The role of citizens and transformation of energy, water, and waste infrastructure for an intelligent, sustainable environment in cities

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Margarida Rodrigues ◽  
Mário Franco
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Scientific Quality ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
The Individual

PurposeThis study aims to list indicators to allow construction of a ranking for environmental sustainability in towns and cities, in relation to energy and water consumption and the prevention, production and management of waste. A systematization of theoretical and empirical indices was elaborated, focused on this dimension.Design/methodology/approachThe results allow presentation of a ranking supported by multivariate statistical techniques – Exploratory Factor Analysis and Principal Component Analysis – confirming its scientific quality and robustness, with this being the main contribution of the study.FindingsThe analysis of the ranking revealed the great heterogeneity of towns and cities in Portugal, with the city of Lisbon and the town of Sardoal in the Top 20, suggesting that the achievement of the goal of environmental sustainability is proactively associated with the ability to articulate resources with infrastructure and the strategic and political will applied, being essential the appeal to the individual awareness of each citizen, even if the design of green infrastructures does not depend on citizens’ behavior. This means that redesigned green infrastructures may exist, but their success depends. In addition, cities are increasingly moving toward a circular economy articulated holistically with open and participatory governance.Practical implicationsThe empirical evidence obtained in the Portuguese context provides some implications for practice, by showing it is possible to counteract the negative effects of rapid urban growth and its environmental consequences in urban and non-urban areas.Originality/valueThe main contribution and innovation of this study lie in the presentation of empirical evidence that the population density of a city or town does not have a cause–effect relationship with its level of environmental sustainability.

The role of intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics of honey for Italian millennial consumers

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Blanc ◽  
Raffaele Zanchini ◽  
Giuseppe Di Vita ◽  
Filippo Brun
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Sports Activity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Local Product ◽  
Label Information

PurposeThis study aims to examine the importance that different intrinsic and extrinsic attributes represent for young Italian consumers of honey, analysing how these aspects influence the quality perceived during consumption. In addition, demographic and lifestyle aspects have been considered as possible discriminants influencing millennial generation honey consumers.Design/methodology/approachThe authors performed a non-parametric rank-based test (Mann–Whitney U test) to analyse which attributes millennials value most, relating these to gender, sports activity or rural and urban origin. Then, to identify consumption patterns, principal component analysis, applying Kaiser normalisation and varimax rotation, was used.FindingsThis study confirms the remarkable sensitivity of the millennials towards environmental sustainability aspects. This attribute of choice seems particularly important for a clearly identifiable segment of the sample examined, represented by women who regularly practice sports and who come from urban areas. This result makes it possible to identify a type of consumer who, from early adulthood, is mindful of their lifestyle and ecological footprint. Moreover, it emerges that the most important attributes during purchasing are those related to label information, local product and origin, highlighting the awareness of young people and their maturity in the consumption of agro-food products.Originality/valueThe authors identified a trend in consumption that diverges from the classic patterns based on brand and the intrinsic characteristics of honey, but which forges new pathways more closely intertwined with the aspects of sustainability and the relationship with the territory, in addition to food safety.

A principal component analysis of the determinants of spatial disparity between rural and urban localities of Ghana

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 715-731 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivy Drafor
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Component Analysis ◽  
Spatial Inequality ◽  
Necessary Condition ◽  
Spatial Disparity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rural And Urban

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the spatial disparity between rural and urban areas in Ghana using the Ghana Living Standards Survey’s (GLSS) rounds 5 and 6 data to advance the assertion that an endowed rural sector is necessary to promote agricultural development in Ghana. This analysis helps us to know the factors that contribute to the depravity of the rural sectors to inform policy towards development targeting. Design/methodology/approach A multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis were applied to data from the GLSS-5 and GLSS-6 to determine the characteristics of the rural-urban divide in Ghana. Findings The findings reveal that the rural poor also spend 60.3 per cent of their income on food, while the urban dwellers spend 49 per cent, which is an indication of food production capacity. They have low access to information technology facilities, have larger household sizes and lower levels of education. Rural areas depend a lot on firewood for cooking and use solar/dry cell energies and kerosene for lighting which have implications for conserving the environment. Practical implications Developing the rural areas to strengthen agricultural growth and productivity is a necessary condition for eliminating spatial disparities and promoting overall economic development in Ghana. Addressing rural deprivation is important for conserving the environment due to its increased use of fuelwood for cooking. Absence of alternatives to the use of fuelwood weakens the efforts to reduce deforestation. Originality/value The application of PCA to show the factors that contribute to spatial inequality in Ghana using the GLSS-5 and GLSS-6 data is unique. The study provides insights into redefining the framework for national poverty reduction efforts.

Assessment of alternative building technologies (ABT) for pre-tertiary school infrastructure delivery in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 1152-1170
Author(s):  
Ngxito Bonisile ◽  
Kahilu Kajimo-Shakantu ◽  
Akintayo Opawole
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Conventional Method ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Educational Infrastructure ◽  
Policy Responses

Purpose Anecdotal evidence indicates that there is a backlog in the pre-tertiary school infrastructure in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The purpose of this paper is to assess the adoption of alternative building technologies (ABT) for pre-tertiary educational infrastructure delivery with a view to providing empirical evidence that could guide policy responses towards its wider adoption. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a mixed methodology approach. This comprises a triangulation of a questionnaire survey and interviews. In total, 100 participants were randomly selected from 182 built environment professionals namely quantity surveyors, architects and engineers (electrical, mechanical, civil and structural) from the Department of Roads and Public Works (DRPW), who are currently involved in the Eastern Cape School Building Program (ECSBP). The questionnaire survey was supplemented by semi-structured interviews conducted with four top government officials (three from the Department of Education (DoE) and one from DRPW) who were also part of the questionnaire survey. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and phenomenological interpretation respectively. Findings The key findings showed that the level of adoption of ABT for pre-tertiary school infrastructure in the Eastern Cape province is primarily influenced and explained by perceptions that ABT offers inferior quality products compared to the conventional method, and limited awareness of its benefits. Research limitations/implications The study provides useful insights into the implications of the limited awareness of ABT as a an alternative technology for educational infrastructure delivery and policy responses towards its wider adoption and environmental sustainability. Originality/value Empirical evidence from this study indicates that the main motivation for the adoption of ABT is the limited government’s budget to cope with school infrastructural backlog, while environmental sustainability benefit is only secondary. Nonetheless, the realization that the backlogs in the provision of school infrastructure has resulted from sole reliance on the use of the conventional method is an indication of the potential that the adoption of ABT holds for minimizing of the backlog.

Food safety practices in European TV cooking shows

2014 ◽  
Vol 116 (10) ◽  
pp. 1652-1666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Borda ◽  
Miles R. Thomas ◽  
Solveig Langsrud ◽  
Kathrin Rychli ◽  
Kieran Jordan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Food Handling ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Safety Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cooking Practices ◽  
Cooking Shows ◽  
Good Hygiene

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine how well cooking shows promote safe food handling via TV and to suggest their use for providing good hygiene and good cooking practices examples for consumers. Design/methodology/approach – Principal component analysis was applied for the multivariate statistical analysis of the cooking shows, the components being: personal hygiene, cross-contamination, cooking and storing practices and risk communication. Data were collected via a questionnaire special designed for the purpose of the study. The positive attributes were converted into numbers using a nine-point Likert scale. This conversion enabled ranking of the cooking shows as a function of the total results obtained and considering the best show as the one with the maximum score attained. Findings – Evaluation of cooking practices by food safety professionals highlighted the most frequent safety errors and poor practices that are disseminated by the TV shows. Practical implications – While the repetition of good food handling and cooking practices risks antagonizing viewers, an increase in occasional emphasis of good hygiene would be of benefit to domestic viewers and potentially improve food safety practices among the public. Originality/value – This is the first study that gives an European perspective on presentation of safety practices during food handling and preparation in a range of TV cooking shows as it examines 19 such shows broadcasted in six European countries over three months. Adherence to food safety standards and introduction of a star rating system for safety practices in TV cooking shows is proposed.

Chinese culture, materialism and corporate supply of trade credit

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xian Chen ◽  
Jakob Arnoldi ◽  
Xin Chen
Keyword(s):  
Chinese Culture ◽  
Trade Credit ◽  
Institutional Development ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Economic Decision Making ◽  
Trade Credits ◽  
The Individual

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how cultural value in materialism affects corporate supply of trade credits. Design/methodology/approach Using a sample of 14,710 firm-year observations of Chinese listed firms from 1998 to 2012, the authors examine the influence of regional materialism on accounts receivable. Findings The authors find that listed firms within more materialistic tend to extend less trade credit to their customers, in particular in long-term categories of trade credit. Such negative effects can be significantly mitigated by state control, suggesting the effects are more pronounced in privately controlled listed firms. The negative effects of materialism still hold after controlling for other regional factors, such as trust, GDP per capita or institutional development. Research limitations/implications The authors show materialism as a cultural construct varies across Chinese regions, and it could have important impact on corporate supply of trade credits, besides the previous found effects on consumer use of credit. Originality/value This paper expands the literature about the influence of materialism on economic decision making from the individual level to the corporate level.

Passion in hybrid entrepreneurship: the impact of entrepreneurial teams and tenure

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carin Nordström ◽  
Charlotta Agneta Sirén ◽  
Sara Thorgren ◽  
Joakim Wincent
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Choice Theory ◽  
Choice Overload ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entrepreneurial Teams ◽  
Entrepreneurial Team ◽  
Main Motive ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to draw on the theory of choice overload to examine how entrepreneurial tenure and involvement in entrepreneurial teams influence passion for engaging in entrepreneurship. Design/methodology/approach – A survey was administered to 262 Swedish hybrid entrepreneurs, which refers to individuals who engage in entrepreneurship while also maintaining wage work; this arrangement is becoming more and more common in the Nordic economies. Hypotheses proposed associations between the entrepreneurial tenure (the length of engagement in the side business) and entrepreneurial teams (leading the business with one or more team members) with passion for entrepreneurship. Logistic regression was used to test the hypotheses. Findings – Results from logistic regression support the hypotheses with three findings: the longer the individual has had the side business, the less likely passion to be the main motive behind entrepreneurship; passion is less likely to be the main motive behind entrepreneurship among those who are part of an entrepreneurial team; and, involvement in an entrepreneurial team strengthens the negative association between entrepreneurial tenure and passion for entrepreneurship. Research limitations/implications – The data are limited to the creative sector in Sweden and to the hybrid entrepreneurship context. Practical implications – The results support the impact of choice overload and the notions that entrepreneurship passion will decrease the longer the business is up running and if the venturing occurs with another team member. In practice, this means that interventions for re-kindling passion in entrepreneurship should focus on dealing with choice overload under conditions of long-term tenure and team-funded ventures. If entrepreneurs want to maintain high levels of passion, quick and isolated entrepreneurial processes reduce the choice overload that may threaten maintaining a high passion for entrepreneurship. Originality/value – This study is the first to apply choice theory to an entrepreneurship context and to find support for possible negative effects of choice overload on passion for entrepreneurship.

scholarly journals Alienation

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne O’Donohue ◽  
Lindsay Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Existential Psychology ◽  
Work Experiences ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Negative Work ◽  
State Of Mind ◽  
Psychology Literature ◽  
The Individual

Purpose – This study aims to re-examine the concept of alienation, particularly from the perspective of existential psychology. While research interest continues to centre on links between human resource management (HRM) and organizational performance, such as in studies by Beer et al. (1984), Huselid (1995), Becker and Gerhart (1996) and Guest (2011), there is a growing interest in individual attributes such as employee well-being in addition to organizational performance, as mentioned in studies by Macky and Boxall (2007), Wood and de Menezes (2011) and Guest and Conway (2011). In this paper, we focus on issues related to the individual, and in doing so we suggest that HRM theory needs further development, as pointed out by Guest (2011). Design/methodology/approach – This is a paper in the tradition of critical theory that draws on both classical and modern research in the business and psychology literature. It outlines the development of the concept of alienation from its classic articulation by Marx through to the perspective offered by existential psychologists such as Blauner (1964). How alienation, thus, defined might manifest in the workplace is then discussed, as are its links to other concepts associated in the literature with positive and negative work experiences is presented. Findings – We argue that alienation needs to be addressed at two levels, namely, at the systemic level, in terms of factors external to the individual such as work and organizational systems and processes, and in terms of factors internal to the individual’s “state of mind”. We offer strategies for management to consider counterbalancing the negative effects of residual feelings of powerlessness, meaninglessness, isolation and self-estrangement that systemic change is unable to eliminate. Originality/value – The paper refocuses attention on the individual within the context of HRM, the effects of alienation and other outcomes of positive and negative work experiences such as work engagement and job burnout.

Combining practice and theory to assess strategic thinking

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 488-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen F. Goldman ◽  
Karen S. Schlumpf ◽  
Andrea Richards Scott
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Behavioral Assessment ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Strategic Thinking ◽  
Measurement Tool ◽  
Delphi Panel ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Concepts ◽  
Specific Competency ◽  
The Individual

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the process used to develop and test the Individual Behavioral Assessment Tool for Strategic Thinking. Design/methodology/approach The instrument was developed using literature that identifies practices in use in organizations to assess strategic thinking competency and recommendations of scholars and practitioners to define strategic thinking and suggest how it could be assessed. Processes defined in the literature to develop competency measurements, both generally and for leadership and strategic management concepts specifically, were applied. A Delphi panel of experts reviewed the initial draft of the instrument which, with their refinements, was administered to participants in an executive leadership program. Findings Cronbach’s α and principal component analysis indicated that the instrument is internally consistent and unidimensional. Rasch analysis suggested a possible reduction in items that maintains good overall instrument performance. Research limitations/implications The study provides methodology for developing a measurement tool that fuses practice and theory. Further applications of the instrument across organizational levels and in single sectors would enhance its generalizability. Practical implications The instrument provides a consistent tool for use by practitioners to identify gaps in their own or another’s strategic thinking behaviors, specify a job-specific competency model, and direct professional development. Originality/value The instrument fills a gap in the theoretical literature by extending the descriptions of strategic thinking to include a comprehensive set of required individual behaviors. As such, it is the first theoretically based instrument to detail the specific competencies required to think strategically.

Competitiveness: from a misleading concept to a strategy supporting Beyond GDP goals

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 497-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Aiginger ◽  
Johanna Vogel
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of The Firm ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Social Investment ◽  
New Developments ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Michael Porter ◽  
Cost Competitiveness ◽  
The Individual ◽  
High Road ◽  
Beyond Gdp

Purpose – This paper aims to show how the term competitiveness has been applied and adapted since Michael Porter made it respectable in economics, strategic management and consulting. This paper connects the concept with new developments in the theory of the firm, theories of growth and, finally, with Beyond GDP literature. Design/methodology/approach – This paper distinguishes between input and output competitiveness, developing a set of indictors for both. Countries are ranked according to costs, structure and capabilities (drivers of competitiveness) as well as according to economic, social and ecological performance (performance pillars). Finally, outcome competitiveness is explained by the individual drivers, using econometrics and principal component analyses. Practical implications – Defining competitiveness as the ability of a country or nation to deliver Beyond GDP goals changes the policy conclusions drawn from the quest for competitiveness. Policies to reduce costs prove inferior relative to “high-road strategies” built on skills, innovation and supporting institutions. Ecological ambition and social investment are not costs, but enablers of competitiveness for high-income countries. Originality/value – Connecting the well-known term competitiveness with Beyond GDP goals is a new approach. It is very different from the old concept of cost competitiveness criticized heavily by Paul Krugman. Supplying a set of indicators to measure “low-road” and “high-road” competitiveness leads to important new policy conclusions.

scholarly journals Social identity in people with multiple sclerosis: a meta-synthesis of qualitative research

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 256-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex B. Barker ◽  
Roshan das Nair ◽  
Nadina B. Lincoln ◽  
Nigel Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Social Identity ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Coping Styles ◽  
Identity Change ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Family Identity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Individual

Purpose – Many aspects of the self are lost as a consequence of having multiple sclerosis (MS). A person's identity can be altered by negative self-concepts, which are associated with poor psychological wellbeing and can lead individuals to reconstruct their sense of self. The Social Identity Model of Identity Change argues that previously established identities form a basis of continued social support, by providing grounding and connectedness to others to facilitate the establishment of new identities. Family support is a salient factor in adjustment to MS and may enable the establishment of new identities. The purpose of this paper is to investigate identity reconstruction following a diagnosis of MS. Design/methodology/approach – A meta-synthesis of the qualitative literature was conducted to examine the relationship between identity change and family identity of people with MS and other family members. Findings – In all, 16 studies were identified that examined identity change and the family following a diagnosis of MS. Coping strategies used by people with MS and their wider family groups, affect the reconstruction of people's identity and the adjustment to MS. Receiving support from the family whilst a new identity is constructed can buffer against the negative effects of identity loss. Practical implications – The family base is strengthened if MS-related problems in daily life are adapted into the individual and family identity using positive coping styles. Originality/value – This review provides an interpretation and explanation for results of previous qualitative studies in this area.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document