scholarly journals What matters? The role of values in transformations toward sustainability: a case study of coffee production in Burundi

Author(s):  
Milda Nordbø Rosenberg

AbstractThis paper examines the role of values in transformations toward sustainability. Values, generally defined as what people deem to matter, are increasingly gaining interest in and outside of academia. For example, sustainability aligns with specific values such as dignity, equality, safety, and harmony for people and nature. However, current approaches to values are mind-matter dualistic, and therefore failing to honor the inherently dynamic relations of socio-ecological systems. Drawing on new materialism, I explore values as part of the relations that make this world and propose to consider values as material-discursive practices. Ethnographic fieldwork was done in 2017 with coffee producers in Burundi who aimed to transform production by caring for the coffee and people that grow it. Based on interviews and participatory observation, I present how values were integral to transforming the relational aspects of coffee production. In this study, values of togetherness, care, dignity, and faith were dominant and were found to reconfigure the socio-ecological system of coffee production. I argue that values are inseparable from, and hence co-productive of, the material world that we experience and play a vital role in sustainability transformations.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1705-1714
Author(s):  
Chusnul Muali ◽  
Moh Rofiki ◽  
Hasan Baharun ◽  
Zamroni Zamroni ◽  
Lukman Sholeh

This study aims to describe Sufistic-based Kiai leadership's role in shaping Santri character at the Pesantren Nurul Jadid Paiton Probolinggo. This research is a case study qualitative approach, with Kiai as the subject. We collected data using interview, documentation, and observation techniques, then analyzed using reduction techniques, presenting data, and drawing conclusions. The results showed that the Sufistic-based Kiai's leadership had an essential role in fostering the character of the Santri. The study results indicate that the Sufistic-based Kiai leadership has a vital role in promoting the surface of the Santri. Kiai is a person who gives influence in building character with Uswah (Modelling). This study also found that the factors that influence low morale are that Santri has a common understanding of the latest technological developments. In Sufistic-based leadership, there are four things that a leader must possess: 1) The Tawasuth, 2) The nature of I'tidal, 3) The Tawazun, and 4) The Tasamuh.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 459-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Waight ◽  
Kate Boyer

In this article, we argue that the non-human plays a vital role within networks of care. We do this through a consideration of the forms of work done by baby things in the giving and receiving of young-child care. We extend existing understandings of human–non-human relations by arguing that beyond the work of warming babies’ bodies and providing comfort, baby things function within care assemblages as both a means and a metric of parental care. Within the consumption literature, the work of home provisioning (typically undertaken by mothers) has been cast as an expression of love for others. We build on this by exploring the forms of participation and ‘caring capacities’ of matter itself – objects such as blankets, soft-toys and pacifiers – in the caring-for of babies and young children. We attend to the flows and stoppages of baby things across networks of early childhood caregiving to consider what these patterns of movement suggest about how such artefacts participate within relations of care, and how they are used as a means to reflect on the care practices of others. Analysis is based on 30 interviews with mothers and ethnographic and survey work at 14 children’s clothing exchanges in different parts of England and Scotland. Drawing on scholarship from the New Materialism as well as Mary Douglas’s conceptual work on dirt and cleanliness,1 we advance conceptual work within and beyond Cultural Geography by arguing that analytical attention to the role of the more than human leads to richer and more nuanced understandings of how care relations work.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 36-46
Author(s):  
Maheshwar Prasad Yadav

 Background: Economic sustainability is an important ingredient of sustainable development. Sustainable development is the positive changes in a pattern of resources use in such a way that present needs can be met without destroying the ability for the future generations to meet their needs. Furthermore, renewable energy as an essential ingredient of environment comes from resources which are continually replenished. Renewable energy technologies such as biogas, solar and micro-hydro are widely promoted in Nepal and biogas only considered for this study.Objective: To examine role of biogas for economic sustainability in Nepal based on a case study of Niglihawa VDC of Kapilvastu district.Methodology: This study consists of descriptive cum analytical research design and based on both primary and secondary data. The users’ perspectives of sixteen out of twenty two biogas users have been collected by using structured questionnaire. Moreover, the simple statistical techniques of analysis such as table, percentage, and graphs have been employed in this study.Results: Biogas is an important factor in relation to enterprises and employment through saving time and creating agro-based micro enterprises. Biogas also contributes for economic activities through utilizing bio-slurry as feed and fertilizer.Conclusion: Biogas plays the vital role for the economic sustainability through creating enterprises and employment as well as utilizing bio-slurry as fish meal and fertilizer in the context of Nepal in one way or another. The results may be varied in other area and/or sector of Nepal and beyond.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-112
Author(s):  
Saad Ali Khan

   Sufism is a mystical thread of Islam, which when practiced as a cultural system, creates Sufi culture, which is considered significantly different from orthodox, normative or official versions of Islam. Women's contribution to this Sufi culture, which often assimilates indigenous cultural values, has not been fully explored, thus causing ambivalence about Sufi women's lives and their roles. This paper attempts to fill this gap by exploring a variety of aspects of Sufi women's role and contribution to the enrichment of Sufi traditions and local culture in Pakistan through the case study of Mai Sahiba and her shrine, Sahi Sharif, in Punjab. This paper has two main sections. Section one, drawing upon secondary sources, highlights complex perspectives on gender and role of Sufi women in general within Sufism. Section two, drawing upon primary textual sources about Mai Sahiba's life and ethnographic fieldwork at her shrine, offers a glimpse of her life and shows how her devotees celebrate her as a Sufi who challenged hierarchical structures that exist within Sufism and in Pakistan.


2005 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry Jeanne Tanner

Emotional expression is the lifeblood of any organisation or community. The paper reviews recent approaches, research issues and trends in emotion research and then applies insights from this body of research to the area of community sustainability. A particular focus is the gendered nature of emotion and how emotion facilitates connections within communities. Utilising examples from the author's case study research in a women's community organisation in Melbourne, Australia, it contrasts the barren emotional landscape of many organisations with the vibrance and warmth of a feminist community organisation, and considers how ICTs may either facilitate or constrain this emotional expression. It draws implications on the vital role of emotion in sustaining communities.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 158-168
Author(s):  
Kavya Trivedi ◽  
Soma Anil Mishra ◽  
Kunika Gehlot

This research is subjected to the study of the impact of street scape on human psychology. The study mainly focuses on the importance of the design of sidewalks on the street so that it can’t become the space for the criminal activities as described by the journalist jane Jacobs. The research also aims to study the role of urbanization in changing the street scaping of the cities. The study comprises of the statistical data which is the output of the survey conducted by the researcher and live case study of the streets of two cities i.e. Chandigarh and Pune.42% Part of the city are imbued with streets and therefore they play a vital role on the psychology of a human being. Keeping this in mind, the research is made on how streets could be designed in a manner that create the surrounding safe and happier to live.


2020 ◽  
pp. 140-150
Author(s):  
Simone Delerme

The conclusion summarizes the contributions of the Greater Orlando case study and addresses the role of Latinos in challenging the south’s historic black-white racial binary. The chapter argues that the ethnographic fieldwork provides evidence of the social construction of a distinct Hispanic race and addresses the complexity of ethnoracial identity categorizations by examining the racialization of Hispanics and how they self-idenify.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 716-732
Author(s):  
Linda Evans ◽  
Philip Weinstein

AbstractDespite the ubiquitous presence and vital role of invertebrates in all known ecological systems, insects and arachnids are largely viewed as repugnant by people. Consequently, until nature intervenes in the form of infestations, swarms or plagues, we largely prefer to ignore them, lest our attention invite unwelcome interaction. In contrast, the people of ancient Egypt did not distance themselves from invertebrates but instead celebrated their myriad forms. Egyptian appreciation of insects and arachnids is reflected in a range of art, artefacts, and texts dating from the predynastic era until the Greco-Roman period, revealing many positive cultural roles, from practical to conceptual. By assigning them a useful function, they were rendered visible and relevant to Egyptian society. The Egyptians’ example suggests that as necessity forces us to acknowledge the value of invertebrates—from their function as pollinators to becoming future food sources—our respect for them may also grow.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 95-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Rodger ◽  
Jacinda Hammerschlag

Acute compartment syndrome as a result of an extravasation injury is rare. The perioperative environment presents a unique risk that may contribute to more serious patient outcomes. Using a case study approach we report that the placement of a pulse oximeter on the cannulated limb can provide the first sign of vascular compromise.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-76
Author(s):  
Gagan Kukreja ◽  
Sanjay Gupta ◽  
Meena Bhatia

This case study investigates multiple issues related to corporate governance, regulations, auditing and financial reporting of Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Limited (IL&FS). Combinations of these issues resulted in default in payment obligations by IL&FS in August 2018 originated from the agency problem. It posed a substantial systematic risk to the whole financial system of India. This case study highlights the severe drawback of concentration of decision-making and unprofessional work ethics at the senior management level. Further, the case study also provides the opportunity to discuss the inappropriate regulations and governance practices which cause a severe problem in long-standing and prominent organizations like IL&FS. Research Questions: (a) Discuss the vital role of corporate governance in major corporations and the reasons behind governance failures. (b) How did asset–liability mismatch create liquidity problems in a company which deals with long-term projects? (c) How does lack of a proper and unified regulatory framework for Non-Banking Financial Corporation (NBFC) harm investors’ interest? Link to Theory: This case study provides an opportunity to learn the role of corporate governance in NBFC. This case demonstrates the problems arisen because of agency problem and conflict of interest among real-world stakeholders. The case study also highlights the importance of assets–liabilities management in a strategically important organization like IL&FS. Phenomenon Studied: This case study attempts to understand the potential problems that occurred in IL&FS from the failure of good governance, lack of unified regulations for NBFCs and non-adherence of professional responsibilities by the external auditors. Case Context: The case study explores the vital role of the infrastructure development and financing companies in developing economies like India and how it may affect other vital entities of the financial system. Further, it demonstrates how unethical practices at senior management and lack of unified regulations can harm the organization. Findings: The research study found senior management’s potential involvement in unethical practices while managing the company. The financial statements did not reflect the true and fair picture of the entity, which misled investors and other stakeholders. It created chaos in the stock market, resulting in a loss to shareholders. The government set up a new board to restore the confidence of the stock market. Further, the government started to address the problems that arose. Discussions: The case of IL&FS by default, at first glance, looks like a case of asset–liability mismatch due to the lack of supervisory roles of the board and senior management’s massive regulatory failure. It is shocking how under the nose of regulators like Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) a default of this scale could take place. How could IL&FS group grow unchecked into a massive 348 entity. It appeared that regulators, marquee shareholders (banks and institutions), and the board of directors failed in their fiduciary obligation to regulate and supervise IL&FS.


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