The ebbs and flows of green waves: environmental sustainability in Grand Slam tennis

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia Trendafilova ◽  
Jamee Pelcher ◽  
Jeffrey Graham ◽  
Vassilios Ziakas
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environmental Initiatives ◽  
Environmentally Friendly Behaviors ◽  
Sport Events ◽  
Website Content

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the structure and scope of environmental sustainability efforts of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments as communicated via their websites.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative content analysis methodology guided the study. To accomplish the goal of the study, the researchers analyzed each tournament's website and each venue's website to document the environmental initiatives outlined on these pages.FindingsResults indicated Grand Slam events focus primarily on energy and water conservation initiatives, increasing sustainable food choices and improving spectators' knowledge about environmental sustainability. Most sustainability programs fell into the first wave of sustainability efforts indicating that formalized strategic planning is largely missing.Practical implicationsBy examining how Grand Slam events utilize their webpages to promote environmental sustainability, implications are drawn for not only website content but also actual event initiatives and activities. Pertinent efforts should move from a mere focus on communication to finding actionable solutions built upon the interconnectivity of events with allied sectors and the subsequent forging of cross-industry partnerships.Originality/valueThe findings suggest that Grand Slam tennis events pursue different trajectories in engaging with sustainability. This makes it important to understand in tandem their organizational conduct, strategies and communication practices. To move forward, there is a need to approach sustainability in a more holistic manner. A holistic view of how sport events engage with the environment can reveal causal patterns and points of leverage to use for initiating a change of practice toward adopting environmentally friendly behaviors.

ICT and environmental sustainability in a changing society

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 758-774 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Taro Lennerfors ◽  
Per Fors ◽  
Jolanda van Rooijen
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Degradation ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Unequal Distribution ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World ◽  
Changing Society

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of information and communication technology (ICT) for promoting environmental sustainability in a changing society. Isolated studies exist, but few take a holistic view. Derived from a Marxian tradition, the authors propose Ecological World Systems Theory (WST) as a holistic framework to assess the environmental impact of ICT. The theory is adapted responding to theoretical critiques of absence of change, namely state-centrism and structuralism. Design/methodology/approach – Theoretical study. Empirical examples derived from already published literature. Findings – Ecological WST focuses on the unequal distribution of environmental degradation, sees technological development as a zero-sum game rather than cornucopia and holds that technology is often seen as a fetish in today ' s society. The findings are that popular discourses on ICT and sustainability are since the 1990s becoming increasingly cornucopian, while conditions in the ICT value chain are less cornucopian. Research limitations/implications – Theoretical contributions to Marxian critiques of ICT, with more environmental focus than earlier Marxian critiques, for example Fuchs’ work. Develop a theoretical framework for ICT and sustainability which could be compared with works of e.g. Hilty, Patrignani and Whitehouse. The work is mostly based on existing empirical studies, which is a limitation. Practical implications – This theoretical framework implies that unequal environmental degradation in different parts of the world should be taken into account when assessing environmental impact, for example by means of LCA. Social implications – The framework brings together questions of environmental effects of ICT and global justice. Originality/value – The authors apply a rarely discussed theoretical framework to ICT and environmental sustainability. By doing this the authors suggest how the discourses and the value chain of ICT is intrinsically tied to the world system.

Reflections of environmental management implementation in furniture

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 840-859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ambika Zutshi ◽  
Andrew Creed ◽  
Mary Holmes ◽  
Jade Brain
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Environmental Management System ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Market Demand ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environmental Initiatives ◽  
Global Industry ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of environmental management initiatives in the furniture retail area. The specific aim is to present reflections of participants implementing environmental initiatives in an Australian furniture retailer, Living Edge, in alignment with a secondary snapshot of environmental initiatives from other furniture retailers. Design/methodology/approach Primary reflections from the retailer’s manager and external consultant, both involved in the implementation of environmental initiatives, are enriched with secondary review of environmental management system trends and examples from regions active in the designer furniture sector, including Europe, Southeast Asia and North America. Findings An integrated view has been distilled around environmental impact in the furniture supply chain and consumer pressure to minimise the impact. Stakeholders require furniture retailers to improve efficiency and profitability amid the countervailing market demand for environmental sustainability. Retailers may seek competitive advantage through effectively applied and communicated environmental management. The voluntary adoption of systems, international standards and innovative practices that conserve natural resources are amongst the key to success. A live case example of Australian experience is added to the knowledge base for the global retail furniture industry. Research limitations/implications One Australian retailer is exemplified to highlight the lived experiences of implementing environmental initiatives. The secondary global review presents a cross-section rather than an in-depth analysis of furniture sector retailers. Originality/value There are limited Australian perspectives of designer furniture and its intersection with environmental issues, thus, the paper addresses this gap in the literature and adds to informed practice in a global industry.

scholarly journals Decent work in the Economy for the Common Good reports: a documentary analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susana Alves Pereira ◽  
Nuno Rebelo dos Santos ◽  
Leonor Pais ◽  
Salvatore Zappalà
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Common Good ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Decent Work ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Common Good ◽  
Documentary Analysis ◽  
The Common

PurposeThis paper aims to describe and characterise the actions carried out by Italian organisations participating in the Economy for the Common Good (ECG) movement and to analyse these actions through the lens of decent work (DW), identifying patterns leading to a typology and conceptual propositions on the subject.Design/methodology/approachA documentary analysis was conducted on 14 reports describing the actions taken by Italian organisations that belong to the ECG movement. Qualitative content analysis was performed using QSR-NVivo12. The descriptive analysis of the codes was made, as well as a cluster analysis based on coding similarity.FindingsA total of 1,497 actions were coded, and four clusters, grouping sets of the common good reports, were identified. Results suggest that Customers, Business Partners and Staff and Owners are the most addressed stakeholders, human dignity and environmental sustainability are the most addressed values and Fulfilling and Productive Work and Fundamental Principles and Values at Work are the most addressed DW dimensions. Additionally, all clusters are intensive in environmental concerns but have differentiated priorities. Cluster analysis suggests three drivers: recognition, core business closeness and social common good impact. A total of five conceptual propositions are being made useable by organisational leaders who intend to adhere to the ECG movement.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation is the low number of organisations participating in the ECG movement in Italy, which restricts the scope of the conclusions.Practical implicationsThe results are helpful as inputs for designing interventions in organisations that intend to start or strengthen their involvement in the ECG movement.Originality/valueIdentifying DW aspects related to common good indicators and the four approaches to the ECG adhesion corresponding to the four clusters.

Media interviews as strategic external communication to maintain legitimacy for sustainability activities

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen T. Crumley ◽  
Karen Grandy ◽  
Binod Sundararajan ◽  
Judy Roy
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Organizational Sustainability ◽  
Organizational Leaders ◽  
Personal Pronouns ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Thematic Content ◽  
External Communication ◽  
Inclusive Language

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the thematic content and inclusive language in leaders' media interviews to maintain legitimacy for organizational sustainability activities.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory, qualitative content analysis of 24 organizational leaders' media interviews about environmental sustainability was conducted. Inclusive language (i.e. collective focus terms, collective personal pronouns, and metaphors) and thematic content were analyzed.FindingsLegitimacy maintenance entails both describing organizational sustainability activities and conveying, through the use of inclusive language, multiple audiences' connection to the organization. The qualitative content analysis found that leaders discussed both primary and secondary stakeholders. With the exception of the code defending existing practices, leaders consistently highlighted positive sustainability activities of their organizations. The inclusive language analysis found that collective focus terms were used by all the leaders, with the most common term being “everyone.” Collective personal pronouns were found in half the interviews. Metaphors were employed by all leaders; the most common sustainability-related metaphors were journey, structural, personification, military/competition, vision and science.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample is limited to 24 organizations and not representative of all industries.Originality/valueWhile sustainability communication research focuses on annual reports and website and social media content, this study draws attention to a common but under-examined type of strategic external communication: senior organizational leaders' media interviews. To the authors’ knowledge, scholars have not previously considered the possible legitimacy maintenance function of organizational leaders' use of inclusive language and thematic content to address a broad array of stakeholders in their external communication.

Corporate citizenship and social responsibility policies in the United States of America

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Anthony Camilleri
Keyword(s):  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Corporate Citizenship ◽  
Past Research ◽  
The United States ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Regulatory Policies

Purpose The aim of this case study is to outline relevant regulatory guidelines on environmental, social and governance issues in the USA. This contribution includes a thorough analysis of several institutional frameworks and guiding principles that have been purposely developed to foster corporate citizenship behaviours. Design/methodology/approach A case study methodology involved a broad analysis of US regulatory policies, voluntary instruments and soft laws that have stimulated organisations to implement and report their responsible behaviours. Findings This contribution ties the corporate citizenship behaviours with the institutional and stakeholder theories. The case study evaluated the US’s federal government, bureaus and its agencies’ policies on human rights, health and social welfare, responsible supply chain and procurement of resources, anticorruption, bribery and fraudulent behaviours, energy and water conservation practices as well as environmental protection, among other issues. Research limitations/implications Past research may have not sufficiently linked corporate citizenship with the corporate social responsibility (CSR) paradigm. This research reports how different US regulatory institutions and non-governmental organisations are pushing forward the social responsibility, environmental sustainability as well as the responsible corporate governance agenda. Originality/value This research critically analyses US policy and regulatory instruments including relevant legislation and executive orders that are primarily intended to unlock corporate citizenship practices from business and industry. It has also provided a conceptual framework for the corporate citizenship notion. In conclusion, it implies that there are business and political cases for corporate citizenship.

An empirical investigation of green initiatives and environmental sustainability for manufacturing SMEs

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Yacob ◽  
Lai Soon Wong ◽  
Saw Chin Khor
Keyword(s):  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Technology Policy ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Green Technology ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Green Technology Adoption

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the extent of green initiatives within manufacturing SMEs, as well as the mediating effect of the owners/managers intention toward green and moderating effect of green technology adoption in building environmental sustainability in the context of the Malaysian manufacturing SMEs.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through a survey questionnaire responded by 260 Malaysian manufacturing SMEs. The relationships proposed in the developed conceptual framework were represented through three hypotheses: there is a significant relationship between green initiatives and environmental sustainability (H1); intention toward green mediates the relationship between green initiatives and environmental sustainability (H2); and green technology adoption moderates the relationship between intention toward green and environmental sustainability (H3). SEM-AMOS nested model comparisons and mediating and moderating analyses were used to test the hypotheses.FindingsThis is the first research toward the green initiatives framework for the manufacturing SMEs. Till date, no framework is available which could guide researchers and practitioners of this high impact on the environment industry. The findings revealed that energy management, water conservation and waste management are related to environmental sustainability. On mediation analysis, it confirms that owners/managers intention toward green fully mediates the association of green initiatives and environmental sustainability. Finally, the moderation analysis revealed that green technology adoption does not have an influence on manufacturing SMEs environmental sustainability.Practical implicationsThis study is expected to help both researchers and practitioners in terms of manufacturing and other industries who are serious toward environmental sustainability implementation and are looking for an appropriate mechanism. It offers a generalized environmental sustainability implementation linking SMEs owners/managers, green practices, green technology policy, process management and supply chain management.Originality/valueThis study is among the very first environmental sustainability implementation research works conducted in the Malaysian manufacturing sector, particularly, in relation to the green initiatives and “four pillars” of green technology policy that manufacturing SMEs in this country need to adopt to make their environmental sustainability a solid competitive vehicle for their development. The results have broader implications for all manufacturing SMEs, particularly in developing economies where the growth of manufacturing and the development of integrated environmental sustainability are key stages in economic development.

scholarly journals Teaching an interdisciplinary course in sustainable food systems: science and history meet in “a world that works”

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Blodgett ◽  
Marjorie N. Feld
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Liberal Arts ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Environmental Science ◽  
Food System ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Systems Science ◽  
Sustainable Food Systems ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The sustainability of the global food system hinges on its environmental resiliency and safety, including the health and well-being of its labor force. Single disciplinary courses in liberal arts or science often fail to highlight the overlap between environmental and social vulnerabilities that lead to food insecurity and diminish the sustainability of food systems. This paper aims to present the design and delivery of a successfully co-taught, interdisciplinary module on agricultural labor and sustainable food systems as a case study. Design/methodology/approach The authors designed a co-taught module in which they joined each other’s respective history and science class sessions at the undergraduate business college where they teach. Innovating the cross-disciplinary content of food security, immigration status, labor exploitation and pesticide exposure, they approached sustainability from the disciplinary perspectives of labor history and environmental science to show how these elements had both unique and overlapping impacts across food systems levels. Comparisons between pre- and post-module survey responses, alongside assessments of a co-authored exam question, measured the effectiveness of this module is changing students’ perspectives as food consumers and as citizens. Findings This module altered students’ understanding and perspectives around issues of food systems sustainability. Assessments indicated that students increased their awareness of agricultural workers at the front end of the food system, during production; students also gained awareness beyond consumption as they came to see the connections between workforce invisibility and ecosystem degradation. Originality/value These insights are valuable to educators at all institutional levels who seek to collaborate on sustainability initiatives and teaching, both in the singular, robust modules and in building modules that will lead to the development of entire courses focused on sustainability. The module described here builds on previous demonstrations of the value, significance and effectiveness of cross-disciplinary collaborations; it pioneers the use of the food system as the link between social and environmental sustainability education.

A longitudinal exploratory investigation of innovation systems and sustainability maturity using case studies in three industries

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 668-687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Abraham ◽  
Viet T. Dao
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Innovation Systems ◽  
Global Reporting Initiative ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Longitudinal Case Study ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Sustainability innovation systems (SIS) refer to the investment in information systems (IS) to enable business sustainability within stages of sustainability maturity. A prior framework proposes that the roles played by IS to support sustainability depend on the stage of sustainability maturity achieved. The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine these propositions. Design/methodology/approach This study conducts longitudinal case studies of six companies across three industries. Data were collected from the companies’ Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reports over a six-year period from 2009 to 2015. Findings The study provides initial empirical support for the proposition of the SIS framework that companies follow a staged path to sustainability maturity and that IS play specific roles as companies mature. Research limitations/implications The findings encourage future research to take a longitudinal and holistic view of sustainability and IS. Future research could also collect a more comprehensive data set for statistical analysis. Practical implications The study provides guidelines for practitioners in making decisions about companies’ investments in IS for sustainability, particularly within individual stages of sustainability maturity. Social implications The study goes beyond environmental sustainability to empirically show that companies are deploying IT assets for social sustainability too. Originality/value The multiple-longitudinal case study approach provides an intimate understanding of companies’ actual usage of IS resources to enable sustainability. The study is also among the very early research using GRI reports for research on IS and sustainability, showing that these reports are a rich secondary data source for IS scholars.

The prioritisation and satisfaction on Thai’s Rating of Energy and Environmental Sustainability criteria

Facilities ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (13/14) ◽  
pp. 1104-1117
Author(s):  
Chaiwat Riratanaphong ◽  
Pongkorn Jermsiriwattana
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Indicator System ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
Similar Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Occupant Satisfaction

Purpose The environmental performance of buildings can be measured by using an existing green building indicator system. In Thailand, the Thai’s Rating of Energy and Environmental Sustainability (TREES) has been applied to 70 buildings including condominiums. It is important to collect feedback from stakeholders to identify the criteria of green features that respond to the expectation of condominium’s potential buyers as well as the satisfaction of current occupants. This paper aims to examine prioritised aspects from potential buyers and occupant satisfaction of the TREES criteria in the case study, a green condominium in Bangkok, Thailand. Design/methodology/approach The case study was conducted at IDEO Mobi Sathorn in Bangkok, the only condominium certified with the TREES system so far. Research methods include interviews, observations, document analysis and the surveys from the condominium’s potential buyers and current occupants. Findings The findings indicate that the condominium’s potential buyers are more concerned about site and landscape, indoor environmental quality and energy and atmosphere, whereas the current occupants are more satisfied about water conservation, site and landscape and energy and atmosphere in comparison with the other TREES criteria. Despite the provision of green features in the condominium, occupants are less satisfied about green innovation as showed in the least satisfied percentage of TREES criteria. In Facilities Management perspective, the paper shows connections between TREES criteria and FM functions in multi-unit residential project. The findings show that the application of TREES criteria focuses on the provision of value in FM, whereas stakeholder perceptions regarding the TREES criteria contribute to the perception of value in FM. Practical implications The findings and reflections upon the finding can help to understand the impact of green building aspects of the TREES system on perceptions of different stakeholders, that is, potential buyers and current occupants of the condominium. Recommendations for real estate developers and facilities managers regarding the development of green building concept on the TREES system are provided. Originality/value There has been no prior research in this area. The paper provides better understanding with regard to prioritised aspects from the potential buyers and occupant satisfaction of TREES criteria in Bangkok green condominium. This paper provides empirical data regarding stakeholder perception on TREES criteria that can be used to compare with similar data of the TREES-certified condominiums when they are available in the future.

Environmental sustainability of off-site manufacturing: a literature review

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Hu ◽  
Heap-Yih Chong
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainability Strategies ◽  
Research Themes ◽  
Holistic Understanding ◽  
The Future

Purpose Off-site manufacturing (OSM) is a modern method of construction that brings various environmental sustainability benefits for stakeholders. The increasing take-up of OSM in practice has attracted much research interest in its environmental sustainability. However, a holistic understanding of these previous research studies is still lacking. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to critically review the existing body of knowledge regarding the environmental sustainability of OSM. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative content analysis was adopted to systematically and objectively review 55 related historical studies. Findings Three research themes were identified, including environmental sustainability assessment and performance, environmental sustainability strategies and critical environmental sustainability factors. A detailed discussion of the three themes was conducted to depict a whole picture of the current explorations in the research field. Additionally, a research framework was developed to articulate the interrelationship between the research themes and their specific research topics. Scientific research gaps were identified together with the future research directions in terms of sustainability strategies, performance impacting factors, sustainability indicators and drawbacks resulted from OSM application. Originality/value The literature review promotes construction stakeholders’ in-depth understanding about the environmental sustainability of OSM, which offers valuable implications for green industry practice. Additionally, it highlights the future research trends, which facilitates further explorations in the research area.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document