scholarly journals Sustainable development policies as indicators and pre-conditions for sustainability efforts at universities

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter Leal Filho ◽  
Luciana Londero Brandli ◽  
Deisi Becker ◽  
Constantina Skanavis ◽  
Aristea Kounani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Development Policies ◽  
Formal Policy ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The One ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose There is a widely held belief that sustainable development (SD) policies are essential for universities to successfully engage in matters related to sustainability, and are an indicator of the extent to which they are active in this field. This paper aims to examine the evidence which currently exists to support this assumption. It surveys a sample of universities in Brazil, Germany, Greece, Portugal, South Africa and the UK and the USA to ascertain the extent to which universities that are active in the field of sustainable development have formal policies on sustainable development, and whether such policies are a pre-condition for successful sustainability efforts. Design/methodology/approach The study involved 35 universities in seven countries (five universities respectively). A mixed-methods approach has been used, ranging from document analysis, website analysis, questionnaires and interviewing. Findings Although only 60 per cent of the sampled universities had a policy that specifically addressed SD, this cannot be regarded as an indicator that the remaining 40 per cent are not engaged with substantial actions that address SD. Indeed, all of the universities in the sample, regardless of the existence of a SD formal policy, demonstrated engagement with environmental sustainability policies or procedures in some form or another. This research has been limited by the availability and ability to procure information from the sampled universities. Despite this, it is one of the largest research efforts of this kind ever performed. Research limitations/implications This research has been limited by the availability and ability to procure information from the sampled universities. Practical implications The findings provide some valuable insights into the connections between SD policies on the one hand and the practice of sustainable development in higher education institutions on the other. Social implications Universities with SD policies can contribute to models of economic growth consistent with sustainable development. Originality/value The study is the one of the largest research efforts of this kind ever performed.

scholarly journals Implications of divergences in adult protection legislation

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorna Montgomery ◽  
Janet Anand ◽  
Kathryn Mackay ◽  
Brian Taylor ◽  
Katherine C. Pearson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Consensus Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Legal Responses ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Protection Legislation ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Adult Protection

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the similarities and differences of legal responses to older adults who may be at risk of harm or abuse in the UK, Ireland, Australia and the USA. Design/methodology/approach – The authors draw upon a review of elder abuse and adult protection undertaken on behalf of the commissioner for older people in Northern Ireland. This paper focusses on the desk top mapping of the different legal approaches and draws upon wider literature to frame the discussion of the relative strengths and weaknesses of the different legal responses. Findings – Arguments exist both for and against each legal approach. Differences in defining the scope and powers of adult protection legislation in the UK and internationally are highlighted. Research limitations/implications – This review was undertaken in late 2013; while the authors have updated the mapping to take account of subsequent changes, some statutory guidance is not yet available. While the expertise of a group of experienced professionals in the field of adult safeguarding was utilized, it was not feasible to employ a formal survey or consensus model. Practical implications – Some countries have already introduced APL and others are considering doing so. The potential advantages and challenges of introducing APL are highlighted. Social implications – The introduction of legislation may give professionals increased powers to prevent and reduce abuse of adults, but this would also change the dynamic of relationships within families and between families and professionals. Originality/value – This paper provides an accessible discussion of APL across the UK and internationally which to date has been lacking from the literature.

Exploring the relationship between dispositions to think critically and sustainability concern in HESD

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry Shephard ◽  
Qudsia Kalsoom ◽  
Ritika Gupta ◽  
Lorenz Probst ◽  
Paul Gannon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Educational Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Higher education is uncertain which sustainability-related education targets should be sought and monitored. Accepting that something needs to be measurable to be systematically improved, the authors explored how measures relate to potential targets. This paper aims to focus on dispositions to think critically (active open-minded thinking and fair-minded thinking in appraising reasoning) as measures and explored how they related to sustainability concern as an indicative educational target. Design/methodology/approach This research included the development and testing of research instruments (scales) that explored dispositions to critical thinking and sustainability concern. Authors researched these instruments within their own correspondence groups and tested them with university students and staff in Pakistan, the USA, Austria, India and New Zealand. The authors also asked a range of contextualising questions. Findings Respondents’ disposition to aspects of active, open-minded thinking and fair-minded thinking do predict their concern about facets of sustainability but their strength of religious belief was an important factor in these relationships and in their measurement. Practical implications This research demonstrates the complexity of monitoring dispositions to think critically and sustainability concern in educational systems, particularly in circumstances where the roles of religious beliefs are of interest; and suggests ways to address this complexity. Originality/value This research integrates and expands discourses on ESD and on critical thinking in diverse disciplines and cultures. It investigates measurement approaches and targets that could help higher education institutions to educate for sustainable development and to monitor their progress, in ways that are compatible with their culture and values.

Implementation of the START:AV in a secure adolescent service

2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 184-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilyn A. Sher ◽  
E. Gralton
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Assessment ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Quantitative Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Measure Change ◽  
The One ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Assessment Procedures ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Multi Disciplinary Team

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to establish gaps in training, involve staff in the implementation process by incorporating their views on what is helpful and what can be improved, as well as provide information that might be helpful to other sites who are considering implementing the START:AV. Design/methodology/approach – The current study is the first to examine a START:AV implementation and survey a multi-disciplinary team on their views about implementation in a medium secure service for adolescents in the UK. The survey was adapted from the one used by Collins et al. (2008). Once surveys were received the qualitative information was collated to explore themes, and frequency analysis was undertaken on the quantitative information. Findings – The staff survey on the implementation of the START:AV highlighted a number of strengths and challenges. There was significant support for the START:AV in relation to it being a dynamic assessment to measure change, that focuses equally on strengths and vulnerabilities, making the process individualised. Users of the START:AV reported that the process of rating the START:AV as a team improved communication, teamwork, generated discussion and improved the detailed understanding of the patient being rated. Staff felt it was generally straightforward to use in terms of strengths and vulnerability ratings, but some difficulties emerged regarding making finer distinctions in ratings as well as completing risk formulations, highlighting further training needs. There was also some confusion about differentiating between certain strengths and vulnerabilities, leading to “double ratings”. Other difficulties highlighted centred on time and increasing workload. Research limitations/implications – The main limitation of the study relates to the low response rate to the survey (31 per cent). Practical implications – Recommendations for implementation and evaluation of new risk assessment procedures are made. Originality/value – The current study is the first to examine a START:AV implementation and survey a multi-disciplinary team on their views about implementation in a medium secure service for adolescents in the UK.

scholarly journals Who is to blame? Exploring accountability in fraud victimisation

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-48
Author(s):  
Cassandra Cross
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Third Parties ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Current Thinking ◽  
Education And Awareness ◽  
The One ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the discourses surrounding accountability as it relates to fraud victimisation. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based upon interviews with 31 professionals across the fraud justice network (FJN) in the UK and Canada. Findings The paper highlights the complexities that surround participant’s perspectives of liability when it comes to fraud. Professionals articulated responsibility falling across the spectrum of victims, offenders and third parties. Further, it is evident that perspectives of accountability are largely influenced by the various types of frauds that exist and the ways in which victims incur losses. Research limitations/implications Interviews with selected FJN professionals may not be representative of those across the broader sector in each country. Despite this, there was still a diversity in views which highlights the tensions that currently exist as to where accountability is positioned. Practical implications The findings clearly indicate that accountability is not directed at any one party, rather there appears to be an interplay across offenders, victims and third parties. While the offender is arguably the one who should be held most accountable for their actions, a lack of official responses to fraud offending means that the offender is largely invisible. For those who place accountability on the victim, there is evidence of neoliberal discourses that argue for prudential citizens, or those who take responsibility for their own actions. This is in contrast to those who believed that victims could not be held accountable for actions beyond their control, and instead third parties were accountable, and should increase their role in education and awareness. Originality/value This paper articulates the discourses of accountability that exist for fraud, and how the current thinking can contribute to interactions with victims, as well as current responses to victimisation. Further work is required to better identify the criteria against which victims are being held accountable, as well as better understand who bears responsibility with responses to fraud victimisation.

Vulnerability as a driver of the police response to fraud

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-64
Author(s):  
Michael Skidmore ◽  
Janice Goldstraw-White ◽  
Martin Gill
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Police Response ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Frameworks for understanding victim harm and vulnerability have become central to priority-setting and resource allocation for decision-makers in the police and government in the UK. This paper aims to look at the meaning of vulnerability in the context of fraud. Design/methodology/approach The research took a mixed methods approach, including analysis of national crime data (n = 61,902), qualitative data collected from interviews with practitioners (n = 107) and a survey of strategic lead officers in the police (n = 32). Findings There was a lack of clarity across practitioners and organisations in their understanding of vulnerability and the way it informed the police response to fraud, and a lack of resources and capability for identifying it. Research limitations/implications The authors invite reconsideration of the approach to fraud victims which have for too long been forgotten by response and support agencies. Practical implications We need to standardise and agree the definition of “vulnerability”; rethink eligibility levels; and refocus police on fraud victims taking vulnerability as a meaningful criterion in deciding who to support. Originality/value There is very little research on vulnerability and fraud victims; this paper, based on original research, fills this gap.

Cultural heritage in sustainable development

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-46
Author(s):  
Michel Soto Chalhoub
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Market Price ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Real Estate Market ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Preservation of historic structures meets ecological criteria of sustainable development. In Mount Lebanon, the traditional house is a cultural asset built of native stone one-meter thick double-wythe walls. Today, lack of public policies is causing those environmental assets to approach extinction. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach The methodology uses multivariate regression on 128 data points. A mathematical model is developed and empirically tested on public attitudes toward restoration. Independent variables represent the need for protectionist policies, X1; contribution of restoration to environmental sustainability, X2; contribution to culture, X3; and financial benefits, X4. Findings It is found that stone houses transfer heat significantly slower than modern construction. There is a statistically significant and positive correlation with X1, X2, and X3, but negative with X4, most likely due to favoring return on investment of multistory buildings over the attractiveness of stone houses. Research limitations/implications As future research implications, the undergirding of urban planning policies need to be revisited. Current policies neither protect heritage, nor offer legal means to restore heritage houses. Practical implications Practical implications include revisions to building laws in Mount Lebanon, as they marginalize old stone structures. Environmental valuation techniques, use value and existence value, are recommended. Social implications Social awareness needs to be built about valuation techniques to account for complex assets that cannot be approximated through short-term real estate market price. Social rather than financial cost-benefit analysis must be performed to quantify environmental assets. Originality/value This research illustrates a pilot restoration project with critical issues faced by heritage stone houses. These assets are underrepresented in building laws which warrants social and environmental activism.

scholarly journals Swearing at work: the mixed outcomes of profanity

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yehuda Baruch ◽  
Rea Prouska ◽  
Ariane Ollier-Malaterre ◽  
Jennifer Bunk
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Executives ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the use and misuse of swearing in the workplace. Design/methodology/approach Using a qualitative methodology, the authors interviewed 52 lawyers, medical doctors and business executives in the UK, France and the USA. Findings In contrast to much of the incivility and social norms literatures, the authors find that male and female business executives, lawyers and doctors of all ages admit to swearing. Further, swearing can lead to positive outcomes at the individual, interpersonal and group levels, including stress-relief, communication-enrichment and socialization-enhancement. Research limitations/implications An implication for future scholarship is that “thinking out of the box” when exploring emotion-related issues can lead to new insights. Practical implications Practical implications include reconsidering and tolerating incivility under certain conditions. Originality/value The authors identified a case in which a negative phenomenon reveals counter-intuitive yet insightful results.

How well are water companies engaged in CSR? A critical cross-geographical discourse analysis

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linne Marie Lauesen
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Institutional Logics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Companies ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Water Companies ◽  
Explicit Csr ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how well water companies in four different nationalities and political cultures are engaged in the CSR discourse. This question is relevant after more than 20 years of privatization of the public administration's bureaucracy and its adoption of management styles, behaviours and thinking from the private business sphere. This paper seeks to critically examine how water companies take part in the CSR discourse, by which institutional mechanisms this managerial “thinking” in terms of institutional “logics” has come about, and which adopted “meanings” lie behind. Design/methodology/approach – The paper shows a qualitatively, ethnographic investigation and discourse analysis of privatized water companies from four different political and market economy nations; small- and medium-sized water companies from the social-democratic state of Denmark; large size companies from the conservative and liberal market economy of the UK; large- and multinational companies from the USA and medium-, large- and multinationals from South Africa. Seven companies are chosen in each country from the smallest to the largest in order to obtain maximum variety and express analytical generalizations across nations and company sizes if possible. Findings – The findings of the cross-geographical, -political, -market economical study of maximum variety of companies show how institutional logics are transferring from “implicit” CSR towards “explicit” CSR through coercive, normative and mimetic isomorphism: companies that are only engaged in coercive isomorphic “implicit” CSR show a hesitant and resistant engagement, whereas companies engaging in normative and mimetic isomorphic “explicit” CSR translate their discourses in a more authentic way. However, the findings also question the credibility of this authenticity when most CSR-reports from the water companies are made without third party accreditation, without performance indicators and only through narratives that are hard to scrutinize. Research limitations/implications – The research has limitations towards the discourse analysis, which in Denmark was possible to conduct from both oral texts such as interviews, observation studies and document analysis, whereas in the UK, the USA and South Africa is based only on written texts from documents, CSR-reports, annual reports and written communications between regulators and companies. The research implications suggest a further replication of the findings from a more in-depth analysis of the institutional logics in these companies in the UK, the USA and South Africa by replication of the study from Denmark. Practical implications – The practical implications of this study suggest a transformation of political instrumentation from rule-setting to incentives making to make public water service companies even more engaged in “explicit” CSR to obtain more authenticity and a higher level of legitimacy in the field compared to the strong tradition of “explicit” CSR seen in the private business sphere. Originality/value – The originality and value of this research is shown by the empirical findings of the theoretical suggestions by Matten and Moon in how “implicit” CSR is transferred to “explicit” CSR in the privatization of public service companies in the water sector across nations, cultures, political and market economical spheres. It shows through the discourse analysis of institutional logics how institutional isomorphism is prevalent in this sector and how New Public Management systems need to conform from instrumental rule-making to incentive-making to make public service adopt CSR in a more authentic way.

Twenty-five years of Benchmarking: An International Journal (BIJ)

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 760-780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satish Kumar ◽  
Sachin Kamble ◽  
Matthew H. Roy
Keyword(s):  
Time Frame ◽  
25Th Anniversary ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Professional Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This year, Benchmarking: An International Journal (BIJ) is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The purpose of this paper is to show the historical connections and professional impact of the journal over the years. This is accomplished through a detailed bibliometric analysis (BA) of its content from 1994 to 2018. This paper also identifies leading trends that have affected BIJ during this time frame. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the authors employ BA on data retrieved from the Scopus database. The authors used various indicators such as the most productive authors, institutions and countries, as well as the most cited papers, citing journals and articles most cited by BIJ between 1994 and 2018. Additionally, the authors have used the Gephi, VOSviewer software to map journals, keywords and institutions with bibliographic coupling and co-citation analysis. Findings The journal has improved its impact, productivity and reputation in the period under review. Articles published in BIJ have been cited in other journals more than 15,000 times. The most prominent themes among the articles published in BIJ are benchmarking, supply chain management and performance improvement. Significant contributions have come from authors and institutions around the globe. Co-authorships, though global, have centered around India, the USA and the UK. There is also a thematic similarity between articles from India and Thailand, and the USA and Germany, indicating high academic collaboration or prevalence of similar issues. Practical implications This paper provides evidence of the impact of BIJ, and in so doing, it helps authors to decide on the appropriateness of this publication for their research. The reader will also understand leading trends occurring in BIJ over the history of the journal. Originality/value This is the first paper that traces the progress of BIJ covering a time span of 25 years.

scholarly journals Kaizen and continuous improvement – trends and patterns over 30 years

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 371-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Carnerud ◽  
Carmen Jaca ◽  
Ingela Bäckström
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Scientific Journals ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
The One ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Theoretical Issues ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to depict how Kaizen and continuous improvement (CI) are represented in scientific journals focusing on quality management (QM) from the 1980s until 2017. Additionally, the study aims to examine how Kaizen is studied and described and how the relationship between Kaizen and CI is portrayed.Design/methodology/approachThe study applies a mixed methods approach to search for tendencies and outlines concerning Kaizen and CI in four scientific journals focusing on QM and two focusing on OM. The data set contains entries from 1980 until 2017, which makes it possible to depict how Kaizen has evolved over more than 30 years.FindingsThe findings show that Kaizen and CI attained special interest in the mid-1990s, after which interest appears to have decreased. However, the findings imply that a regenerated interest for the areas spiked post 2010. In addition, the results indicate that Kaizen is on the one hand accepted by one part of the management community but on the other hand completely ignored by the rest. Finally, the data illuminate a need to strengthen and clarify Kaizen’s theoretical basis and its relationship to CI.Practical implicationsIf an aspiration exists to increase the success rate of Kaizen implementation, the results from the study highlight the need to address and clarify epistemological, terminological and theoretical issues.Originality/valuePrior data mining studies pinpointing how Kaizen and CI have evolved over the last 30 years appear not to exist.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document