Influence of sustainability scholarship on competencies – an empirical evidence

2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 310-325
Author(s):  
Clare D’Souza ◽  
Silvia McCormack ◽  
Mehdi Taghian ◽  
Mei-Tai Chu ◽  
Gillian Sullivan-Mort ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
Cumulative Effect ◽  
Work Force ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Technical Competencies ◽  
Sustainability Literacy ◽  
Organisational Values ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
High Level

Purpose Curricula is developing from a pure knowledge-based outcome to a more skill-based outcome, with the objective of creating and advancing competencies that meet employer expectations. While the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) demand organisations to change practices and adapt to sustainable goals, there is a lack of understanding in how competencies can enhance these goals. The purpose of this paper is twofold: Study 1 explores competencies related to sustainability required in a work force and examines employer perceptions on the existing literature for competencies. Study 2 empirically tests the influence of sustainability scholarship on non-technical competencies in the work force. Design/methodology/approach A mixed method approach was undertaken. A sample of managers from 39 large Australian organisations participated in the scoping study. This was followed by further interviewing executives from 12 multinational corporations in China to assess the validity of competencies and provide deeper understanding of the issues at hand. The quantitative study analysed a sample of executive responses from 229 multinationals in China using factor and regression analysis to test for the effects of mediation. Findings The research highlights that the underlying competencies regarding sustainability influences the bigger picture within firms for attaining sustainability. The affective and cognitive growth of sustainability scholarship is governed mainly by a firm’s sustainable values. Core organisational values facilitate the development of non-technical competencies. These relationships and their cumulative effect on competencies provide a theoretical framework for acquiring sustainability within organisations. Employees need sustainability scholarship for enhancing sustainability. Sustainability scholarship reflects high-level learning obtained through universities or training. The research found that non-technical competencies such as professional ethical responsibility mediate between core business competencies and sustainability scholarship. Originality/value By exploring employer’s perception of competencies, the study first makes an important contribution in addressing the need to support SDGs by bridging organisational-level competencies and sustainability literacy, which hold significant benefits for practitioners, academia and organisations at large. Second, the theoretical findings strengthen the need for embedding competencies in the curriculum. It conveys the need for sustainability literacy/scholarship to align with organisational training and learning pedagogies, in order to effectively meet industry needs. Third, it provides useful insights on employers’ estimation about workplace competencies and broadens our understanding on the contribution that competencies within organisations make to this end.

Integrating professional sustainability literacy into the master of public administration curriculum

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsten Kinzer
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Public Administration ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Agenda 2030 ◽  
Sustainability Literacy ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Policies And Programs ◽  
High Level ◽  
Master Of Public Administration

Purpose Public administration, or the implementation of public policies by civil servants, will be central to implementing the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. And yet, few American master of public administration (MPA) programs explicitly focus on sustainable development or sustainability literacy. This study asks whether it is possible to build professional sustainability literacy within a general MPA course, specifically in a course on quantitative methods. Design/methodology/approach Through a natural experiment conducted in three sections of the graduate course Quantitative Methods in Public Administration at UNC Wilmington, the study explores the relationship between student growth in professional sustainability literacy and a student’s level of foundational sustainability literacy, pro-environmental behavior, background knowledge in statistics and their interest in sustainable development within public administration. Findings The study finds that there is a statistically significant relationship between growth in a student’s professional sustainability literacy and two variables: above average foundational sustainability literacy and a high level of interest in sustainability policies and programs. Originality/value This study is the first to consider an embedded approach to sustainability education in the field of public administration.

Expectations and realities in welfare technologies

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 286-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bendik Bygstad ◽  
Gjermund Lanestedt
Keyword(s):  
Work Force ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Infrastructure ◽  
The Status ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Welfare Technology ◽  
Generative Mechanisms ◽  
High Level

Purpose The paper aims to add knowledge on the status of the welfare technology field. Politicians in mature economies expect welfare technologies – especially digital technologies – to contribute to bridging the gap between an increasing number of elderly and a shrinking work force. Theoretically, the paper deals with welfare technologies in a digital infrastructure perspective. Design/methodology/approach A multilevel and comparative study was conducted to understand the interplay of high-level policies and implementation projects and highlight key issues through comparative analysis of different national approaches. Japan and Norway were the chosen countries because they are both in the forefront in the use of welfare technologies. Findings Findings reveal similarities between the two countries, which are echoed in many other countries: although government expectations are high, the field of welfare technology is still in its infancy and only rather simple solutions (such as safety alarms) are widely used. Key differences in innovation strategies for welfare technology in the two countries are highlighted, where Japan seem to be aiming for a vertical integration through large corporations’ solutions, whereas Norway aims for a more open innovation arena through standardization. Originality/value From a practical point of view, the two countries have something to learn from each other, but, in particular, both countries are recommended – together with other similar countries – a more platform-oriented approach. Theoretically, it is shown that a successful implementation of welfare technologies should adopt a digital infrastructure approach and exploit the generative mechanisms of this approach.

scholarly journals “Future-proof your Degree”

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 1329-1342
Author(s):  
Fiona Winfield ◽  
Tabani Ndlovu
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Strategic Objectives ◽  
The Past ◽  
Postgraduate Level ◽  
Sustainability Literacy ◽  
Development Goals

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of how a UK business school has explicitly linked sustainability to employability and embedded these into all levels of its undergraduate and postgraduate degree portfolio. Design/methodology/approach This case study features Nottingham Business School’s (NBS’s) journey of linking sustainability with employability to achieve the University’s strategic objectives and help deliver on the sustainable development goals (SDGs). After reviewing all courses, a cross-school approach was adopted in re-designing the curriculum, first at undergraduate and later postgraduate level. Partnerships, both internal and external were developed, involving the employability and enterprise teams, the University’s students and alumni, local employers, local authorities and businesses and charities. Feedback from graduates is included. Findings When NBS introduced new undergraduate modules in 2012, there was resistance with concerns over already crammed curricula and the perceived irrelevance of sustainability. This changed as students realised that an understanding of sustainability was benefiting them at interviews and adding value to their employers. While it cannot be proved that increased self-awareness and sustainability literacy have a direct effect on graduate prospects (as measured by the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey), NBS has seen the percentage of students in graduate level employment and/or study increase from 71 to 89.6 per cent over the past five years. Originality/value Linking sustainability to employability, and embedding these in the curriculum, should benefit any institution, its students, employers and society, and can be replicated anywhere in the world.

scholarly journals Pro-socially motivated interaction for knowledge integration in crowd-based open innovation

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 2127-2147
Author(s):  
Yao Sun ◽  
Philipp Tuertscher ◽  
Ann Majchrzak ◽  
Arvind Malhotra
Keyword(s):  
Open Innovation ◽  
Knowledge Integration ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Theoretical Explanation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Knowledge Content ◽  
The Many ◽  
High Level ◽  
Socially Motivated

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study how the online temporary crowd shares knowledge in a way that fosters the integration of their diverse knowledge. Having the crowd integrate its knowledge to offer solution-ideas to ill-structured problems posed by organizations is one of the desired outcomes of crowd-based open innovation because, by integrating others’ knowledge, the ideas are more likely to consider the many divergent issues related to solving the ill-structured problem. Unfortunately, the diversity of knowledge content offered by heterogeneous specialists in the online temporary crowd makes integration difficult, and the lean social context of the crowd makes extensive dialogue to resolve integration issues impractical. The authors address this issue by exploring theoretically how the manner in which interaction is organically conducted during open innovation challenges enables the generation of integrative ideas. The authors hypothesize that, as online crowds organically share knowledge based upon successful pro-socially motivated interaction, they become more productive in generating integrative ideas. Design/methodology/approach Using a multilevel mixed-effects model, this paper analyzed 2,244 posts embedded in 747 threads with 214 integrative ideas taken from 10 open innovation challenges. Findings Integrative ideas were more likely to occur after pro-socially motivated interactions. Research limitations/implications Ideas that integrate knowledge about the variety of issues that relate to solving an ill-structured problem are desired outcomes of crowd-based open innovation challenges. Given that members of the crowd in open innovation challenges rarely engage in dialogue, a new theory is needed to explain why integrative ideas emerge at all. The authors’ adaptation of pro-social motivation interaction theory helps to provide such a theoretical explanation. Practitioners of crowd-based open innovation should endeavor to implement systems that encourage the crowd members to maintain a high level of activeness in pro-socially motivated interaction to ensure that their knowledge is integrated as solutions are generated. Originality/value The present study extends the crowd-based open innovation literature by identifying new forms of social interaction that foster more integrated ideas from the crowd, suggesting the mitigating role of pro-socially motivated interaction in the negative relationship between knowledge diversity and knowledge integration. This study fills in the research gap in knowledge management research describing a need for conceptual frameworks explaining how to manage the increasing complexity of knowledge in the context of crowd-based collaboration for innovation.

Subsidiary survival: a case study from the Portuguese electronics industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Silva ◽  
António Carrizo Moreira
Keyword(s):  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
Labor Cost ◽  
Electronics Industry ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Integrative Framework ◽  
Subsidiary Survival ◽  
High Level

Purpose The existing literature suggests that multinational corporations (MNCs) divest subsidiary units whenever they cease to enjoy the advantages of ownership, location or internalization. However, not all MNCs divest under these conditions. This paper aims to explore the factors that contributed to the survival of a particular subsidiary and prevented it from being divested. Design/methodology/approach The analysis focuses on an individual subsidiary of a large foreign MNC in the electronics industry, which divested other subsidiaries from Portugal. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Findings The subsidiary’s diverse customer base, specificity and high level of efficiency, the local advantages, the existing governmental agreements and the parent MNC’s previous unsuccessful relocation experiences seem to have contributed to the survival of the subsidiary. Research limitations/implications Although the results of the case study are not generalizable to the entire population of firms, the featured case study is a rare survival success story in the Portuguese electronics industry. Practical implications The proposed framework may offer public authorities measures to create conditions to encourage firms to retain their investment in a particular site. For corporate strategists, new perspectives on subsidiary survival are provided. Originality/value This paper is one of the few qualitative studies in the field of subsidiary survival. The results offer an integrative framework on which factors contribute to the survival of a subsidiary located on a comparatively unfavorable labor cost location and support the role of the organizational learning and of previous failed relocation experiences and relocation barriers when a parent MNC decides whether to retain a unit.

Multinational corporations and sustainable development goals

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-110
Author(s):  
Ismail Bello ◽  
Muhammad Fuad Othman
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
Education Sector ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Education Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World ◽  
Development Goals

Purpose There are over 263m out-of-school children in the world, and Nigeria is not an exception to the problem facing basic education. Education provides the necessary skills and knowledge needed by people in other to live a better life. The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of multinational corporations (MNC) towards basic education development in Nigeria using Etisalat Telecommunication as a case study. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative method of data collection and analysis was used for the study. Interviews were conducted with 15 participants. NVivo software was utilized in transcription, coding and analysis of data from the interview conducted. Findings Findings from the research revealed that Etisalat has made a significant contribution towards the development of the education sector in Nigeria, particularly basic education. This is evident in “adopt a school” initiative across the country. Etisalat intervention is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4: quality education, which has led to improved infrastructure, school enrolment and most importantly improved quality of learning. Practical implications This study will help educational institutions, government and international organization explore ways of utilizing private funds to develop basic education, not only in Nigeria but other climes around the world. Originality/value This study adds to the literature on the role of non-state actors, especially MNC, towards developing the education sector in Nigeria. Previous studies have focussed on MNCs in other sectors; the use of Etisalat Telecommunication opens a new frontier in understanding the role of telecommunications MNCs in developing basic education in Nigeria.

scholarly journals Refocusing metrics: can the sustainable development goals help break the “metrics trap” and modernise international drug control policy?

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Bewley-Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
International Development ◽  
Drug Policy ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Control Policy ◽  
Drug Control ◽  
Policy Outcomes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
High Level

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which the dominant metrics currently used to measure the success of the UN based global drug prohibition regime are in many ways inadequate and consequently contribute to systemic inertia. Within this context, it seeks to explore the potential of explicitly linking drug policy to the recently launched sustainable development agenda (SDA) and the associated sustainable development goals (SDGs) to initiate a change in approach. Design/methodology/approach Framing the topic in terms of international relations (IR) and regime analysis, prominent examples of where current metrics are imprecise (the relationship between production and seizures), misconceived (drug use) and missing (a range of drug and drug policy related harms) are explored. Attention is then given to an examination of international development as a model for measuring drug control outcomes, including a discussion of the SDGs in general and the intersection between drug policy interventions and several goals in particular. Findings While aware of the complexity of the issue area, the paper finds that there are considerable shortcomings in the way international drug policy outcomes are currently assessed. Although methodological problems are likely to persist, linking drug policy with the SDGs and their associated metrics offers the potential to help to shift the focus of international policy in a manner that would benefit not only UN system-wide coherence on the issue, but also assist in the achievement of the regime’s own overarching goal; to safeguard the “health and welfare” of humankind. Practical implications With the next high-level review of international drug policy due to take place in 2019, the paper offers policy makers with a way to begin to refocus drug policy metrics, and subsequently review outcomes, in line with the UN system-wide SDA. Originality/value As an emerging domain of inquiry, the paper not only explores a hitherto largely unexplored – yet increasingly important – facet of UN level policy evaluation, formulation and implementation, but also helps to fill a gap in the IR literature on regime dynamics.

Innovations and challenges in SDG integration and reporting in higher education: a case study from the University of South Florida

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brooke Hansen ◽  
Peter Stiling ◽  
Whitney Fung Uy
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Citizens ◽  
Sustainability Literacy ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Times ◽  
The University

Purpose As the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been widely adopted since 2015, higher education institutions (HEIs) are experimenting with ways they can be measured, reported and incorporated into all realms of the university. In this process, the challenges of SDG integration into HEIs have become more evident, from lack of resources and sustainability literacy to having multiple disconnected programs that feature the SDGs. Design/methodology/approach A mixed methods approach using archival materials, literature reviews, interviews and participant observation has been adopted for a case study at a university in the process of adopting the SDGs in multiple areas. Findings The University of South Florida began with efforts to incorporate SDGs at the undergraduate level, such as the Global Citizens Project that brands both events and courses with SDGs. Institutional changes coupled with the launch of the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings provided more opportunities to have broader conversations about SDGs in all areas of campus.

Evolution of international and Chinese anti-bribery and corruption compliance programs

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 437-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Schonfelder ◽  
S. Ramakrishna Velamuri ◽  
Wilson Liu
Keyword(s):  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Regulatory Frameworks ◽  
Compliance Programs ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Uk ◽  
High Level

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the regulatory framework in China and the extent to which Chinese multinationals have implemented and disclosed their anti-bribery and corruption (ABC) compliance practices. This is done against the backdrop of the evolving international ABC compliance standards. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on detailed reviews of the ABC compliance standards of international organizations; legislation passed by the USA, the UK and Chinese Governments; seven semi-structured interviews with leading experts in the field; and comparisons of ABC program disclosures of four Chinese with four best-in-class western multinational corporations. Findings A high level of convergence was found in the ABC standards published by the international organizations. Several positive features were found in the Chinese ABC regulatory frameworks but our findings indicate that there is minimal disclosure around ABC compliance program practices. This paper shows that a transparent disclosure would represent an easy win for Chinese multinational corporations and contribute to raising their reputations internationally. Research limitations/implications While there are numerous studies in the law literature on ABC compliance standards and the extent to which they are effective in achieving their objectives, this is an emergent area in management research, to which our study makes a contribution. Future research could explore how other emerging economies are tackling this important issue. Practical implications By proactively adopting ABC compliance practices, corporations can seize the ethical high ground and build solid reputations with their stakeholders. Originality/value It is believed that this study is the first academic study that compares Chinese and international ABC standards.

Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adib Rifqi Setiawan
Keyword(s):  
Education System ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
American University ◽  
The North ◽  
The World ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
High Level ◽  
Education And Development

“The real treasure is in the minds of our children, and all we have to do is extract it.” Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah writes in website Queen Rania Foundation For Education And Development www.qrf.org/en. Rania Al Yassin was born on August 31, 1970. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the American University of Cairo in 1991. She applied this, first, to a banking career in Jordan and, later, to the information technology sector. After marrying Prince Abdullah bin Al Hussein on June 10, 1993, they went on to have four children: Prince Hussein, Princess Iman, Princess Salma, and Prince Hashem. In addition to being a wife and mother, Queen Rania works hard to lift the lives of Jordanians by supporting their endeavours and helping to create new opportunities for them. Locally, she is committed to breathe new life into the public education system; empower communities and women especially through microfinance initiatives; protect children and families; and drive innovation, technology and entrepreneurship, especially amongst young people. Internationally, Queen Rania is an advocate for tolerance, compassion and bridge building between people of all cultures and backgrounds. Her efforts to simultaneously challenge stereotypes of Arabs and Muslims, and promote greater understanding and acceptance between people of all faiths and cultures, have won her global recognition. Her Majesty’s passion is education. She believes that every Jordanian girl and boy, and all children, should have access not only to stimulating classrooms and modern curricula, but inspiring teachers and technology that can connect Jordan’s children to the world and the world to Jordan’s children. Her efforts in the education sector complement the work of the Ministry of Education through initiatives such as the Jordan Education Initiative, the Queen Rania Teachers Academy, Madrasati, Edraak and others. To realize these and so much more, Queen Rania has encouraged private sector partners to drive improvements and strengthen the foundations of Jordan’s education system. Queen Rania is also a global voice for access to quality education for children around the world. In 2009, Her Majesty championed the 1 Goal campaign for education; she is Honorary Chair of the UN Girl’s Education Initiatives and has advocated access to education in forums and gatherings around the world. Her work and her efforts to improve the learning opportunities for children have been recognized at the highest levels, nationally, regionally and internationally. Additionally, through her position on their boards, Her Majesty contributes to the work of the United Nations Fund and the World Economic Forum. She is the Eminent Advocate for UNICEF; and she was part of the UN appointed High Level Panel who advised on the shape and content of the Sustainable Development Goals which aim to improve the lives of millions of people before 2030. In recognition of her work, Her Majesty has humbly accepted many awards, locally, regionally and globally. These include the Walther Rathenau Award from the Walther RathenauInstitut in Germany for her efforts to greater peace and understanding; the James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian Award from Tech Awards, USA; the Arab Knight of Giving Award from Arab Giving Forum, UAE; the North South Prize by the North South Prize, Portugal; as well as the YouTube Visionary Award. Her Majesty authored several books primarily for children including the Sandwich Swap, which was inspired by her own childhood experiences.

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