Sustainability Outreach Research Articles

Factors influencing online sustainability disclosure in Spanish universities

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the extent of sustainability disclosure through websites at Spanish universities and analyse the determinants that affect such disclosure. Design/methodology/approach This study uses as methodology a content analysis of the sustainability information disclosed by universities on their official websites in 2022 and a regression of ordinary least squares. Findings Findings emphasise that Spanish universities have moderate levels of online sustainability disclosure, close to 50%, showing prevalent attention to dimensions concerning “organisation profile and governance”, “economic aspects” and “labour practices”, while “curriculum and teaching on sustainability topics” and “environmental” dimensions were less addressed. On the other hand, the findings indicate that public and larger universities are the ones most engaged in the online disclosure of information about sustainability issues. Likewise, universities led by female rectors exert a positive influence on sustainability disclosure on websites. Practical implications The results could be useful for policymakers and regulators to implement and standardise sustainability reporting at higher education institutions, as well as for managers at universities who wish to increase the diffusion of sustainability outreach to satisfy stakeholders’ demands and legitimise their actions in society. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first Spanish approach to identify the explanatory factors for sustainability reporting in Spanish higher education institutions.

Impact of Stakeholders as Board Members on Sustainability and Social Outreach of Microfinance Institution (MFI) in Developing Markets

Impact of Stakeholders as Board Members on Sustainability and Social Outreach of Microfinance Institution (MFI) in Developing Markets

Efficiency of microfinance institutions of South Asia: a bootstrap DEA approach

The microfinance institutions (MFIs) operate with the dual goals; financial sustainability and social outreach. Therefore, the present paper aims to assess the twin objectives of MFIs operating in the selected four South Asian countries (i.e., Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan) during the financial year 2010 to 2015. First, we remove the outliers from the dataset by following Banker and Gifford (1988) and Banker and Chang (2006) guidelines. Thereafter, the study use bootstrap data envelopment analysis (DEA) by designing two separate models to measure bias-corrected financial and social efficiency estimates. The empirical results confirm that the South Asian MFIs remain more financially efficient than socially during the study period. Further, the Indian MFIs outperform in terms of both the aspects followed by Nepali and Bangladeshi MFIs, respectively. However, the Pakistani MFIs are the least performers in terms of both social outreach and financial sustainability.

Preface

Recent globalization persuaded the world to sum up with a global collaboration for human being welfare. In this regard, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have drawn international attention nowadays, because of the menacing effect of human activities on climate change and global warming. Prevailing endeavors towards global collaboration has been put forward. Contribution to the SDGs deployment has dramatically increased over the past years. In the context of global contribution, Research and Education Promotion Association (REPA) in collaboration with University of the Ryukyus creates an international forum to discuss and share knowledge for effective deployment of the SDGs goals within viable models, scenarios, and best worldwide accepted practices.International Conferences Series on: Sustainability Outreach in Developing Countries (SODC 2020) held at University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan, from 30-31 May 2020. SODC-2020 covers 17-goals and 169-targets of the SDGs in the context of multidisciplinary research.This conference aims to establish a global dialogue on Sustainability Outreach that brings together scholars, researchers, and field practitioners conducting projects and research to achieve the United Nation’s 17-SDGs. SODC-2020 discussed transboundary researches, experiences, case studies, and lessons learned to cover conceptual and empirical research contributions within the scope of this conference. That offers viable options for societies transition in the 21st century for (1) a well-being life to eradicate poverty, (2) mitigate climate change, (3) promote lifelong learning opportunities, (4) empower sociality, (5) deploy affordable energy, (6) sustain economic growth, (7) offer innovation, (8) reduce inequality, (9) ensure global sustainability and so on.This proceedings volume is based on the selected and peer-reviewed papers that offer new ideas and best practices by experienced researches around the globe. International Conferences Series on Sustainability Outreach will be held in Asia, Europe and Latin America during 2020-2022 with a profound impact on expediting the SDGs deployment. As part of this conference, professional-level workshops were organized by SEIES-IEEE (Sustainable Energy and Intelligent Engineering Society, jt. Chapter of PES & FRID-Fukuoka Section, Japan Council) and Rahkaar ACM Chapter.The Organizing Committee of International Conferences Series on: Sustainability Outreach in Developing Countries (SODC 2020) expresses its heartiest congratulation for successfully holding the conference within the contained situation of COVID-19. Thank you to our stakeholders at any level (researchers, presenters, participants, reviewers, editors, facilitators, IOP Publishing, and sponsors) who have been part of this achievement.A special appreciation and thanks are extended to the keynote speakers:– Prof. Tomonobu Senjyu, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan– Prof. Ir Dr Sharifah Rafidah Wan Alwi, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia; and Director of Process Systems Engineering Centre (UTM-PROSPECT), Johor Bahru, Malaysia– Prof. Toshihisa Funabashi, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan– Prof. Fathelalem Ali, Meio University, Okinawa, JapanAlso, heartfelt thanks for the editorial team of REPA: Ms. Michell Ann (Secretary), Mr. Sayed Mir Shah Danish (Technical Chair), Dr. Emil Chuck, Ms. Sarah Ahmed, and Ms. Kristina Barnes) for their support. Editors Dr. Mir Sayed Shah Danish (Conference Organizing Chair) Prof. Tomonobu Senjyu (Conference General Chair) Mr. Mikaeel Ahmadi (Academic Affairs Chair) University of the Ryukyus SODC2020, Okinawa, Japan www.repa.jp/sodc-japan

Cooperative Extension and Sustainability Outreach: Programmatic Successes, Administrative Support, and Areas for Improvement

According to the 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, without urgent global changes, climate catastrophe caused by warming of greater than 1.5°C will occur by 2030, endangering the planet's capacity to sustain human populations and livelihoods. The National Network for Sustainable Living Education administered a national survey in January 2017 to assess how well-positioned Extension is to address sustainability in the communities the organization serves. Educators from 40 states responded, and 1,395 usable surveys were received. Survey results will help Extension employees discover opportunities for innovation and relevancy in their programming.

Sustainability and outreach in microfinance institutions in India: an ethical analysis

We use an ethical analysis framework to explain the tensions that microfinance institutions (MFIs) face in following ethical practices when faced with the competing objectives of financial sustainability and social outreach. The extant view is that these institutions have to resort to unethical practices such as usury interest rates and forced loan collections to survive. After a case study of five MFIs, we find that this is not the case, and competing objectives can very well be achieved following ethical practices. This article is set against the background of suicides by microfinance borrowers in India.

Ergonomic sustainability based on the ergonomic maturity level measurement

This paper aims at the application of an ergonomic maturity model (EMM), in order to assess the ergonomic sustainability outreach of ergonomic actions. This proposition was motivated by the widespread sensation that the development of the discipline, its educational devices and related practices depends on the attitude of ergonomics practitioners rather than environmental macroergonomic conditions. Maturity modeling in this paper is undertaken as a tool for ergonomic practitioners. Thus, its foundations were uprooted from diverse fields: Clinic Psychology, Quality Management and Project Management. The paper brings about a detailled explanation of this ergonomic maturity tool. The empirical part is fulfilled by the examination - using the EMM - of four emblematic cases excerpted from our research lab ergonomic portfolio.

National Sustainability Outreach Assessment Based on Human and Social Capital: The Case of Environmental Sciences in Switzerland

This paper reports on a sustainability outreach study based on an assessment of human and social capital. The aim was to capture the national sustainability outreach of twenty years of Environmental Sciences education, centered at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich. The study contained two lines of research, one being a human capital assessment with a survey among graduates from the years 1992 to 2005 (n = 542) and the other being a social capital analysis based on interviews with institutions that represent the Swiss social systems of economy, politics/public administration and civil society (20 institutions). Our analyses reveal several functional forms of both human capital (specialists, pioneers, leaders) and social capital (qualification profile, internalization, networks, standardization, professionalization) that trigger and channel sustainability outreach.

MIS Software for the Microfinance Market: An Analysis

Microfinance is a sector where MIS is a strategic need for up scaling to get both economic sustainability and social outreach and performance. It should help in lowering transaction costs and interest rates. A study of the MIS for this sector is therefore crucial. This paper studies different MIS software available for the Microfinance Industry, based on seven case studies. It explains the nature of the Microfinance sector structure using the diversity of the MIS packages which have evolved to meet its specific needs. Based on our research, we have found a large diversity of the MIS software being offered for MFIs. Partly, this diversity is owing to the diversity of the Microfinance sector and partly, this diversity is owing to the need for the software to differentiate themselves from others positioning in the same niche. The evolution of the software market may be based on the evolution of the microfinance sector, notably the replication of MFI models. However, we find that the fact that MFIs are a mix of banks, NGOs and other governance structures does not make a significant difference to the type of MIS software selected.

Eco-Reps Programs: Conducting Peer Outreach in Residence Halls

Abstract The first eco-reps program was started at Tufts University in Boston in 2000. Since then, nearly 30 additional programs have followed, with additions each year. This paper is the first comprehensive review on how these programs are developed, implemented, and evaluated. We include an overview of the rationale behind eco-reps programs and a discussion of current trends, best practices, and challenges gleaned from a survey of program coordinators. Using as case studies the University of Vermont's established Eco-Reps Program and a program under development at the University of New Hampshire, we outline two examples of peer-to-peer sustainability outreach programs in action.