the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals and Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) targets. This article presents the outcomes of the conference, which focus on ways to improve testing and linkage to care for HIV, viral hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted infections. HIV-related stigma and discrimination, a major barrier to progress, was a key concept of the conference and on the agenda of the Spanish Presidency of the European Union. The HepHIV 2023 organizing committee, alongside the Spanish Ministry of Health, oversaw the conference organization and prepared the scientific programme based on abstract rankings. Key outcomes are derived from conference presentations and discussions. Conference presentations covered the obstacles that HIV-related stigma and discrimination continue to pose to access to services, models for data collection to better monitor progress in the future, and examples of legislative action that can be taken at national levels. Diversification of testing approaches was also highlighted, to reach key populations, (e.g. migrant populations), to increase testing offered in healthcare settings (e.g. emergency departments), and to account for different stages of epidemics across the region. With a strong call for intensified action to address the impact of HIV-related stigma and discrimination on testing uptake, the conference concluded that strengthened collaboration is required between governments and implementers around testing and linkage to care. There is also an ongoing need to ensure sustainable political commitment and appropriate resource allocation to address gaps and inequalities in access for key populations and to focus on the implementation of integrated responses to HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections.

Out of the comfort zone, into the learning zone: An exploration of students’ academic buoyancy through the 5-Cs in English-medium instruction

In English-medium instruction (EMI), the learning of academic content in English may present a considerable challenge for students. Therefore, analyzing EMI students' academic buoyancy is crucial to understand how they manage everyday academic obstacles. By employing the 5-Cs Framework (Confidence, Coordination, Control, Composure and Commitment), this study aims to understand how 14 highly buoyant EMI students from a higher education institution in Spain handle daily academic adversity. Qualitative data were generated from four focus groups and one interview and were analyzed employing a person-oriented approach to academic buoyancy. Findings reveal that highly buoyant EMI students: (1) exhibit high self-efficacy and confidence in using English; (2) maintain composure and low academic anxiety; (3) demonstrate sustained commitment by adopting proactive “fight” responses, driven by future-oriented mindsets; (4) display strong coordination skills and effectively employ self-regulated learning strategies; and (5) show a strong sense of control over their academic success, facilitated by a focus on effective communication and content learning. Based on these findings, a framework for the assessment and enhancement of (EMI) students’ academic buoyancy has been developed. Overall, this study highlights the significance of the 5-Cs framework in the study of academic buoyancy while unveiling the multidimensional and interconnected nature of its components.

The Pathway to Sustainability in a Mass Tourism Destination: The Case of Lanzarote

This article delves into the unique evolution of Lanzarote as a benchmark for sustainable tourism. It examines how the island’s cultural values and political influences have shaped its sustainable tourism model over the last 50 years. This study utilizes a review of academic literature on tourism sustainability and case studies, emphasising the need for a conceptual and analytical framework. By analysing Lanzarote’s sustainable practices and challenges, this article highlights the island’s paradoxical status as both a mass tourism hub and a sustainable destination, led by the artist César Manrique’s visionary approach, which seamlessly integrates art and nature while providing a blueprint for sustainable tourism. Key milestones and achievements are identified, such as UNESCO’s designation of the entire island as a Biosphere Reserve in 1993, showcasing Lanzarote’s governance approach to balancing economic, socio-cultural, and environmental sustainability. The findings underscore Lanzarote’s role as an international benchmark in sustainable tourism, offering insights and lessons applicable to other destinations. The article concludes that Lanzarote’s sustained commitment to social awareness and natural resource protection continues to address global challenges, serving as a reference for sustainable development in island tourism destinations.

Corporate Accountability for Human Rights: Evidence From Conflict Mineral Ratings

This article examines the impact of sustainability-oriented governance factors on companies reporting on due diligence requirements of conflict minerals (DDRCM). We use the rating scores that are assigned by the Responsible Sourcing Network (RSN) on a sample of multinational companies between 2015 and 2019. We consider whether the existence and type of an independent external audit, the existence of sustainability reports to communicate a firm’s message, the inclusion of sustainability-related targets in executive compensation contracts, and the existence of board-level sustainability committees are associated with DDRCM reporting. We find that the combined effect of sustainability-oriented governance factors is associated with higher DDRCM reporting suggesting that sustainability governance plays an effective role in shaping the corporate response to conflict mineral risks. We also find that effective boards moderate the association between sustainability governance and DDRCM reporting suggesting that effective boards can substitute for the resources that are required for sustainability governance.

How to Leverage Digital Sustainability Orientation to Promote Environmentally Sustainable Practices of Manufacturing Enterprises in China

The promotion of high-quality, environmentally sustainable practices in enterprises in the digital age has become an important topic in business and academic circles. In this study, by employing a perspective combining digital orientation (DO) and sustainability commitment orientation (SCO), the concept of digital sustainability orientation (DSO) is presented, and digital green capability (DGC) is introduced as the mediating variable. Moreover, the driving mechanism model of corporate environmental sustainability practice (ESP) is constructed, and the moderating role of environmental scanning (ES) is taken into consideration. Using two sets of research data from 353 manufacturing enterprises in China, the empirical test results show that DSO has a significant role in improving ESP, and DGC is important in mediating between DSO and ESP. ES acts as a moderating variable between DSO and DGC and further moderates the mediating role of DGC between DSO and EPS; that is, the stronger the ES, the more significant the mediating effect of DGC. The conclusion of this study broadens the application scope of strategic orientation theory in the study of digital sustainability and has theoretical and practical implications for exploring the development of DGC and the dynamic mechanism of ESP.

Sustainability Commitment Versus Earnings Management Practices: Saudi Insights

This paper aims to examine the impact of corporate sustainable management (CSM) on earnings management (EM) activities using annual data from 2018 to 2022 for 37 non-financial Saudi indexed firms. A multi-measure approach was utilized to proxy for EM (AEM and REM) and CSM (CSR sustainability reporting, CSR sustainability committee, CSR sustainability external audit, GRI report guidelines, ESG performance index). The empirical analysis employed pooled ordinary least squares (POLS) regression. The results suggest that CSM plays a significant role in reducing both AEM and REM practices, indicating that sustainability-oriented organizations mitigate EM activities. Furthermore, the study reveals a negative correlation between CSM and sales manipulation, overproduction, and cutting discretionary expenditures. This research supports the notion that companies prioritize sustainable management due to a focus on long-term strategies and transparency. This is the first work in the Middle East and Arab region, particularly in Saudi Arabia, investigating this association.