Framing and facilitating complex problem-solving competences in interdisciplinary megaprojects: an institutional strategy to educate for sustainable development

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lykke Brogaard Bertel ◽  
Maiken Winther ◽  
Henrik Worm Routhe ◽  
Anette Kolmos
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Interdisciplinary Collaboration ◽  
Complex Problem ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Student Responsibility ◽  
Disciplinary Boundaries ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Institutional Strategy ◽  
Extra Curricular Activities

Purpose Problem-based learning (PBL) has been suggested as an approach to education for sustainable development (ESD); however, the integration of interdisciplinarity is continuously challenged as it requires transfer and collaboration across disciplinary boundaries, as well as integration into an often already-overflowing curriculum. Even in formalized PBL universities emphasizing student responsibility for defining relevant problems, envisioning sustainable solutions and developing transversal competences, interdisciplinary collaboration is still often “relocated” to extra-curricular activities. This paper aims to explore Aalborg University (AAU) Megaprojects as a case for systematically integrating principles of ESD, and particularly interdisciplinarity, into PBL at scale. Design/methodology/approach The paper proposes a framework for analysing potentials and challenges concerning interdisciplinary framing and facilitation in large-scale projects based on PBL- and ESD-related research and presents findings from a case study on the first three rounds of megaprojects at AAU in 2019 and 2020. Findings The findings indicate that interdisciplinary megaprojects have the potential to motivate students to engage in sustainable development; however, they require systematic framing and guided facilitation, particularly in the early stages, for students to take ownership, prioritize collaboration and see the contribution to and connection between disciplines. They also need prioritization at all institutional levels to succeed as an institutional strategy of ESD. Originality/value The paper provides insights into the potentials and challenges of framing and facilitating large-scale megaprojects as an approach to integrate the SDGs and interdisciplinary collaboration into higher education. Hence, it aims to provide new insights, concepts and practices for ESD and PBL for sustainability.

Integrating sustainability into business curricula: University of New Hampshire case study

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelson A. Barber ◽  
Fiona Wilson ◽  
Venky Venkatachalam ◽  
Sara M. Cleaves ◽  
Josina Garnham
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Business Schools ◽  
Interdisciplinary Collaboration ◽  
Development Education ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Educators ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
Business Curricula ◽  
University Of New Hampshire

Purpose – This paper aims to demonstrate how sustainable development education can be implemented at business schools, despite institutional barriers, through innovative and collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Businesses are beginning to accept their social responsibility through proactive approaches to maximizing their net social contribution, embracing opportunities and managing risks resulting from their economic, environmental and social impacts. Yet, many business schools are lagging in integration of sustainability into their curriculum, and as a result are not adequately educating future business leaders. Design/methodology/approach – This case study presents the challenges in developing and implementing sustainability education, as well as analyzes the various underlying drivers of these barriers. The paper provides a detailed description of some of the ways one business school has overcome these barriers, and provides generalizable insights that can help other business schools and universities understand how they can engage in the implementation of similar sustainable development programs. Findings – As business educators, we should reevaluate our role and our focus. Through education, interdisciplinary collaboration, research and community and industry engagement, sustainability can become firmly established within the existing value structure of business schools. Originality/value – While many business schools worldwide are discussing the importance of integrating sustainability into their curricula, and while employers and students are demanding the same, few business schools have genuinely made progress in meeting these demands. This paper presents both the challenges to integrating sustainability and an in-depth study of one business school’s approach to creating unique and innovative solutions to overcome these barriers.

Multi-utility framework: blockchain exchange platform for sustainable development

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Bou Abdo ◽  
Sherali Zeadally
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Peer To Peer ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Blockchain Technology

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to design a sustainable development platform for water and energy peer-to-peer trading that is financially and economically feasible. Water and other resources are becoming scarcer every day, and developing countries are the neediest for an immediate intervention. Water, as a national need, is considered to be one of the most precious commodities, but it is also one of the main causes for conflicts in the 21st century. Rainwater harvesting and peer-to-peer trading of the harvested water is one of the most convenient, scalable and sustainable solutions but faces organization challenges such as the absence of suitable business models motivating normal users to sell their generated resources (such as water and energy), currency and financial settlement complexities and single utility markets. Design/methodology/approach This paper proposes a multi-utility trading platform based on the blockchain technology which can address the challenges faced by peer-to-peer trading for resources such as energy and water. Findings This paper presents a peer-to-peer multi-utility trading platform that solves the shortcomings of existing utility frameworks reported in the current literature. Originality/value This proposed platform meets the needs of developing countries as well as rural areas of developed countries. The open nature of the proposed design makes it suitable for adoption and use by various stakeholders.

Social responsibility clusters arising from social partnerships

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 331-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharyn McDonald
Keyword(s):  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
Social Partnerships ◽  
Societal Problems

Purpose – This paper aims to identify models of best practice and examines the manner in which such social partnerships attract new partners and scale-up their solutions. Social responsibility initiatives that incorporate multiple sectors have the capacity to challenge unsustainable practice and pave the way for model solutions towards the societal problems we face globally. Design/methodology/approach – Comparisons of three Australian case studies were analysed. These cases were purposefully selected as they all represented relationships that demonstrated social partnerships characteristics, and they had all attracted acclaim by their peers. They differed in terms of their societal problems and relationship duration. Semi-structured interviews were held with managers and employees from each social partnership, where they discussed all aspects of the partnership lifecycle from pre-collaborative conditions through to outcomes. In total, 50 semi-structured interviews were held with members of the private, nonprofit and public sectors. Findings – Social partnerships pool skills, knowledge and finance across sectors, concentrating on specific societal issues of mutual concern. Resultant successful initiatives act as catalysts in soliciting further support. Three primary pathways exist for successful social partnerships that wish to evolve: expansion, replication and refinement. Focused attention and resources, through the formation of social responsibility clusters, can lead to sustainable solutions. Practical implications – There are many organisations wishing to move on from philanthropic exchange towards more meaningful integrated relationships. This paper highlights the value of both within sector and cross-sector collaboration to achieve organisational outcomes. It provides some insight into the entry points for both nonprofit organisations as well as small- to medium-sized private sector organisations that would otherwise consider social investment in large-scale societal problems beyond their reach. Originality/value – Social partnerships within the Australian context are under-represented; this paper addresses this by examining three best practice exemplars. The rationale for incorporating new partners and sharing success is discussed and supported by a model of social responsibility cluster formation.

Technology push and demand pull practices for achieving sustainable development in manufacturing industries

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 240-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anuj Singla ◽  
Inderpreet Singh Ahuja ◽  
APS Sethi
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Corporate Strategy ◽  
Global Market ◽  
Manufacturing Industries ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Development Indicators ◽  
Manufacturing Enterprises ◽  
Demand Pull

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the significance of various technology push (TP) and demand pull (DP) practices substantial for achieving sustainable development in Indian manufacturing industries. The research crucially examines the effectiveness of TP-DP practices in manufacturing companies. Design/methodology/approach An extensive survey of 92 companies in India has been executed to identify improvements made by TP-DP practices, to achieve sustainable development in manufacturing industries. The companies in the survey include medium- and large-scale manufacturing enterprises. The correlations between various TP-DP practices and sustainable development parameters are evaluated and validated using various numerical methods and tools. Findings The focus of the paper is on the distinguishable contributions made by TP-DP practices like innovative capability, research and development, corporate strategy, export orientation, stringent implementation of government regulations, transforming capabilities, unionized labor and customer attributes toward achieving sustainable development in manufacturing industries. The inter-relationships between different TP-DP practices with sustainable development parameters are evaluated to effectively manage the goals and objectives of industries related to sustainability and growth. However, it is also acknowledged that manufacturing firms need to work more actively on managing certain practices of TP-DP. Research limitations/implications In the present investigation, contributions made by TP-DP practices are evaluated to accomplish sustainable development in Indian manufacturing industries. Hence, the results obtained may need some modifications before applying to other countries. Moreover, issue-wise independent modeling can also be performed to assess the importance of TP-DP practices under specific orientations. Practical implications The research gives priority to enhancement in the planning among various TP-DP practices and sustainable development indicators in the industries, to impart TP-DP as important practices to meet the challenges of competent markets worldwide. Social implications It has been exhibited from the observations that adequate TP-DP practices can efficiently contribute toward recognition of sustainable development to compete in the highly progressive global market. The results of various inter-relationships among TP-DP practices and sustainable development parameters represent the effectiveness of TP-DP practices for accomplishment of social as well as organizational objectives. Originality/value The investigation shows that TP-DP practices are significant initiatives employed by the manufacturing industries for performance improvement and sustainable development. The paper peeks into the research to find out TP-DP issues that need to be assessed efficiently by companies to avail the benefits of sustainable development to meet the challenges posed by international markets.

International mega-corruption Inc.: the structural violence against sustainable development

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick Ahen
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Economic Stability ◽  
Current Form ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Post Colonial ◽  
Colonial Theory ◽  
The Media ◽  
Countervailing Power ◽  
Specific Factors

Purpose This paper aims to determine the underlying structural foundations that explain why mega (large-scale) corruption exists in an ever-more sophisticated form and how and why the phenomenon remains an intractable threat to global socio-economic stability and sustainable development. Design/methodology/approach Post-colonial theory is used along with critical perspectives on corruption in international business. The paper privileges the decolonization of the current paradigm where “hegemonic orthodoxy” is maintained and enforced through domesticated criticism of corruption in academic literature and in the media. Findings The author explains the foundations of “International mega-Corruption Incorporated” (ImC Inc.) and concludes that apart from being the results of greed and criminal intent, it is a designed and weaponized violent instrument for undermining human progress. ImC Inc. occurs through resource control and the manipulation of institutions. Thus, the same theories, the same analyses and the same media exposés on the “pandemic of ImC Inc.” are followed by the same inactions or lacklustre interventions that ignore the powerful international financial institutions serving as the major facilitators. Social implications The nature of ImC Inc. as an existential threat requires mass awareness about its historicity and deep-seated influence on institutions, in order for stakeholders to form a countervailing power to proactively disrupt it in its complexity and in contextually meaningful ways. Originality/value This paper provides useful clarifications about specific factors that determine how ImC Inc. exists and thrives in its current form and how to deploy sweeping, corrective and pre-emptive interventions rather than reactionary policies against ImC Inc.

Agile social learning – capacity-building for sustainable development in higher education

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 1563-1586
Author(s):  
Johan Bolmsten ◽  
Momoko Kitada
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Social Learning ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Learning Method ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Life Issues ◽  
The Subject

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the usefulness of an agile social learning method in higher education to build capacity for sustainable development at the community level. Social learning methods intend to empower students (and instructors) to work together in connection with real-life issues – combined with acquiring a conceptual understanding – to analyze issues at hand and work out solutions. The agile format of the method was aimed at a subject that is adaptive and responsive to change to empower the students to take action toward sustainable development. Design/methodology/approach This study was based on a case study methodology where the running of the subject was documented and analyzed for two years. The target student group was maritime professionals who had an interest or were in a position to work with developing sustainable solutions in their home organizations (mostly in developing countries). Findings The results of the analysis indicate how the students learned about environmental, social and economic spheres of sustainable development and their linkages; how the subject format stimulated the students to develop different “learning paths” between the three spheres of sustainable development, which enabled a multi-faceted understanding of sustainable development issues; and, finally, how the students were able to design evolvable sustainable development solutions. Originality/value The results indicate both the novelty and usefulness of the agile social learning method to build capacity for sustainable development through the subject designed for higher education.

A decade of Finnish engineering education for sustainable development

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 170-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annina Takala ◽  
Kati Korhonen-Yrjänheikki
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Engineering Education ◽  
Explicit Knowledge ◽  
Education For Sustainable Development ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Disciplinary Boundaries ◽  
Material Development ◽  
Strategy Process ◽  
Holistic Understanding

Purpose The paper aims to examine the current status and development of sustainable development in Finnish engineering education. Design/methodology/approach The study consists of interviews with key stakeholders supplemented with the analysis of documented material. Development is discussed in relation to the findings of collaborative strategy process in the year 2009. Findings The paper observes that the Finnish universities providing engineering education are committed to sustainable development in their strategies. However, a lot of work remains to be done before the strategies are implemented and sustainable development is integrated to all degree programs. Explicit knowledge and individual learning in clearly defined disciplinary boundaries have been the main focus of engineering education. Practical implications The paper suggests that engineers need to be provided with mental tools to cope with uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. Key competencies include holistic understanding, communication and collaboration skills, ability and willingness for critical and reflective thinking, creativity, innovativeness and entrepreneurship. Thus, collaborative learning, open dialogue and innovation are at the heart of education for sustainable development. Originality/value This paper has a relatively wide approach as it analyses sustainable development in the context of Finnish engineering education both on institutional and societal levels and is based on a national project.

A study of transitions between technology push and demand pull strategies for accomplishing sustainable development in manufacturing industries

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 302-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anuj Singla ◽  
APS Sethi ◽  
Inderpreet Singh Ahuja
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Manufacturing Industries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Extensive Survey ◽  
Demand Pull ◽  
Present Context ◽  
Key Aspects

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze transitions between technology push (TP) and demand pull (DP) strategies for accomplishing sustainable development in manufacturing industries. Design/methodology/approach The key aspects based on their relevance to TP-DP strategies have been extracted from literature review. The aspects were utilized to design a well-framed TP-DP questionnaire. An extensive survey in medium- and large-scale manufacturing industries operating in India has been executed through questionnaire. The responses to various factors were collected and the data obtained have been analyzed using analytical and graphical comparisions. Findings The recognition of the outcomes of transitions was perceived to be substantial. The research concludes that DP strategies dominates TP strategies in the present context. These strategies have emerged as a foundation for several development initiatives and actively support manufacturing industries in accomplishing sustainable development. Originality/value The analysis shows that TP-DP strategies in Indian manufacturing industries encounter significant transitions at different stages of their development.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) & Education for Sustainable Development

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 112
Author(s):  
R.S.S. Nehru
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Knowledge Generation ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Strategic Csr ◽  
Corporate Social

Corporate Social Responsibility is the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large” According to World Business Council for Sustainable Development, In globalization era education plays a crucial role in building the society and Nation. India is the highest country in a number of universities which constitute more than seven hundred universities, including private, public and semi sectors. Despite India have more institutions and strategies for education still Indian education is not competitive and performing infancy stage as compared to world class level. Education has pivotal role in nation building and molding superb wings of human recourse. In globalized economy and the privatization the education have been transformed into rural or root level of sustainable development in all sorts of human life. Adopting a businesslike approach which emphasizes a strategic CSR is important to survival in this increasingly competitive arena. It does not appear as a surprise to see universities and colleges discover the opportunity to move the focus beyond the classrooms into their own institutional operations. Universities, colleges and schools are the centers of knowledge generation and sharing perform a very important role in addressing the Triple Bottom Line of the world’ socioeconomic and environmental issues by promoting sustainable solutions. This paper discusses the good CSR practices and some suggestions that can boost up the CSR management and make invites on education sector.

Financial distress determinants among SMEs: empirical evidence from Sweden

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 547-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darush Yazdanfar ◽  
Peter Öhman
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Financial Distress ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Global Financial Crisis

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to empirically investigate determinants of financial distress among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during the global financial crisis and post-crisis periods.Design/methodology/approachSeveral statistical methods, including multiple binary logistic regression, were used to analyse a longitudinal cross-sectional panel data set of 3,865 Swedish SMEs operating in five industries over the 2008–2015 period.FindingsThe results suggest that financial distress is influenced by macroeconomic conditions (i.e. the global financial crisis) and, in particular, by various firm-specific characteristics (i.e. performance, financial leverage and financial distress in previous year). However, firm size and industry affiliation have no significant relationship with financial distress.Research limitationsDue to data availability, this study is limited to a sample of Swedish SMEs in five industries covering eight years. Further research could examine the generalizability of these findings by investigating other firms operating in other industries and other countries.Originality/valueThis study is the first to examine determinants of financial distress among SMEs operating in Sweden using data from a large-scale longitudinal cross-sectional database.

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