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1
Lomeña-Gelis, Mònica. "A meta-evaluation of sustainable land management Initiatives in Senegal." Doctoral thesis, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/318163.
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Evaluation is the systematic determination of the merit, worth and significance of a programme, initiative or intervention. As a young discipline, its empirical study is still limited, especially in Francophone Africa. Building on both the theory and the practice of evaluation in Senegal for the past decades, this study aims to identify strategies to improve evaluation practice and its usefulness for development results. It is focused on the evaluation of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) that presents specific challenges associated with the difficulty of considering simultaneously the different time and space scales of the environment, the economy and the society; and of dealing with the uncertainty and the limited quantity and quality of context data, among others.
The study is based on an extensive review of the specialized literature on environment and development issues, the institutional and policy setting, complemented with semi-structured interviews with national authorities, donor representatives and evaluators. Participant observation also helped to ground the analysis and to access key grey literature and evaluation reports. Meta-evaluation (MEv) is proposed as the analytical framework to study the SLM evaluation practice in Senegal to improve evaluative knowledge. MEv is the evaluation of evaluations. The theoretical function of MEv has been developed to assess the role of evaluation in the SLM policy sector, including its adequacy and opportunity. A tailored MEv framework is applied to a set of 40 SLM project evaluation reports published since 2000, and complemented with 3 case studies. The study also analyses a parallel strand of evaluation practice in Senegal: capitalizations, conceived as participatory evaluative exercises focused on stakeholders¿ experiences, practices and learning.
Results show that evaluation practice in SLM in Senegal is very heterogeneous and far from ¿sound evaluation standards¿. This is explained by constraints in the enabling environment and the institutional framework and limited capacities of stakeholders at all levels. In spite of some timid advances towards country-led evaluation, serious blockages to national ownership and evaluation utilization still persist. Although the majority of interviewees perceived SLM evaluations to be participative, this study contests their understanding of participation in most cases. SLM capitalization exercises, although far from the ideal features of this learning-oriented approach are able to engage more meaningfully with local-level actors. The set of evaluations and capitalizations analysed does not offer a coherent response to the challenges of evaluating Natural Resources Management interventions identified in the literature. For instance, they do not solve the tensions among different time and space scales or encompass a wide variety of values and perspectives about those interventions. Finally, the findings suggest that SLM evaluation is still much dominated by donor agendas and aid effectiveness concerns (accountability), with very limited efforts to promote their use for improvement or learning, and hardly any to inform national policy making.
The study confirms the usefulness of MEv to guide critical reflection about real-world evaluations, surpassing the narrow conception of evaluation quality. It also allows the opening of a debate about evaluation capacities understood as the faculty to choose what, when and how interventions are evaluated. MEv could be used to promote a more active involvement of Senegalese research institutes, public administration and civil society in shaping a new public policy evaluation scenario. A broader national conception of evaluation should also encompass capitalizations and other similar approaches and foster learning organizations and institutions while promoting exchanges between applied research and project and policy-level evaluation.La evaluación es la investigación sistemática del mérito, valor e importancia de un programa, iniciativa o intervención. Siendo una disciplina nueva, su estudio empírico es todavía limitado, especialmente en el África francófona. En base a la teoría y la práctica de evaluación en Senegal durante las últimas décadas, este estudio pretende identificar estrategias para mejorar la evaluación y su utilidad para alcanzar resultados de desarrollo. Está focalizado en la evaluación de la Gestión Sostenible de la Tierra (GST) que presenta retos específicos asociados a la dificultad de considerar simultáneamente las diferentes escalas de tiempo y espacio del medio ambiente, la economía y la sociedad; de integrar la incertidumbre, así como la limitada cantidad y calidad de la información sobre el contexto, entre otros. El estudio está basado en una revisión extensiva de la literatura especializada en medio ambiente y desarrollo, el contexto institucional y político, complementado con entrevistas semi-estructuras con autoridades nacionales, representantes de la comunidad de donantes y evaluadores. Cuatro años de participación observante también ayudaron a contextualizar el análisis y a acceder a literatura gris y a informes de evaluación claves. El enfoque de Meta-evaluación (MEv) es propuesto como marco analítico para estudiar la práctica de evaluación de GST en Senegal con el fin de mejorar el conocimiento evaluativo. La MEv es la evaluación de evaluaciones. La función teórica de MEv ha sido desarrollada para valorar el rol de la evaluación en el sector de política de la GST, inluyendo su idoneidad y oportunidad. Un marco de MEv adaptado es aplicado a un conjunto de 40 informes de evaluación de proyectos de GST publicados a partir del 2000 y complementados con tres estudios de caso. El estudio también analiza una práctica de evaluación paralela en Senegal: las capitalizaciones, concebidas como ejercicios evaluativos participativos focalizados en las experiencias, prácticas y aprendizaje de los actores. El estudio confirma la utilidad de la MEv para guiar la reflexión crítica sobre un conjunto de evaluaciones reales, más allá de la concepción restrictiva de la calidad en evaluación. También permite propiciar el debate sobre las capacidades de evaluación entendidas como la capacidad de elegir qué intervenciones son evaluadas, cuándo y cómo. La MEv podría ser utilizada para promover una implicación más activa de los institutos de investigación, las administraciones públicas y la sociedad civil senegaleses para dibujar un nuevo escenario de evaluación de políticas públicas. Una concepción amplia de la evaluación debería también incluir las capitalizaciones y otros enfoques similares y fomentar organizaciones e instituciones de conocimiento y el intercambio entre la investigación aplicada y la evaluación a nivel de proyectos, programas y políticas.
L´évaluation est la recherche systématique de la valeur, de la portée et de l’importance d’un programme, d’une initiative ou d’une intervention. Étant une discipline nouvelle, son étude empirique est encore limitée, particulièrement en Afrique francophone. S’appuyant sur la théorie et la pratique de l’évaluation au Sénégal au cours des dernières décennies, cette étude vise à identifier des stratégies pour améliorer l’évaluation et son utilité en vue d’atteindre des résultats de développement. Elle porte sur l’évaluation de la gestion durable des terres (GDT), qui présente des défis spécifiques en raison de la difficulté à considérer en simultané les différentes échelles temporelles et spatiales de l’environnement, de l’économie et de la société, et de prendre en compte, entre autres, l’incertitude ainsi que des informations limitées en quantité et qualité sur le contexte. L’étude est basée sur une ample révision de la littérature spécialisée sur l’environnement et le développement, le contexte institutionnel et politique, complétée par des entretiens semi-structurés avec les autorités nationales et les représentants de la communauté de bailleurs et d’évaluateurs au Sénégal. Quatre années d’observation participante ont également aidé à contextualiser l’analyse et à consulter la littérature grise et les rapports d’évaluation. L’approche de méta-évaluation (MEv) est proposée en tant que cadre analytique pour étudier la pratique d’évaluation de la GDT au Sénégal afin d’améliorer les connaissances évaluatives. La MEv est l’évaluation des évaluations. La fonction théorique de MEv a été développée pour jauger le rôle de l’évaluation dans le secteur des politiques de GDT, y compris son adéquation et sa pertinence. Un cadre de MEv adapté est appliqué à un ensemble de 40 rapports d’évaluation de projets de GDT publiés à partir de l’année 2000 et complétés avec trois études de cas. L’étude analyse également la pratique de l’évaluation parallèle au Sénégal : les capitalisations, conçues comme exercices évaluatifs participatifs portant sur les expériences, les pratiques et les apprentissages des acteurs. Les résultats montrent que la pratique d’évaluation de la GDT au Sénégal est très hétérogène et éloignée des standards d’ "évaluation de qualité". Cette situation est expliquée par les limitations de l’environnement politique et du cadre institutionnel favorables à l’évaluation, ainsi que par les capacités limitées des acteurs à tous les niveaux. En dépit de quelques progrès timides vers l’évaluation menée par le pays, d’importants blocages persistent encore afin de promouvoir l’appropriation nationale et l’utilisation des évaluations au Sénégal. Même si la plupart des interviewés conçoivent l’évaluation de la GDT comme participative, l’étude met en cause leur compréhension du concept de participation, sauf dans quelques exemples isolés d’évaluations inclusives. Les capitalisations de GDT, bien qu’étant loin de reprendre les caractéristiques idéales de cette approche orientée vers l’apprentissage, permettent au moins d’engager de façon plus significative les acteurs au niveau local. Néanmoins, les évaluations de projet et les capitalisations de GDT n’offrent pas une réponse cohérente aux défis inhérents à l’évaluation d’initiatives de gestion durable de ressources naturelles identifiés dans la littérature. Par exemple, elles ne permettent pas de résoudre les tensions entre les différentes échelles temporelles et géographiques ou d’intégrer la diversité des valeurs et des perspectives liées à ces interventions. Finalement, les résultats indiquent que la pratique d’évaluation de la GDT est encore majoritairement dominée par les agendas des bailleurs et les objectifs d’efficacité de l’aide (redevabilité), avec des efforts très limités pour promouvoir leur utilisation orientée vers l´améliorations ou l’apprentissage, et virtuellement inexistants pour élaborer des politiques publiques. L’étude confirme l’utilité de la MEv pour guider la réflexion critique sur un ensemble d’évaluations réelles, au-delà de la conception restrictive de qualité en évaluation. Elle permet aussi de favoriser le débat sur les capacités d’évaluation comprises comme le pouvoir de déterminer quelles interventions à évaluer, le moment choisi pour les évaluations et la façon dont elle sont conduites. La MEv pourrait être utilisée afin de promouvoir une implication plus active des instituts de recherche, des administrations publiques et de la société civile sénégalaise afin de concevoir un nouveau panorama de l’évaluation de politiques publiques. Une conception ample de l´évaluation devrait également inclure les capitalisations et d’autres approches similaires, tout en promouvant des organisations et des institutions productrices de savoir, et en favorisant l’échange entre recherche appliquée et évaluation de projets, programmes et politiques.
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Saunders, Christina M. "Quantifying Fire Hazards of Sustainable Initiatives in the Built Environment." Thesis, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2018. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=13421673.
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We are now challenged with design-oriented goals of sustainability initiatives requiring energy efficiency in the built environment. Stricter energy codes have added more potential fuel load to a structure and its building envelope. However, these sustainability initiatives do not explicitly consider the fire risks and hazards posed by green building designs, significantly affecting the fire protection and life safety of buildings. At present, a quantitative method to compare the relative fire performance of green building materials and the hazards associated with them is not available. The objective of this research is to propose a semi-quantitative fire hazard assessment, assigning values to selected fire hazard variables. The framework to quantify the impact of sustainable initiatives to a model project is provided; the green building facade elements are the focus of the analysis in this research.
A recent hypothetical case study[67] is the model project for this research, used to demonstrate the novel framework for the development of a semi-quantitative method. It compares the relative fire performance of green building initiatives and the hazards associated with them on a high-rise residential building using cross-laminated timber. The approach employs an index method, establishing an order of magnitude, with relative rankings based on engineering judgement and experience. Levels of impact are assigned; relative hazard levels are estimated, as a weighted function of the importance or influence, of the hazard impact on the various green elements; decision-making matrices are developed and an overall hazard ranking of the building with the designed green building initiatives calculated.
Some features present mild or moderate hazard to the green building, others present high or severe hazards. The greatest concern is from the facade components; these are related to the energy efficiency credits in green building rating programs. A range of potential mitigation measures are suggested, based on synergistic effects, to provide a means of reducing the fire hazards associated with the green building initiatives. Without mitigating strategies, the fire hazards from green building initiatives can increase, life safety can decrease, and/or building performance in comparison with conventional construction can decrease. An alternate fire risk assessment method is used to compare and evaluate the semi-quantitative technique developed.
Quantifying the fire hazards of green building initiatives is critical to the performance of all structures. The sustainable intent for a building design must, therefore, be integrated into the approach to provide fire and life safety protection strategies. This integrated approach to design and construction could improve the building performance, reducing risk and achieving synergies, yielding economic, environmental, and human benefits.
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Haught, Stacy C. "An Examination of Contemporary Initiatives to Facilitate Sustainable Agriculture Experiences." The Ohio State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1502631347157021.
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Gallotta, Bruno. "Implementing sustainability initiatives in business processes." Thesis, University of Derby, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10545/623074.
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Purpose – The sustainability topic has been receiving a growing importance in the corporate environment in recent years. More and more companies are adopting sustainability practices in all their organisational levels, operations and business process as a whole; however, they have still failed to achieve the anticipated goal. Existing roadmaps, frameworks and systems do not comprehensively support sustainable business transformation. This research proposes a four phases framework, based on BPM, to help organisations to implement sustainability practices in the organisation business processes and has verified it with industry/academic specialists and validated it in a local organisation focused on sustainability initiatives. Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual framework has been created, verified and validated. The framework is based on Business Process Management (BPM) principles, which was chosen because due its capability to work in a cross process way while providing the full control of the process performance. It was then verified using a Delphi study held with 21 specialists in Sustainable Operations Management from both academia and industry and validated using an action research study on a biomass company focused in the development of sustainable energy technologies that wished to improve the implementation of sustainability initiatives in its business processes and operations. Findings – It was identified that organisations still struggle to succeed the implementation of sustainability projects. The research outlined that the business process management (BPM) approach can be used as way to implement sustainability practices in an organisation’s business processes by using the conceptual framework. The benefits from this approach are the enablement of continuous process improvement, improvement of process quality; cost reduction; increase in the customer satisfaction; and better control 3 over process performance, which can be directly linked to the improvement of the sustainability improvement. Research limitations/implication – The main limitation of this research is the application of the framework in only one real-life scenario, which was expected due the research method chosen to validate it. Future work aims to apply the framework in different scenarios, in organisations with different sizes, different maturity level, different sector, and different locations. Further research will also investigate the symbiosis of the BPM approach with other management approaches, such as lean/green manufacturing, project management, and green supply chain and carbon footprint. In addition, in a further moment, once companies are familiarised with the project methodology, it is possible to create a centre of excellence (an area within the organisation with the best practices/ processes of the industry) in terms of sustainability bringing even more value, improving continuously and generating more innovation by the form of green reference process models. Practical implications – The proposed framework uses a Business Process Management (BPM) approach, which provides a systemic solution for the organisations adopt sustainability practices in their business processes.
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Yeung, Yee-hung Stella, and 潘怡紅. "Sustainable healthcare delivery in Hong Kong: organizational initiatives and strategic financing." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2001. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B3196669X.
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Yeung, Yee-hung Stella. "Sustainable healthcare delivery in Hong Kong : organizational initiatives and strategic financing /." Hong Kong : University of Hong Kong, 2001. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk:8888/cgi-bin/hkuto%5Ftoc%5Fpdf?B23295776.
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Moresjö, Sanna, and Febe Raimer. "Mapping the Sustainable Territory : Swedish CSR initiatives in the Chinese market." Thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för marknadsföring (MF), 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-75138.
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The aim of the thesis is to provide a deeper understanding regarding how the phenomenon Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) affects Swedish multinational corporations (MNCs), in relation to competitive advantage in the Chinese market. The research demonstrates the relevance of investigating the topic, as the aspects of CSR are interchanging. The reviewed literature highlights aspects incorporated in the phenomenon, as well as internationalization, strategy and competitive advantage. In addition, the three dimensions of CSR: economic, environmental and social, are considered fundamental pillars in the analysis of sustainable business behavior. The research is conducted through an explanatory nature, in order to comprehensively describe the included variables and their correlation, the connection is further shown in the conceptual framework, established with the literature review as a basis. The implementation of a qualitative research method ensures an in-depth perspective of the participants’ perceptions and experiences. For the empirical findings, four Swedish MNCs active in the Chinese market are interviewed regarding their CSR initiatives, in order to provide a meaningful insight for the analysis. The analysis of the thesis involves a discussion of the similarities, and also the differences, between the literature review and empirical findings, in accordance to the conceptual framework. Following, the conclusion will answer the research question and provide implications, as well as suggestions for further research. The purpose of study is to further close the research gap regarding the relation between Swedish CSR initiatives and competitive advantage in the Chinese market.
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Dai, Lu, Tiffany Finley, and Susan McCormack. "ICT and Education in Developing Countries : Shifting Initiatives toward a Sustainable Society." Thesis, Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Avdelningen för maskinteknik, 2009. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:bth-4243.
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This research investigates capacity building initiatives in developing countries’ ability to aid in a transition toward sustainability. A key system, the education sector, enables and creates human capacity. Teacher Training Initiatives (TTIs) are an organized effort to build the capacity of teachers within the education sector. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are a rising addition to TTIs that can expand the network, knowledge-sharing, and communication potential of TTIs. Yet, is this growing trend aiding in building capacity at the expense of long-term sustainability? Utilizing the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development, this research employs literature reviews, interviews, data analysis, workshop participation, and an expert panel to illuminate how ICT enabled TTIs can contribute to sustainability. An intervention in the current planning process was identified as a key leverage point to shift the system toward sustainability. Taking a whole systems perspective when planning initiatives better equip stakeholders to build effective programs today that will not compromise the capacity building of the future. This upstream approach may build the foundation to move toward a strategic ICT enabled TTI, but it is not the only major factor. ICT enabled TTIs function within complex systems, requiring ongoing strategic planning and management toward sustainability.Address: Tiffany Finley 1306 Bohland Place St. Paul, MN 55116 USA OR Susan McCormack 1145 Hartwell Road Manotick, Ontario Canada K4M 1E5
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Bryant, William Patrick. "An exploration of local smart growth initiatives within the United States." Birmingham, Ala. : University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2007. http://www.mhsl.uab.edu/dt/2007m/bryant.pdf.
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Granville, Melissa Ann. "Building sustainable rural Kansas initiatives: assessing community participation in wind energy decision-making." Thesis, Wichita State University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10057/3955.
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This study reports on the results of a triangulated inquiry into the processes and outcomes of wind energy decision-making in Kansas. Specifically, key informant interviews were conducted with local stakeholders and decision-makers in three Kansas counties. In the same counties, focus groups were conducted with community members. Finally, state-level stakeholders, including government officials, wind industry representatives and advocacy group representatives were interviewed about their perceptions regarding community collaboration in wind energy decision-making. Data were analyzed using an inductive approach to thematic analysis. Results were discussed in terms of emergent themes within counties or groups and as a result of cross-cutting analyses. Thematic analysis led to the development of a communication grid with axes for consultation and information that impact satisfaction with wind energy decision-making and the sustainability of communities and Kansas‟ wind energy industry. Four paradigms, three actual and one theoretical, emerged from the data and prior research. Implications for sustainable wind development in Kansas are discussed.Thesis (M.A.)--Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Elliot School of Communication
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Landman, Annie Petronella. "Growing sustainable food systems : a study of local food distribution initiatives in Stellenbosch." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/6486.
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Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis investigates practical approaches to growing sustainable food systems. It first establishes the condition of the global environment within which food systems function and critically assesses previous efforts to grow sustainable food systems. After applying these findings to a set of case studies on local-food distribution in Stellenbosch, I recommend ways for the local-food distribution network to encourage the growth of a sustainable Stellenbosch food system. The literature review provides an overview of the global environment in relation to food systems and lists certain contextual challenges that food systems must address to become sustainable. These challenges are social inequality, an urban future, degraded ecosystems, climate change, energy constraints, a growing global population and food insecurity. The literature review also describes how commercialisation has disembedded food systems from their contexts. This disembeddedness loosens the feedback loops food systems require to effectively respond to contextual challenges and consequently hinders their sustainability. The critical overview of previous attempts to re-embed food systems provides insight into practical ways of growing sustainable food systems. The overview demonstrates that while localisation and the building of social capital should not be seen as the ultimate goals of sustainable food systems, they can be useful mechanisms for nurturing sustainability if applied carefully. The case studies describe ten local-food distribution initiatives in Stellenbosch, and are informed by numerous in-depth semi-structured interviews. My conceptual framework contrasts each initiative’s self-reported vision, perceived reality, and realised actions; this highlights the conceptual and physical network connections between various local-food distribution initiatives, as well as the factors preventing and promoting their sustainability. The case studies show that although a local-food distribution network exists in Stellenbosch, it is fragile and lacks defined conceptual connections. This in turn constrains the formation of physical connections and thus the food system’s progress toward sustainability. The local-food distribution network in Stellenbosch can catalyse the growth of a sustainable food system because its initiatives focus on localisation but do not see it as a final objective. This shared focus indicates that localisation already constitutes a practical tool in the growth of a sustainable food system; however, the network’s lack of social capital still needs to be addressed. Inclusive projects designed to create and protect intellectual, political and economic spaces for reflection within the food system can generate the social capital necessary to grow a sustainable food system. The realisation of a sustainable Stellenbosch food system therefore depends on those with the capacity and resources to initiate the necessary changes.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ondersoek praktiese benaderings waarmee volhoubare kossisteme bevorder kan word. Dit stel eerstens die toestand van die globale omgewing waarin kossisteme funksioneer vas en oorweeg krities vorige pogings wat volhoubare kossisteme probeer bevorder het. Na ek hierdie bevindings toepas op ’n stel gevallestudies van inisiatiewe wat plaaslik-geproduseerde kos in Stellenbosch versprei, kom ek met voorstelle vorendag vir dié verspreidingsnetwerk om die groei van ’n volhoubare Stellenbosch-kossisteem aan te moedig. Die literatuurstudie omskryf ’n oorsig van die globale omgewing met betrekking tot kossisteme en lys sekere kontekstuele uitdagings wat kossisteme moet aanspreek om volhoubaar te wees. Die uitdagings is maatskaplike ongelykheid, ’n verstedelikte toekoms, verswakte ekosisteme, klimaatsverandering, energiebeperkings, ’n groeiende globale bevolking en voedselonsekerheid. Die literatuurstudie bepaal ook dat kommersialisering kossisteme uit hulle omgewings ontwortel. Hierdie ontwortelling verswak die terugvoerbane wat kossisteme benodig om effektief op kontekstuele uitdagings te reageer en verhoed hulle volhoubaarheid. Die kritiese oorsig van vorige pogings om kossisteme nuwe wortels te laat skiet gee insig tot praktiese maniere om volhoubare kossisteme te bevorder. Die oorsig wys daarop dat terwyl lokalisering en die bou van maatskaplike kapitaal nie as die slotsom van volhoubare kossisteme beskou moet word nie, albei nuttige tegnieke kan wees vir die aankweek van volhoubaarheid indien hulle met sorg aangewend word. Die gevallestudies beskryf tien verspreidings-inisiatiewe van plaaslik-geproduseerde kos in Stellenbosch en is ingelig deur verskeie in-diepte, semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude. My konsepsuele raamwerk kontrasteer elke gevallestudie se self-verklaarde visie, veronderstelde realiteit en gerealiseerde aksies. Dit lig die begrips- en fisiesenetwerkkonneksies tussen die inisiatiewe uit en stel ’n aantal faktore bloot wat die netwerk se volhoubare groei positief en negatief beïnvloed. Die gevallestudies wys daarop dat alhoewel ’n verspreingsnetwerk van plaaslik-geproduseerde kos in Stellenbosch bestaan, dié netwerk swak is en omskrewe begripskonneksies kort. Om die beurt verhinder dit die formasie van fisiese konneksies en weerhou die kossisteem se vordering na volhoubaarheid. Die verspreidingsnetwerk van plaaslik-geproduseerde kos in Stellenbosch kan die groei van ‘n volhoubare kossisteem kataliseer omdat die inisiatiewe waaruit dit bestaan deur ’n gemeenskaplike fokus op lokalisering verbind word, maar dit nie as hulle einddoel beskou nie. Hierdie gedeelde fokus wys daarop dat lokalisering reeds ’n bruikbare tegniek vir die groei van ‘n volhoubare kossisteem is, maar die tekort aan maatskaplike kapitaal binne die netwerk moet steeds aangespreek word. Inklusiewe projekte wat saamgestel word om intellektuele, politiese en ekonomiese ruimtes vir besinning binne die kossisteem te bevorder en te bewaar, kan die nodige maatskaplike kapitaal kweek om ’n volhoubare kossisteem te vestig. Die verwesenliking van ’n volhoubare Stellenbosch-kossisteem hang dus van diegene af wat die kapasiteit en hulpbronne het om die nodige veranderings in te lei.
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Amlaeva, Anzhelika, Saide Begüm Feyzioğlu, and Hadel Mohammed Iskander ElKambergy. "Sustainability Governance Initiatives in Universities as a Tool for Sustainability." Thesis, Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Institutionen för strategisk hållbar utveckling, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:bth-12745.
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Shuangqi, Liu. "Factors driving entrepreneurialinitiatives in sustainable destinations." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för teknikvetenskaper, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-391646.
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With the in-depth advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), governments and relevant policy makers are taking steps to meet the SDG goals. Sustainable entrepreneurship requires a large degree of participation from the entrepreneurial sector in the destination, and these entrepreneurs in sustainable destinations are expected to have more sense of responsibility, and their entrepreneurial activities are expected to be more sustainable, ie altruistic. This is consistent with the dualistic entrepreneurial motivation model. Is the entrepreneurial motivation of entrepreneurs in sustainable destinations more altruistic? This is unknown because entrepreneurial motivation in the context of a particular sustainable destination has not received much attention. This study examines the factors driving entrepreneurial initiatives in sustainable destinations. For answering research question, this study conducted a statistical analysis of the collected data by conducting a questionnaire survey of 131 entrepreneurs from sustainable destinations. Based on the impact of motivation on action, the conclusions of this study confirm that the entrepreneurial motivations in sustainable destinations are moving towards sustainable entrepreneurs, that is, they not only consider their own interests, but also take into account the interests of others. The significance of this research is to provide a direction for decision makers within sustainable destinations, or international, sustainable development missions, to understand the practical drivers of their policies related to sustainable development and sustainable entrepreneurship. In addition, the study also discusses the inadequacies of current sustainable entrepreneurship as demonstrated by the results of data analysis.
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Weingaertner, Carina. "Identifying Strategic Initiatives to Promote Urban Sustainability." Doctoral thesis, KTH, Miljöstrategisk analys (flyttat 20130630), 2010. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-27625.
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is thesis explores the overarching topic of the capacity of strategic urban development decisions and initiatives (including planning initiatives) to positively and powerfully influence the ability of a city to promote sustainable patterns of development. The work is presented in six scientific papers, the first four of which focus on the development of an inter-disciplinary conceptual framework and research methodology. The concept of Situations of Opportunity and its related Field of Options is proposed as a means to identify and analyse periods in the growth of cities when urbanisation can be more easily managed so as to promote sustainable development goals. Historical studies in the cities of Stockholm, Dar es Salaam and Curitiba are used to develop the methodology. Another paper looks ahead and refines the methodology in combination with future studies, presenting a research strategy that employs Situations of Opportunity as a means to identify and explore periods in the future urban growth with significant potential for change. Building on the method developed, the remaining two papers consider the social dimension of sustainable development and how it can be promoted in the urban context, during ongoing Situations of Opportunity. The concept of social sustainability is reviewed and discussed from two different disciplinary perspectives (urban development; companies and products), exploring commonalities and differences in approaches, and identifying core themes that cross disciplinary boundaries. A case study of Eastside, a brownfield redevelopment site in Birmingham (UK), reveals how the retention of established small food outlets can provide opportunities for promoting social sustainability goals in an urban regeneration area. Overall, this thesis provides a better understanding of how transformative change can happen in cities. The Situations of Opportunity concept developed here can be a helpful way to study strategic initiatives that promote sustainability in cities.QC 20101216
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Barnes, Jake Peter. "The local embedding of technologies through community-led initiatives : the case of sustainable energy." Thesis, University of Sussex, 2016. http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/61170/.
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It is widely acknowledged that existing low carbon technologies offer substantial means to reduce the carbon intensity of existing lifestyles. Yet the problem is not simply one of diffusion: commercially developed technologies need to be made to work in diverse local contexts of use. They need to be locally embedded. I approach the study of ‘local embedding' through a particular actor, community-led energy initiatives and the broad research question: how are community-led energy initiatives seeking to integrate sustainable technologies into local contexts of use? I explore the agency of community activists to locally embed technologies and the context dynamics influencing how their projects develop. In doing so, I identify a gap in current knowledge between the social embedding of technology by wider society (as conceptualised by sustainability transitions research) and the appropriation of technology by users (as conceptualised by domestication studies) and develop the concept of local embedding as a distinct conceptual contribution. Having identified community initiatives as performing a largely intermediary role I draw on insights from research on innovation intermediaries to understand their agency. A framework is constructed through building blocks from these approaches, then tested and refined through four comparative case studies on community attempts at local embedding. The research contributes a novel process model on community-based intermediation for local embedding. I identify an ideal-typical sequence to key community-based intermediary processes and identify a variety of context dynamics influencing project development. As such I contribute to current discussions within (a) sustainability transitions research, about actors and their agency, and (b) innovation intermediaries research, identifying an under-studied intermediary working at the user-end of innovation processes and refine an existing framework on key intermediary processes.
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Free, Pamela J. Smith. "Exploring Community Participation in Sustainable Williamson." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1449057566.
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Ibrahim, Solava Samir Saad Mohamed. "The self-help initiatives of the poor : the road to sustainable poverty reduction in Egypt?" Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2008. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.604919.
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This dissertation explores the self-help initiatives of the poor in Egypt and articulates their perceptions of well-being. It argues that an increased role of the poor in the alleviation of their own poverty can render poverty reduction strategies more sustainable. Using Egypt as a case study, the dissertation compares the poor’s perceptions of well-being in two Egyptian sites (a rural village and an urban slum); and compares different patterns of self-help initiatives in Egypt: (i) an Islamic model of self-help in a rural village in the Delta; (ii) an anti-Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) women’s self help group and a semi syndicate for quarry workers in rural villages in Upper Egypt; and (iii) different cases of self-help in Manshiet Nasser, a slum area in Cairo. The case studies are drawn on to understand the role of religion and civil society in promoting these initiatives. At the conceptual level, the research adopts the capability approach and combines it with the literatures on collective action, institutions and social capital. It emphasizes the importance of collectivities for the expansion of human capabilities and develops a new integrated analytical framework that captures the interactive relationship between individual capabilities and social structures. Through the example of self-help, the research demonstrates how the poor- by pooling their resources together – are usually able to gain new capabilities that each individual alone would neither have nor be able to achieve, i.e. new ‘collective capabilities’. The research depends on qualitative research methods, such as an open-ended well-being questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and participant observation to articulate the poor’s voices and analyse their self-help initiatives. The research challenges the conventional top-down model of development by encouraging governments, donors and NGOs to build upon these existing initiatives of the poor thus promoting a new bottom-up model whereby the ideas of the poor come first and assistance is provided accordingly.
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Stephens, Bradley Alan. "Understanding the Tea Party Response to Local Environmental Initiatives: A Conflict Between Individualism and Collectivism." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/71307.
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The Tea Party movement became a significant political force in American politics in 2009. Soon after their arrival on the national scale, this movement turned its attention to environmental policymaking. In particular, it spurred a strong opposition to local sustainable development initiatives. While this conflict has run its course in most places, it remains an example of the type of opposition future environmental or sustainability work may face. This three-part study is focused on determining the extent and nature of this opposition with particular emphasis on how it reflected the broader conflict between individualism and collectivism. First, we analyzed general interest in the topics associated with the opposition using media interest and internet search trends. Next, we evaluated what was driving this opposition through rhetoric analysis of local Tea Party organizations from across the country. This helped uncover several of the predominant themes in the opposition, including a belief in American Exceptionalism, concern over our system of Governance and a strong preference for individualism. Lastly, we conducted a case study of the conflict in Roanoke, VA. This allowed us to map out the specifics of one segment of the broader conflict and explore the driving themes further. The results of all three parts point to a substantial, but diffuse, opposition that was driven in no small part by a preference for individualism. This work demonstrates that individualism can be used as a lens through which a fuller understanding of this, and future, opposition of environmental legislation may be generated.Master of Science
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Walsh, Lauren Arlene. "Investigating the effectiveness of environmental sustainability initiatives at General Motors South Africa." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020996.
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There is a consensus globally that climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing operations. Immediate actions are required to reduce the carbon footprint in order for the environment to endure future logistics processes and activities (The National Treasury department of South Africa, 2010). Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are emissions generated from manufacturing processes, distribution networks and treatments processes (Verfaillie and Bidwell, 2000). Companies globally are expected to monitor pollution and focus on reducing the discharge of pollutants. Logistics Managers are therefore pressured to reduce the carbon footprint as it affects the environment and our health. Companies are becoming more concerned with the impact of various activities and processes on the environment. Traditional logistics models, primarily focuses on minimising cost with little focus on the environmental impact and sustaining operations for the future (Sbihi and Eglese, 2009) General Motors (GM) is a multi-national vehicle manufacturer with operations in various countries. GM filed for bankruptcy in 2009 resulting in the formation of the new GM; one of the focus areas was to ensure sustainability which resulted in the introduction of the ‘Sustainability in motion’ program in 2009 (New York Times, 2009). General Motors South Africa (GMSAf) is a vehicle assembler with manufacturing facilities and head offices located in Port Elizabeth. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the multinational General Motors Company. The aim of the research is to determine whether a culture that promotes environmentally conscious behaviour exists within employees and their relationships within a team, with management, stakeholders and suppliers. The study will assist in highlighting areas which need improvement to enable the creation of environmentally sustainable initiatives and implementation thereof. The empirical study revealed that the following management commitment, education and training, performance management and participation and involvement were important factors in the effective implementation of an environmental sustainability program.
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Luckin, David. "Environmental tax reform and sustainable development : a comparative analysis of initiatives in Belgium, Britain and the Netherlands." Thesis, Nottingham Trent University, 2001. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.246583.
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Mizener, Sarah. "THIS IS HOW WE DO IT: UNDERSTANDING FINANCIALLY SUCCESSFUL APPAREL COMPANIES’ ADOPTION OF SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVES OVER TIME." Kent State University / OhioLINK, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1448453808.
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Sacadura, João Arriaga e. Cunha Cabral de. "Consulting to social entrepreneurship initiatives - using business skills to help solve social problems: ERG: a sustainable approach." Master's thesis, NSBE - UNL, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10362/10314.
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A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and EconomicsEscolinha de Rugby da Galiza is a Social Entrepreneurship project from Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Cascais that uses an innovative approach to social integrate children from the community of Fim do Mundo. Through the study and analysis of this project, it was identified the need to improve the sustainability approach currently used. A set of proposals were developed to diversify its sources of donations and generate its own revenues in order to guarantee its longterm sustainability.
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Barcenilla, Hugo, and Brendan D'Arcy. "To sportify or not to sportify? : Unpacking the profiles of sport and lifestyle initiatives for sustainable social development." Thesis, Malmö universitet, Institutionen Idrottsvetenskap (IDV), 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-43209.
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Background: Sport is often perceived as inherently positive for sustainable development. This widespread assumption is however found to be quite normative, and the standardization of its boundaries dangerously naive. The lack of contextual specificity across the dominant schools of thought calls for a more comprehensive analysis of what different activities entail in different contexts. Purpose: This study examines the field of sport for development through a critical lens. Different initiatives using traditional mainstream sports and lifestyle sports, seeking an array of social development objectives, are structurally and systematically unpacked, hence uncovering the attributes that shape the achievements and challenges of the projects. Methods: Through a qualitative approach, six organisations operating in varying scopes and environments were interviewed using a semi-structured approach. Results: The investigation pinpoints the encompassing theme of sportification as a force of change influencing the internal and external dynamics of lifestyle sports as well as traditional mainstream sports, though to a lesser extent. Several important issues emerge from the investigation, such as how the notions of focus, networks and the fundamental benefits and challenges underlying each type of sport can materialize into concrete impacts on social development. Conclusions: A fine balance of sportification is necessary in order to gain the leverage and capital required to access the opportunities presented by organized sport yet without excessively compromising the innate social qualities of the activity.
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Hjelmqvist, Matilda. "Corporate Climate Initiatives: An Inside-Out Approach to Stakeholder Engagement." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för geovetenskaper, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-433099.
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The aim of this case study was to explain how voluntary climate initiatives are communicated to employees, and the role of employee involvement as an antecedent for more strategic environmental sustainability work. More specifically, the project explored enabling factors for stakeholder involvement from a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) communication perspective. A flexible research design was structured through qualitative methods and an inductive approach. Semi-structured interviews and corporate sustainability documents from two knowledge-intensive IT businesses were analyzed to understand the internal CSR landscape related to voluntary climate initiatives, like carbon offsetting actions and reduce-reuse-recycle efforts. The theoretical framework used concepts from CSR communication, environmental marketing and stakeholder management. Case study findings indicate that voluntary carbon offsetting initiatives may have a notable impact on building a more distinct company-wide climate change agenda. Furthermore, the study confirmed that employees are important drivers in environmental initiatives and may act as informal sustainability ambassadors by supporting the organizational climate impact work internally (and later externally) – by building credibility from the inside-out.
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Kvarnbäck, Klara. "Mentality of a Throw-Away Society : A study on sustainable consumption and the millennial perception of post-retail initiatives." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Företagsekonomi, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-135871.
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The implication and rise of the fashion industry is not only affecting its consumers, but the whole world. As the fashion industry is proclaimed to be one of the largest contributors to climate change, and makes up for 4.8% of Swedish consumption (Centrum för konsumptionsvetenskap, 2016, p. 12), it is timely that more sustainable approaches must be taken. Disposing of one’s textiles is a vital part to reaching a more sustainable consumption, since many textiles can be recycled for redesign or to extract fibres. Post-retail initiatives are set out by many fashion firms, where they extend services to their customers in order to aid in sustainable clothing care or helping them dispose of their textiles in a more sustainable manner. The purpose of this study is to understand the perception of male consumers, a demographic that is often overlooked in fashion studies, and how they perceive post-retail initiatives, as well as looking into how male consumers take responsibility for their clothes after use. The following research questions: How are post-retail initiatives perceived by millennial men? How are sustainable clothing collections from a fast fashion company perceived by men? How do men take responsibility for their clothing when they are finished using them? Where does the responsibility lie of recycling clothes? By using a qualitative method, in terms of semi-structured interviews, 8 participants were interviewed and questions with different themes such as: CSR, post-retail initiatives, sustainable consumption, behaviour and attitude towards sustainable consumption, fast fashion, and hedonism vs utilitarianism were used to code the data for analysis. The inductive nature of the study allowed for a model to be derived after data collection. By adapting a technological acceptance model (TAM) and a model for decision making of sustainable consumption the sustainable acceptance model (SAM) was made to interpret how external variables contribute to perceptions of sustainability and post-retail initiatives and how that can instigate a changed attitude or behaviour. The SAM model helped to answer the research questions and showed that for perceptions to be formed, social and individual factors played a large role. One’s social context as well as situational and individual factors play a role in the perception of post-retail initiatives. The bearers of responsibility for textile recycling was believe to be in the hands of the municipalities, not the fashion industry, as they have a bigger influence of creating situational opportunities to instigate awareness for recycling textiles. The findings show that perceptions of post-retail initiatives are derived from influences from external variables. Convenience plays a large role in perception as something that is perceived well must also be easily accessible. Clothing collections are not perceived well as availability over other convenient choices are not present. Responsibility for clothing varies from sale to donation, but an understanding was made that the lack of knowledge on where to dispose sustainably was limited. Responsibility for recycling clothing was said to be from a municipal level not the [clothing] industry level.
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Kucht, Campos Juliana [Verfasser], Frank [Akademischer Betreuer] Straube, Frank [Gutachter] Straube, and Valentina [Gutachter] Carbone. "A methodology for planning sustainable supply chain initiatives / Juliana Kucht Campos ; Gutachter: Frank Straube, Valentina Carbone ; Betreuer: Frank Straube." Berlin : Universitätsverlag der TU Berlin, 2016. http://d-nb.info/1156269679/34.
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Calitz, Willemien. "The impact of perceptions of China’s human rights and sustainable development on its soft power initiatives in South Africa." Doctoral thesis, Faculty of Humanities, 2019. https://hdl.handle.net/11427/31663.
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This study examined the representation of China’s human rights and sustainability record in the mainstream South African media. It also explored the factors that influence both South African and Chinese journalists and its potential effects on their coverage of China’s sustainable development and human rights impact. Through its “Going Out” policy, China has re-established a close affiliation with African countries.. South Africa is significant to this growing China-Africa relationship, as a fellow member of the BRICS group of emerging nations. Through its soft power strategy, whether as a “charm offensive” (Kurlantzick, 2008), or “charm defensive” (Shi, 2013), China has expanded its media reach in Africa through platforms such as Xinhua, China Central Television (CCTV) and People’s Daily to provide counter stereotypical images of being “a mysterious, exotic and unknowable force” (Wasserman, 2012). Dominant media discourses have represented China as lacking concern for good governance, transparency, freedom of the press, worker’s rights, human rights, and environmental protection in its relationship with Africa (Sautman & Hairong, 2009; French, 2014). China has been criticised for exporting its environmental destruction and human rights violations to the African continent. These negative perceptions among global media and key roleplayers could harm China’s strategies to harness its soft power on the African continent. This study explored to what extent these perceptions are manifested in media coverage, and what factors influenced this coverage. Through a qualitative framing analysis, this study examined how China’s sustainable development and human rights record is depicted in South African media. The framing analysis explored three individually-owned South African media publications: the weekly investigative paper Mail & Guardian, the Cape Times daily and the online news site News 24, to determine South African media representation of China. The study found five dominant frames in South African media’s coverage of China’s sustainable development record. China as key perpetrator in poaching; China vs the USA as a superpower; China’s role in the struggle against climate change; China as a source of green technologies, renewable energy and green investment; and China as a polluted country itself. Regarding South African media’s coverage of China’s human rights record, three dominant themes have emerged: Cheap Chinese products replacing job opportunities in Africa, China’s general poor record of human rights and cheap Chinese labour in African countries. Additionally five dominant frames were found in Chinese media coverage of China’s sustainable development: China’s climate leadership, China-US collaboration, repercussion for environmental violations, China’s green technology and innovation, pollution in China, and Chinese environmental aid. Regarding human rights, only three dominant frames were found: Chinese jobs empower African communities, improved labour conditions and official human rights engagements. The second part of this study examined how China’s media image might influence Chinese and South African journalists’ coverage of China’s sustainable development and human rights impact. Apart from China’s environmental and human rights reputation, which other influences on journalists have been significant to their coverage of China? Using Reese’s (2001; 2016) hierarchy of influences model as a guideline, this study explored the individual, routine, organisational, extra-media and ideological influences on Chinese and South African journalists covering China’s human rights and sustainable development reputation. Using semi-structured interviews, 20 journalists from Chinese and South African publications were interviewed. The interview questions built on Reese’s (2001; 2016) sociology of the media approach. The aim was to compare the different layers of how journalists in China and South Africa are influenced when covering China’s human rights and sustainable development record. Results show that South African journalists were strongly influenced by their perceptions of China’s environmental and human rights impact, which are generally pessimistic. They find Chinese government and sources to be inaccessible and distrust them. South African journalists also believe that media diplomacy will not lead to soft power success in Africa, in particular compared to efforts such as health diplomacy. Chinese journalists were strongly influenced by the Chinese state’s media ownership. Despite censorship, Chinese journalists find working for Chinese publications, Xinhua in particular, honourable. They find their role in improving China’s soft power in Africa through media diplomacy to be crucial, and particularly through challenging current western representations of China.
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Tournier, Marin. "Countering Illegal Wildlife Trade in Southeast Asia: A Critical Comparison of the Leading Strategies and Their Corresponding Initiatives." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för geovetenskaper, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-255527.
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This study provides a critical comparison of the leading strategies to mitigate illegal wildlife trade across Southeast Asia, designated in the paper as Enforcement and Awareness initiatives. The purpose of this comparison is to determine the differences and similarities of those initiatives regarding their respective approaches, effectiveness to tackle illegal wildlife trade and influential parameters. In the first part, the paper examines Enforcement and Awareness initiatives based on the initiatives’ underlying theories, literature and case studies. It reveals the presence of common characteristics summarised under four thematic points: (1) the complexity, (2) velocity, (3) adaptability and (4) scope of an initiative. In a second stage, the study provides an analysis of the empirical findings collected according to the thematic area previously presented. Evidence for this study was obtained from interviews and observations made in the context of an internship. Thanks to the thematic analysis, the paper approves the presence of specificities and similarities between Enforcement and Awareness initiatives and suggests the consideration of two parameters essential for the success of the initiatives: (1) the governmental authorities’ commitment to participate in the conduct of Enforcement or Awareness-related activities and (2) the involvement of non-governmental actors ensuring an efficient conduct.
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Alves, Sérgio, Wiebke Fercho, and Erica Scott. "The Stories We Tell : Designing Values-Oriented Narratives of Radical Change Initiatives Towards Sustainability." Thesis, Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Institutionen för strategisk hållbar utveckling, 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:bth-3129.
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While extensive communication around the sustainability challenges have lead to increased awareness, the expected behavior change correspondent to that level of awareness has not been observed. After decades of information-based sustainability communication the research community recognizes values as important drivers of peoples behavior. Consequently, communication needs to be designed intentionally, so as to implement the change necessary in order to shift society to a sustainable level where the global community lives within the planetary boundaries. This thesis was inspired by this call from the field of sustainability science for a new narrative around sustainability that would inspire more radical change. In the first step we used the European Citizens ́ Initiative for an Unconditional Basic Income (EUBI) as a case study, to analyze what types of values the current narrative of the EUBI speaks to and compare that with the values of the population of the European Union. In the second step our research focused on what types of Guidelines could be developed so as to intentionally design a values-oriented narrative. We identified three ways in which the narrative of EUBI is misaligned with the values of the population of the European Union. We identified as well 13 Guidelines for designing a values-oriented narrative that could contribute in moving society strategically towards sustainability. When utilizing the Guidelines as a tool in crafting a potentially more successful narrative as part of a new sustainability communication, the contribution to SSD may be to strategically overcome the above described misalignment and inspiring more action to bridge the gap.
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Hogan, Nicola Mary. "Sustainable information and communication technology (ICT) initiatives in UK and Irish universities and colleges : identifying and overcoming the barriers to implementation." Thesis, Anglia Ruskin University, 2017. http://arro.anglia.ac.uk/703153/.
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Energy is one of the UK’s biggest commercial and environmental concerns. Despite government campaigns for everyone to play their part in minimising energy consumption, reports suggest an estimated 20–30% of energy generated is wasted. UK and Irish universities and colleges are no exception to this wastage. In an attempt to reduce CO2 emissions created by the extensive use of ICT equipment, JISC launched their Greening of ICT programme in 2009. The programme aimed at reducing ICT energy use in UK FHEs and its outcomes indicated that using fewer, more energy-efficient ICT resources, as infrequently as is practicable, is the optimal way of tackling energy waste. Two projects that did this were The Scotland Carbon and Energy Management Project and The UK SUSTE-TECH Project. This research bridges the gap in knowledge, (identifying the barriers to FHE institutions implementing sustainable ICT initiatives) and, over the course of three consecutive stages, employed positivistic and anti-positivistic paradigms, utilised inductive, abductive and deductive methodologies and employed comparative, correlative and evaluative research methods. Data were gathered using surveys and questionnaires. Seven barriers to sustainability were identified, with three of them (stakeholder engagement, lacking managers and cuts in funding) being widespread. Each of the barriers existed to various extents and most underpinned one another. However, overcoming the barriers is possible via the use of a smartphone web app named the Energy Detective web app. These findings validate this research’s theory and ultimately answers the research question and its sub-questions. This research demonstrates that, according to various FHE managers, the same barriers to sustainability exist in UK and Irish FHEs regardless of geographical location. However, through sufficient engagement with stakeholders, they can be overcome. A solution to the gap in knowledge was found but not without difficulty. Recommendations for the continuation of this research have been made.
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Amiri, Carla. "Is green the new black? : An empirical study on the correlation of CSR initiatives and profitability on Nordic mutual funds." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Företagsekonomiska institutionen, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-451193.
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This research examines whether Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives impact fund financial performance of 46 Nordic mutual funds during the past five years (2016-2020). Previous studies have focused on which of the two alternatives generates a rewarding financial result. To complement previous research, this study focuses on the development of CSR - whether the gap formed between CSR initiatives and fund financial performance is moving closer towards each other based on the increased focus of ESG factors during the recent years. Two categories, strong and weak ESG performance, are juxtapositioned to find out at what stage the development is. Furthermore, analysis on which of the three categories: environmental, social or governance individually, is the driving factor of the development of CSR initiatives. Based on the matched pair methodology and hypothesis testing, funds with CSR initiatives have reached the point, in which they perform equally well to their peers without such motives. The underlying driver behind the development are examined.
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Gilad, Shai, Margot Husson, and Mary Wygle. "Transformation of the City from the Bottom-Up : Supporting the Cohesion of Sustainability Initiatives." Thesis, Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Institutionen för strategisk hållbar utveckling, 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:bth-2237.
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The increasing pressures on the global eco-system have reached a critical stage. Cities are the center of most pressures on the biosphere and the contribution to unsustainability. Examined critically, the Sustainable Initiatives addressing urban challenges tend to act independently from each other. This situation is called the Silo-Effect, which is the state of isolation of Sustainability Initiatives in the city arena. The Silo-Effect results in a situation where the Initiatives‘ use of time, energy, and resources is not optimal, therefore creating less effective impact towards urban sustainability. The purpose of this research is to suggest solutions to the Silo-Effect by asking the question, What are the components needed to support the cohesion of Sustainable Initiatives across silos in the city? The methodology of grounded theory inspired the data collection and analysis process of thirteen interviews with professionals from the field. Results confirmed the existence of the Silo-Effect and revealed the main components supporting Cohesion Across Silos. Emerging insights include the need to 1) create Supportive Structures that will maximize the abundant social, human, cultural and economic capitals of practitioners, provide a shared space, and support collaboration, coordination and communications efforts between Initiatives, 2) create new models of local governance and funding systems that support cohesion, and 3) focus experimentation on the neighborhood scale to minimize complexity.
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Jakariya, Md. "Arsenic in tubewell water of Bangladesh and approaches for sustainable mitigation." Doctoral thesis, Stockholm, : Byggvetenskap, Kungliga Tekniska högskolan, 2007. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-4372.
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Froio, Patricia Jacomini [UNESP]. "Um estudo exploratório de iniciativas de sustentabilidade ambiental em algumas empresas prestadoras de serviços logísticos no Brasil." Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/11449/151365.
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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)
A busca pela sustentabilidade tem sido um tema debatido entre gestores e acadêmicos em todo o mundo. Atividades econômicas são geradoras de impactos ambientais resultante de suas operações, incluindo o setor das empresas de logística. Este tema tem atraído considerável atenção da comunidade científica internacional, entretanto, estudos sobre o tema no Brasil são incipientes. Nesta pesquisa foi realizada uma revisão estruturada da literatura que mapeou iniciativas verdes realizadas apenas por empresas Prestadoras de Serviços Logísticos (PSLs) e classificadas como internas e externas à organização em forma de um framework. Nesse contexto e de acordo com o estado-da-arte do campo de pesquisa apontado, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi de identificar iniciativas de sustentabilidade ambiental praticadas por algumas empresas PSLs brasileiras, e analisar a abrangência da realização das iniciativas. O método de pesquisa escolhido foi um estudo exploratório, com questionário semiestruturado, e coleta de dados do tipo survey. Com apoio do software NVivo10 foi possível entender as empresas estudadas, uma vez que facilitou as análises permitindo planejar e classificar informações oriundas de outras três questões abertas compostas no questionário, e pesquisar padrões nas respostas dos respondentes. Os resultados das análises indicam que as empresas respondentes têm realizado diversas ações a favor da sustentabilidade ambiental, entretanto algumas delas de forma pouco abrangente. A maior parte das iniciativas realizadas no contexto analisado são intraorganizacionais, quando comparada as interorganizacionais.
The pursuance for sustainability has been a topic debated among managers and academics around the world. Economic activities generate environmental impacts resulting from its operations, and also the logistics industry. This topic has attracted considerable attention from the international scientific community, however, studies on that issue in Brazil are incipient. The structured literature review mapped out green initiatives undertaken only by Logistics Service Providers (LSPs), and classified in the form of a framework as internal and external to the organization. In this context and according to the state-of-the-art of the research field pointed out, the aim of this research was to identify environmental sustainability initiatives practiced by some Brazilian LSP companies, and analyze the scope of the initiatives. The chosen research method was an exploratory study, with semi-structured questionnaire, and survey data collection. With the support of the NVivo10 software, it was possible to understand the companies studied, since it facilitated the analysis allowing to plan and classify information from three other open questions composed in the questionnaire, as well to search for patterns in respondents' answers. The results indicate that the surveyed companies have carried out several actions in favor of environmental sustainability, however some of them not with all potential. And most of the carried out initiatives are intraorganizational, when compared to the interorganizational ones.
CNPq: 134565/2015-0
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Shankar, Ram Anand. "Analyzing health initiatives as bridges towards peace during complex humanitarian emergencies and the roles of actors and economic aid in making these bridges sustainable." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1998. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp01/MQ36528.pdf.
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Carlsson, Sofia, and Nikita Ekman. "The Swedish SMEs’ road to sustainable innovation : A qualitative multiple case study on how Swedish SMEs use, and can use, open innovation to promote innovative sustainability initiatives." Thesis, Linköpings universitet, Företagsekonomi, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-159841.
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Background: 20% of the world's population is responsible for about 80% of the life-cycle impacts of consumption and the per-capita footprint of developed countries is at least double than that of developing countries. This is why there is an urgent need for companies in industrialized countries to find more sustainable production methods and encourage sustainable consumption. Global sustainability trends drive innovation, which is why it is important to study how companies use, and can use, innovation to be more sustainable. Despite the will to work sustainably innovative, many SMEs today face resource constraints that hinder them from doing so - a problem that in part can be mitigated by open innovation. In Sweden today, however, open innovation is not widely used, especially not amongst SMEs. Purpose: This study aims at mapping how Swedish SMEs currently work with open innovation in order to promote innovative sustainability initiatives, and how they could do it. Methodology: This is a qualitative multiple case study in which seven cases have been studied and compared. The study is based on the hermeneutic philosophical standpoint, with an abductive approach. The empirical data consists of seven semi-structured interviews with representatives from seven different Swedish SMEs, from different industrial sectors. Conclusion: This study concludes that Swedish SMEs mainly work with inbound open innovation in the form of sourcing information from customers and/or suppliers. It is also found that outbound open innovation is used to a lesser extent among the studied SMEs. The study proposes that more cross-sectoral collaboration can be beneficial. Furthermore, it is established that clearer methods for, and more knowledge about, open innovation could increase the use of it, and thus the benefits of it.
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Creamer, Emily Charlotte. "'Community' : the ends and means of sustainability? : exploring the position and influence of community-led initiatives in encouraging more sustainable lifestyles in remote rural Scotland." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/10527.
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This research explored the role of community-led initiatives in encouraging the uptake of more sustainable lifestyles within the social and physical context of remote rural Scotland. Participant observation with Arlen Eco Trust (AET) and Thriving Thornton (TT), two community-led sustainability initiatives funded by the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund (CCF), led to findings which challenge the common assumption that funding for community-led initiatives will be of net benefit at the local level. In line with the requirements of the CCF, both AET and TT define community in terms of geography. However, only a small minority of the members of the geographically-defined communities of Arlen and Thornton were found to be actively involved in the groups’ activities or objectives. Both Arlen and Thornton were observed to be segmented into multiple and diverse ‘communities within communities’ and, rather than representing ‘the community’, AET and TT can more accurately be understood as an example of sub-communities in themselves. This sub-division within the communities was found to be exacerbated by the fact that both the governance and management of AET and TT were observed to be undertaken primarily by individuals regarded as ‘incomers’ to Arlen and Thornton, which resulted in an ‘incomer’ identity being passed on to the group and its activities. Historic connotations with ‘incomers’ as disruptive to traditional ways of life were found to resonate with the suspicion and scepticism expressed by some ‘locals’ wary of ‘incomer’ groups that were actively trying to change local lifestyles. The groups’ ability to engage with the wider geographic community was also observed to be further weakened in several ways by the receipt of government grant funding. The short timescales and expected outputs associated with many funding schemes were found to be discordant with the long-term sustainability goals of the community groups studied, and participation in top-down funding programmes was found to reduce the time and resources available for ‘hands on’ community participation activities. Furthermore, the need for groups to adapt their ambitions and approach to align with top-down demands from funders is incongruent with the notion of a ‘community-led’ initiative. Together, these local conditions were found to have significant implications with respect to the impact and influence of AET and TT. The funding received by the groups was found to create pockets of social capital – rather than being distributed through the geographic community – which served to strengthen the group, but segment the wider population, implying that, rather than increasing local social sustainability, schemes such as the CCF may be undermining it. Overall, this thesis concludes that, whilst the CCF was observed to facilitate community as a means by which to reduce carbon emissions, ‘community’ was not being strengthened as a policy end. As such, it questions whether current mechanisms of central government funding for isolated, self-identified community-led groups to deliver finite, output-driven projects will inherently help to empower geographic communities to adopt more sustainable lifestyles.
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Bergström, Pauline. "Mapping surplus food redistribution initiatives in Sweden and a Life Cycle Assessment of environmental, social and economic impacts of some representatives." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för geovetenskaper, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-388642.
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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations suggest that out of all food that is produced, 1/3 ends up as food waste. In high income countries, such as Sweden, the food waste mainly originates from the last stages of the food chain, e.g. at food stores and households. Sweden is a member of the EU as well as the United Nations, and follows the common legislation for waste in the EU and has adopted the Sustainable Development Goals from the United Nations. In the Sustainable Development Goal number 12, food waste in terms of reduction is addressed, although Sweden does not have a clear goal that addresses how to reduce food waste. Food banks have globally been a strategy to redistribute surplus food from the retail sector to people in need, something that has not been common in the Nordic region of Europe (including Sweden) until the 1980’s. However, in Sweden, food banks have not been used as a way to prevent food waste but as a way to help people in need, perhaps because there is a well-established well-fare system in the country. Recently, initiatives that redistribute surplus food from the retail sector have been developed - working towards different consumer groups and solutions. This study aimed to map out the different surplus food redistributing initiatives in Sweden, categorise them and analyse some of the initiatives that represented different solutions and consumer groups. The chosen initiatives were ReFood, City Mission Uppsala (Matkassen and Mikaelsgården), City Mission Stockholm (Matmissionen), Food2change, Foodloopz and Allwin. The methods used for analysing the chosen initiatives were Environmental Life Cycle Assessment, Social Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Costing. To weigh the environmental-, social- and economic impacts against each other, a total sustainability ranking system was used to point out the most favourable option for a redistributing surplus food initiative, in terms of sustainability. The results showed that the environmental impacts (Green House Gases (kg CO2 equivalents/functional unit)) were the lowest for, in this order, ReFood, Mikaelsgården and Allwin, Foodloopz, Matmissionen and Matkassen, and Food2change. For the social impacts, the results showed that Allwin is the initiative that redistribute the largest amount of surplus food to the consumer group “exposed people”, followed by Matmissionen that redistribute the second largest amount of surplus food to “people with low income”. Allwin is also the initiative with the highest capacity and largest yearly environmental savings, as the company redistributes a much larger amount of food than the other initiatives. The results for the economic impacts showed that all but one initiative, Food2change, have monthly financial losses. The overall sustainability ranking showed that the initiative that is the most favourable is Matkassen followed by Matmissionen and Allwin, Food2change, Foodloopz, ReFood and Mikaelsgården.
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Bui, Duc Tinh. "Tourism industry responses to the rise of sustainable tourism and related environmental policy initiatives the case of Hue City, Vietnam : a thesis submitted to Auckland University of Techin fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, AUT University, 2009 /." Click here to access this resource online, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10292/769.
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Tourism is promoted by the governments of many developing countries because it offers the potential for creating jobs, thus generating income for the country and revenue for the government. However, the tourism industry can also be viewed as a destructive force, associated with negative externalities such as the loss of natural landscapes, congestion, and environmental and cultural degradation. These problems are more likely to be exacerbated where there is a lack of well-designed planning and effective management of tourism development. An essential component of any management of tourism is the ability to engage with, and get a positive response from, the tourism industry. There are a wide range of enterprises involved in providing tourist products and experiences, and in many nations, both developing and developed, a large number of these businesses are small and medium in size and tend to operate at a local scale. The informal nature of tourism enterprises in the developing world can make it difficult to spread awareness of tourism policy and to measure moves towards more sustainable performance on the part of the industry. Using the case study of tourism in the city of Hue, this thesis argues that it is essential to understand both what tourism enterprises know about sustainable tourism practice and policy and also how they respond to its adoption, if we are to more fully understand tourism and its links to sustainable economic development. Located on the central northern coast of Vietnam, Hue is well known for its cultural resources and natural beauty, and the province has become a major tourism centre in Vietnam. The city of Hue itself is recognized as having international heritage value and was listed as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO in 1993. During the last decade, tourism revenues have increased by nearly 35% per annum, and Hue has made great efforts to both stimulate and cater for increasing demand for its tourism products and services. The Vietnamese government has introduced a number of policies designed to enhance environmental quality generally and, more specifically, to improve the sustainability of enterprises in the tourism sector. This thesis examines the degree to which tourism enterprises in the city of Hue are aware of the broad concept of sustainable tourism and of the specific legislation designed to influence the sustainability of their businesses. I examine the structure and make-up of the industry and then analyse whether characteristics such as size, ownership type and sectoral focus play a role in influencing awareness of, and response to, government policy. The research triangulates data-gathering methods: secondary data, literature reviews, semi-structured interviews and an enterprise survey are all used to gain insights into the core research questions. Each method feeds into and is strengthened by the others, and their combination (including 50 interviews and 180 survey responses) provides a robust data set to work from. The findings reveal that many of the firms operating in the Hue tourism industry are characterized by weak institutional practices, low financial capacity, poor facilities and a lack of broader awareness of policies that influence sustainable tourism practice. The tourism industry’s awareness of general sustainable development issues is low, and much business practice focuses on short-term rather than long-term perspectives. This limits the use of environmentally friendly practices by firms, especially small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), in their daily business activities. The study reveals that there is no significant variation in the adoption of sustainable tourism practices according to the size of enterprises, especially if the practices in question are simple and can be introduced with cost savings. However, as the cost and complexity of introducing environmental measures increases, we see a greater ability on the part of larger enterprises to adopt such actions – partly because they are in a stronger position to bear the short-terms costs of implementing such approaches. There are a wide range of factors that constrain the Hue tourism industry from adopting more sustainable tourism practices. Internal constraints such as limited financial and human resources are combined with external constraints such as increasing cost-based competition, the lack of enforcement of government policies, and limited awareness of sustainable tourism pracitces. All of these factors play a crucial role in shaping the actions of enterprises in relation to sustainable tourism practices and policies. The results of this study also point to the fact that government sustainable tourism initiatives that rely on ‘command-and-control’ approaches will have limited effect; instead, a variety of institutional economic instruments offer greater potential to overcome deficiencies in the ability of the market to drive tourism enterprises towards more sustainable business practices. The thesis also argues that it is important to develop approaches that can cope with the special challenges attached to management of sustainable tourism development in destinations that are dominated by SMEs. The thesis contributes to the growing body of theory and literature in sustainable tourism development and tourism-enterprise behaviour. It also makes an important contribution to our understanding of tourism enterprises in the developing world. In particular, the findings add an important layer of understanding to those attempting to develop a more sustainable tourism industry in Vietnam. Specifically, it provides policy-makers with important insights into the ways in which different types of tourism enterprises respond to initiatives that relate to improved business sustainability.
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Blomberg, Linnéa, and Julia Furman. "Enhancing Fast Fashion Brands Through Environmentally Sustainable Efforts : An explorative study on Generation Z’s perceptions towards circular economy initiatives and its impact on Customer-Based Brand Equity." Thesis, Luleå tekniska universitet, Institutionen för ekonomi, teknik, konst och samhälle, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-85368.
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Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore how environmentally sustainable efforts, in terms of circular economy (CE) initiatives, are affecting the customer-based brand equity (CBBE) of fast fashion brands. By considering the attitudes of Generation Z, fashion companies can build brands that respond to the environmental requirements of future decision-makers. Therefore, the following research questions are derived: What are Generation Z’s self-disclosed perceptions of fast fashion brands conducting circular economy initiatives? and How do the perceptions of Generation Z regarding circular economy initiatives impact the CBBE of fast fashion brands? Method – This master thesis is an exploratory study with an inductive approach. In total, 12 qualitative interviews are conducted, consisting of consumers of fast fashion within Generation Z and currently living in Sweden. The interviews follow a semi-structured approach and in order to analyze the empirical findings, a thematic analysis was executed. Findings – The main findings of this study consist of three overarching themes in terms of Generation Z’s perceptions towards fast fashion brands conducting CE initiatives and its impact on CBBE. The emerging perceptions describe different segments within Generation Z, which have been defined as Positive: Creates Value, Negative: Hypocritical, and Indifferent: Not relevant. Moreover, the results show that a positive perception towards CE initiatives can strengthen the CBBE of fast fashion brands. In contrast, a negative perception causes a small impact on CBBE and may even weaken the brand, whereas an indifferent perception towards CE initiatives has no noticeable impact on the CBBE. Theoretical and practical contributions – The study provides insights into Generation Z's different perceptions regarding CE initiatives and how macro-environmental factors can impact the brand equity of fast fashion brands and consumer perception of these brands. The main findings can assist brand managers to address the different consumer segments and their needs by successfully implementing sustainability activities into the business operations of fast fashion brands.
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xie, zhuohan, and Areeba Ahmed. "From Impoverished Beneficiaries to Empowered Stakeholders— a case study of H&M Foundation Multi-Sectoral Sustainable Initiative for female Bangladeshi RMG workers." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Företagsekonomiska institutionen, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-448270.
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Bergius, Therese. ""A lot of jealousy and a little craziness"- A case-study of the Foundation 1000 Möjligheter and its project UngaRelationer.se." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för geovetenskaper, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-412902.
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In Sweden, 23% of young women and girls between 16-24 reports to have been abused at least one time by a current- or ex-partner. Youth intimate partner violence is a critical issue with great negative impact on both individuals and society if not prevented early. Women and girls are recognized as essential actors in the 2030 Agenda, and strengthening the rights women and girls is an important step for achieving gender equality. The Foundation 1000 Möjligheter is a youth centre working to address the issue of youth intimate partner violence through support of young victims of abuse as well as to acknowledge young perpetrators of violent acts. The aim of this thesis was to examine the Foundation 1000 Möjligheter and their project UngaRelationer.se and how their work affects the knowledge gap of youth intimate partner violence in Sweden. Another aim was to investigate the consequences of youth intimate partner violence on sustainable development. This was studied through five qualitative semi-structured interviews; two with the Foundation 1000 Möjligheter, two with volunteers of UngaRelationer.se, and one with an employee of the Swedish Gender Equality Agency. The results were analysed through a literature review of the field of violence against women, feminist social movements and the gender and development theory. This study discovered that the lack of knowledge of youth intimate partner violence among youth, parents and other adults’ in proximity to youth is a hindrance to further initiatives to ending the violence. The Foundation 1000 Möjligheter addresses the knowledge gap on youth intimate partner violence through educating youths and adults on factors and perspective that are essential to understand and recognize violence and abuse. The efforts of the women’s movement to raise the issue and push for policy change is fundamental in the case of both adult and youth intimate partner violence and further mobilization is needed. The health effects as consequences of youth intimate partner violence risk to exclude young women and girls from higher education, meaningful interactions and influential positions in society. As women and girls are important actors of change, these consequences pose a threat to sustainable development.
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Šilhavá, Martina. "Podniková komunikace v rámci programů udržitelného rozvoje." Master's thesis, Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze, 2010. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-75164.
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This thesis is aimed at an importace of company internal communication concretely among initiatives in the field of sustainable development. It adverts to not only an importance of an individual company connection with the sustainable initiatives but especially adverts to high-quality internal communication related to these initiatives mentioned above. There is a concrete example of a transnation company and its strategy of internal communication in the framework of voluntary initiatives depicted in this thesis, which was realized through two periods of an employee's research. The comparison of results and hypotheses defined is also envolved in data analysis of this research, as well as sustainable improvement in company internal communication within sustainable initiatives is proposed.
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BISSLER, ALEXANDER, and SHERVIN GHAHESTANI. "Key Factors in Driving Sustainability Initiatives in the Supply Chain : A multiple case study of manufacturing companies." Thesis, KTH, Skolan för industriell teknik och management (ITM), 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-299655.
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The manufacturing industry is accountable for a significant amount of carbon emissions released, and manufacturers experience pressure from stakeholders to address the sustainability issues and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. However, the lack of verified frameworks to achieve a sustainable supply chain makes it difficult to revisit their supply chain strategies. This study benchmarks how manufacturing companies in Sweden achieve sustainability in their supply chains by examining the a priori and post-implementation factors required, as well as how the sustainability initiatives are structured. The study is a multiple case study, which started with a literature review to gain a relevant understanding of the research problem. Semi-structured interviews were held with seven case companies in different sectors in the manufacturing industry and with two environmental consultants. The findings prove that manufacturing companies achieve sustainability in their supply chains by combining a priori and post-implementation factors with aspects regarding the structure of the initiatives. Top management commitment and management providing the necessary means to drive the initiative are crucial a priori factors. Moreover, the findings demonstrate to define ownership of the tasks in the initiative and that top management should integrate sustainability in the business model and have a budget for sustainability initiatives. Prioritizing the activities with the largest value creation is important, where a materiality analysis facilitates. Training employees and management on sustainability, and encouraging the employees to find green improvements are necessary. Post implementation, adopting a circular process is critical, while also ensuring sufficient resources throughout the initiatives. Moreover, the findings highlight strict governance with clearly defined ownership over time, the more decentralized the better. A cross-functional organization is advantageous for achieving the above-mentioned factors. The reason for pursuing an initiative must be defined to enable clear goals. Backcasting and a materiality analysis are useful tools to create measurable goals accordingly, and the goals should be scientifically approved by the Science Based Target initiative. In the execution, using previous experiences on internal and external platforms aid the case companies with their goal conflict prioritization. Lastly, frequent follow ups are critical, where the follow-up process should follow international standards. It is necessary to have a defined process for follow ups and have traceable follow ups to view the progress.Tillverkningsindustrin står för en betydande mängd av världens koldioxidutsläpp, och tillverkningsbolag blir alltmer pressade av intressenter att ta itu med hållbarhetsfrågorna och bidra till FN:s globala mål för hållbar utveckling. Bristen på verifierade ramverk för att uppnå en hållbar försörjningskedja försvårar för företag att se över deras hållbarhetsstrategier. Denna benchmarkingstudie om hur tillverkningsföretag i Sverige uppnår hållbarhet i sina försörjningskedjor undersöker de faktorer som krävs innan och efter en implementering av ett hållbarhetsinitiativ, samt hur initiativen är strukturerade. Fallstudien började med en litteraturundersökning för att få relevant förståelse och kunskap om forskningsproblemet. Semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med sju fallföretag inom olika sektorer i tillverkningsindustrin och med två miljökonsulter. Resultaten visar att tillverkningsföretag uppnår hållbarhet genom att kombinera kritiska faktorer innan och efter utförandet, samt att följa aspekter som rör initiativens struktur. Engagemang från högsta ledningen som ger nödvändiga medel för att driva initiativet är avgörande innan implementeringen. Dessutom visar resultaten att fallföretagen och högsta ledningen bör integrera hållbarhet i affärsmodellen och ha en budget för hållbarhetsinitiativ. Att prioritera aktiviteter med störst värdeskapande är viktigt, där en väsentlighetsanalys underlättar. Det är nödvändigt att utbilda medarbetarna och ledningen inom hållbarhet och uppmuntra de anställda att hitta miljöförbättringar. Efter implementeringen är det avgörande att arbeta i en cirkulär process, samtidigt som det säkerställs tillräckligt med resurser genom hela initiativet. Dessutom visar resultaten att en strikt styrning med tydligt definierat ägarskap över tid är essentiellt, och ju mer decentraliserat desto bättre. En tvärfunktionell organisation är fördelaktig för att uppnå ovan nämnda faktorer. Anledningen till att driva ett initiativ måste definieras för att möjliggöra tydliga mål. Backcasting och väsentlighetsanalyser är användbara verktyg för att skapa mätbara mål utifrån, samt att målen bör vara vetenskapligt godkända i enlighet med Science Based Target initiative. Under genomförandet anser fallföretagen att det är viktigt att beakta tidigare erfarenheter av att driva hållbarhetsinitiativ, då det underlättar målkonfliktprioriteringen. Slutligen är frekventa uppföljningar kritiska, där uppföljningsprocessen bör följa en internationell standard. Det är även nödvändigt att ha en definierad och spårbar process för uppföljningen för att tydligt se framstegen.
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Nyanyirai, Stanley. "An investigation into the effectiveness of corporate sustainability programmes and initiatives in the agricultural sector : the case of British American Tobacco Zimbabwe." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/80349.
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Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In recent years, a great deal of attention has been paid towards the notion of corporate sustainability, which has variously been defined as meaning the incorporation of social, environmental, economic, and cultural concerns into corporate strategy and bottom line. The preliminary investigation suggests that Multi-National Corporations (MNCs) are mainly worried about securing permission for commencing operations and not about the wellbeing of locals and their livelihoods. Further to this, one of the main reasons why efforts aimed at improving sustainability are not yielding significant and lasting results, is that solution seekers in business, science, government and the research community are still operating in the same old paradigm of using basically the same tools and adopting the same world view that threaten sustainability in the first. The key and clear research objectives of this study are:- to ascertain if there is a link between British American Tobacco Zimbabwe (BATZ) top management philosophy, corporate strategy and the company`s corporate sustainability programmes, initiatives and other efforts, and the various stakeholders, and, if so, how these are communicated to them; to establish the degree of integrating sustainable development practice and initiatives into the BATZ business model in order to have long term benefits for both the company and its various stakeholders - these are an integral part of the socio-ecological system, and will help the business understand the resilience of the system and where in the system they should operate; to establish the depth, scope and culture of sustainability in terms of the extent to which they inserted inside (embedded) the BATZ operations; and to ascertain the level of economic, social and environmental effects of BATZ`s corporate sustainability programmes and initiatives in the locality in which it operates. The research used focus group and key informant discussions, one-on-one interviews, and to a limited extent a semi-structured research questionnaire. Information was also accessed from company internal information management portals, and BATZ’s group sustainability and other reports. The conclusion was that renewable energy programmes at BATZ were driven by energy insecurity and scarcity. Currently BATZ is not recycling water used in cigarette manufacturing operations, waste recycling of cut-rag tobacco has been occurring, and BATZ will continue to provide agronomic support to small scale farmers under its Social Responsibility in Tobacco Programmes (SRTP) towards leaf sustainability. The Rocket Barn concept is one of the most innovative intermediate technological breakthroughs meant for improving wood fuel efficiency in tobacco curing. Socially BATZ has done some good works in addressing some of society’s key challenges. There have been benefits for key corporate stakeholders in having BATZ operating in Zimbabwe. The research will assist BATZ to fully understand the socio-ecological system in which it operates; a fundamental understanding to improve corporate sustainability, which will then require a shift in sustainability-oriented efforts.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die idee van korporatiewe volhoubaarheid het die afgelope klompie jare baie aandag geniet. Wyd gesien, kom definisies neer op die insluiting van maatskaplike, omgewings-, ekonomiese en kulturele ondernemings in basiese korporatiewe strategieë. Die voorlopige ondersoek stel voor dat MNK’s wel gemoeid is met die verkryging van toestemming om bedrywe te stig, maar nie juis die welsyn en dag-tot-dag-belange van die plaaslike gemeenskap op die hart dra nie. Volgens (Fiksel 2003) en Du Plessis (2008) is een van die hoofredes waarom pogings om volhoubaarheid te verbeter nog nie betekenisvolle en blywende resultate gelewer het nie, die feit dat die mense betrokke by sake-ondernemings, wetenskap, die regering en navorsing wat na oplossings soek, nog geen paradigmaskuif gemaak het wat hul denkpatrone betref nie. Hulle gebruik steeds dieselfde uitgediende gereedskap en huldig nog dieselfde wêreldsienings wat volhoubaarheid in die eerste plek bedreig het. (Fiksel, 2003, Du Plessis, 2008, Hayward et al 2010). Die doelwitte van die navorsing is: om uit te vind of daar ’n skakel is tussen die filosofie en korporatiewe strategie van BATZ-hoofbestuur en die maatskappy se volhoubaarheidsprogramme, inisiatiewe ens; om te bepaal in watter mate volhoubare ontwikkeling en volhoubaarheidspraktyke en inisiatiewe geïntegreer word in die BATZ-korporatiewe model, om impak vas te stel en die kultuur van volhoubaarheid binne BATZ-bedrywe te bepaal. Die navorsing het gebruik gemaak van fokusgroepe, van sleutelbesprekings deur ingeligte persone, een-tot-een-onderhoude en in enkele gevalle selfs van gestruktureerde vraelyste. Toegang tot inligting is ook verkry deur middel van ‘n maatskappy se interne inligtingsbestuursbronne, BAT-groep-volhoubaarheids- en ander verslae. Die gevolgtrekking is dat hernubare energieprogramme afgedwing is op Batz deur die onsekerheid oor en die gebrek aan energie. Tans word water wat in sigaretbedrywe gebruik word nie deur BATZ herwin nie, maar afval van “cut-rag” tabak word wel herwin, en BAT Zimbabwe sal voortgaan met agronomiese ondersteuning aan kleinskaalboere kragtens sy Maatskaplike Verantwoordelikheid t.o.v. Tabak Programme (MVTP) vir blaarvolhoubaarheid. Die “Rocket Barn-”konsep is een van die innoverendste intermediêre tegnologiese deurbrake om die effektiwiteit van houtbrandstof by die droogmaak van tabak te verbeter. Op maatskaplike vlak het BATZ Zimbabwe goeie werk gedoen deur enkele uitdagings van die gemeenskap die hoof te bied. Die feit dat BAT in Zimbabwe werksaam is, was tot voordeel van korporatiewe belangstellendes. Die navorsing sal BATZ help om die sosio-ekologiese stelsel waarvolgens dit bedryf word, ten volle te verstaan, en om korporatiewe volhoubaarheid te bevorder, wat dan ‘n kopskuif ten opsigte van volhoubaarheidsgeöriënteerde pogings sal vereis.
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Quilitz, Lea Marie. "Sustainability at Higher Education Institutions: Paradox or Pioneering? : A Case Study on the Universities of Goettingen and Uppsala." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Teologiska institutionen, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-453967.
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Sustainable development (SD) as a concept and principle aims to find solutions to balance the needs of people worldwide with the resources and limits of the Earth’s ecosystems. Given their social responsibility in educating future generations, higher education institutions (HEIs) are increasingly expected to foster SD. This results in an emerging body of literature addressing the implementation efforts of HEIs in their core competencies of research and education, but also within their institutional structures and support functions. Against this backdrop, two major renowned European HEIs, the Universities of Goettingen (Germany) and Uppsala (Sweden), have also committed to driving sustainability. This exploratory case study therefore critically examines the universities’ path toward becoming more sustainable, contributing to an area of research that is still limited. Using qualitative tools like content analysis, different data in three main areas are analyzed to assess the status quo of measures to drive sustainability: institutional framework and governance, campus operations, and student initiatives. The research yields mixed results. While both universities are doing advanced work in some areas, improvement is possible and needed in many others. Uppsala University appears to have a more strategic approach to promoting SD overall, however, the university’s efforts currently appear to be leveling off. At the University of Goettingen, on the other hand, the issue has not yet been systematically addressed, making the achievement of the HEI’s climate targets and timely improvement unlikely if the current practice is maintained. In addition, the study reveals that the documentation and presentation of concrete measures and agendas at both universities could be enhanced, as the availability, accessibility and timeliness of the necessary data is often lacking. While different recommendations can be made for the two universities, the thesis concludes that university leadership should address sustainability more effectively through a strategic approach and the continuous involvement of various stakeholder groups should be envisioned.
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Hanise, Bantu Edgar. "Listening to the stories of women in the South African rural water services sector to understand how their traditional roles intersect with government gender mainstreaming initiatives." Thesis, Link to the online version, 2008. http://etd.sun.ac.za/jspui/handle/10019/939.
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Banis, Joshua Paul. "Sustainable Education: An Interfaith Climate Change Initiative." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2016. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc862734/.
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This thesis is a study of religion and the environment in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and how participants define and interpret their religious duty toward nature. The literature is focused on the field of Christianity and Ecology from its historical development, culminating with a discussion of contemporary religious environmental activism. Utilizing a participatory action research framework, a sustainable education program was developed, focusing on the environmental ethics of Christianity. With my participants we address the topics of sustainability and climate change, religion and the environment, consumption, and advocacy. While the final product of the study was a program on Christianity and Ecology, interfaith ideas can be found throughout the work.
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Axelson, Elisabeth. "How the Nordic countries approach CSR and MSI : A study of firms’ CSR actions. The Nordic model." Thesis, KTH, Industriell ekonomi och organisation (Inst.), 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-232002.
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There is an increasing demand for the private sector to include corporate social responsibility in their business and everyday work. This thesis has studied the corporate responsibility of firms in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden), compared with firms in 18 other OECD countries. The results are then analysed by referring to the institutional framework that firms operate in; national and international institutions. In particular, the thesis aims at examining whether there is a distinctive Nordic approach towards CSR. The Nordic countries are argued to operate in a specific national business system, influenced by the welfare state model which also impact firms’ approach towards CSR. Furthermore, the role of multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs) is emphasized. National institutions are, due to increased globalization and awareness of global governance gaps, increasingly challenged by international institutions. To address this issue variables are collected from the MSI UN Global Compact (UNGC) Implementation Survey from 2017, the main variable being overall CSR actions the companies take, and more specifically with regard to human rights (HR), labour rights (LR), environment (EN) and anti-corruption (AC). A simple OLS with robust standard errors was performed to define the relationship between the variables. The result show both similarities and differences between the Nordic and OECD companies, but also differences to a larger extent than expected between the Nordic countries. The main contribution of this study is thus to highlight factors that influences companies’ CSR, with possible implications for policy makers as well as managers on a national and international level. Further research should elaborate and expand the CSR actions and compare on a cross-country level instead of a Nordic and OECD level and include companies in other MSIs.Det finns ett ökat krav på den privata sektorn att inkludera CSR (corporate social responsibility = företags samhällsansvar) i deras verksamhet och dagliga arbete. Detta arbete har studerat de nordiska ländernas (Danmark, Finland, Norge och Sverige) företags hållbarhetsarbete och jämfört med företag i 18 OECD länder. Resultatet är sedan analyserat genom att referera till vilka institutionella ramverk som företag verkar inom; nationella och internationella institutioner. Framförallt, detta arbete har studerat om det finns ett distinkt nordiskt förhållningssätt till CSR. De nordiska länderna är omtalade av att verka i en speciell nationell struktur (national business system), påverkad av välfärdsmodellen och som i sin tur påverkar förtagens förhållningssätt till CSR. Följande, vilken roll multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs) har är diskuterat. De nationella institutionerna är i dagenens kontext, med ökad globalisering och medvetenhet om globala problem som kräver globala lösningar, konfronterade med internationella institutioner. För att undersöka detta hämtades variablerna från MSI UN Global Compact (UNGC) Implementation Survey 2017 och huvudvariabeln är CSR aktiviteter inom hela CSR arbetet, men framförallt inom mänskliga rättigheter (human rights, HR), arbetsrättigheter (labour rights, LR), miljö (environment, EN) och anti-korruption (anti-corruption, AC). En vanlig OLS med robust standard errors användes för att bestämma sambandet mellan variablerna. Resultatet visar både likheter och skillnader mellan de nordiska och OECD länderna, men däremot visar resultatet mer skillnader mellan de nordiska länderna än förväntat. Det viktigaste bidraget med denna studie är att uppmärksamma de faktorer som påverkar företagets CSR, med vidare rekommendationer till beslutsfattare och managers på en nationell och internationell nivå. Fortsatta studier kan utveckla CSR aktiviteterna, jämföra på en nationell nivå istället för på en nordiska och OECD nivå, samt inkludera företag från andra MSIs.
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Heusinger, Marcel [Verfasser], Heimo H. [Akademischer Betreuer] Adelsberger, and Volker [Akademischer Betreuer] Gruhn. "The design of 'possible worlds' as a contribution to the unfinished project of modernity : development of a reference architecture to support the decision-making processes of community-driven sustainable human development initiatives / Marcel Heusinger. Gutachter: Volker Gruhn. Betreuer: Heimo H. Adelsberger." Duisburg, 2015. http://d-nb.info/1075456169/34.
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