Greening Lafayette: a model for building sustainable community

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 1239-1258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Cohen ◽  
Kira T. Lawrence ◽  
Andrea Armstrong ◽  
Miranda Wilcha ◽  
Alexa Gatti
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Capacity ◽  
Transportation Systems ◽  
Coalition Building ◽  
Organizational Sustainability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Campus Environment ◽  
Lafayette College ◽  
Environmental Engagement ◽  
Strong Focus ◽  
Technical Features

Purpose A coalition of students, professors, administrators and operational staff at Lafayette College designed an environmental module to integrate in-class curricular education with out-of-class environmental engagement. The purpose of this study was to improve the ethos of sustainability across campus. Design/methodology/approach The research reported here draws from qualitative and quantitative assessments to corroborate previous evidence that institution-wide collaboration is a necessary prerequisite for the successful development of such environmental campus programming. Findings It adds to those prior conclusions with the finding that three intertwined factors are critical keys to success. One is attention in the design process to coalition building between the academic, administrative and operational units of campus; second is a strong focus on organizational capacity; and third is explicit attention to preparing long-term management. Practical implications The particularities of college campuses, where student residence is temporary while the campus environment is continuous, require attention to organizational sustainability as much as the more common technical features of sustainability (e.g. energy, water, food, transportation systems, etc.). For small colleges seeking to implement similar programming to foster a culture of sustainability on their campuses, that commitment to organizational sustainability demonstrates that maintenance, durability and invested personnel are essential factors when similarly seeking interdisciplinary environmental education initiatives. Originality/value This paper describes the original program structure of Greening Lafayette. The program was built on the campus of Lafayette College through specific co-curricular, administrative, academic and facilities efforts. The paper details the approach Lafayette College students and faculty took to draw from best practices in campus sustainability, analyze their campus’ baseline engagement in and awareness of sustainability and leverage their college’s structures to design a program that generates a campus ethos of sustainability. It further elucidates the importance of ensuring the organizational sustainability of the program itself. While Greening Lafayette was designed for the context of a specific undergraduate campus, the program offers a model for faculty, students and administrators of other colleges and universities to build coalitions, design sustainability programming and develop an ethos of sustainability on their campuses.

National cultural values, sustainability beliefs, and organizational initiatives

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 278-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmine Tata ◽  
Sameer Prasad
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
National Culture ◽  
Organizational Capacity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Organizational Sustainability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainability Practices ◽  
Sustainability Initiatives ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – Organizations are implementing sustainability initiatives in different countries with varied socio-cultural systems. The literature on sustainability, however, does not present a clear picture of how national culture can influence interpretations of the meaning of sustainability and how these differences in interpretation can result in different sustainability practices. The purpose of this paper is to build upon the current literature by identifying mechanisms (i.e. sustainability beliefs and perceptions) that mediate the relationship between national cultural values and organizational sustainability initiatives. Design/methodology/approach – The authors examine the literature on culture and sustainability practices, and develop a conceptual model that identifies how cultural values influence the sustainability initiatives of organizations. Several propositions are identified that specify relationships among the constructs, and guidelines are provided for testing the model in future research. Findings – The model posits that national culture influences sustainability beliefs and perceptions, which in turn influence the quantity and scope of sustainability initiatives. The relationship between sustainability beliefs and organizational sustainability initiatives is moderated by sustainability orientation and organizational capacity. Originality/value – The model can help researchers and practitioners better understand the meaning of sustainability in the context of international business by identifying the mechanisms that explain the link between culture and sustainability. It can also help researchers generate hypotheses for future research. Finally, the model can guide multinational corporations attempting to drive sustainability programs through their subsidiaries as well as international developmental agencies trying to develop programs in partnership with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The relationship between supportive campus environment and cultural diversity in enhancing students’ sense of belonging in higher education

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaw Owusu-Agyeman
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Cultural Diversity ◽  
Sense Of Belonging ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Cultural Interaction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Campus Environment ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The current study examines the moderating effect of supportive campus environment on the relationship between cultural diversity and students’ sense of belonging in a university in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was designed and used to gather data from a sample of 2,026 registered undergraduate students. Using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 software, the data gathered were analysed by way of hierarchical regression analysis. Findings Results of the hierarchical regression analysis revealed that supportive campus environment and cross-cultural interaction serve as strong predictors of students’ sense of belonging. Furthermore, a simple slope analysis showed that supportive campus environment enhance: the positive relationship between cross-cultural interaction and students’ sense of belonging; and the positive relationship between students’ interaction with diverse peers and their sense of belonging. Originality/value This study addresses important knowledge and practical gaps in the relationship between supportive campus environment, cultural diversity and students’ sense of belonging in higher education. The results further highlight the significance of institutional structures, policies and practices that aim at enhancing students’ sense of belonging and reducing possible feeling of otherlings that arise due to a lack of supportive campus structures.

scholarly journals End users’ purchasing task involvement, power and influence strategies in organizational buying

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 150-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Pedeliento ◽  
Daniela Andreini ◽  
Mara Bergamaschi ◽  
Jari Salo
Keyword(s):  
End Users ◽  
Specific Power ◽  
Power Relationships ◽  
Influence Strategies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Buying ◽  
Task Involvement ◽  
Organizational Purchasing ◽  
Technical Features ◽  
Power And Influence

Purpose End users are often involved in organizational buying, but very little is known about the role that they play and how they influence purchasing decisions. This study aims to explore the factors behind end users’ attempts to influence purchasing and the strategies they use. Design/methodology/approach The research draws on the concept of purchasing task involvement, which describes the feelings of personal relevance that a buying center member has for a specific organizational purchasing decision. This concept is used to gain a deeper understanding of users’ influence in organizational purchasing and link it to sources of power and the corresponding influence strategies. The study is based on 90 in-depth interviews with buyers, drivers and sellers of heavy trucks. Findings End users’ purchasing task involvement is only marginally determined by the product’s performance or technical features. Purchasing task involvement leads to influence when there are specific power relationships between the buyer and the user and under specific circumstances. Originality/value This is the first study that links end users’ purchasing task involvement, power and influence strategies in organizational buying.

Transportation systems’ impacts on the Vilnius housing market

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 418-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virgilija Vasiliene-Vasiliauskiene ◽  
Aidas Vasilis Vasiliauskas ◽  
Rišard Golembovskij ◽  
Ieva Meidute-Kavaliauskiene ◽  
Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Housing Market ◽  
Housing Markets ◽  
Transportation System ◽  
Transportation Systems ◽  
Sustainable Urban Development ◽  
Quantitative Methodology ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
System Factors ◽  
Hierarchy Process

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a better understanding of how transportation system factors affect city housing markets. The goal was to show that identifying these factors alone is not enough without also examining their effects and variations according to the housing location. Design/methodology/approach Transportation system factors were identified by conducting a thorough literature review. The factors’ relevance was tested using a quantitative methodology and a sample of 317 Vilnius residents. This city was next divided into three zones, and data collected from 18 real estate experts was subjected to qualitative analysis. The analytic hierarchy process was then applied to identify transportation system factors’ level of impact and dynamics by the housing location. Findings The results show that the factors affect the housing market in question but that these effects vary by the housing location and the most critical factors differ for each city zone. Research limitations/implications Only data on Vilnius were used. Further research is needed to compare transportation factors’ dynamics in multiple cities. Practical implications Priorities in transportation system improvements should be assessed to facilitate sustainable urban development and enhance the residents’ quality of life. Housing market regulations can only be successful if investment in transportation systems is allocated purposefully and coherently. Originality/value This research went beyond identifying transportation system factors by employing a broad, systematic approach to clarifying potential options for regulating housing markets through transportation system projects.

Talent management and organizational sustainability: role of sustainable behaviour

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Mujtaba ◽  
Muhammad Shujaat Mubarik
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Talent Management ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Organizational Sustainability ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This study aims to examine the role of talent management (TM) in improving organizational sustainability (OS). The study also investigates employees’ sustainable behaviour (SB) in achieving three-dimensional sustainability goals (i.e. economic, social and environmental). Design/methodology/approach This study focused on medium and large-scale manufacturing firms, whereas the sample size was 196 firms. Data was collected through close-ended questionnaires using the cluster sampling technique. The partial least square-structural equation modelling was used to estimate the modelled relationships. Findings Results show a significant direct impact of TM on OS. Likewise, the results also show a substantial impact of all three dimensions of TM (acquisition, development and retention) on OS. Results confirm that employees’ SB positively mediates between TM and OS. Research limitations/implications The study focuses on the manufacturing sector of Pakistan. The study’s findings imply that TM strategies are an indispensable source of sustainability to attract, develop and retain talented employees in the situation of talent shortage. Moreover, sustainable employees’ behaviour is also depicted as a positive role between TM and OS because sustainable success is not only required the expertize of employees, but it also needs the dedication of employees. Practical implications This study enhances the understanding of TM’s role in improving the OS. The findings imply that a firm should consider TM as the apex strategy for elevating the performance. Findings also reveal the need to adopt a comprehensive strategy or system to manage the talent of an organization. Originality/value Linking the TM with OS and SB is the novelty of the study.

Utilization of adaptive methodology to underpin rail transportation systems: Sydney metro’s methodical formulation

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Koorosh Gharehbaghi ◽  
Kerry McManus ◽  
Matt Myers
Keyword(s):  
Complex System ◽  
Triple Bottom Line ◽  
Transportation Systems ◽  
System Thinking ◽  
Rail Transportation ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transportation Projects ◽  
Separate Dimension

Purpose As a part of adaptive and complex system thinking, geographic information systems (GIS) are beneficial particularly for transportation projects, where uncertainty is frequent. Accordingly, this paper aims to examine the utilization of GIS in line with adaptive and complex system thinking, as the basis of the methodical formulation of perceived gaps within the integrated transportation planning (ITP) specifically for the mega transportation projects. Such a framework is undertaken, as the mega transportation projects although may seem straightforward, however, are problematic and require more consideration than the traditional triple bottom line factors. Using the Sydney Metro as the case study, the outcome demonstrates the significance of the fourth separate dimension of engineering into the aforementioned bottom-line factors. Design/methodology/approach The research examines the utilization of adaptive and complex system thinking, as the basis of the methodical formulation of perceived gaps within the ITP. The use of Sydney’s Metro project is a novel example of the proposed methodical formulation and its empirical assessment and provides a better understanding of the use of mapping and planning tools for mega transportation projects. Findings Aptly, using the developed conceptual framework, this research further validates the inclusion of a separate engineering dimension with the usual triple bottom line factors. Such inclusion is paramount in responding to the existing ITP gaps found within the current literature. Originality/value This research uses GIS and ITP process to support the aforementioned adaptive and complex system thinking. This, in turn, is used as the basis of a methodical formulation framework in dealing with mega rail transportation infrastructure. To support such a proposition, Sydney Metro is examined as the basis of a case study.

The role of IT practices in facilitating relational and trust capital for superior innovation performance: the case of Taiwanese companies

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 753-779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sladjana Cabrilo ◽  
Sven Dahms ◽  
Eugene Burgos Mutuc ◽  
Janita Marlin
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽  
Organizational Capacity ◽  
Innovation Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trust Formation ◽  
External Relationships ◽  
Role Of It ◽  
It Practices

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the moderating role of information technology (IT) practices in the increase of organizational capacity for generating innovation performance from its relational (internal and external) capital and trust capital.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data has been collected from 102 publicly listed enterprises in Taiwan and is analysed by using symmetric structural equation modelling–partial least squares (SEM–PLS) and asymmetric fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) techniques.FindingsThe findings derived from SEM–PLS show that internal relationships and trust embedded in firms' relationships play a significant role in the innovation performance of Taiwanese enterprises, and reveal a more closed approach to innovation. The results also confirm the important role of IT advancement in amplifying the effect of internal and external relationships and trust formation on innovation performance. One more interesting note, the integration of fsQCA demonstrates several configurations that lead to superior innovation performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was limited to Taiwanese companies with at least 200 employees. It might well be that the economically significant small business sector has distinct relationships with stakeholders, trust building strategies and IT practices, and that innovation performance depends on other macroeconomic effects. This study combines symmetric (SEM–PLS) and asymmetric (fsQCA) techniques to improve our understanding of the complementarities between relational and trust capital, and IT practices, and identify configurations that could yield organizational benefits for innovation outcomes.Practical implicationsThis study provides new knowledge about IT utilization in the workplace which practitioners may use to capitalize on internal and external networks and enhance innovation performance.Originality/valueExploring together intellectual capital (IC) components and IT practices, this study merges IC and knowledge management (KM) streams of literature and adds to the prominent discussion on how IC and technology-based KM together contribute to superior innovation performance. In introducing the notion of equifinality, and testing our hypothesis by applying fsQCA, we also provide new ground for methodological discussions in the field of innovation performance.

SMEs’ social and environmental initiatives in Indonesia: an institutional and resource-based analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melia Famiola ◽  
Amia Wulansari
Keyword(s):  
Study Finding ◽  
Corporate Values ◽  
Social Motives ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environmental Initiatives ◽  
Organisational Capacity ◽  
School Time ◽  
Environmental Engagement ◽  
Development Agendas ◽  
Environmental Interests

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the motivation of social and environmental initiatives among small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia. Design/methodology/approach Using institutional and resource-based theory, this study uses qualitative approach, and data were collected by interviewing 17 SMEs owners who adopt social and environmental initiatives in their business. Findings This study found that SME engagement in social and environmental practices is more by the intrinsic values of the owners with strong morality-based motives than the organisational need for competitive advantage. This finding indicates that the SME owner's personal values are translated into corporate values with limited consideration for organisational capacity. Nevertheless, there are various antecedent factors related to SMEs' social and environmental engagement. SMEs' social motives are driven more by the religious values of the owners, while environmental initiatives are generated as a result of the internalisation of knowledge and insight from the education system of the owners. Practical implications This study finding revealed that experiences of SME owners during their school time significantly affect their environmental interests. Accordingly, the authors argued that the education for sustainable development agendas should be thoughtfully designed in higher education's curriculum and ecosystem. So, the mindset of social and environmental awareness had been cultivated as the core value of future entrepreneurs. Originality/value The paper describes antecedent factors of social and environmental interests of SMEs in Indonesia.

Study to promote the sustainable mobility in university

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 871-886
Author(s):  
Ana Paula Scheffer ◽  
Viviane Pagnussat Cechetti ◽  
Lisandra Paola Lauermann ◽  
Eliara Riasyk Porto ◽  
Francisco Dalla Rosa
Keyword(s):  
Urban Mobility ◽  
University Campus ◽  
Sustainable Mobility ◽  
Urban Centers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
2030 Agenda ◽  
Sustainable Urban Mobility ◽  
Technical Features ◽  
The University

Purpose The United Nations (2030 Agenda) recognize the need to work with sustainable urban mobility problems such as traffic jams, pollution, inadequate infrastructure are becoming recurring issues in urban centers, directly affecting the quality of life. Such an unsustainable system is frequently observed at universities, as these houses a large concentration of people and vehicles, without proper planning. To promote sustainable strategies at universities, this research aims to focus on the sustainable mobility plan (SMP) applied at the University of Passo Fundo (UPF). Design/methodology/approach Bibliographic research about the current mobility of the campus has been carried out. A questionnaire was distributed to understand opinions about the subject of key people. Findings The priority treatment given to vehicles, mostly, is an alert factor, which must be solved immediately, considering the need of planning and restructuring it. The suggestions of possible solutions were also relevant, and are being considered for the plan’s implementation. Originality/value This study stands out for using the 2030 Agenda, specifically Goal 11 (Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable), using the university campus as a study object. The mobility plan elaboration was constituted by several actions to fill all parts of the mentioned goal. This study stands out because its methodology can be used in other universities besides UPF and also, to a larger scale, in cities, with similar technical features.

scholarly journals Capacity-Building for Sustainability

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-54
Author(s):  
Clark Shah-Nelson ◽  
Ellen A. Mayo ◽  
Patience Ebuwei
Keyword(s):  
School Districts ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Review Process ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Organizational Capacity ◽  
Shared Vision ◽  
Organizational Sustainability ◽  
K 12 ◽  
Systematic Review Process

An American K-12 cooperative educational services provider (“The Agency”) has an issue: partner school districts are saving money by building internal capacity for professional development, rather than fully utilizing expertise from the Agency. The aim of this evidence-based case study is to inform the Agency on capacity-building for innovation. The researchers performed three separate rapid evidence assessments, followed by a standard systematic review process to synthesize findings across 31 studies. Key findings identified from the research include (1) organizational capacity and program evaluation lead to organizational sustainability, (2) agency leadership should guide strategic organizational change in order to establish a shared vision for evaluation and feedback, and (3) organizations benefit from practicing continuous and ongoing learning through feedback loops. The findings of this study may be generalizable to other similar educational service providers or non-profits looking to strengthen organizational capacity and partnerships.

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