Knowledge transfer for sustainable development: East-West collaboration?

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 242-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amer Al-Roubaie ◽  
Shafiq Alvi
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Economic Transformation ◽  
The West ◽  
Content Type ◽  
East And West ◽  
Access To Knowledge

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the potential impact that collaboration between East and West could have on sustainable development. Greater emphasis in this paper will be placed on the benefit that developing countries gain from building collaborative relations with the West. Obtaining access to knowledge and technology will enable developing countries to speed up the process of socio-economic transformation and sustain development. Developing countries can leapfrog by making use of the existing knowledge in the West. Design/methodology/approach – This paper provides descriptive assessment of the relationship between East and West to foster growth and sustain development. The paper uses newly developed ideas to build capacity for knowledge transfer to create linkages and accelerate the process of economic growth. The approach to knowledge-based development requires the creation of an enabling environment driven by skills, innovation, institutions and ICT. Findings – The paper suggests that knowledge transfer enables developing countries to sustain development. Access to global/western knowledge allows developing countries to diversify their economic structure and increase productivity. Technological learning and knowledge absorption permit these countries to leapfrog by surpassing several stages in their development. Practical implications – Information in this paper provides insight into the merits of the new economy and the potential benefits that developing countries can obtain from participating in the global economy. Indigenous knowledge and local innovation are important for local development, which can be enhanced through technology transfer and knowledge dissemination. Originality/value – Unlike traditional economic theories in which capital and labor provide the main inputs in production, this paper discusses a new approach to development where knowledge, skills and innovation represent the main forces behind growth. The paper explores new ideas to generate linkage and sustain development.

Alternatives to solve SDG trade-offs and to enforce SDG synergies: a systematic literature review

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrei Boar ◽  
Erola Palau Pinyana ◽  
Marc Oliveras-Villanueva
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Economic Models ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trade Offs

PurposeThis paper takes a critical view of synergies and trade-offs and discloses the practices that countries and companies should apply to achieve sustainable development.Design/methodology/approachThis paper offers a systematic literature review of 408 papers to find models of sustainable development goals (SDGs) interaction with the aim of shedding light on the existing synergies and trade-offs and finding solutions to enhance these synergies and minimize the trade-offs.FindingsBoth rich and developing countries should follow multiple strategies to improve the quality of life of their citizens. Developing countries should focus on eradicating poverty. Rich countries should apply new economic models that are more likely to be environmental-friendly. Finally, the topic of SDGs should be revisited by the United Nations.Practical implicationsBoosting the quality of education and providing clean energy are two of the most relevant actions that should to be taken by countries, as they will accelerate the fulfilment of all the other SDGs. The use of circular economic models or new business models, such as the sharing economy, is essential to the achievement of sustained economic growth without negative environmental impact.Originality/valueThe paper analyzes SDG interactions and offers a critical vision of practices that countries and companies should adhere to for achieving sustainable development.

eLearning within the Community of Practice for sustainable development

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 312-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ihor Katernyak ◽  
Viktoriya Loboda ◽  
Maryana Kulya
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Project Management ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Community Of Practice ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Management Tools

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how the use of two knowledge management tools – eLearning and Community of Practice (CoP) – promotes the culture of managing by projects in public organizations toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Design/methodology/approach The paper presents three learning strategies for organizing eLearning in CoP, tailored e-course curriculum in Project Management for Local Development within the “4A” model (attention, actualization, attraction, action), with focus on learners’ feelings and emotions used for designing the eLearning process. Findings Every fourth learner was in the state of flow during the e-course, 70 percent of learners felt the state of arousal at certain moment of learning, and about 65 percent felt in control of knowledge they could apply. Practical implications This study bridges the gap between theory and practice by demonstrating synergistic effect of two knowledge management tools (e-learning and CoP) and proves the selection of learning strategies. Social implications Every year, about 1,000 public sector representatives and community leaders join the virtual CoP to study expertise, improve own practice, find new ideas and promote the culture of managing by projects for sustainable development. Originality/value The presented case shows eLearning implementation in the context of CoP, e-course curriculum “Project Management for Local Development,” and learning strategies aimed at constructing knowledge in competitive learning environment, applying new knowledge in practice in experiential learning environment and supporting affective and social learners’ behavior. The presented mental states are used as criteria for monitoring the learners’ emotional involvement in the e-course in different roles.

scholarly journals Contributions of early Muslim scholars to originality of bookkeeping-system

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 543-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherif El-Halaby ◽  
Khaled Hussainey
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
The West ◽  
System A ◽  
Historical Literature ◽  
Three Stages ◽  
East And West ◽  
Muslim Scholars

We explored the early Muslim scholars’ contributions to the originality of the Bookkeeping system by comparing the contributions of Western academics with those of Muslim scholars. We investigated, also, the knowledge transfer between East and West and how the early Muslims scholars’ contributions were part of the fundamentals of the Bookkeeping System. A surveying most of essays that concentrating on developments in the historical bookkeeping literature as well as reviewing historical literature about transfer knowledge between East and West. We found that Muslim scholars’ contributions to the originality of the Bookkeeping system could be divided into three stages. Firstly, it began with the foundation of Islam in 610; this sets up the basics of the Bookkeeping System. Secondly, Al-Khwarizmi sets up a comprehensive Bookkeeping System in 976. Thirdly, during the period 1332 to 1418, Al-Nuwayri and Al-Qalqashandi completed the structure of the Bookkeeping System. We found, also, that, from the 8th to the 15th centuries, Muslim scholars represented a knowledge bridge for the West suggesting that Luca Pacioli’s work was the outcomes of the Muslim scholars’ contributions. It is the first study that links the originality of Bookkeeping system with transfer knowledge between East and West. It is the first research that compare between East and West’ contributions towards Bookkeeping’ pyramid

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.

scholarly journals Stop accounting myopia: – think globally: a polemic

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor Hopper
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Environmental Accounting ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Institutions ◽  
Development Goals

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to cover issues raised in the author’s plenary address to the Journal of Accounting and Organizational Network Conference held in Melbourne in November 2017. This called for accountants, whether professionals in practice or in academia, to broaden their vision of accounting and accountability beyond the financial accountability of organisations, and serving corporate and capital market interests, to consider how it can help achieve sustainable development goals.Design/methodology/approachThe discussion is based on personal experience, cognate literature and policies of major global institutions.FindingsWhilst the need for financial reporting will remain, there is a pressing need for reporting to measure, monitor and make accountable organisations’ obligations to help achieve sustainable development goals established by global institutions such as the United Nations. Areas of importance discussed are accounting for human rights, mitigation of climate change, securing decent work, increasing accountability – especially civil society democratic participation – and a greater and more equal partnership with stakeholders and developing countries to address their needs.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is a personal polemic intended to provoke reflection and reform amongst accountants.Practical implicationsThe paper outlines the areas where accounting could and has addressed human rights and sustainability issues.Social implicationsThe social implications are vast, for they extend to major issues concerning the preserving the planet, its species, humankind and enhanced democratic processes for civil society and developing countries.Originality/valueThe paper reinforces the need for policy reforms advocated by social and environmental accounting researchers.

Dichotomous impacts on social and environmental sustainability: competitiveness and development levels matter

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleanor Doyle ◽  
Mauricio Perez Alaniz
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Dynamic Panel Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Competitiveness ◽  
Development Levels

Purpose Whereas in developed countries, sustainability primarily focuses on environmental topics, in developing countries the issues of poverty, development and equity are equally, if not more, important. The purpose of this paper is to apply measures of social and environmental sustainability to assess sustainable development for the period 2005–2015 across a sample of 94 countries for which relevant data are available. Countries include two groups: developed and developing countries. Design/methodology/approach Using the index-based approach introduced by the World Economic Forum in its Global Competitiveness Project, a range of indicators are collected for estimating trends in both social and environmental sustainability. For the panel of data identified, a dynamic panel data estimator method is applied to the data set constructed. This paper presents the empirical results identifying key competitiveness factors related to social and environmental sustainability (separately and combining both aspects in a comprehensive sustainability framework). Findings This study explores how sustainable competitiveness offers a comprehensive assessment of the inter-related dynamics of the social, the environmental and economic building blocks of sustainable development simultaneously. Performance impacts are found to differ substantially across two groups of countries depending on their development level. This highlights the challenges in shaping and achieving sustainable development goals. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is novel in examining the intersections between economic competitiveness and environmental and social sustainability addressing an identified research gap. In addition, the paper investigates the most important competitiveness pillars focusing on both strengths and weaknesses in sustainable competitiveness across developed and developing countries.

Sustainable development and international economic law in Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thabo Fiona Khumalo
Keyword(s):  
International Economic ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Economic Transformation ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Developmental Needs ◽  
Economic Law ◽  
International Economic Law ◽  
Developed World

ABSTRACT Sustainable development has been advocated by the developed world as a means to ensure that the most widely beneficial type of development occurs. This has resulted in a body of rules, which though well intended, does not adequately address the developmental needs of developing countries. It has become a source of tension between developing and developed countries. Developing countries fear that it can be used to frustrate their prospects of development. Hence the adoption of sustainable development provisions by African countries has largely been controversial. This article explores the concept of sustainable development and its level of acceptance in international economic law instruments involving African countries. This article argues that African countries should adopt a more intentional position with regards to sustainable development to ensure that each agreement creates an opportunity for economic transformation and sustainability. Key words: Sustainable development, international economic law, African agreements.

Sustainable development and Buddhist economics in Thailand

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 704-721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark W. Speece
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Economic System ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
The West ◽  
Capitalist System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Agricultural Communities ◽  
Common Understanding

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine “(Buddhist economics)” in urban reform Buddhism in Thailand. In the West, Buddhist economics is often perceived as a specific economic system, but understanding the sustainable development debate in Buddhist countries requires recognition that there are many versions. Design/methodology/approach The authors organize the discussion about Buddhist economics into a framework used in the sustainability debate. Current literature, largely from Thai writers, is analyzed to understand their positions on economy and environment. Findings Four representative movements are discussed which show substantial differences. Status quo Wat Dhammakaya feels that Buddhist economics is mainly about improving individual moral behavior within the current capitalist system, and needs little systemic change. Santi Asoke is explicitly anti-capitalist, and its most serious adherents live simple lifestyles in collectivist agricultural communities. “(Reform-from-within)” seeks a mixed economy containing both capitalist and socialist elements. Kuan Im is also between the extremes, largely small business capitalist and wanting some restraints on perceived predatory big business. Originality/value Buddhist perspectives are just beginning to enter mainstream western discussion on sustainability. The most common understanding of Buddhist economics in the west is incomplete, assuming only one form of Buddhist economics. In fact, Buddhist societies, represented here by Thailand, cover the whole range of thinking on sustainability.

Progress towards sustainable urban water management in Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Egan ◽  
Gloria Agyemang
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
World Bank ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Financial Efficiency ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Water Supply

Purpose In recent decades, governments in developing countries have experienced relentless pressure from key supranational finance providers (particularly the World Bank) to focus on the achievement of financial efficiency. This pressure persists despite evidence that basic institutions necessary for sustainable infrastructure and competitive commercial arrangements are often not present. This paper aims to examine the steering of urban water management in Ghana as it progressed through a first failed public-private partnership in this sector (from 2005 to 2011), and beyond to 2017. Throughout this 12-year period, the authors consider progress and barriers to the achievement of steering for sustainable development. Design/methodology/approach Publicly available documentation is examined through the lens of steering for sustainable development (Voß et al., 2007) to consider the challenges of urban water management between 2005 and 2017. Findings Progress towards a more sustainable approach to urban water management was achieved through greater democratic governance, public accountability and public engagement. This acted as a counter foil to power and affected improvements of knowledge and clarity of related goals. Effective sustainable management continued to be challenged, however, by on-going World Bank pressure to focus on financial efficiency. Practical implications The provision of a sustainable water supply continues to be a significant challenge for many developing countries, including Ghana. This study provides insights into how progress beyond crippling financial dependency might begin to be achieved. Social implications Safe and sustainable water supply is critical for both the health and economic progress of citizens in developing countries such as Ghana. This study provides insight into the value of drawing from a broad range of stakeholders in seeking viable pathways towards those goals. Originality/value While water management challenges for developing countries have been significantly researched, particularly in the context of private financing arrangements, little empirical insight is provided into how governments can move forward with sustainable progress beyond the failure of such arrangements. Water management in Ghana beyond 2011 provides that unique context.

The Austerity Decade 2010-20

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-157
Author(s):  
Isabel Ortiz ◽  
Matthew Cummins
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
International Monetary Fund ◽  
Government Spending ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
High Income ◽  
Budget Cuts ◽  
Fiscal Adjustment ◽  
Fiscal Space ◽  
Negative Impacts

In the wake of the financial, food and fuel crises, a fourth ‘F’ shockwave hit the global economy in 2010: fiscal adjustment. It would mark the onset of a prolonged period of budget cuts that is now projected to continue at least through 2020 in high-income and developing countries alike. This article: (i) examines International Monetary Fund (IMF) government spending projections for 187 countries from 2005 to 2020, indicating a decade of austerity from 2010 onwards; (ii) reviews 616 IMF country reports in 183 countries to identify the main adjustment measures; and (iii) discusses the negative impacts of austerity on jobs and welfare, pointing to alternative policies to identify fiscal space for equitable and sustainable development. Note that this analysis was done prior to COVID-19, and the estimates for 2019 and 2020 reflect pre-pandemic projections.

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