Sustainable Transformation Research Articles

High-Density Communities and Infectious Disease Vulnerability: A Built Environment Perspective for Sustainable Health Development

High-density communities have proliferated globally during rapid urbanization. They are characterized by a high population density and limited per capita public spaces, making them susceptible to infectious disease risks. The impact of infectious diseases in these communities, as evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, underscores their vulnerabilities. Yet, research on disease prevention in high-density areas remains limited. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the built environment and the transmission of infectious diseases in high-density urban communities, with a particular focus on the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing Shenzhen city as a case study, this study collected data on the built environment and epidemic trends and involved a generalized linear regression analysis, aiming to understand the key built environment factors that affect epidemic spread in high-density areas. The results from the study revealed that high-density communities experience higher rates of infectious disease transmission compared to their medium- to low-density counterparts. The significant factors identified include land use mixture and walkability, with land use mixture showing the most substantial impact on infection rates. Through a combination of qualitative analysis and empirical research, we constructed a conceptual framework linking containment measures, non-pharmaceutical interventions, and the built environment. The findings emphasize the significance to focus on the health development of high-density communities and offer valuable insights for tailored urban planning and built environment design. These insights are crucial for promoting the healthy and sustainable transformation of existing high-density communities.

Sustainable Community Transformation and Planning Based on Community Layout and Low Impact Development Concept

The Sustainable Cities and Communities emphasized in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are cities and residential communities that prioritize inclusivity, safety, and resilience against disaster risks. China's urbanization process has embarked on a trajectory of rapid development, characterized by substantial advancements in urban construction and continuous enhancements to the urban landscape and environment. Confronted with an immense urban population scale, the sustainable transformation of traditional communities has emerged as the primary focus for establishing resilient communities. This paper compares the disparities between communities established by the traditional community model and sustainable community concept, scrutinizes the limitations of traditional community models, and proposes strategies for the sustainable transformation of traditional communities through adopting low impact development concepts in rainwater management. For the "block" layout, this paper proposes enhancing the connectivity of green spaces and promoting diversity. For the "central" layout, it is recommended to optimize access roads, including pedestrian and vehicle routes, by integrating green spaces. In the case of an "intensive" layout, emphasis should be placed on improving resource utilization efficiency through multi-functional approaches. For the planning of new sustainable communities, this paper puts forward suggestions from the micro and macro planning levels.

Exploring How the University Ecosystem Can Mobilise Resources for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Knowledge-Intensive Entrepreneurial Firms in Sweden

Social innovation and entrepreneurship are argued to be crucial for enabling inclusive and sustainable transformation. However, we know less about how universities can enable social innovation and entrepreneurship amongst students and employees. This article explores one specific channel for university impact - supporting knowledge-intensive entrepreneurs (KIE) in delivering social innovation as services. We conduct a theoretically informed case study at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, analysing one firm started by alumni and one firm started by employed researchers. We propose a conceptual framework, explicating how social KIE entrepreneurs mobilise resources from the university in knowledge-intensive services of social impact.

Investigate the Impact of Supply Chain Sustainability Transformation on Enterprises: Case Study of IKEA

In the current international business climate, supply chain sustainable development is a prominent topic. On the other hand, the conventional supply chain model fails to keep up with the shifting demands of the market and causes serious environmental and social issues. The purpose of this research is to examine the theoretical underpinnings of supply chain sustainable development, to examine its various facets, and to incorporate real-world examples. This paper introduces the context and significance of supply chain sustainability and its three main goals: environmental preservation, social responsibility, and economic gain. Second, it emphasizes the significance of important techniques such as good sustainability strategy, green supplier assessment, and community participation through in-depth research of the best practices of leading businesses in sustainable supply chain management. The report highlights the potential advantages of a sustainable supply chain, including decreased operational risk, enhanced competitiveness, and long-term economic growth. To address global concerns and create a more sustainable future, this paper urges businesses and governments to engage in supply chain sustainability actively.

Sustaining inner transformation through spiritual tourism

ABSTRACT This study aims to offer insights on spiritual benefits sought by a special interest market (spiritual tourists). Data for this study is anchored in a purposeful selection of retreat centres, that offer a mix of reflective and inspirational spaces, in a world renowned spiritual tourism destination (Rishikesh in India). One key objective is to identify significant predictors of spiritual benefits and scrutinise if visitors who indicate interest in sustaining spiritual pursuits or inner transformation differ, from others, in the type of spiritual benefits they seek. Furthermore, this study offers suggestions on how the retreat centres can optimise the spiritual benefits and ignite interest in pursuing sustained inner transformation. This study is unique in that it suggests a sustained transformation continuum for spiritual retreat centres.

Sustainable Transformation of Two Algal Species of Different Genera to High-Value Chemicals and Bioproducts.

This study investigates the potential of two algae species from different genera, namely the recently isolated Scenedesmus obliquus BGP and Porphyridium cruentum, from the perspective of their integral sustainable transformation to valuable substances. Conventional Soxhlet and environmentally friendly supercritical fluid extraction were applied to recover oils from the species. The extracts were characterized through analytical techniques, such as GC-Fid and LC-MS/MS, which allowed their qualitative and quantitative differentiation. Thus, P. cruentum oils contained up to 43% C20:4 and C20:5 fatty acids, while those of S. obliquus BGP had only residual amounts. The LC-MS/MS analysis of phenolic compounds in the S. obliquus BGP and P. cruentum extracts showed higher content of 3-OH-4-methoxybenzoic acid and kaempferol 3-O-glycoside in the former and higher amounts of ferulic acid in the latter. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the oils were also determined and compared. The compositional analysis of the oil extracts revealed significant differences and varying potentialities based on their genera and method of extraction. To the best of our knowledge our work is unique in providing such detailed information about the transformation prospects of the two algae species to high-value chemicals and bioproducts.

Making tourism more sustainable: empirical evidence from EU member countries

AbstractWe analyze the sustainability factors that are pertinent to the tourism industry by exploring the effects of economic, environmental and social determinants on sustainable value added (SVA) in a two-stage analysis on a sample of 27 EU countries for the 2013–2019 period. In the first stage, we determine the relative efficiency based on DEA. In the second stage, we use the obtained variables in a dynamic panel data analysis setup. Contrary to the omnipresent push for complete green and sustainable transformation we find that increased GHG emissions will lead to an initial increase in SVA as the tourism sector needs time and effort to transition from a resource-oriented to an environmental-oriented production process. Contrary to previous findings, we show that environmental policies are not effective and that environmental taxation-related policies and procedures need to be revised. Economic growth implies increased pollution as well as increased SVA, as it requires more inputs and thus consumes more natural resources. Because of this it is of utmost importance to pay more attention to the quality of economic development in order to mitigate negative environmental externalities in the tourism sector.

Corporate change agents for sustainability: Transforming organizations from the inside out

AbstractSustainable development requires sustainability transformations of (so far unsustainable) companies. Sustainability transformations of companies do not happen by themselves but are the result of individuals and groups who purposefully act for sustainability. It is individual managers and employees within an organization—so‐called “change agents for sustainability”—who play a vital role in advancing corporate sustainability, as they are responsible for starting initiatives, making decisions, and implementing measures. Recent contributions have started to address the transformational role of individual sustainability professionals and employees shaping decisions around social and environmental issues in organizations. An overview and conceptualization of what can be understood by change agents for sustainability, their roles, and interactions is however missing. This article therefore proposes a framework and typology of six archetypes of change agents for sustainability: their key competencies and roles in initiating, scaling, and sustaining change in and beyond organizational boundaries.

In-field experimental study and multivariable analysis on a PEMFC combined heat and power cogeneration for climate-adaptive buildings with taguchi method

Due to overwhelming advantages in high power density, stability in long-term storage and clear by-product water, application of hydrogen energy in buildings has attracted global interests for sustainable and low-carbon transformation, especially with the fast technology development of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) combined heat and power (CHP) cogeneration system. However, the cost-effective operating control of PEMFC CHP cogeneration system has not been investigated, comprehensively considering intermittence and stochasticity of building energy demands in different climate regions under extreme climates. In this study, in-field experimental study following the orthogonal method is conducted for underlying mechanism analysis of operating parameters on electric power, total power, and electric/thermal (E/T) power ratio of a PEMFC stack, considering energy losses by convection, radiation and exhausted reactant gas flow. Sensitivity analysis of operating parameters on PEMFC output performances is conducted based on Taguchi Method. For climate-adaptive applications of PEMFC CHP cogeneration systems in Guangzhou (cooling-dominated area) and Beijing (heating-dominated area), two operating strategies with electricity- and heat-dominated outputs have been proposed and compared. Results indicate that, the PEMFC output performances are influenced by internal factors, including reaction rate, substance transportation, membrane hydration level and energy losses. Electric power and total power are mainly dependent on coolant inlet temperature, inlet gas pressure and coolant flux, while E/T power ratio is mainly controlled by inlet coolant temperature, inlet gas pressure and cathode stoichiometric ratio. Furthermore, based on the proposed cost-effective operating control (the electricity-dominated output control strategy under extreme hot weather in Guangzhou and heat-dominated output control strategy under extreme cold weather in Beijing), the PEMFC could save 0.246 kg hydrogen with 2.137 × 103 kJ surplus thermal energy one day in Guangzhou, and save 2.763 kg hydrogen with 3.527 × 103 kJ surplus electric energy one day in Beijing. This study could provide a guideline for operating parameter selections of PEMFC CHP cogeneration system in variable climate areas.

Creating conditions for sustainability transformation through transformative governance – The case of plastic food packaging in Finland

Transformative governance is an emerging approach to addressing major sustainability challenges. Despite the mounting research on this topic, there is still limited understanding on how to create conditions for transformation in practice. Through an analytical frame of transformative governance, in this qualitative case study we investigate how policies and governance in Finland have created conditions for sustainability transformation in food packaging, a key source of plastics pollution, and how the joint implementation of different transformative approaches affects their power to induce systemic change. Our results, based on policy mapping and stakeholder interviews, show that applying principles of transformative governance is necessary but not yet effective enough for creating conditions that encourage and motivate key actors to advance in sustainability transformation. Joint implementation of different transformative approaches and modes of governance can be beneficial, but it is also challenging and may in the worst case even weaken the transformative power and slow down progress. The current governance has fostered packaging waste recycling but does not effectively solve the root cause of unsustainability: mounting consumption of single-use packaging, despite current policy targets and active use of transformative approaches. To reduce packaging consumption and create favourable conditions for packaging reuse, more emphasis is needed on transformative innovation policies, as well as setting more ambitious and proactive measures such as implementing tighter legislation and carrying out ex-ante impact evaluations when designing new policies and regulation. Integrative governance should also be strengthened to improve directionality and policy coherence.

Operationalizing a corporate sustainability transformation in a fast-moving-consumer goods company

Recent research shows the need to address sustainability from a problem-solving perspective. Taking the case of an international company, which is advanced in that matter, the purpose of this article is to document the key success factors to operationalize a sustainability transformation, as well as a step-by-step process for its deployment. Adopting a qualitative approach, the methodology relies on in-depth interviews with semi-structured questions, collecting the return of experience of 32 employees. The findings highlight three challenges: the implementation of sustainability indicators, organizational silos, and the shift towards a sustainable business model. As a result, it was possible to identify these key success factors: systematize the culture of measuring, introduce a transversal eco-governance, and conceptualize the transformation at scale with a progressive deployment.

Prospects

The latest IPCC report which is named ‘The Synthesis Report , Climate Change 2023’ was released on 20 March 2023 to inform the 2023 Global Stocktake under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The report finds that ‘there is more than 50% chance that global temperature rise will reach or surpass 1.5 degrees Celsius between 2021 and 2040 across studied scenarios, and under a high-emissions pathway, specifically, the world may hit this threshold even sooner, between 2018 and 2037.’ These findings again emphasise the growing pressures and challenges that deltas are confronting in their path towards future development. It is evident that the global imperative for deltas to adapt has reached an unprecedented level, but at the same time the question arises if adaptation is enough. Especially considering the scope of societal challenges that need to be the point of departure for sustainable spatial transformation in general. Aren't they of such a fundamental nature that we need to reconsider our urban system as a whole and aim for transformation instead of adaptation? Looking more closely to the societal challenges we can organise them according to their environmental and socio-economic drivers. The environmental drivers are the climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis. The socio-economic drivers are ongoing urbanisation, the energy transition, and the new economy.

Reflexive use of methods: a framework for navigating different types of knowledge and power in transformative research

AbstractIn transformative sustainability science, reflexivity is considered critical for ethically sound and socially relevant research. In practice, many transdisciplinary knowledge co-production processes have faced problems in mitigating power hierarchies among the participating actors and the different types of knowledge. In this paper, we develop and test a reflexive framework that enables transdisciplinary researchers to convey more explicitly how their methodological choices play a role in im/balancing power relations in knowledge co-production. The reflexive framework allows researchers to distinguish the different types of knowledge co-produced by the methods, as well as tracking the movements between them. We utilize the framework to reflect upon the methodological choices made through the application of three different transformative methods, namely the Transition Arena, Theory of Change, and Participatory Food Sustainability Assessment and Transformation Framework in different contexts. The results illuminate how the agility between the knowledge types is critical for navigating tensions in power imbalances, as well as producing transformative knowledge. Moreover, the results call further attention to the co-production of critical knowledge in sustainability science.

Community Engagement in Urban Experiments: Joint Effort for Sustainable Urban Transformation

The increasing complexity of urban regeneration issues has recently made multi-stakeholder collaboration an important part to solve policy problems. While residents form an important part in a variety of collaborative governance processes, approaches used are often criticized as too formal, and lacking more inclusive participation. Therefore, new informal mechanisms of collaboration are sought, to ensure a more effective engagement and representation of population groups. Although community-led participation is the approach that leads to a more effective collaborative process, issues of power and inequality are a challenge in many places in planning practice [13]. Ways of civic empowerment, communication, and negotiation provide participants with transformative learning opportunities so that not only their arguments change but also the participants of the participation process themselves [6]. In order to test urban development ideas, the notion of "urban experiment" has been developed in recent years as a recognized and effective approach. The urban environment is viewed as a creative laboratory for testing the implementation of diverse initiatives and innovations [8]. The inner-city neighbourhoods in many cities are struggling to ensure vitality and liveability, thus these areas often represent a widespread location of urban experiments. In addition to these questions, the problem of community representation manifests itself in many inner cities. The potential to transform city centre streets and vacant areas into user-friendly urban spaces and the impact of those transformations on the city’s livability were recently tested by Riga municipality. Urban experiments varied in scale and form, resulting in street pedestrianization, urban gardens, and other temporary initiatives, which allowed more space for walking and cycling, street sales, social events and other activities. Thus, the aim of this article is to explore processes of testbed planning with regard to the role of community participation in the designing, implementing, and analysing phases of the experiment. After presenting the findings, the article concludes with a discussion on factors that influence public participation in collaborative governance including communication, the balance of interests, and the degree of resident involvement in decision-making.

Does training provision matter? Unravelling the impact of digital transformation on environmental sustainability

PurposeMany firms are now pursuing large-scale change initiatives to accelerate their digital transformation (DT) and sustainable development. However, the success rate of DT projects is still low, and the extent to which DT enables firms to improve environmental sustainability (ES) remains unclear. Recently, researchers have argued that DT is more about people transformation rather than technology. Based on the contingent resource-based view, this study investigates how DT influences ES and examines the moderating role of training provision (TP).Design/methodology/approachSurvey data gathered from manufacturers in China were analysed to test the proposed theoretical framework.FindingsThe results indicate that DT has a positive impact on ES, and that this effect is positively moderated by TP.Practical implicationsThe empirical findings provide insights for managers to understand the success of digital sustainability transformation requires necessary digital knowledge and skills derived from TP.Originality/valueThis study provides an initial examination of digital sustainability, which is a new stream of literature for the digital age, and further extends existing knowledge by demonstrating the importance of people (i.e. TP) in strengthening the effectiveness of DT on ES.

A Billion‐Euro Industry? (De‐)territorialisation Processes of Norway's Seaweed Farming Assemblage

AbstractSeaweed farming is a rising sector in European policy narratives and is increasingly integrated in coastal countries' bioeconomy strategies. Norway aims to lead this European ‘Seaweed Revolution’. Envisioned as a ‘billion‐euro industry’, its development is in its infancy yet contains ambitions for upscaling and socio‐economic credentials that promote it as a sector for sustainable finance and investments. Through assemblage conceptualisation, the paper unfolds the relations that connect the fluid materialities of seaweed with ambitious business plans, coastal localities, calls for upscaling, complex markets and assesses the trajectories potentials for sector development. Instead of forecasting the future of seaweed farming in Norway, it displays how the sociospatial complexities of the Norwegian seaweed farming assemblages' components enable or disperse currently dominant and optimistic sectoral narratives, providing a critical window to highlight the underlying and partially contradictory processes that shape the development trajectories of a sector promoted as a beacon of sustainable transformation.

Processes of sustainability transformation across systems scales: leveraging systemic change in the textile sector

Sustainability research emphasizes the importance of intervening with both individual and organizational behaviours as well as the systems that shape them to create sustainability transformations. However, to date there is a lack of studies that bridge the divide between small case-based interventions and global systems at broader scales, and the complex interactions across scales and processes. This paper works with a leverage points framework to consider systems transformation. It focuses on four individual sustainability interventions in the textile sector and explores how they are embedded within a complex set of nested systems, and how these connected systems shape the transformative potential of the interventions. By using an onion metaphor for systems with several onion layers representing the current textile sector and its multiple connected and nested systems, we integrate and reflect across four in-depth case studies, conducted over a period of 3 years, using a range of empirical research approaches. The findings show that the studied interventions all target multiple deep leverage points within their target systems of production and consumption. All are limited in fulfilling their transformative potential by a range of barriers that we trace back to the economic and policy and regulation systems that they are embedded within. The economic system enforces a paradigm of consumption-based growth, and the policy and regulation system fails to either support change, or restrict unsustainable behaviours. Our findings demonstrate the need to think across systems scales to understand leverage points and transformative change; our nested systems approach is one way to do so. We outline two promising pathways for sustainability transformations: (1) focussing on how to create spillover effects of favourable interventions in sub-systems to push outwards against the constraints of the current policy and regulation, and economic systems; and (2) by targeting actors and interventions within the policy and regulation and economic systems to create change in the paradigms and design they embody and enforce on the systems nested within them.

Micro-scale transformations in sustainability practices: Insights from new migrant populations in growing urban settlements

Development that is inclusive and sustainable requires significant social and environmental transformations from current trajectories, building on demographic realities such as changing profiles of populations, and increased levels of mobility. Migration is a major driving force of urbanisation in all global regions, partly facilitated through emerging technologies and declining costs of movement and communication. Social transformations associated with increased migration are highly uneven but include shifts in the location of economic activities, major urban growth, and changing individual incentives and social constraints on sustainability trajectories. Yet, there is limited empirical evidence on how observed population movements can both challenge and promote sustainable transformations. This paper examines how migration transforms places and societies, by providing new evidence on the behaviours and practices of individuals who are part of such transformations as they assimilate, converge or remain distinctive to prior populations. Focusing on individuals in rapidly expanding cities in the Global South, this study uses new biographical life-history survey data from Accra, Ghana, to examine the barriers and enablers of sustainability practices among diverse types of migrants and a sample of non-migrants. The study uses data from 1,163 individuals: international migrants from the West African sub-region (559), internal migrants (299), and non-migrants (305) in Accra. The findings show that sustainability practices established before migration are predictors of current sustainability practices, including proactive recycling, conservation activities, and choice of mode of transportation, but that there is some convergence between behaviours, reflecting assimilation, place attachment and other factors. Internal migrants in Accra exhibit stronger sustainability practices than international migrants. Individual levels of poverty, poor infrastructural development, and perceptions about life satisfaction in the neighbourhood negatively affect sustainability practices among all respondents. These results suggest that poverty and social exclusion are critical to addressing sustainability issues in urban contexts. It is important for policy makers to address issues of urban poverty, cumulative deprivation, and inequality as strong barriers to the adoption of sustainability practices in urban areas.

Modeling farmers’ willingness to engage in traceability systems: toward sustainable agricultural transformation

IntroductionThe primary objective of this study is to examine the factors that affect farmers’ willingness to engage in traceability systems. Traceability systems are widely promoted as technologies that ensure the quality and safety of agricultural products. However, the participation rate of farmers in developing countries remains low.MethodsTo empirically address this issue, the study analyzed structured interview data from 408 fruit farmers in Henan Province, Central China, using structural equation modeling and system dynamics.ResultsThe results indicate that attitude, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, moral norms, and safety awareness are crucial factors influencing farmers’ willingness to engage. It is particularly noteworthy that system dynamics simulations revealed the significant role of improving attitude and subjective norms in promoting farmers’ willingness. Moreover, subjective norms have a positive influence on moral norms. We also found that gender, education, orchard area, income and access to credit have a significant positive impact on farmers’ willingness to engage.DiscussionBy uncovering the internal decision-making mechanisms behind farmers’ engagement in traceability systems, this study extends the research scope of agricultural technology adoption. These findings can serve as a basis for formulating traceability system policies and interventions in China and other developing countries.

Forward Thinking and Adaptability to Sustain and Advance IPECP in Healthcare Transformation Following the COVID-19 Pandemic

The proliferation of the novel SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus across the globe in 2020 produced a shared trauma internationally of unprecedented devastation, disruption, and death. At the same time, the pandemic has been a transformation catalyst accelerating the implementation and adoption of long overdue changes in healthcare education and practice, including telehealth and virtual learning. The COVID-19 pandemic has placed healthcare at a crossroads, either viewing it as a temporary situation that requires short-term solutions, or as a major disruption that presents opportunities for innovation for sustainable development and transformation. As COVID-19 transitions from pandemic to endemic, we have a unique opportunity to leverage lessons learned that can foster healthcare transformation through innovation, forward thinking, and interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP). With the changing landscape of higher education and healthcare, IPECP leaders need to reflect on and implement ‘Forward Thinking and Adaptability’ and ‘Sustainability and Growth’ in their IPECP approaches and strategies to achieve the Quintuple Aim. To capitalize on this opportunity and based on a recent publication by InterprofessionalResearch Global, this paper explores and debates (from a global perspective) the impact and application of healthcare education and practice transformation on IPECP with the goal to identify best practices in integrating and sustaining IPECP and building a resilient workforce.