Sustainable Partnerships Research Articles

Navigating university-OPMs

This panel focuses on the second theme of the conference, that is TEL Pedagogies: What can we learn from examples of success and failure in designing with and implementing old and new pedagogies enabled by technology? It explores Online Program Management companies' (OPMs) role in higher education partnerships to design and deliver spaces for online learning. Utilizing key theoretical frameworks such as Resource-Based View (Barney,1991; Kero & Bogale, 2023; Prahalad & Hamel, 1990; Wernerfelt, 1984) and Holon IQ’s Higher Education Digital Capability Framework (2020), the panel empowers universities to identify strengths, gaps, and strategic opportunities for collaboration. Barney (1991) suggests that by posing inquiries related to value, rarity, imitability, and organisation (VRIO), insights regarding competitive advantages, sustainability, and capability gaps can emerge, facilitating strategic decision?making. In the context of OPMs and university clients, VRIO offers a framework to comprehend the competitive advantage and sustainability of educational partnerships. Through discussion and debate the panel aims to challenge sociocultural norms, address challenges in transitioning to online formats, and propose effective partnership strategies.

One plus one equals three: Creating value and impact through sustainable partnerships

One plus one equals three: Creating value and impact through sustainable partnerships

Financial feasibility: developing and commercializing Turmeric Kombucha with the business model canvas

Turmeric Kombucha, a fermented drink combining the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric, represents a promising product of functional beverage market. In order to successfully bring Turmeric Kombucha to market, it is essential to evaluate its commercialization potential. This involves assessing the Business Model Canvas (BMC) and financial feasibility metrics. This study aims to determine the feasibility and strategies for successfully commercializing Turmeric Kombucha for development a business plan with scale up the production of Turmeric Kombucha. The result indicate that Turmeric Kombucha has a viable business model with 9 elements. Based on financial shows that Net Present Value (NPV) of $ 13,405,417.62, an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 71.42 %, a Payback Period (PP) of 0.59 years, and Break-Even Point (BEP) metrics of 3,173 units and $ 4,914.46. The analysis shows strong financial viability and significant growth potential for Turmeric Kombucha, supported by sustainable and efficient supply chain partnerships. The features and characteristics of the obtained results in this study, namely: a) high consumer interest from health-conscious individuals over 18 years old; b) health benefits of Turmeric Kombucha include hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, and antioxidant properties; c) key resources include efficient production processes, user-friendly equipment, and adequate human and financial resources. The practical application of these results involves strategies for scale up of market expansion, quality standardization, and supply chain enhancement. Customer relationships are fostered through direct and indirect distribution channels such as marketplaces, word-of-mouth, and retail stores.

The culture of small institutions: Unique spaces for meaningful and sustainable collaboration between academic affairs and student affairs

AbstractCollaboration between academic and student affairs fosters meaningful student engagement, supports academic achievement, and facilitates a robust campus community. Although these partnerships can be challenging to develop, small institutions occupy a unique position in higher education, as these collaborations are highly valued as fundamental to the campus culture and an essential factor in the practical life of the institution. By focusing specifically on the role of the faculty in collaboration with student affairs professionals at small institutions, this article demonstrates the unique and tremendous power of small institutions in fostering meaningful, robust, and sustainable partnerships between academic and student affairs. Because of their histories, traditions, and structure, small institutions possess a strong and distinct foundation for collaborative work with corresponding benefits and challenges. Finally, this article provides practical recommendations for student affairs professionals at small institutions about ways to draw upon their distinct culture and to understand why these partnerships are important for our students and their development, for faculty and student affairs professionals, for our institutions that are faced with mounting economic, social, and political pressures, and for the public good more broadly.

The Influence Of Originality, Quality, And Quantity On, Intention To Follow The Advice, Through Hedonic Experience, Opinion Leadership, And Perceived Aesthetics

Factors that determine the success of influencer marketing focusing on TikTok social network users This study examines the influence of influencer account characteristics (Perceived Originality Perceived Quantity, Perceived Quality), through Hedonic Experience, Opinion Leadership and Perceived Aesthetics and how this impacts their intention to Intention to Follow The Advice, if users feel that the content presented by an influencer is originality and has a large variety of content, they will tend to view the influencer as opinion leadership and, as a result are likely to follow the advice and recommendations of the influencer. The purpose of this study is to identify the determinants of influencer marketing success on TikTok and identify the characteristics that are most effective in attracting users on TikTok. This study was designed using purposive sampling method involving TikToker users and followers across Indonesia. quantitative research using partial least squares path modeling method (PLS-SEM). Some of the findings in this study are that there is no significant relationship between perceived aesthetics and intention to follow the advice and perceived originality has an indirect effect on opinion leadership. The managerial implication of this research for industry practitioners and researchers is that companies can design more targeted and effective marketing campaigns by understanding how perceived originality, quantity, and quality factors affect intention to follow the advice through hedonic experience. A thorough analysis with user preferences and an opportunity to build stronger and sustainable partnerships with the company's influencers and expand the reach of their campaigns, increasing the company's brand awareness.

Optimizing Tuna Fish Quality through a Science-Based Sustainable Partnership Approach and Ecological Management in Boneoge Village, Central Sulawesi

The potential of tuna resources is quite large, but to achieve export quality, fishermen and Fish Processing Units (UPI) must implement a strict quality assurance system, and government involvement is needed so that the tuna export process from Boneoge Village can be realized soon. This study aims to analyze partnership strategies that can be applied to improve the quality of tuna in Boneoge Village. Data collection method was carried out by purposive sampling. Basically, the data in this study were obtained and collected through triangulation (multi-method). The respondents selected in this study were ten people consisting of four fishermen, Quality Control and employees of the Fish Processing Unit (UPI), four related institutions. The data analysis used was SWOT analysis followed by QSPM analysis. Based on the SWOT analysis, there are 7 strategies that can improve the quality of partnership-based tuna in Boneoge Village, Donggala Regency. Based on the QSPM analysis, the first priority strategy is the strategy of Building Partnerships through Empowerment between the Government, UPI and Fishermen with a TAS value of 7.24, the second priority is Training in Fishermen and UPI Skills and Bureaucratic Efficiency with a TAS value of 6.27, the third priority is Improving Product Quality and Safety with a TAS value of 5.89.

The Co-Design of a Locally Led Health Professional Education Curriculum in Lao People’s Democratic Republic

(1) Background: There is a need to scale and transform health professional education (HPE) globally to not only improve the quantity but also the quality of health workers. This paper describes the approach undertaken by a Health University in Lao PDR. (2) Approach: The HPE curriculum was designed in an iterative process with key stakeholders from both the institution and government, with external expert advice. (3) Outcomes: The curriculum was successfully developed consisting of nine core modules and one elective module, reflecting both elements seen globally in HPE curricula as well as reflecting local needs. The content and teaching methods were validated and reviewed through piloting with local education leaders. (4) Conclusions: Despite the need to scale HPE globally, there are few examples of how this can be achieved in countries in which large gaps exist in HPE capacity. This paper provides one such example, through recognizing that sustained external partnerships will still be needed for successful future implementation.

The Role of Green Risk Management Approaches in Promoting Green and Sustainable Supply Chain Management

This study assesses how advanced technologies like AI, blockchain, and big data facilitate green risk management in the automotive and electronics industries in the EU. When applied to environmental risk assessment, green purchasing, and eco-design activities, these technologies will optimize Economies of Scale (EoS) and contribute to advancing GSSCM in companies. This review uses systematic literature review and thematic analysis and focuses on using various peer-reviewed sources to understand how these technologies support GSSCM and also reveal gaps and challenges such as the integration of innovative waste disposal technologies and sustainable partnership schemes. Research proves that actual assessment of environmental risk is possible through the implementation of AI in risk assessment; On the other hand, blockchain makes sustainable procurement and reverse logistics more transparent. Thus, some problems like high costs, limited time, and problems with the alignment of stakeholder goals remain. It is recommended that these gaps be overcome by innovating, partnering with industries, and implementing policies that can further improve the position of information systems as the foundation of GSSCM. Thus, policymakers have been urged to explore options like grants or subsidies in an attempt to promote the adoption of these technologies as a way of creating a circular economy. Consequently, this research offers insights that may be beneficial for industry managers and policymakers seeking to improve sustainability within the EU automotive and electronics sectors.

A quantitative framework for measuring sustainable development goals in mining operations

The growing concern over the environmental and social impacts of mining activities has increased interest in evaluating the alignment of mining practices with global sustainability goals. This study provides an in-depth examination of five major Iranian mining complexes including: GolGohar, Sarcheshmeh, Sungun, Zarshuran, and Sangan, and their adherence to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which encompass a broad spectrum of environmental, social, and economic challenges. The study employs a novel methodology to quantify and assess the degree of alignment between these mining complexes and the SDGs. The SDGs were systematically categorized into three key areas: environmental sustainability, social and economic well-being, and responsible operations and partnerships. The performance of each mining complex within these categories was evaluated using targeted questions and a set of indicators, providing a holistic view of both strengths and areas needing improvement. The findings revealed significant challenges in environmental sustainability, particularly in climate action and clean energy, with Sungun achieving the highest scores and Zarshuran the lowest. In social and economic well-being, progress was evident in poverty reduction and education, though concerns persisted in gender equality and healthcare access, where GolGohar led and Zarshuran lagged behind. Responsible operations and partnerships showed successes in industry innovation, yet there was a need for greater focus on sustainable urban development and partnerships. Zarshuran excelled in this area, while Sungun exhibited the weakest performance. Overall, the study highlights the need for substantial improvements in environmental practices and social inclusion across all complexes, including the top-performing GolGohar, to better align the mining sector with the SDGs and foster a more responsible and inclusive industry.

Colonial Echoes: Unraveling Economic Legacies and Geopolitical Shifts in the South Pacific Islands

Abstract The research delves into the intricate geopolitical dynamics underpinning the economy of the South Pacific region, focusing on attaining self-sufficiency and environmental sustainability amidst competing interests from global powers such as the United States, Australia, Japan, India, New Zealand, and China. It scrutinizes the geopolitical and geoeconomic factors influencing Pacific nations, curating data from academic papers, policy documents, media, and relevant websites. Challenges, opportunities, and concerns facing the region are discerned within historical and contemporary contexts, emphasizing the need for Pacific nations to integrate with China and India’s economies. Recommendations prioritize transparent, sustainable partnerships, advocating for alignment with Chinese and Indian economic prowess while safeguarding regional interests and values. A mixed-methods research framework is employed, upholding ethical standards and furnishing pragmatic recommendations for policymakers, international entities, and local stakeholders. Emphasizing reconciliation, community empowerment, and sustainable development, the research aims for a more equitable and resilient future. By illuminating the enduring imprint of colonialism on the region’s socio-economic trajectory and geopolitical dynamics, this study contributes to understanding and navigating the complexities of colonial legacies in the South Pacific Islands.

Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of Gene-Environment Interaction Research.

Many complex disorders are impacted by the interplay of genetic and environmental factors. In gene-environment interactions (GxE), an individual's genetic and epigenetic makeup impacts the response to environmental exposures. Understanding GxE can impact health at the individual, community, and population levels. The rapid expansion of GxE research in biomedical studies for complex diseases raises many unique ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSIs) that have not been extensively explored and addressed. This review article builds on discussions originating from a workshop held by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) in January 2022, entitled: "Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of Gene-Environment Interaction Research." We expand upon multiple key themes to inform broad recommendations and general guidance for addressing some of the most unique and challenging ELSI in GxE research. Key takeaways include strategies and approaches for establishing sustainable community partnerships, incorporating social determinants of health and environmental justice considerations into GxE research, effectively communicating and translating GxE findings, and addressing privacy and discrimination concerns in all GxE research going forward. Additional guidelines, resources, approaches, training, and capacity building are required to further support innovative GxE research and multidisciplinary GxE research teams.

Transcending boundaries on unequal ground: A critical reimagination of global North-South cooperation on social work practice and the Sustainable Development Goals

Using collaborative autoethnography, this article encapsulates the rich discourse that unfolded during a symposium titled: "Human Rights, The Sustainable Development Goals and Social Work Practice in Germany and Africa". The symposium was a testament to the collaborative synergy between Fachhochschule Dortmund in Germany, Midlands State University (MSU) in Zimbabwe, the University of Johannesburg, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in South Africa. This scientific event was an academic convergence where researchers and postgraduate social work students shared research, experiences and insights from the Global North and South, offering a mosaic of perspectives on critical issues. It illuminated shared challenges that transcended geographical boundaries. Poverty, climate change, and social injustice were common but contextually unique across the three countries. In this paper, we employ critical and world systems theories to reflect on the symposium. The discussions and reflections underscore social work's strategic position to inform context-specific anti-poverty, climate change discourse, anti-racism and collaborative efforts to combat economic disparities. This paper encourages the power of sustainable partnerships, dialogue, and shared learning across geographical and socio-economic boundaries. Collaborative efforts between Global North and South universities provide a platform for cross-cultural learning and mutual capacity building amongst postgraduate students.

Civic Education for Civic Leadership

Civic education and civic leadership are at the forefront of renewing faith in democracy on our campuses and communities. There is an urgent need for higher education to return to its historical foundation to fulfill the mission of democracy by educating students for democratic citizenship (Harkavy, 2006). Effectively integrating curricular and co-curricular civic engagement involves a balanced approach that is “both political and non-political” (Ehrlich, 2000, p. vi) to guide students to identify core values, develop civic knowledge, and build civic leadership skills (Finley, 2011; Hurtado, 2019). Civic leadership is an integral student learning outcome embedded within civic engagement praxis, but few frameworks have been developed to integrate leadership growth into their programming and curricula (Kniffin & Sapra, 2021). To renew faith in democracy, a reorientation to engagement with the local community through civic leadership is the pathway to achieve measurable impact by guiding students from the classroom into the community. If higher education is to fulfill the mission of democracy, educators and campus leaders must become the guides who invite students into a story bigger than themselves. Building on King’s (1963) civic legacy and Musil’s (2009) Civic Learning Spiral, the author outlines a Strategic Leadership Impact Model that has resulted in student-led civic engagement capstone projects, community-based research, and sustainable civic partnerships. Whether in the classroom or in the community, undergraduate students must be equipped through civic curriculum, co-curriculum, and service-learning programming to engage diverse perspectives and political viewpoints with civic curiosity to become effective civic leaders.

Palm Oil Business Partnership Sustainability through the Role of Social Capital and Local Wisdom: Evidence from Palm Oil Plantations in Indonesia

Sustainable development can only be achieved when jointly considering social, economic, and environmental dimensions. Social capital and local wisdom offer important contributions to the development process and the capabilities of individuals and groups as development actors. This study analyzes the role of social capital and local wisdom in managing business partnerships between farmers and palm oil plantation companies in North Konawe, Indonesia. This research was conducted in a palm oil plantation area by involving landowner farmers, palm oil companies, and other stakeholders such as the local government, NGOs, and academics. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, field observations, and focus group discussions (FGDs), totaling 320 respondents, and analyzed descriptively and qualitatively. The selection of informants for the in-depth interviews was determined by considering their involvement in and understanding of the partnership between farmers and companies in oil palm plantations; field observations were carried out to determine the field conditions of these plantations, while FGDs were held to obtain stakeholder information regarding problems and solutions in implementing farmer and company partnerships with the aim of having a positive impact on economic, social, and environmental welfare. The results underscore the importance of social capital and local wisdom in organizing institutional programs for strengthening palm oil business partnerships. Trust, social networks, and participation negatively affected the sustainability of these partnerships, whilst local wisdom and social solidarity positively influenced institutional strengthening. Company inconsistency and lack of openness can lead to a trust crisis that can threaten the sustainable operations of palm oil companies, while building good cooperative commitment and maintaining collaboration play key roles in enhancing community welfare and increasing company profits. The social capital and local wisdom of farmer institutions in villages are expected to significantly contribute to the establishment of sustainable palm oil business partnerships.

“Carbon Partners” and Collaborative Greenwashing: The Sustainability Partnership Between Dow Chemical and the Olympic Games

The multinational corporation, Dow Chemical, became the first-ever “Official Carbon Partner” of the Olympic Games in 2017, promising to offset the emissions generated by the staging of the Games and associated activities. This article critically analyzes the Partnership's promotional campaign, comprised of rhetorical claims that such “game-changing” collaborations are “redefining the role of business in society” in responding to the climate emergency. This particular campaign built green goodwill for a global sports mega-event and a corporation whose core business is converting fossil fuels into plastics. We highlight that this Partnership's carbon offsetting schemes appear to fail both parties’ additionality standards. We interpret this partnership as a historically significant example in the broader corporate effort to propogate a collaborative eco-capitalist imaginary that redefines corporations as partners fully aligned with state and third-sector projects to mitigate climate change.

Towards inclusive collaboration in volcanology: guidelines for best-engagement protocols in international collaboration

The International Network for Volcanology Collaboration (INVOLC) is a network formalised by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI) with the specific ambition to enhance volcanology globally through improved international collaboration. IAVCEI-INVOLC was created with a focus on volcano scientists working in resource-constrained contexts, including those based in low- or middle-income countries. After a community-wide online survey and inaugural workshop during which INVOLC’s ambitions were discussed, a series of challenges, as commonly experienced by those working in resource-constrained settings, were identified. These challenges may present barriers to participation in volcano science in an international context and are related to both organisational resources (financial, human, technical) and inclusion in research collaborations. In this perspectives paper, we present a series of 15 guidelines for best-engagement protocols in international collaboration in volcanology that may be adopted during times of quiescence, volcanic unrest and/or an eruption and its aftermath. Our aspiration is that these guidelines will help build more respectful, equitable and sustainable partnerships that will ultimately advance the science of volcanology.

An innovative Doctor of Nursing Practice scholarly project curriculum model: Strategies for supporting learners at various entry levels

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program curriculum must address the challenge of developing Competency Based Education (CBE) curriculum for DNP Scholarly Projects tailored to meet variations in nursing learner preparation and practice, from novice bachelor's entry level and master's advanced nurse practice expert entry level pathways. The recent Future of Nursing 2020–2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity report by the National Academy of Medicine advocates that competency-based education (CBE) approaches in nursing schools should focus upon the advanced practice nursing population within collaborative academic practice partnerships. This article describes an innovative DNP Scholarly Project Curriculum model at an academic health science center that integrates academic partnerships and CBE strategies that have been developed for second degree Bachelor's direct entry to nursing (direct entry), post BS in nursing to DNP (BS to DNP), Post Master's to DNP (PM DNP) entry levels of preparation. The DNP Scholarly Project Curriculum utilizes an innovative, scaffolded approach to fostering CBE for the assessment of learning activities at the doctoral level. The DNP Scholarly Project Curriculum includes domains of quality improvement, critical appraisal of the literature, evidence-based practice models, implementation practice models, policy analysis, and process/outcome evaluations. Preliminary alumni and stakeholder feedback suggests that these projects are not only impacting practice but improving learner competency in quality improvement science. Implementation of this model has led to enhanced CBE-driven curriculum teaching and learning strategies, and sustainable collaborative academic partnerships.

Can Africa–China cooperation influence African green growth to truly alleviate undernourishment? Evidence of the quadruple mediating effect

AbstractClimate change has significantly threatened the global economy and increased the risk of food insecurity. Despite humanitarian efforts, African countries continue to face huge challenges related to global warming and deep undernourishment to reach a sustainable future. In this respect, China and Africa engage in bilateral exchanges to overcome these difficulties. However, exploring sustainable partnerships between China and Africa is a complicated and multifaceted topic, notably in the green economy and treating undernourishment, which needs more pertinence scientific research. Accordingly, this paper aims to explore the combined effect of eco‐innovation, Chinese investment, and trade on green growth while simultaneously addressing the issues of undernourishment in the context of Africa–China cooperation. This study applies the generalized method of moments (GMM) to analyze a sample of 26 African countries over 11 years. This paper finds that eco‐innovations and FDI positively impact green growth, with p‐values below .046. The study reveals that Chinese exports have a detrimental effect on green growth, with p‐values below .033. This paper shows that green growth has a positive impact on undernourishment. This research finds a quadruple mediating effect of green growth between its driving factors and undernourishment. Therefore, our findings demonstrated that China's growing involvement in Africa, mainly through exporting natural resources, is likely to impede the attainment of sustainable development goals. However, countries can still gain from FDI and import sustainable products from China. Lastly, policymakers must consider the importance of the increasing interaction between China and Africa to achieve sustainable growth and reduce undernourishment.

Harnessing Community Coalition Action Theory (CCAT) for Building Resilient Communities: A Case Study of the NV Minority Health and Equity Coalition

Developing sustainable research and health equity partnerships is crucial for creating long-term solutions that address systemic disparities and improve community well-being. Coalition building, a fundamental strategy in this process, unites diverse stakeholders to collaborate on shared goals, amplifying collective impact. The importance of such an approach led to the development of the Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition (NMHEC). This study aims to achieve two primary objectives: first, to identify and integrate networked resources into the community coalition action theory (CCAT) framework to advance an understanding of community resilience; second, to share NMHEC strategies that incorporate community participation within each CCAT construct. The article outlines a generalizable process for establishing a robust health equity coalition through a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach framed by CCAT and Community Resilience Theory (CR) principles. Documenting the narrative, facilitators, and barriers through an analysis of archival documents — including coalition recruitment materials, meeting minutes, and partnership and event evaluations — the study maps activities and resources to CCAT constructs. Findings highlight six foundational areas of NMHEC operations: 1) aligning fiscal agency with the coalition’s mission and vision; 2) implementing tiered membership to ensure participation equity; 3) co-developing operational norms to shape culture and interactions; 4) building capacity based on member feedback to assess available skills and resources; 5) sharing resources such as grant awards and staff time with coalition partners; and 6) seeking external advice from national experts to learn from other partnerships. This application of CCAT, CR, and CBPR illustrates effective strategies for fostering, maintaining, and sustaining partnerships to address health inequities.

"Lusog-Linang": Utilizing Community-engaged Research towards Capacity Building in Health of an Underserved Community.

Nurses have a pivotal role in nurturing the capabilities of individuals, families, and population groups for better health. However, underserved communities in the Philippines, such as those with socioeconomic inadequacies, geographic isolation, and service access problems, have significant limitations in attaining the highest possible level of health. Hence, a community extension service (Project "Lusog-Linang"), employing community-engaged research, was launched with the residents of an underserved locality in Central Luzon. The current paper aimed to describe the engagement of the community residents in describing their current health situation and related priority problems, as well as explore appropriate initiatives to manage the identified problems. Community-engaged research was utilized to enable the residents of Barangay San Vicente, Bamban, Tarlac to participate in health capacity building. Particularly, records review and focus group discussions were conducted to assess the community's health needs and to identify the residents' perceived problems. The findings were presented in a community assembly, where residents further discussed their priority health concerns and potential interventions to address them. Quantitative data were summarized through descriptive statistics, while qualitative information was synthesized via content analysis. The priority community health problems included healthcare inaccessibility (trained staff, health equipment, and facility access), food insecurity, water supply limitations, and environmental sanitation. Moreover, there was inadequate knowledge and skills among the residents in health promotion, disease prevention, and illness management. While Barangay San Vicente had limited socioeconomic resources to optimize their health capacities, the sense of community among the residents is a vital resource towards empowering them to improve their health. The results could be utilized as a launching pad for developing appropriate health programs for the residents of Barangay San Vicente. Hence, the next steps in Project "Lusog-Linang" should include the identification and training of core group members toward community mobilization, and further exploring collaborative and sustainable partnerships across organizations to ensure that the community will have long-term solutions to their problems. Consequently, this project could guide public health workers in ensuring the active involvement and participation of the community members in managing their own health.