SOSTAUGA project: reduction of water consumption and evaluation of potential uses for endogenous resources

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 1391-1411
Author(s):  
Verónica Torrijos ◽  
Manuel Soto ◽  
Domingo Calvo Dopico
Keyword(s):  
Water Consumption ◽  
Environmental Water ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Flow Reduction ◽  
Ecological Sanitation ◽  
Scholarship Students ◽  
Points Of View ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The University

Purpose The University of A Coruña (UDC) elaborated the SOSTAUGA project, aiming to reach a higher sustainable level of its water management. SOSTAUGA defined four priority points of action: the restoration of the natural courses on the campus; the adoption of an ecological sanitation model; the sustainable management of urban runoff; and the reduction of water consumption in university facilities and activities. This paper aims to present the methodology, the actions and the results related to the reduction of water consumption and the potential for the use of endogenous resources. Design/methodology/approach The agents involved were the senior management of the centres, the committees of the Green Campus, the scholarship students and the Office for the Environment. Several actions have been experienced: audit of water consumption in sanitary services; flow reduction in washbasin taps by means of valve adjustment (and repair of the valves when necessary); replacement of tap aerators with other more eco-efficient ones; replacement of faucets; introduction of dual-flush (DF) in cisterns; and information to users (eco-label). Findings Water audit reached 68% of the total number of washbasins and tanks in the UDC. Efficient aerator installation covered 16% of taps and valve adjustment covered the further 33.5% and provided flow reduction of 42%. Another 20% of valve units required repair. The current situation in toilets combines tankless flush valves and cisterns with single flush mechanisms. The introduction of DF mechanisms was assessed and proposed. The cost of these actions was very low, as evidenced by the investment return period while showing a high potential for user awareness. Originality/value Both from the environmental (water saving) and from the economic and social points of view, this study shows that similar projects aimed at the efficient and rational use of water are applicable to the universities and other public and private schools, with potentially positive results on sustainability and people awareness.

The cost of sustainability in higher education: staff and student views of a campus food culture

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 376-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Shaw ◽  
Teresa Capetola ◽  
Justin T. Lawson ◽  
Claire Henderson-Wilson ◽  
Berni Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Community Gardens ◽  
Food Culture ◽  
Short Paper ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Significant Barrier ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The University

Purpose This study aims to investigate the sustainability of the food culture at Deakin University and to determine what the barriers to increasing the sustainability of food on the Burwood campus may be. Design/methodology/approach An online survey of staff and students from the Faculty of Health at the Burwood campus of Deakin University (n = 697) was undertaken. The survey included questions relating to eating habits on campus, views on the current food culture, food security, food disposal, visions for the future and demographic information. In addition, a short paper-based survey was developed for the ten food outlets on campus. Findings The results show that although sustainability considerations are important to staff and students, cost is the main issue and is a significant barrier to the development of a more sustainable food culture. It is also a significant barrier to staff and students making healthy choices when it comes to the purchase of food on campus. However, sustainable food initiatives such as community gardens could help alleviate this barrier and also contribute to improving student engagement. Research limitations/implications The online survey was limited to the Faculty of Health, and, therefore, a potential bias exists towards individuals who may have an interest in health. This should be considered when interpreting the results. Originality/value This research demonstrates that although cost may be a barrier to universities improving the sustainability of their food culture, there are other ways in which universities can create an environment that embraces sustainable food production to benefit both the environment and the university community.

A costing study of the document supply service at a Chinese research library: the case of Wuhan University Library

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xia Liu ◽  
Ting Lei
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Unit Cost ◽  
Research Library ◽  
Cost Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Library ◽  
Costing Study ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The University

PurposeThis paper aims to report on a cost study of document supply at Wuhan University Library, and to investigate the difference in costs over time and the cost‐effectiveness for the university.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative approach is employed.FindingsThe borrowing unit cost and lending unit cost decreased by 27 percent and 60 percent, respectively, between 2002 and 2004, but showed a small increase in 2006.Originality/valueThe paper reveals the cost of document supply in a Chinese research library and proves that the cost could be lowered rapidly by taking effective measures. The paper also demonstrates that document supply is an effective way to resolve the library budgetary crisis as well as satisfying end‐users' needs.

Usage of electronic resources at University of Delhi: a case study

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 96-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narender Kumar ◽  
Lalita Lalita
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
Average Cost ◽  
Literacy Program ◽  
Open Market ◽  
Electronic Resource ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Yearly Average ◽  
Total Approximation ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The University

Purpose The aim of this paper is to know the cost of per use, to analyze the cost per use in different subjects, to analyze the most economical as well as expensive electronic database being subscribed by the University of Delhi, to identify the database(s) for cancellation and to highlight issues related to usage statistics. Design/methodology/approach Usage statistics have been collected from the publishers for the period under study of full-text databases in the counting online usage of networked electronic resource (COUNTER) JR1 excluding downloads from an archive and Indian databases not providing COUNTER compliance usage. Usages of foreign databases have been analyzed through different parameters like yearly average cost per down load, subject-wise average cost per down, most economical databases and most expensive databases have been identified. A total approximation cost has also been worked by adopting standards practice to know the saving of University of Delhi by subscribing these databases. Findings The study concludes that in case of foreign databases, the cost per use has increased by 41.77 per cent in the past 10 years and the cumulative average cost per use has been Rs.55.07 less than $1 if converted into US$. In case of subject, the cheapest cost per use has been from the databases providing statistical data (Rs.26.50) and the costliest cost per use has been from discipline social science (99–196.61), followed by management (Rs.37.33), general databases (Rs.40.58), science (Rs.41.66), humanities (Rs.48.73), technology (Rs.93.22) and computer science (Rs.102.09) per use. It has also been found that the Britannica Online has been the most economical database costing Rs.2.33 and World Intellectual Property Search as most expensive costing Rs.14,902.19 per use. The study concludes that University of Delhi have saved substantial amount by subscribing these databases instead of purchasing these article from open market. The study concluded that though the usage statistics is an important parameter for renewal or cancellation, it should not be the only criteria. Research limitations/implications This study could not able to work out the cost per use of Indian databases, as they were not able to provide COUNTER statistics. Practical implications On the basis of the study, University of Delhi and institute may decide on renewal of these databases. The institute may take necessary action to promote these databases through information literacy program. On the basis of the study, University of Delhi and institute may decide on renewal of these databases. The institute may take necessary action to promote these databases through information literacy program. Originality/value This study is an empirical research based on original usage statistics provided by the publishers in COUNTER format. Earlier literature has also been studied and used. Proper citation and reference have been acknowledged. The study has been checked through plagiarism detecting software.

Proximity and choice of College of Distance Education (CoDE) of the University of Cape Coast for further studies

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 1012-1034
Author(s):  
Moses Segbenya ◽  
George Kwaku Toku Oduro ◽  
Fred Peniana ◽  
Kwesi Ghansah
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Average Distance ◽  
Distance Learners ◽  
Cape Coast ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Electronic Learning ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Study Centre ◽  
The University

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the proximity of study centres to the students of College of Distance Education, University of Cape Coast (CoDE/UCC) and whether further studies of distance learners who were teachers and employees could lead to absenteeism in their workplaces. Design/methodology/approach A sequential explanatory strategy was used. A self-administered questionnaire and unstructured interviews as well as observation guides were employed to collect data from 2,077 students pursuing business and education programmes of CoDE in all study centres across Ghana. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics and pattern matching of content analysis. Findings The study found that few teachers and other workers pursuing the distance education do absent themselves from the workplace or classroom on Fridays preceding their face-to-face session because they embarked on their journey to the study centres on Friday morning. Some teachers also absented themselves from work on Mondays after face-to-face sessions for a lack of means of transport on Sunday after lessons. The absenteeism of these respondents directly and indirectly affected their employers, students and customers. Practical implications It was therefore recommended that management of CoDE/UCC should open more study centres in all the regions especially Western, Ashanti, Upper East, Northern and Upper West Regions to reduce number of hours spent by students to their study centres and consider introducing the business programmes at the existing district centres to reduce average distance covered by these students to commute from their places of work to their respective centres in the regional capitals. It was also recommended that online/electronic learning and audio versions (impersonal communication) of the study modules should be introduced so that students would not necessary have to travel to the study centre to participate in lectures/face-to-face sessions. Originality/value The findings of this study will help managers and administrators of both public and private distance educational providers. In addition to providing basis and areas for establishing study centres for geographical proximity, findings of the study should prove helpful for designing and delivering electronic and audio versions of distance education modules to reduce the level of absenteeism in workplace for the students.

scholarly journals Reflecting on the role of universities in the fight against corruption

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Hauser
Keyword(s):  
Applied Sciences ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Private Institutions ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Of Applied Sciences ◽  
Guidelines And Standards ◽  
The University

Purpose Corruption continues to ravage societies around the world. The fight against corruption can be fruitful only if approached from multiple standpoints. Thus, corruption must also be approached from an academic and educational perspective. The purpose of this paper is to provide a good practice example of how universities and business schools can take actions to align themselves with the international sustainability and anticorruption agenda. Design/methodology/approach The six principles of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) provide a framework for higher education institutions to address corruption-related issues. This paper presents the case story of the Swiss-based University of Applied Sciences HTW Chur, which developed an academic working agenda on corruption-related topics based on the principles of the PRME. Findings The case story shares the actions that HTW Chur has taken and the benefits that have resulted from the university’s work. The findings show that to address corruption-related issues, scholars from the university took actions related to four principles in the PRME: method, research, partnership and dialogue. Furthermore, the results indicate that in addition to the university itself, public and private institutions have also profited from the actions taken. Research limitations/implications This paper is founded on a single case story; thus, the usual limitations of this research design apply. Practical implications It becomes apparent that the needs of the private sector in the fight against corruption could be addressed by engaging in and strengthening partnerships with universities. Thus, it seems beneficial to develop guidelines and standards to facilitate collaborations and dialogue in a participatory and transparent way. Originality/value The paper provides a good practice example of how universities can take actions to align themselves with the international sustainability and anticorruption agenda.

Medidor de agua para sistema inteligente de control de agua potable

2019 ◽  
pp. 6-12
Author(s):  
Daniel Sustaita-Cruces ◽  
Elsa Verónica Martínez-Mejía
Keyword(s):  
Data Mining ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Big Data ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
The North ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
The Many ◽  
The University ◽  
Technological University

Objectives: Develop an electronic prototype that respects the environment, through the use of microcontroller cards such as Arduino, Nodemcu, IoT concept and cloud for the control and measurement of water consumption. Objectives specific: Process the data provided by sensors and meters distributed in the main water supplies of the university, as well as the public and private sectors and combine them with information, such as consumption patterns, to build a sophisticated image of how the water network is behaving . through the concept of IoT, data mining, big data and cloud. Measure and evaluate the impacts of the results obtained by the smart meter and that provide the applications for the correct decision making. Objectives Methodologycs: Strengthen the research line of the work team, which sets the standard for us as part of an academic body, of proposing projects based on Internet of Things, Big-Data and data mining technologies, using as a platform the potential of the microcontroller boards (Photon, Arduino, etc.), to enter the new industrial model 4.0 - environment. Create an academic body that carries out research activities through the use of different research methods for the solution to different problems within the institution. Contribution The water resource is essential for life, however, society rarely thinks about the different ways of use that is generally given, or the many activities of daily life in which it is present, and how our life It would change if its availability were near the end of its life cycle. The present project arises from the need to have a better control in the water consumption registers mainly in the Technological University of the North of Guanajuato which is the place where this research originates and from these registers allow an analysis of the data of consumption with greater accuracy and the best decision making.

Environmental sustainability features in large university campuses

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hani Abu Qdais ◽  
Osama Saadeh ◽  
Mohamad Al-Widyan ◽  
Raed Al-tal ◽  
Muna Abu-Dalo
Keyword(s):  
Solid Waste ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Carbon Emission ◽  
University Campus ◽  
Waste Generation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Campuses ◽  
Solid Waste Generation ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
The University

Purpose The purpose of this study is to describe the efforts undertaken to convert the large university campus of Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) into a green, resource-efficient and low-carbon campus by following an action-oriented strategy. Sustainability features of the campus were discussed and benchmarked. Challenges were identified and remedial actions were proposed. Design/methodology/approach Taking 2015 as the baseline year, data on energy, water consumption and solid waste generation for the university campus were collected. Energy consumption for cooling, heating and transportation, besides electric power consumption, were reported, and the associated carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were estimated. By calculating the full time equivalent of students and employees, carbon emission and water consumption per capita were calculated. A comparison with other universities worldwide was conducted. Findings Although located in a semiarid region with scarce water resources, JUST has set an example by greening its campus through an action-oriented approach. It was found that the per capita carbon emission for JUST campus was 1.33 ton of CO2 equivalent, which is less than the emissions from campuses of other universities worldwide. As for water, this study revealed that the daily per capita water consumption was about 56 L, which is approximately one-third of that for students in institutions in the USA. Furthermore, the findings of this study indicated that the average solid waste generation rate was 0.37 kg per student per day compared to 0.31 kg per capita per day when considering the university community (students and employees) collectively. These figures were less and thus compare favorably to the corresponding data for other universities in both developing and developed countries. Originality/value This research addresses the issue of greening JUST campus, which is one of the largest university campuses in the world. JUST campus is located in a semiarid, water-scarce country, which on its own poses a serious challenge. The originality and value of this study mainly stem from the facts that on the one hand, this is one of the unique and pioneering comprehensive studies of its type and, on the other hand, other universities with similar conditions can benefit from the findings of this research to meet the sustainability objectives on their campus operations.

Cost efficiency and service effectiveness for university e-libraries in Taiwan

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 308-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling-Feng Hsieh ◽  
Jiung-Bin Chin ◽  
Mu-Chen Wu
Keyword(s):  
Cost Efficiency ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Effectiveness ◽  
Related Data ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The University ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
First Time

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to construct a model of cost efficiency and service effectiveness for a university e-library to allocate e-resources cost and to attain quality of service enhancement and cater to the needs of readers with existing e-resources. Design/methodology/approach – The paper establishes an assessment model for the cost efficiency and service effectiveness of a university e-library in Taiwan. It then proceeds with an empirical study and analysis of related data collected from e-libraries of 16 universities. A discussion of the results of the study and suggestions for the adjustment of the university e-libraries follows. Findings – The paper combines two models of cost efficiency and service effectiveness for the first time to analyze and consider the output results created by the input cost of university e-libraries in Taiwan and their utilization by readers. Originality/value – The paper builds a figure for the relationship of e-library cost efficiency and service effectiveness at 16 universities in Taiwan and then divides it into four types.

Knowledge and skills transfer between MBA and workplace

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melvin Prince ◽  
David Burns ◽  
Xinyi Lu ◽  
Robert Winsor
Keyword(s):  
Transfer Of Knowledge ◽  
Skills Transfer ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge And Skills ◽  
Mba Students ◽  
Part Time ◽  
Transfer Climate ◽  
Reciprocal Transfer ◽  
The University

Purpose – This paper aims to use goal-setting theory to explain the transfer of knowledge and skills between master of business administration (MBA) and the workplace. Design/methodology/approach – Data were obtained by an online survey of MBA students enrolled in at four US graduate business schools. These were a public and private institution in the Northeast region, a private sectarian institution in the Midwest region and a private institution in the Pacific region. All students worked while attending the university. The sampling frame consisted of each school’s MBA enrollees. Questionnaires were distributed to a random cross-section of part-time students at each graduate school of business representative of returned by 144 students. The profiles of responders were consistent with parameters for the entire MBA student population. Findings – The research shows that multiple goals of reciprocal knowledge and skills transfer may be in harmony and mutually reinforcing. In principle, each goal is more likely to be attained with greater economy of effort than might be surmised. Additionally, the same forces may act similarly to facilitate attainment of two well-integrated goals, in this case transfer between MBA studies and work, as well as between work and MBA studies. Research limitations/implications – The present study involved participants from part-time public and private MBA granting institutions in the USA. The study tested and extended goal-setting theory and introduced the innovative concept of reciprocal transfer. Future studies should seek to generalize the findings to a broader population of part-time MBA students, especially from other nations. Despite its strengths, the findings of this study need to be interpreted in the perspective of some limitations. The current study did not measure transfer climates in either the organization or university settings. Transfer climates undoubtedly have an important bearing on transfer outcomes. Practical implications – Review of the present study suggests that a positive MBA environment is needed to influence motivation to learn and perceptions of the MBA program’s utility, thereby promoting transfer of knowledge and skills to MBA studies from the workplace. A supportive work-to-MBA-studies transfer climate will lead to more active learning of course content that has greater relevance for achieving career goals. Potentially generalizable from the organizational transfer climate literature (Rouiller and Goldstein 1990; Rouiller and Goldstein 1993), positive transfer from work to MBA studies will occur when appropriate situational cues and consequences are present in the program. Social implications – A constructive implication suggested by the findings of this study would be the intervention and transfer management by educators to structure and strengthen the university transfer climate of their part-time MBA programs. Traditionally, the concept of transfer climate has been primarily applied to employee workplace training activity and job performance. The university culture of the MBA student might emphasize and reward continuous learning from workplace experiences. Opportunities at the university should be provided for the exercise of newly acquired workplace skills that reinforce MBA learning experiences. Originality/value – This is the first study that shows how learning goals and performance goals are integrated in the context of a new concept, i.e. reciprocal transfer of knowledge and skills between MBA and workplace settings. It also demonstrates, for the first time, the impact of learning and motivation for MBA studies and perceived utility of MBA program on the extent of transfer of learning and skills from the workplace to the university setting.

Sustainability in the car-based mobility: the case of the electric vehicle Editha

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Heinicke ◽  
Gerd Wagenhaus
Keyword(s):  
Urban Environment ◽  
Electric Vehicle ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Rear Wheel ◽  
Sustainable Mobility ◽  
Manual Gearbox ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Central Engine ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The University

Purpose – Considering the well-known finiteness of resources and particularly in the light of previous concepts to ensure car-based mobility, this paper aims to outline to what extent the cost structure for sustainable mobility is still acceptable in the foreseeable future for the majority of people. The production and use of energy for mobility is a decisive factor for the future development of entire regions. This can be directly derived from the dramatically evolving energy cost in the recent years rooted in an increasing scarcity of known resources. Design/methodology/approach – On the basis of available new technology components, researchers from the University of Magdeburg (Germany) have converted a conventional car into an electric vehicle. Hereby, energy efficiency and sustainability were in the direct focus of the product redesign. Furthermore, a LCC analysis complements the qualitative analysis. Findings – Thus, a driving concept for electric mobility in the urban environment was drawn up which meets the criterion of suitability for everyday use due to an e-conversion. Moreover, the outstanding efficiency of the designed powertrain is demonstrated. Research limitations/implications – Using the research electric vehicle Editha, the researchers point out which technical options can be inferred from available components for the creation of mobility in the urban environment. However, the source of energy is crucial to assess if the claim for sustainability is fulfilled. Social implications – The paper illustrates that a monetary advantage of electric vehicles, such as the prototype Editha, arises after seven years due to disproportional purchase costs. Originality/value – In this context, the proposed driving concept of the prototype represents a transitional solution from vehicles with central engine to hub wheel electric engines. In addition, Editha is the first roadworthy and suitable for daily use research vehicle using an individual electric motor for each rear wheel without manual gearbox.

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