Integrating sustainable development into operations management courses

2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 236-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Fredriksson ◽  
Magnus Persson
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Operations Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Teacher Competence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
University Of Technology

PurposeIt is widely acknowledged that aspects of sustainable development (SD) should be integrated into higher level operations management (OM) education. The aim of the paper is to outline the experiences gained at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden from integrating aspects of SD into OM courses.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on the authors' experiences from teaching at Chalmers University of Technology, and the integration of SD into OM courses. The paper thus relies on an action research approach, similar in many ways to other papers in the field.FindingsThe paper outlines several similarities between the fields of SD and OM. Although the results show that several challenges must be overcome when integrating the fields in courses. The challenges – that are scrutinized through the use of existing literature – relate to the scope differences between the fields, lack of SD aspects in OM text books, and misfit between needs and teacher competence, support, and course structures.Originality/valueThe paper adds understanding by specifically addressing the integration of SD into OM courses. Universities and teachers within the field can consider the challenges outlined when integrating the two fields in courses.

Developing in engineering students a critical analysis about sustainability in productive systems

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Izabela S. Rampasso ◽  
Rosley Anholon ◽  
Dirceu Silva ◽  
Robert Eduardo Cooper Ordóñez ◽  
Osvaldo Luiz Gonçalves Quelhas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Operations Management ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Management Concepts ◽  
Productive Systems

PurposeThe Mechanical Engineering course at the University of Campinas is composed of different disciplines in the areas of materials, mechanical design, manufacturing (production and manufacturing), computational systems, thermal and fluids. In the manufacturing area, in particular, there is a discipline entitled Productive Systems whose main objective is to offer to the student a global vision about operations management. In the field of operations management, sustainability is gaining more and more importance; thus, it is important to develop in the students a critical sense about social and environmental aspects. Thus, this paper aims to present the main initiatives developed in the discipline to promote sustainability in engineering students.Design/methodology/approachSince 2015, the professors responsible for the Productive Systems discipline, assisted by post-graduate students and professors from other universities, have begun to redesign the discipline, including debates, lectures, projects and other initiatives to provide a critical view concerning the traditional concepts taught. The discipline has been performed three times with this new conception. The methodology to structure this research was literature review, documental analyses of the discipline records and meetings with professors that participated in the initiatives. An Action Research approach was performed by two professors and a graduate student. The authors of this paper also compared the results with those obtained by initiatives performed at Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden).FindingsThis study allowed to reinforce some results from initiatives performed at Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden); however, some differences were identified. For example, similar to the initiatives mentioned, the professors of University of Campinas had problems with didactic books, as they loosely integrate the basic operations management concepts with sustainable development fundamentals. On the other hand, debates related to social sustainability were considered positive from the point of view of the professors and students, differing from initiatives performed at Chalmers University of Technology.Research limitations/implicationsResults come from one field study (University of Campinas) when professors of the Mechanical Engineering course try to integrate operations management concepts and sustainable development. Different results may be observed by other higher education institutions.Practical implicationsThe authors of this paper believe that the diffusion of these initiatives can stimulate other professors and researchers in the field to broaden the academic debate about the insertion of sustainability into engineering courses.Originality/valueThere are few papers presenting didactic experiences and empirical results about the integration of operations management concepts and sustainable development. Results of this paper reinforce some good practices and they also present other ones, in a way that extend the debate about educational engineering.

scholarly journals Visualization and establishment of product design regulations as interactive modules

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-34
Author(s):  
Mikael Blomé
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Production Process ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Different Levels

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the preferable manner for visualizing different product regulations to be used in the training of and communication between people working at different levels in the production process. Many organizations struggle to communicate important and compulsory regulations, but the intended users are often reluctant to use them. Design/methodology/approach – The study has an action research approach, and the visualized regulations were the result of a human-centered design process that considered aspects for successful organizational change. Findings – The action research approach proved to be a successful framework to design the transformation of well-constructed illustrations in interactive guides, communicate and convince managers and users of the potential of the concept, develop a number of different well-functioning guides and establish regulations with illustrative elements and interactivity in a long-term perspective of an organization. Research limitations/implications – Further research is needed to follow-up the usage of visualized regulations to clarify how communication and quality are supported in design and production processes. Practical implications – The study shows how different product regulations should be visualized and established in an organization, with a potential for further dissemination. It is likely that the approach to design and visualize regulations in this study can function in other branches. Originality/value – The study finds a preferable manner for visualizing different product regulations to be used in the training of and communication between people working at different levels in the production process.

Between mission and revenue: measuring performance in a hybrid organization

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Ponte ◽  
Caterina Pesci ◽  
Pier Franco Camussone
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Goals ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Organizational Mission ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hybrid Organization ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Measurement Tools

Purpose This paper aims to contribute to the literature concerning performance measurement tools which allow a balanced control of both social goals and financial performances in a hybrid organization. Design/methodology/approach This paper shows the result of an action research project performed within a hybrid organization in Northern Italy. The tool and the main indicators it should reflect were selected cooperating with the management and stakeholders, and the project was brought on by following Lewin’s (1947) three-stage approach (freezing, moving and, unfreezing). Findings The paper shows how a useful tool for measuring social and financial performances has to be driven by the stakeholders’ needs and has to take into consideration the organizational mission. Originality/value The paper contributes to the performance evaluation literature, as it focuses on a hybrid organization with an action research approach which contributes to bridging the gap between research and practice.

scholarly journals Developing collaborative interorganizational relationships: an action research approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 17-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra G.L. Schruijer
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Organization Development ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Interorganizational Relationships ◽  
Organizational Psychology ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Action Research Approach

Purpose This paper aims to address the group dynamics that evolve when representatives from various organizations come together to develop and work on a joint goal. Its aim is to share the author’s learnings when it concerns the understanding of the group dynamics of interorganizational relationships and the development of collaboration between these organizations. Design/methodology/approach The perspective taken draws on social and organizational psychology, systems psychodynamics and organization development. Findings The paper concludes with reflections on generic learnings about collaboration, its dynamics and its development. Originality/value Various action research projects are presented that have been conducted in different sectors.

scholarly journals Intergenerational communication barriers and pitfalls of business families in transition—a qualitative action research approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 515-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Zehrer ◽  
Gabriela Leiß
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Change Process ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Communication Barriers ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Intergenerational Communication ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Action Research Approach

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the pertinent issues, barriers and pitfalls of intergenerational communication in business families during their leadership succession period.Design/methodology/approachBuilding on relational leadership theory, the paper makes use of an action research approach using a qualitative single case study to investigate communication barriers and pitfalls in business transition.FindingsThrough action research, interventions were taken in the underlying case, which increased the consciousness, as well as the personal and social competencies of the business family. Thus, business families stuck in ambivalent entanglement understand their underlying motives and needs within the change process, get into closer contact with their emotional barriers and communication hindrances, which is a prerequisite for any change, and break the succession iceberg phenomenon.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should undertake multiple case studies to validate and/or modify the qualitative methods used in this action research to increase the validity and generalizability of the findings.Practical implicationsGiven the large number of business families in transition, our study shows the beneficial effects action research might have on business families’ communication behavior along a change process. The findings might help other business families to understand the value of action research for such underlying challenges and decrease communication barriers.Originality/valueThis is one of the few studies to have addressed intergenerational communication of business families using an action research approach.

Tutor and international student perspectives on an action research project: use of a business strategy simulation with mixed nationality cohorts

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clive R. Kerridge ◽  
Colin Simpson
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Action Research Approach

Purpose This study aims to present the results of a curriculum design intervention, which was undertaken to address the inhibitors and enablers facing international (mainly Chinese) students on a capstone undergraduate strategic management module at a UK university business school. Design/methodology/approach Using an action research approach, the pre-intervention phase identified two main concerns: low levels of student engagement and avoidance of generic academic and language support. The module was subsequently redesigned around a group-based strategic business simulation (requiring collaborative participation of all students), with embedded language and academic support, plus the involvement of bilingual teaching staff. Findings Post-intervention results from the four-year study indicated enhanced academic engagement of international students and a narrowing of the performance (grade) gap between domestic and international students. Practical implications Overall findings should provide strong support for the inclusion of active learning pedagogies in undergraduate business course deliveries, also complementing educational literature that advocates the effectiveness of constructivist pedagogies in mixed-nationality classrooms. Originality/value This study exemplifies a form of participatory action research. The juxtaposition of comments from support and specialist tutors, along with those of students, highlights the validity of views from each stakeholder group.

scholarly journals Raising Awareness of Agency to Address Climate Change: The Do One Thing (DOT) Strategy

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Irene Muller ◽  
Lesley Wood
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Environmental Education ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Education For Sustainable Development ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Action Research Approach

The United Nations Children's Fund 2008 report, Our Climate, Our Children, Our Responsibility, warned that children will suffer most from the effects of climate change. Environmental education is one way to prepare children to cope and enable them to educate their families and friends about the need to act now to minimise the danger climate change poses. This article reports on findings from a participatory action research project aimed at integrating education for sustainable development into the Grade 7 curriculum, with a specific focus on climate change. Critical participatory action research has a transformative intent, engaging participants in learning to cultivate a sense of purpose and increase their capacity to solve local problems. Learner responses to qualitative questionnaires and recorded discussions related to the Do One Thing (DOT) strategy were used to determine learning about climate change and enable both learners and community members to identify action for change. Thematic coding was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the DOT strategy in increasing awareness of agency and resultant learning. The findings indicate that not only did the learners gain knowledge about the causes and consequences of climate change but the potential of the learners and community members to identify possible actions for change was increased as well. We provide suggestions as to how teachers can use the DOT strategy as part of an action research approach to integrating environmental education for sustainable development in order to raise awareness of local environmental threats and encourage learners and their families to behave in a more environmentally friendly way. The explanation of the research process offered in this article also highlights how participatory learning activities can help engage learners as active agents in their own learning.

Exploring social innovation through co-creation in rural India using action research

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Souresh Cornet ◽  
Saswat Barpanda
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Public Policies ◽  
Rural India ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Action Research Approach

Purpose Social innovation (SI) has been promoted by policymakers for addressing all kinds of social issues in the context of diminishing government resources. It is, however, difficult to assess the efficiency of SI-based public policies, as the process of SI itself remains largely nebulous. The purpose of this paper is to better understand this process with a focus on its early stage, until the point of identifying a socially innovative idea and in the context of disadvantaged rural communities in India. Design/methodology/approach Co-creation workshops were facilitated to generate socially innovative solutions in villages, using co-design technique. Following an action research approach, qualitative data was collected to produce case studies. Findings This study found that SI was appropriate for addressing development challenges in rural India. Facilitated co-creation was successful in involving all citizens and effective in generating SI. The authors developed a framework of generating SI through co-creation that gives a more precise understanding of the SI process. Practical implications The authors propose a method for co-creating SI that can be of significant use for practitioners. Findings can help design better and more socially impactful public policies. Originality/value This paper focusses on understanding the process of generating SI, using a participatory approach. It is the first work that has been conducted of this sort in the context of Indian rural villages.

Personalizing 3D virtual fashion stores: an action research approach to modularity development

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juanjuan Wu ◽  
Bo Ra Joo ◽  
Ahmad Saquib Sina ◽  
Sanga Song ◽  
Claire Haesung Whang
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Product Category ◽  
Action Planning ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Evaluation Phase ◽  
Virtual Stores

PurposeThe authors conducted an action research study with the aim of understanding current commercial offerings in modular designs in virtual environments and to explore modularity development based on consumer input for the purpose of personalizing three-dimensional (3D) virtual fashion stores.Design/methodology/approachThrough five phases of diagnosing, action planning, action taking, evaluating and specifying learning, the authors attempted to diagnose the current commercial offerings of modular designs in virtual spaces and to identify the right type and the number of modules and modular options for personalizing 3D virtual stores based on consumers' actual designs and focus group input. The authors then further conceptualized modules to serve as an example for developing modularity in 3D virtual reality (VR) stores.FindingsIn the diagnosing phase, the authors investigated the modularity structure of cocreating a retail store in two popular virtual worlds: Second Life and The Sims 4. In the evaluation phase, the authors identified modules and modular options for personalizing 3D virtual stores based on a content analysis of consumers' post-design focus group discussions. In the last phase (specifying learning), the authors conceptualized a total of nine modules and 38 modular options for personalizing 3D virtual stores, including style, price point, product category, color, presence of avatar, virtual product try-on, music, product recommendation and product customization.Originality/valueThe significance of this study lies in the pioneering methodological work of identifying, creating and visualizing 3D VR modular store options based on consumer input and in improving the authors’ understanding of current commercial offerings. This study also enriches design theories on cocreation systems. The authors’ suggested modules for personalizing 3D virtual stores could inspire future evidence-based designs to be readily used by VR retailers as well extend the application of mass customization theory from the realm of product development to retail environments.

A collaborative action research project towards embedding ESD within the higher education curriculum

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 857-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisela Cebrián
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Collaborative Action Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Collaborative Action ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to present a collaborative action research project conducted at the University of Southampton with the aim to promote curriculum and professional development in education for sustainable development (ESD) and learn from everyday practices of academics. Design/methodology/approach An action research approach guided by participatory and emancipatory approaches was used. An interdisciplinary group of five academic staff members from different subject areas (education; archaeology; electronics and computer sciences; biology; and health sciences) was created with the aim to support the group’s critical reflection and action towards embedding ESD in their teaching practice. Findings The main outcomes of delivery of sustainability teaching achieved through the project and evidences of the impact of the facilitator role are outlined. The facilitator role has enabled reflection and action, together with the identification of specific needs of academics and the factors influencing their engagement and action. Originality/value This research demonstrates the potential of using action research to rethink current practice in embedding ESD and to lead to new practices and actions of communities of practice. The facilitator role and second-order action research can contribute to better decision-making of sustainability as it questions practice, current assumptions and worldviews.

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