Sustainable Goals Research Articles

Predicting the intention to install solar photovoltaic panels in emerging market: The role of consumer innovativeness, knowledge, and support for government incentives

Promoting the installation of solar photovoltaic panels at the residential level in Vietnam may effectively mitigate the electricity overload on the national grid and support the country’s sustainable objectives. However, the installation rates of this system in urban areas in Vietnam remains low despite the favorable atmosphere and the provision of several incentives. Based on the Diffusion of Innovation and Theory of Planned Behavior, this study explores the role of consumer innovativeness, knowledge, and support for government incentives on the diffusion and social acceptance of solar photovoltaic panels. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data for analysis. With a sample of 339 citizens in Vietnam, the partial least squares structural equation modeling approach was employed to evaluate the results. The findings revealed that consumer innovativeness was linked to social norms and knowledge. Furthermore, it was discovered that the knowledge of consumers can significantly enhance the support for government incentives and the intention to install solar photovoltaic panels. Additionally, social norms significantly influenced attitudes, ultimately resulting in an increase in the intention to install. The findings of this study could aid the nation's policymakers and institutions in formulating strategies to grow the solar energy sector, therefore facilitating the achievement of sustainable energy goals.

Towards a Circular Economy: Integration of AI in Waste Management for Sustainable Urban Growth

Objective: This study explored an integration of AI in waste management systems in urban Indonesian areas to enhance efficiency, influence public behavior, and align with SDGs 11, 12, and 13. Theoretical Framework: The study highlighted the influence of AI on promoting sustainable waste management behaviors, guided by the principles of the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Technology Acceptance Model. Method: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis covering two years of data from Jakarta, Bandar Lampung, and Purwokerto were undertaken to assess the effects of AI. Results and Discussion: The research provided valuable guidance for policymakers and stakeholders on adopting AI-based waste management strategies in emerging urban regions. Research Implications: The study highlighted the potential of AI to reshape waste management practices and promote public involvement. It delivered essential recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders on adopting AI-driven waste management approaches in urban areas, stressing the critical role of collaboration and partnerships. Originality/Value: The study enriched the literature by linking AI to waste management strategies, illustrating its capacity to boost operational efficiency and drive changes in public behavior. It emphasized the practical relevance for advancing sustainability goals and presents a framework for applying AI in waste management systems in developing nations.

Corporate Education And ESG Practices: People Management Strategies To Strengthen Citizenship And Sustainability Within Organizations

Background: The growing demand for sustainable and socially responsible practices has encouraged companies to integrate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles into their operations. In this context, corporate education has emerged as a vital tool for promoting corporate citizenship and solidifying sustainability efforts. This article examines the relationships between corporate education, people management, and ESG practices, highlighting their implications for building a more conscientious corporate culture. Materials and Methods: This research employed a qualitative approach aimed at understanding how corporate education and ESG practices can contribute to strengthening citizenship and sustainability within organizations. A bibliographic analysis was conducted, reviewing a wide range of national and international scientific sources covering corporate education, ESG, and their implications for people management. Results: The main objective was to analyze how corporate education and people management practices, guided by ESG principles, can reinforce organizational citizenship and promote sustainability within companies. The analysis in this article offers significant theoretical and practical contributions to the field of corporate sustainability by demonstrating the positive impact of integrating ESG principles into corporate education and people management policies. Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of embedding ESG principles in corporate education and people management strategies as a means to foster a sustainable and socially responsible corporate culture. These findings provide valuable insights for companies aiming to strengthen their organizational citizenship and support long-term sustainability goals.

Building Sustainable Supply Chains: Role of Supply Chain Flexibility in Leveraging Information System Flexibility and Supply Chain Capabilities

In today's interconnected and intricate global environment, achieving sustainable supply chain performance is paramount for organizations. Within this context, the flexibility of information systems as dynamic capability, is a driving force behind effective supply chain management. In addition, there are a multitude of compliances that supply chains have to comply with in order to achieve sustainable outcomes. Against this background we examine how information systems flexibility, knowledge capabilities, supply chain capabilities and supply chain flexibility contributes towards sustainable performance of the supply chains. Using the lenses of Dynamic Capability View (DCV), this paper explores relationships among these constructs using Partial least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). 321 tire industry professionals participated in the survey and provided their feedback. The findings underscore the fact that information system flexibility significantly enhances knowledge and supply chain capabilities, which subsequently facilitate flexibility in supply chains. The results of this study also established the significant influence of supply chain flexibility on sustainable supply chain performance, emphasizes the need to have flexibility in supply chain to achieve sustainability goals. This research provides an important input into academic debates on sustainable supply chain management, as it sheds light on the role of information system to improve Supply chain flexibility and sustainability.

Integrating Sustainability Goals into Innovation at Henkel

PRACTITIONER TAKEAWAYS To be meaningful, sustainability assessments need to account for the whole product life cycle. This requires strong partnerships with suppliers, customers, and end users, beginning already in the new product development cycle. Culture is an essential ingredient: We need to ensure that sustainability is not just a checklist but a core value for our employees and our business. Innovation and product management are both part of the product life cycle: How we assess sustainability impact for a new product in development needs to be consistent with how that product will be assessed once it is fully commercial. The methodology a company uses in its innovation process cannot be different from the one it uses in product line management.

Optimizing public investments: A Sustainable Economic, Environmental, and Social Investment Multi-criteria Decision Model (SEESIM)

One of the most important aspects for the economic and social growth of a country is high efficiency of public investments. This imperative has never been more critical, especially in the context of Europe and Italy, where the integration of environmental, economic, and social goals is essential to address the multifaceted challenges of the 21st century. This research introduces the Sustainable Economic, Environmental, and Social Investment Model (SEESIM), a novel multi-criteria decision-making framework designed to ensure the sustainability of projects as their validity over time, especially from a National Recovery and Resilience Plan perspective. Utilizing the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), SEESIM integrates environmental, economic, and social criteria as useful tool to evaluate a project in the post-funding phase, ensuring a balanced approach to efficiency and sustainability. The model is adaptable to various regional contexts, providing a transparent and replicable methodology for assessing the impacts and costs of public investments. An experimental scenario demonstrates SEESIM’s utility in guiding investment decisions, highlighting its potential to significantly enhance the effectiveness of public resources in achieving long-term sustainability goals. SEESIM represents a pivotal advancement in sustainable development strategies, offering a comprehensive tool for integrating multi-dimensional sustainability criteria into public investment decisions.

Service Robots in the Workplace: Fostering Sustainable Collaboration by Alleviating Perceived Burdensomeness

This study investigates the impact of job demands and perceived burdensomeness on employees’ willingness to collaborate with service robots (SRs) in the workplace, with a focus on the moderating effects of organizational support, self-esteem, and self-development. Conducted among 200 employees in South Korea, the results show that higher job demands significantly increase perceived burdensomeness, which negatively affects employees’ willingness to collaborate with SRs. Organizational support moderates the negative impact of job demands, reducing their detrimental effects, although it was less effective in buffering the reduction in social interaction. Self-esteem and self-development positively moderated the relationship between burdensomeness and collaboration. This study contributes to the understanding of sustainable workforce management by highlighting the importance of fostering personal and organizational resources to ensure that SR integration enhances both operational efficiency and employee well-being. The findings align with broader sustainability goals by promoting human–robot collaboration that optimizes resource use, enhances workforce adaptability, and maintains social and psychological balance in the workplace.

Digital transformation, audit risk, and the low-carbon transition of China's energy enterprises

While digital transformation is recognized for driving efficiency and sustainability in China's energy sector, its impact on low-carbon transitions through the lens of audit risk remains underexplored. This study examines how digital transformation, encompassing technologies like AI, IoT, Big Data, and blockchain, affects the low-carbon transition of Chinese energy enterprises, with a specific focus on the mediating role of audit risk. Using data from 2008 to 2022, we find that digital transformation significantly enhances low-carbon transitions. Furthermore, our analysis reveals that audit risk, particularly abnormal expenses, mediates this relationship, with lower audit risk amplifying the positive effects of digital transformation. This underscores the importance of robust audit and risk management practices in ensuring the effectiveness of digital transformation for achieving sustainability goals. Importantly, our findings highlight key heterogeneities in this relationship: the impact of digital transformation varies across regions in China and is influenced by the type of audit firm. This suggests that the Eastern region and firms audited by Non-Big Four firms experience the most significant benefits from digitalization in their pursuit of low-carbon transitions. These insights offer valuable guidance for energy companies and policymakers navigating the complexities of digital innovation and sustainable development in China's energy sector.

Environmental analysis in UK modern methods of construction (MMC) housing: insights from early-stage architectural design process

PurposeModern Methods of Construction (MMC) have been promoted as a solution to address housing shortages and meet sustainability goals in the UK. However, the practical functioning of MMC, particularly in relation to early-stage environmental analyses, remains underexplored. This study aims to fill this gap by providing empirical insights into how architects engage in environmental analysis in early-stage MMC housing designs.Design/methodology/approachThis qualitative pilot study is based on a detailed case study of a UK architectural firm specializing in modular housing. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight architects with varying MMC experience. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data allowed for the exploration of key themes influencing early-stage environmental analysis, offering a narrative account of architects’ experiences in MMC practices.FindingsThe study reveals that environmental analysis in MMC is shaped by social, organisational and project-based factors. Three key themes emerged: uncertainty in environmental assumptions, dependencies on external consultants and the dominance of Passivhaus principles in design decisions. These factors challenge the integration of environmental considerations during the early design stages of MMC projects.Research limitations/implicationsAs this is a single case study, the findings might not be generalizable. Future research should expand on multiple firms and project settings to validate and broaden these findings.Originality/valueThis study provides an in-depth understanding of the challenges architects face when integrating environmental analysis into MMC. This reveals the relational and interdependent nature of environmental analysis in MMC projects, where decisions are shaped by multiple social, organisational and project-specific factors. By emphasizing these interdependencies, this study provides original insights into how environmental considerations can be integrated more effectively into the early design stages of MMC projects.

지속가능한 프로젝트 관리를 위한 프로젝트 제어 방안: 도로 침수 예방 사례 프로젝트를 중심으로

As environmental pollution, energy depletion, and maintenance difficulties due to changes in social requirements arise during project progress, interest in the sustainability of project management has increased. Accordingly, sustainable project management theories have been proposed to complement the short-term goal-focused approach and performance evaluation methods that existing project management methods have adhered to. However, the sustainable project management theories have not been extended to empirical research. In this paper, we provides a case study of a sustainable project management framework and control mechanisms such as a collaboration model and incentive model using a road flood prevention project as an example. The case project was a project for improving urban infrastructure and was carried out with consideration for environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Through sustainable project management, the case project was able to achieve its sustainability goals and shows the results of the application of the control mechanisms.

Dynamics of Soil Properties under Jhum Cultivation: A Review

A staple of many indigenous cultures, shifting agriculture is coming under more and more scrutiny for its role in soil degradation and deforestation, especially in light of climate change. This study investigates the effects of jhum agriculture in Arunachal Pradesh, with a particular emphasis on the detrimental effects on soil qualities and its contribution to deforestation. Along with considerable nutrient loss from frequent forest clearing and burning, jhum farming causes severe soil degradation, including soil erosion and changes in the physical and chemical properties of the soil. In the diverse climates of Arunachal Pradesh, characterized by heavy rainfall, soil fertility and moisture are especially vulnerable. The shortening of fallow periods further destabilizes soil moisture and fertility, despite the potential benefits of carbon dynamics and sequestration during extended fallows. This research underscores the urgent need for sustainable practices, such as improved soil moisture conservation and extended fallow periods, to align traditional agricultural practices with the goals of climate resilience, soil health, and long-term sustainability.

Investigating the Impact of Cloud Computing on Environmental Sustainability

Abstract: It discusses the effects of cloud computing on the environmental aspect of sustainability by focusing specifically on carbon emission reduction, cost-cutting, and exploiting renewable sources of energy. Using only hypothetical data obtained from TechCorp Solutions, Global Data Inc., InnovaTech Ltd., and NextGen Systems, this paper reveals strong decreases in energy usage - between 38.89 percent to 45 percent in cost savings following the implementation of cloud computing. The study also records remarkable carbon emission reductions. The cuts in drops range between 42.86% and 45%. Not only this, but on implementation, every firm asserted a flat rate cut of 40% in operating costs. The second investment area the research probes is the commitment of the major cloud providers to renewable energy sources. It finds some using up to 100% from renewable sources. Cloud data centers are much more efficient than traditional data centers, as the PUE comparison indicates, and hence produce maximum energy efficiency with the least negative impact on the environment. The results represent important implications regarding cloud computing in light of sustainability goals and revenue generation. This implies that cloud technology will be used much more widely within various industries going forward.

Investigation of the Process Parameters in Rotary Friction Welded Dissimilar AA7075/AA5083 Aluminum Alloy Joints on Fatigue Initiation using FEA and ANN

The rotary friction welding (RFW) method is one of the most widespread methods in the world for producing bimetallic components that require high mechanical strength. Simulations play a vital role in improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact, aligning with the sustainability goals of modern industry. A neural network (NN)-based incremental learning system was developed to predict crack growth and fatigue for AA5083 and AA7075 aluminum alloys. The results indicate the ability of this method to accommodate the input temperatures and the S-N curve and provide reliable predictions of expected fatigue. This method can reduce labor costs and time spent on crack propagation tests, enhancing the effectiveness of production processes and reducing process costs. This work also reveals the ability of neural . It maynetworks (NN) in monotonic function extrapolation like the S-N curve, which may pave the way for a wide variety of monotonic function-predicting problems. In future studies, a neural network (NN)-based increment learning scheme could be trained with random parts of individual S–N curves and applied to predict the rest. Additionally, the verification utilizing AISI 2205 and AISI 1020 steel has observed that neural networks may obtain S-N curve values for another metal with less than an 8% error rate. Friction pressure increases temperature, deformation, and stress in welding processes. Friction pressure 17 MPa increases temperature to 355 degrees Celsius, while Friction pressure 23 MPa increases deformation to 0.020 mm. A friction pressure of 29 MPa increases equivalent stress to 110 MPa. The indication of the S-N curve shows that increasing welding pressure increases Alternating Stress. Friction pressure also increases life, with minimum life cycles reaching 171040 cycles at 17 MPa, 195560 cycles at 23 MPa, and 283690 cycles at 29 MPa. Comparing research and simulation results, convergence is less than 8%, reducing error.

Sustainability Goals vs. Competition Law: Global Trends and Challenges

The growing awareness of climate change has highlighted the need for competition law to adapt and promote sustainability. Recently, many competition authorities have been exploring ways to integrate environmental considerations into their frameworks. The significance of aligning sustainability with competition regulations has become increasingly evident. Achieving sustainability goals requires cooperation from both companies and regulators to establish and implement industry-wide objectives. The United Nations' sustainability goals and nations' commitments to sustainability will shape future development in line with the Paris Agreement. Integrating green antitrust policies with economic progress is now a key topic of global debate among regulators. The Competition Commission of India is at a critical junctureto develop a clear competition policy for sustainability and offer detailed guidance to companies to meet these goals. However, the path to a sustainable antitrust policy is fraught with challenges, including economic development, innovation, jurisdictional issues, and India’s international obligations.

Redefining global entrepreneurship: shifting focus from China to Central and Eastern Europe

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the viability of shifting foreign direct investment (FDI) from China to Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries in light of recent geopolitical and economic challenges. By analyzing case studies, it argues that CEE nations offer a compelling alternative for Western European businesses, with stronger intellectual property protection, political stability and alignment with European Union (EU) sustainability goals. The paper provides insights for firms and policymakers on mitigating risks and enhancing business operations by pivoting toward the CEE region, offering practical recommendations for adapting to shifting global trade dynamics. Design/methodology/approach The design methodology uses the case study approach to analyze the shift of FDI from China to CEE. This method examines the geopolitical, economic and legal contexts influencing business decisions, using real-world examples of Western European companies that have made this transition. The case studies highlight key factors in decision-making and the benefits of relocating investments to the CEE region. Findings The study identifies several advantages of the CEE region over China for Western European firms. These include geographic proximity, similarities in business values and purposes, environmental accountability, trustworthiness in business, enforceable noncompetition rules, lower risks of counterfeiting, reduced political and administrative risks, lower risks of intellectual property theft and reduced risks of negative publicity. Practical implications The findings suggest that Western European firms should consider redirecting their FDI to the CEE region to mitigate risks associated with investing in China. This move could offer long-term benefits despite short-term complications. Originality/value This paper contributes to the FDI theoretical framework by enhancing the cultural, administrative, geographic and economic (CAGE) distance framework. It provides a unique perspective on the shifting dynamics between Europe and China and highlights the potential of the CEE region as a viable alternative for FDI.

Synergistic Integration of Carbon Quantum Dots in Biopolymer Matrices: An Overview of Current Advancements in Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Active Packaging.

Approximately one-third of the world's food production, i.e., 1.43 billion tons, is wasted annually, resulting in economic losses of nearly USD 940 billion and undermining food system sustainability. This waste depletes resources, contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, and negatively affects food security and prices. Although traditional packaging preserves food quality, it cannot satisfy the demands of extended shelf life, safety, and sustainability. Consequently, active packaging using biopolymer matrices containing antioxidants and antimicrobials is a promising solution. This review examines the current advancements in the integration of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) into biopolymer-based active packaging, focusing on their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. CQDs provide unique advantages over traditional nanoparticles and natural compounds, including high biocompatibility, tunable surface functionality, and environmental sustainability. This review explores the mechanisms through which CQDs impart antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, their synthesis methods, and their functionalization to optimize the efficacy of biopolymer matrices. Recent studies have highlighted that CQD-enhanced biopolymers maintain biodegradability with enhanced antioxidant and antimicrobial functions. Additionally, potential challenges, such as toxicity, regulatory considerations, and scalability are discussed, offering insights into future research directions and industrial applications. This review demonstrates the potential of CQD-incorporated biopolymer matrices to transform active packaging, aligning with sustainability goals and advancing food preservation technologies.

A realistic nostalgia for the future — exploring materials and material utterings in a preschool for sustainability

In Nordic kindergarten, activities with materials have had a significant position historically. The Norwegian term “forming” includes both the material-based craftwork and the art area. Research shows that creative activity with materials constitutes a smaller part of the content in the kindergarten than before. The aim of this article is 1) to provide a historical overview of the subject forming, 2) to put this retrospectively into an epistemological context that points towards 3) an actualization in relation to the UN Sustainability Goals and children’s right to expression according to the UN Convention. The article is based on an ethnographic study in kindergarten and an article on the topic written in Norwegian (Carlsen, 2015, 2022). The discussion illuminates how the anchoring of forming in natural and cultural materials is lifted into a sustainability perspective and how a shift in theoretical perspectives opens new understandings and contributes to the kindergarten’s content.

Influence of Technical Reasons on Cost Overruns of Infrastructural Projects: A Sustainable Development Perspective

Cost overruns are a significant issue in infrastructure projects, adversely affecting not only economic performance but also sustainability goals by straining resources and extending project timelines. There is consensus among researchers about the persistence of cost overruns and the importance of accurate estimates. However, there are significant differences in the explanation of the reasons for the overruns. While we recognize the importance of understanding the reasons for cost overruns at all stages of project development, we have focused on the reasons for cost overruns after contract award due to the rarely available real and valid data collected at the source of the information. We analyze the deviations between actual and contracted costs, as well as the dependence of cost deviations of individual project types on the size of the contract. For example, the size of the tunnel significantly affects relative cost deviations, while for standard viaducts or road sections this effect is minimal. The results confirmed that cost overruns are less frequent in standard facilities than in those where the experience factor has little influence on the final cost estimate. For example, deviations in the average value of the contracted costs for highway sections range between −12.1% and 27.9% of the contracted value, and for standardized viaduct projects they range between −16.73% and 6.27% of the contracted value. The type of distribution function of deviations between actual and contractually agreed costs was investigated, and a predictive model for estimating future cost deviations of project programs was presented. The goal is to improve economic sustainability and the related optimization of resources in the development of infrastructure, which contributes to the broader agenda of sustainable development. The results encourage the adoption of improved project documentation and forecasting tools, which are essential for sustainable project management.

Eco-Friendly Office Platform: Leveraging Machine Learning and GIS for Carbon Footprint Management and Green Space Analysis

This research focuses on developing an innovative platform to manage carbon footprint data related to office activities and monitor green spaces, integrating geoinformatics and machine learning technologies. The platform addresses the lack of automated systems for tracking carbon emissions, particularly in high paper consumption environments, such as those involving printing and photocopying. Additionally, it monitors green spaces within corporate settings, an aspect often overlooked in existing systems. The study demonstrates the platform’s capability to automate carbon footprint calculations and provide accurate assessments of green areas, achieving a high accuracy rate of 96.22% and a Kappa coefficient of 0.92. The results confirm the platform’s ability to deliver both comprehensive and granular environmental insights, supporting decision making for more sustainable office environments. The key novelty of this study lies in the integration of real-time data capture with geoinformatics and machine learning to efficiently track both carbon footprints and green spaces. This approach offers a practical solution to a gap in environmental data management in office settings, enabling organizations to align their practices with sustainability goals. The platform’s precise, automated system contributes significantly to the development of eco-friendly workplaces, highlighting its academic and practical value in the field of environmental sustainability.

Driving SMES towards Green Business: The Impact of Sustainable Marketing Mix on Performance and Loyalty in BNI'S Go Green Movement

Growing global concerns over environmental issues, such as climate change and pollution, have heightened the demand for sustainable business practices, particularly in the banking sector. Financial institutions support environmental sustainability through green finance by offering eco-friendly products like green loans and bonds. This study examines how BNI's Go-Green initiative enhances SME customer loyalty by incorporating the sustainable marketing mix, focusing on people, profit, and planet. A quantitative approach was used to assess the impact of the sustainable marketing mix on SME performance and customer loyalty within BNI's Go Green movement in Bukittinggi, Indonesia. A stratified random sample of 303 SMEs was selected from a population of 1,239. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires using a five-point Likert scale and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) validated the measurement model, and the structural model assessed direct and indirect effects. The variable had the highest Average Variance Extracted (AVE) 0.873. Discriminant validity showed a strong correlation between business sustainability and customer loyalty (0.768). Place and Business Sustainability had significant positive effects on customer loyalty, while People and Planet had more limited impacts. This study introduces the expanded marketing mix people, profit, and planet into the green finance framework and highlights the underexplored mediating role of business sustainability in fostering SME customer loyalty. The findings emphasize the importance of aligning green banking products with SME needs to enhance loyalty and support global sustainability goals, including the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).