Sustainability Issues Research Articles

Features of implementing business models based on sustainable development

The article examines the features of implementing business models oriented toward the principles of sustainable development. It focuses on the integration of environmental, social, and economic factors into strategic management processes. The objective of the study is to identify methodological approaches, tools, and factors influencing the implementation of sustainable models across various industries and regions. The methodology is based on an analysis of scientific literature and empirical data, which enabled the identification of effective practices and the recognition of gaps in existing approaches. Sources include scientific articles by international authors available in open access, as well as materials found online, allowing for a comprehensive examination of the topic. Among the tools highlighted are digital platforms, monitoring systems, lifecycle assessment methods, and blockchain technologies, all of which enhance the transparency of supply chains. The results indicate that the successful adaptation of sustainable business models depends on the interplay of technological innovations, social responsibility, and local adaptation. Barriers to implementing such models include limited resources, cultural differences, and the absence of universal standards for evaluating their effectiveness. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of an interdisciplinary approach in developing sustainable development strategies, which is particularly relevant for organizations seeking to maintain long-term competitiveness. The study will be of interest to company executives, researchers, and consultants working on sustainable development issues.

When Trust and Distrust Come Into Play: How Green Concern, Scepticism and Communication Affect Customers' Behaviour?

ABSTRACTWhat happens when already sceptical customers start questioning company communication? Encouraged by the vague answers to this question, our study extends existing knowledge about the effects of customers' environmental concern, scepticism and communication on green purchasing intention (GPI) and green purchasing behaviour (GPB) across environmentally controversial industries—namely, textile and clothing and food industries. Using our own primary data collected in November 2023 and covering 1001 customers in the Czech Republic, where the issue of sustainability is generally on the back burner, we show that customers' increased environmental concern can completely change the relationship between environmental scepticism and GPI, thereby leading to positive effects. What is interesting and new is the finding that trust and distrust can act as significant mediators of the relationships investigated thus far. Moreover, as soon as customers start to examine companies' practices and their credibility in more detail, the previously positive relationship between environmental communication and GPI can become negative.

The effect of environmental disclosure on stock return of Islamic and conventional banks

Purpose – We examine the effects of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure and green building policies on the stock returns of Islamic and conventional banks. Methodology – Data were obtained from 17 Islamic banks and 17 conventional banks from eight countries (Arab Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Bahrain) over seven years from 2017 to 2023. We conducted panel least squares with fixed effects (dummy variables) for cross-sections using EViews to process the data.Findings – The estimated results show that the green building policy variable is statistically significant to the stock return of Islamic banks, while the environmental, social, and governance variables are not. Meanwhile, the social dimension is statistically significant for the stock returns of conventional banks, but environmental, governance, and green buildings are not. Implications – Investors and policymakers should consider the implementation of ESG and green building policies to contribute on sustainability issues and gain financial return.Originality – This study tests non-financial performance, such as ESG disclosure and green building policy, on the stock returns of Islamic and conventional banks, which has not been extensively studied by the existing literature.

Restoration of phosphate mined lands: literature review with insights from Morocco

Phosphate mining is essential for global agriculture but poses significant environmental challenges, particularly in landscape degradation. This study reviews the current state and trends of phosphate mining, highlighting economic importance, environmental impacts, and sustainability issues. It evaluates restoration techniques, focusing on the effectiveness of various plant species in restoring mined areas. Key factors influencing successful rehabilitation include topsoil management, physico-chemical site characteristics, nutrient bioavailability, topography, and water availability. The study advocates for integrated land management strategies that combine tailored nutrient management plans, erosion control, and water conservation, particularly in arid climates. Strengthening and enforcing regulatory frameworks is crucial to ensure accountability in land rehabilitation, with a focus on sustainability. Recent legal advancements in Morocco aim to modernize mining operations and enhance environmental accountability. The findings recommend increased investment in research to develop innovative rehabilitation techniques and long-term monitoring programs to ensure adaptive management and continuous improvement of restoration outcomes.

Classifying Global Economies Based on Sustainable Development Goals: A Data‐Driven Clustering Approach

ABSTRACTThe concept of sustainable development gained global prominence after its widespread recognition and the establishment of the United Nations' 2015 sustainable development goals (SDGs). These goals aim to tackle the issues of poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability by 2030. This study utilizes machine learning clustering techniques, namely, Grey Relational Analysis and K‐means clustering, to classify 167 countries based on their SDG performance between 2000 and 2024. The analysis identifies four clusters, with Cluster 3 demonstrating the strongest overall performance. An ordered logit model is used to assess which SDGs mostly influence cluster membership, revealing that tailored policy interventions are crucial for addressing different countries' development challenges. This approach offers a dynamic perspective on the global SDG progress and enables more targeted and effective policy‐making toward attaining the 2030 Agenda.

Using Podcasts to Educate EFL University Students About Sustainability: An Action Research Study in Saudi Arabia

The implementation of technology in language teaching is essential, as it can have a positive impact on the learning and teaching environment. For example, podcasts have been proven to be helpful to support learning. Therefore, the current study examines the use of podcasts to educate EFL learners about the important controversial issue of sustainability. In an exploratory stage of action research, a survey was conducted to evaluate the satisfaction of a convenience sample of 25 undergraduate EFL learners being educated about sustainability, following their use of podcasts on the topic as part of an English language listening and speaking course. The results revealed positive responses from the participants. As such, this study recommends the use of podcasts to educate EFL learners about sustainability through the medium of English and will proceed to further implementation.

Advancing Sustainability in Rural Water Management: Insight from Chaurjahari Municipality, Nepal

This study delves into the major problems affecting the sustainability of community water supply schemes in Chaurjahari Municipality, Rukum (West) District, Nepal. Employing a combination of explanatory, descriptive, and qualitative research designs, the study utilized primary data collected via structured questionnaires from field observations and secondary data sourced from local government offices and existing publications. The selected study area included five water supply schemes representative of the municipality's diverse demographic and environmental contexts. The research uncovered several critical sustainability challenges such as management inefficiencies, inadequate community engagement, and insufficient maintenance practices. It also examined the functionality of water supply systems through various indicators, evaluated sustainability issues at different project phases (pre-construction, construction, and post-construction), and analyzed the socio-demographic profiles of the respondents. Ethical considerations focused on respecting local customs and maximizing participant benefits were strictly followed. The findings emphasize the need for robust community involvement, enhanced capacity building, and improved management practices to ensure the sustainability of water supply projects. By addressing these key issues, the study contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable development in rural water management and offers actionable recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders in similar contexts.

Perceptions of asset managers on corporate social responsibility challenges and opportunities

Purpose: Companies and investors in South Africa are challenged with multiple sustainability concerns. Asset managers have substantial power to motivate investee companies to focus on pressing corporate social responsibility (CSR) issues. Yet, there is limited scholarly evidence on how they process CSR information and which sustainability considerations influence their decisions. Therefore, the CSR challenges and opportunities that selected South African asset managers experience were explored.Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 South African asset managers. Thematic analysis was conducted to derive four main themes.Findings/results: Four considerations were identified on which the considered asset managers based their responsible investment decisions when reflecting on CSR practices. Firstly, CSR should form part of a company’s primary purpose. Secondly, the interviewees focussed on material industry-specific CSR risks when making investment decisions. Thirdly, the inclusion of CSR practices in asset managers’ decision-making was hindered by the relatively small South African investable market, a limited demand for responsible investments from asset owners and beneficiaries, and insufficient disclosure of material sustainability information. Lastly, the interviewees highlighted social and economic infrastructure investment opportunities. Furthermore, they mentioned that CSR practices can be improved by refined regulation and educating asset owners and beneficiaries.Practical implications: Corporate leaders are urged to increasingly engage with asset managers and collaborate with stakeholders from the private sector to address prominent sustainability issues and to capitalise on related opportunities.Originality/value: This research contributes four considerations to the limited body of knowledge on the unique CSR challenges and opportunities pertaining to the investment decisions of an influential stakeholder group, namely asset managers in South Africa.

Pavement Management: Key to Sustainable Concrete Pavement at the World’s Busiest Airport

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the busiest airport in the world in terms of passengers and aircraft operations. In 2010, it served more than 89 million passengers with 950,119 aircraft operations. Reliable performance with little down-time for its airfield pavements is critical for efficient, safe, and economical travel. Concrete pavements have long been the keystone of this capability at ATL. This paper presents the design, construction, maintenance, and evaluation procedures and activities that comprise the Pavement Management System (PMS) used at ATL to provide sustainable concrete pavements. The sustainability issues include long life pavements that have impacts far beyond those of the concrete pavement itself and the airport. Sustainable concrete pavements result in reduced down-time, fewer construction delays, less fuel used waiting for takeoff, and fewer materials consumed due to reduced frequency of construction/reconstruction and maintenance. These results help reduce the overall carbon footprint of the airport and its impact on the carbon footprint of other airports and aircraft operations throughout the worldwide air travel system.

Reducing Water Consumption on a Student Campus Through Communication Campaigns

Water management is a significant component of ensuring the pursuit of sustainable goals in an organization. Universities are known actors committed to developing responsible behaviors in students, including water consumption. The present research investigates the changes in student water-related behaviors in campus living, due to an information and persuasion campaign that took place in the oldest university in Western Romania. The research is based on a quantitative statistical approach highlighting the changes in students’ self-perceived importance allocated to water use and water saving, due to a communication campaign that took place on campus premises, with over 6000 residents. The pre- and post-campaign questionnaire rendered over 800 valid responses, ensuring the representativeness of the results for the given campus. The campaign described in the research targeted raising students’ awareness of sustainability issues and nudging pro-environment behaviors. The water management component of the campaign aimed at reducing water consumption in student campus living without affecting cleanness and personal hygiene, by making better use of the existing resources. Students responded positively to nudge messages for the reduction in showering time and a better use of laundry machines. The campaign led to a measurable reduction in water waste, but the results need to be reinforced through new campaigning, to maintain the water-saving behavior in the student population.

Multi-temporal analysis of land use change using GIS and satellite imagery: Implications for sustainable urban planning

Urbanization is a significant driver of land use change, particularly in rapidly growing metropolitan areas. This research investigates Greenfield City land use change in the 20-year period (2000-2020) using GIS and satellite data. The mapping shows where the greatest land-use changes occurred, ranging from increased residential and commercial developments to the loss of agricultural fields and the omission of green space. The work applies multi-temporal analyses of Landsat satellite images taken in 2000, 2010 and 2020 to estimate land cover change and its effects on urban planning and sustainability. They indicate that theres a clear rise in housing and business developments, but also a steep decline in farming and greenspace. These transformations affect the environment, with habitat loss, biodiversity destruction and encroachment on natural resources. The paper wraps up by focusing on the issues of sustainability in urban planning and how better land use planning is required to reduce the negative environmental effects of urban sprawl.

Possibilities of Using Contemporary Quality Management Methods and Tools for the Sustainable Development of the Organization

Organizations are expected to follow trends and adapt their management to market conditions. In an era of rapid change and an environment that is difficult to predict, this is an extremely complicated task. In order to effectively respond to the needs coming from the market, companies implement various methods and adapt available concepts, translating them into the language of practice. Contemporary quality management methods and tools seem to combine the need to skilfully respond to customer expectations and ensure the appropriate level of sustainability issues in the organization’s activities. The main purpose of this article is to analyze the possibilities of using contemporary quality management methods and tools for the sustainable development of the organization. The main method in this article was a literature review that covered the area of the sustainable development of enterprises and the search for good practices in the field of quality management instruments in this area. The other methods are observation and direct interview. Twenty quality methods and tools were selected and divided according to their functions. The research identified benefits and good practices in their use, which can support action for sustainable development.

How Strategic Planning Enhances ESG: Evidence from Mission Statements

The purpose of this study is to analyze the mission statements of 49 companies listed on the Palestine Exchange (PEX), focusing on their structure and alignment with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. The primary objective of this research was to evaluate the extent to which Palestinian companies embed sustainability issues into their mission statements. This was done with a qualitative research design and a descriptive content analysis method, letting mission statements from different fields be looked at in excellent detail. This analysis offers valuable insights into how Palestinian companies articulate their strategic goals and communicate their commitment to ESG factors. The findings reveal that Palestinian companies demonstrate a clear understanding of sustainability and its relevance to their operations. A lot of companies are also working hard to include sustainability principles in their mission statements. This shows that people are becoming more aware of how important ESG factors are for shaping business strategy and creating long-term value.

Geoethics and Sustainability: Addressing Challenges in Environmental Education for Achieving the SDGs

Geoethics, which explores the ethical implications of Earth sciences, requires a philosophical effort to deepen our understanding of the field. Sustainability, particularly in the context of the energy transition, necessitates a critical examination of the limits to societal development. While advancing new forms of energy production is crucial, it is equally important to investigate the ethical boundaries of such studies. This article addresses the question: how can environmental education, in the context of sustainability and geoethics, respond to the challenges posed by SDG Goals 3 and 4? These goals—Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, and Quality Education—are fundamental for preserving global living conditions. This study explores how environmental education can tackle sustainability issues from an ethical standpoint, focusing on geoethics as a key dimension. Using bibliographic research, exploratory and critical analysis as method, the paper examines the intersection of geoethics and sustainability, with particular emphasis on the ethical dimensions of energy transition. The findings underscore the urgent need to improve education—especially in schools—to prepare children and young people to navigate the ethical limits of sustainability. A secondary outcome of this paper is to highlight the critical role of ethics in shaping environmental education for a sustainable future.

Identity Construction of Dayak [Ethnic]: Citation and Thematic Analysis of Systematic Literature Review

Objective: This research examines the adaptive capacity of university public relations from a self-referential autopoiesis communication perspective. It explores how the university ecosystem and the rhetorical expressions produced by University- PR function as differentiation mechanisms within the organizational system in Makassar Regency Theoretical Framework: This dissertation uses Niklas Luhmann's (2002) self-referential autopoiesis communication perspective to explore the adaptive capacity of Public Relations through the meaning of the university ecosystem and the expression of governance and rhetoric produced as differentiation of organizational science function systems. Method: This research uses a radical constructivism paradigm with comparative case studies at three universities. Data collection techniques include observation, interviews, and focus group discussions with university leaders, directors, heads of Public Relations, and staff of Public Relations, while rhetorical production is tracked by media content analysis. Data were analysed by triangulation, reduction, presentation, and conclusion. Results and Discussion: The research findings indicate that Public Relations at Unhas identifies environmental challenges by interpreting university autonomy and the PTN BH League, enhancing human resources, and fostering research and innovation as a Maritime continent campus, while temporarily achieving a World Class University ranking of 500-1000. In contrast, UINAM's Public Relations addresses sustainability issues within the Public Service Agency, aligning with the Chancellor's vision and responding to digital transformation. UMI's Public Relations focuses on institutional competition, partnership development, and maintaining Islamic identity, targeting improvements in Tridharma and aiming for a 500-1000 Asian World Class University ranking. Differences in governance structures reflect universities' complexities, with distinct coordination lines across institutions. Research Implications: This study emphasizes that universities employ unique communication strategies that diverge from the conventional business and government focus in public relations research, revealing the need for a more nuanced understanding of their public relations practices. Originality/Value: The research reveals that Unhas Public Relations tackles environmental issues through university autonomy and innovation, achieving a temporary World Class ranking. UINAM focuses on sustainability and digital transformation, while UMI emphasizes competition and Islamic identity, aiming for academic excellence. Governance structures vary, reflecting the complexities of each institution.

Adaptive Rhetorical Strategies in Public Relations: Analyzing Scientific Deliberation and Reputation in Makassar Universities with Emphasis on Quality Education

Objective: This research examines the adaptive capacity of university public relations from a self-referential autopoiesis communication perspective. It explores how the university ecosystem and the rhetorical expressions produced by University- PR function as differentiation mechanisms within the organizational system in Makassar Regency Theoretical Framework: This dissertation uses Niklas Luhmann's (2002) self-referential autopoiesis communication perspective to explore the adaptive capacity of Public Relations through the meaning of the university ecosystem and the expression of governance and rhetoric produced as differentiation of organizational science function systems. Method: This research uses a radical constructivism paradigm with comparative case studies at three universities. Data collection techniques include observation, interviews, and focus group discussions with university leaders, directors, heads of Public Relations, and staff of Public Relations, while rhetorical production is tracked by media content analysis. Data were analysed by triangulation, reduction, presentation, and conclusion. Results and Discussion: The research findings indicate that Public Relations at Unhas identifies environmental challenges by interpreting university autonomy and the PTN BH League, enhancing human resources, and fostering research and innovation as a Maritime continent campus, while temporarily achieving a World Class University ranking of 500-1000. In contrast, UINAM's Public Relations addresses sustainability issues within the Public Service Agency, aligning with the Chancellor's vision and responding to digital transformation. UMI's Public Relations focuses on institutional competition, partnership development, and maintaining Islamic identity, targeting improvements in Tridharma and aiming for a 500-1000 Asian World Class University ranking. Differences in governance structures reflect universities' complexities, with distinct coordination lines across institutions. Research Implications: This study emphasizes that universities employ unique communication strategies that diverge from the conventional business and government focus in public relations research, revealing the need for a more nuanced understanding of their public relations practices. Originality/Value: The research reveals that Unhas Public Relations tackles environmental issues through university autonomy and innovation, achieving a temporary World Class ranking. UINAM focuses on sustainability and digital transformation, while UMI emphasizes competition and Islamic identity, aiming for academic excellence. Governance structures vary, reflecting the complexities of each institution.

Collision Milling of Oil Shale Ash as Constituent Pretreatment in Concrete 3D Printing

Concrete is an essential construction material, and infrastructures, such as bridges, tunnels, and power plants, consume large quantities of it. Future infrastructure demands and sustainability issues necessitate the adoption of non-conventional supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). At the same time, global labor shortages are compelling the conservative construction sector to implement autonomous and digital fabrication methods, such as 3D printing. This paper thus investigates the feasibility of using oil shale ash (OSA) as an SCM in concrete suitable for 3D printing, and collision milling is examined as a possible ash pretreatment. OSA from four different sources was collected and analyzed for its physical, chemical, and mineralogical composition. Concrete formulations containing ash were tested for mechanical performance, and the two best-performing formulations were assessed for printability. It was found that ash extracted from flue gases by the novel integrated desulfurizer has the greatest potential as an SCM due to globular particles that contain β-calcium silicate. The 56-day compression strength of concrete containing this type of ash is ~60 MPa, the same as in the reference composition. Overall, collision milling is effective in reducing the size of particles larger than 10 μm but does not seem beneficial for ash extracted from flue gasses. However, milling bottom ash may unlock its potential as an SCM, with the optimal milling frequency being ~100 Hz.

The Impact of Corporate Sustainability Reporting Regulation on Business and Financial Performances of Companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Given the global trends and initiatives for environmental preservation and transition to sustainable development, the corporate sector has been facing a turning point in corporate reporting. The sustainable business requirements also initiate a series of new challenges in the financial and accounting sector related to the development of accounting solutions for integrating sustainability issues into financial statements. In addressing the green transition problems, the EU has adopted the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which modernizes and strengthens the rules concerning the social and environmental information companies must report in their financial statements. The research was carried out by conducting a survey among the population interested in corporate finances, especially accountants. The main goal of the research is to analyse the impact of sustainable reporting regulation on the corporate sector’s financial performance and companies’ operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The results show that EU CSRD will significantly impact doing business and performances of companies and that the companies that adapt to new sustainability reporting regulations will have higher chances of obtaining positive financial performances and adequately addressing the increasing demand of stakeholders for more comprehensive business reporting.

Managing Organisational Changes for Collaboration Between Stakeholders in Sustainable Public Procurement

ABSTRACTSustainable public procurement (SPP) has been incorporating sustainability issues into commercial relationships between governments and businesses. SPP implementation can be undertaken with the support of organisational changes. Research has highlighted the role of stakeholders' collaboration in driving changes for SPP. However, there is limited understanding of the forces fostering and blocking the implementation of collaboration. This paper analyses drivers for and barriers to implementing collaboration in SPP, based on semi‐structured interviews with SPP practitioners from different world regions (Brazil and Sweden). This paper provides a catalogue of forces influencing organisational changes towards collaboration in SPP (categorised into internal, connecting‐protagonist, connecting‐supporting and external), including 23 drivers, 40 barriers and 24 strategies to overcome such barriers. This paper also proposes an understanding of how organisational changes for collaboration are interconnected with changes for implementing SPP. Organisational changes for SPP must be understood as multiple and composite instead of single and monolithic.

The art of arts-based interventions in transdisciplinary sustainability research

AbstractTransdisciplinary, co-creative research deals with complex real-world problems, with complexity being a common denominator of sustainability issues. It is often understood as an interplay of two dimensions, collaboration and creativity, that facilitates the integration of different forms of knowledge and the creation of transformative outcomes. In the end, it aims to find more holistic and systemic solutions to complex real-world problems. Increasingly, Arts-Based Interventions (ABIs) are proposed to support sustainability-oriented transdisciplinary research. However, little research has been done so far to gauge the extent to which adding arts to the mix actually benefits the transdisciplinary research process and outcomes. In the research project reported on in this article, we took a first step into the realm of the arts by including ABIs into transdisciplinary brainstorming sessions. We investigated their influence on the research process and outcomes as perceived by the participants. We found ABIs to positively influence both dimensions of co-creativity—(1) collaboration, through enhancing the sense of togetherness in the group, and (2) creativity, directly and indirectly through a perceived emotionalization. ABIs were perceived to induce a change of perspective and a broadening of horizons that can facilitate the creation of transformative solutions. Moreover, their reported emotionalizing impact points toward an integration of tacit—in particular emotional—knowledge. This can lead to a more holistic view of the investigated problem. Altogether, the reported impacts of ABIs on transdisciplinary research can promote the creation of transformative and holistic solutions to sustainability issues in transdisciplinary sustainability research.