scholarly journals Bunching with the Stars: How Firms Respond to Environmental Certification

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sébastien Houde
Keyword(s):  
Nonprofit Organizations ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Consumer Surplus ◽  
Product Line ◽  
Certification Program ◽  
Environmental Certification ◽  
Pricing Decisions ◽  
Certification Programs ◽  
Strategic Behaviors ◽  
Voluntary Certification

Voluntary environmental certification programs have been a popular tool used by governments, industry groups, and nonprofit organizations alike. A central question in the design of such programs is who should pay for them. In a context where firms respond strategically to a certification, the answer to this question is a priori ambiguous and, ultimately, empirical. This paper provides important insights on this question using ENERGY STAR, a voluntary certification program for energy-efficient products, as a case study. I show that firms are highly strategic with respect to this certification and extract consumer surplus associated with certified products via three mechanisms. They offer products that bunch at the certification requirement, differentiate certified products in the energy and nonenergy dimensions, and charge a price premium on certified products. I use these findings to motivate a structural econometric model with firms’ strategic behaviors with respect to product line and pricing decisions and to investigate the incidence of a certification licensing fee to fund the certification program. This paper was accepted by Juanjuan Zhang, marketing.

The Living Community Challenge for Environmental and Urban Sustainability

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larissa Krinos
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Urban Sustainability ◽  
Certification Program ◽  
Certification Programs ◽  
Living Building Challenge ◽  
Green Certification

The Living Community Challenge (LCC) is a green certification program that, unlike most certification programs, is geared toward whole neighborhoods as opposed to singular buildings. Unfortunately, no existing communities have achieved Living Community Challenge certification. Still, there are many neighborhoods utilizing the ideals – known as petals – of the LCC in attempts to become more sustainable. The Living Building Challenge (LBC), the parent certification for the LCC, has seen more success than the LCC and will provide further research on the implications of its criterion. This paper will look at the hypothetical variables of the LCC, the communities trying to achieve these variables, and how elements of it could be used in relation to impoverished communities. Through case studies on groups and individuals attempting LCC and LBC certification, specifically Bend, Oregon and the BLOCK Project, the potential of the research becomes evident. This paper seeks to demonstrate how the LCC could be applied specifically in low-income areas in Gainesville, FL without achieving all the requirements of each petal.

scholarly journals FOREST CARE: Evaluating progress toward sustainable forest management in Alberta

1999 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 811-820
Author(s):  
Andrew M. Carpenter ◽  
Winifred B. Kessler
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Forest Planning ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Forest Certification ◽  
Certification Program ◽  
Audit Process ◽  
Certification Programs ◽  
Northern Alberta

Forest certification programs establish standards for sustainable forest management (SFM), and processes for evaluating the practices of companies relative to those standards. FORESTCARE is a volunteer, provincial-level certification program initiated by the Alberta Forest Products Association, its members, and stakeholders. Using a participating woodlands operation in northern Alberta as a test case, we examined how SFM criteria are applied in the FORESTCARE program, and whether measurable progress is evident. We also compared the FORESTCARE audit process with corporate and government audits performed in the same year. The test case revealed specific, measurable changes in management that represent actual or potential progress toward SFM. However, the improvements could not be directly attributed to the FORESTCARE Program. Recommendations are provided for strengthening FORESTCARE processes and practices. Key words: Alberta forestry, ecosystem management, FORESTCARE, forest certification, forest planning, public participation, sustainable forest management

A Prototype Web-Based Custom Product Specification System

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald S. Farrell ◽  
Gary Stump ◽  
Jaeil Park ◽  
Timothy W. Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Product Variety ◽  
Product Line ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Product Platforms ◽  
Design Interfaces ◽  
Infinite Variety ◽  
Product Specification

For companies who must provide customized products on demand, it is important that the voice of the customer be addressed and incorporated early into the design process. Web-based design interfaces have emerged as useful tools to make customer voices interactive and provide a customer-friendly and cost-effective interface. The effectiveness of the interface can be greatly enhanced through implementation of a strategic customization process that can proactively react to customer requests. The design process represents a virtual product line that approaches the goal of providing infinite variety at minimal costs. The process provides a base for a true customization approach, which is different from the typical mass customization approach to provide ample but limited product variety a priori for a targeted market. In this paper, we describe the development of a prototypical custom product specification system and the underlying strategic design process that is based on a collection of product platforms. The development is illustrated using an example from on-going research with a company that produces customized valves for the power industry.

A Progress Report from the BCIA Neurofeedback Certification Task Force

Biofeedback ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 135-136
Author(s):  
Judy Crawford ◽  
Fred Shaffer
Keyword(s):  
Task Force ◽  
Progress Report ◽  
Muscle Dysfunction ◽  
Certification Program ◽  
Professional Certification ◽  
The Past ◽  
Certification Programs ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
International Alliance ◽  
Current Science

Professional certification programs must continuously assess and improve their blueprints, exams, and reading lists to stay relevant. In 2009, the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA) revised its biofeedback and neurofeedback certification programs under the leadership of Randy Neblett and Leslie Sherlin. In 2012, BCIA revamped the Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction Biofeedback program under the guidance of Debbie Callif. For the past 8 months, BCIA's Neurofeedback Task Force, led by Genie Davis, has collaborated with its stakeholders to revise the entire neurofeedback certification program to continue to reflect current science, technology, and practice standards. This article explains the goals and process that guided this herculean effort.

scholarly journals Financing Target and Product Line Design on the Flexible and Fixed Reward Crowdfunding

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Xiaofeng Liu ◽  
Hong Zhang ◽  
Nannan Xi ◽  
Hamari Juho
Keyword(s):  
Success Rate ◽  
Incentive Compatibility ◽  
Product Line ◽  
Expected Profit ◽  
Market Condition ◽  
Product Line Design ◽  
Quality Differentiation ◽  
Pricing Decisions ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Line Design

This study examined the product line design under two different types of reward crowdfunding, namely, the fixed and the flexible reward crowdfunding. To investigate different effects of the two different reward crowdfunding mechanisms, we addressed the problem of product and pricing decisions in reward crowdfunding by incorporating individual rationality and incentive compatibility into different funding modes. Specifically, when the creator designed the menu price, we compared the menu design, which includes price and quality between the product line under two different crowdfunding mechanisms. We found that when the quality was exogenous, the project could have higher success rate and get more expected profit under the fixed reward crowdfunding than that under the flexible reward crowdfunding; however, the creator could set a higher target and a larger price discrepancy under the flexible reward crowdfunding in some specific market condition. Then, we extended to the situation where the quality was endogenous and found the similar results as the quality was exogenous. Interestingly, the quality differentiation of the product line under the flexible reward crowdfunding is much more than that under the fixed reward crowdfunding. These results can provide the guideline and suggestion to help the creators design their product line, set the target, and select the suitable modes between the fixed and the flexible reward crowdfunding.

scholarly journals Family Forest Landowners' Interest in and Perceptions of Forest Certification: Focus Group Findings from Minnesota

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica E. Leahy ◽  
Michael A. Kilgore ◽  
Calder M. Hibbard ◽  
Jacob S. Donnay
Keyword(s):  
Forest Certification ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Certification Program ◽  
Forest Landowners ◽  
Program Leaders ◽  
Family Forest ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Certification Programs ◽  
Eligibility Requirements ◽  
Program Characteristics

Abstract Focus groups were organized with individuals owning between 15 and 720 forested acres in northern Minnesota to better identify their understanding of, questions about, and interest in forest certification; factors that would encourage or discourage their participation in certificationprograms; and the types of certification program characteristics they preferred. Family forest landowner participants were generally unfamiliar with the concept of forest certification. They expressed concern about certification costs and benefits, its impact on land-use decisionmaking, eligibility requirements, and program administration. They also expressed clear preferences about how forest certification programs should be tailored to family forest landowners. The availability of financial assistance to help cover initial and ongoing certification costs, assurance that certification will not encumber property rights, and clear and tangible benefits were found to positively influence their interest in participation. The perspectives of other family forest landowners influenced individual attitudes toward certification. Moreover, initial attitudes toward forest certificationonly became more entrenched as landowners were provided additional information about certification—skeptics became more disinterested while those inclined to participate became even more so. Recommendations for foresters, forest policymakers, and forest certification program leaders are presented that would encourage more family forest landowner participation in certification.

Water in your coffee? Accelerating SDG 6 through voluntary certification programs

2021 ◽  
Vol 324 ◽  
pp. 129252
Author(s):  
Lena Partzsch ◽  
Karia Hartung ◽  
Jule Lümmen ◽  
Celine Zickgraf
Keyword(s):  
Certification Programs ◽  
Voluntary Certification

scholarly journals ECODESIGN IN THE FURNITURE INDUSTRY: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR ORGANIZATIONAL INSERTION

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
DELCIO PEREIRA ◽  
SIEGLINDE KINDL DA CUNHA ◽  
LIANDRA PEREIRA
Keyword(s):  
Development Strategy ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Furniture Industry ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Certification Program ◽  
Organizational Changes ◽  
Environmental Certification ◽  
Rio Negro ◽  
Production Stages ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The purpose hereof was to analyze cultural and organizational changes in the furniture industry, beginning with the adherence to an environmental certification program called “Biomóvel.” The study, whose research instrument was a questionnaire answered by industrial managers, was performed in the Alto Vale do Rio Negro Pole (north of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil). A descriptive analysis of data was performed in order to assess the impact and relevance of the action in the organizational environment. The results point to the minimization of the resources used in several planning and production stages, and to the intensification of the selection and use of low environmental impact materials. We noticed that the surveyed companies have taken significant steps to strengthen its ecodesign as a development strategy, but they still do not execute this decision in integration with other stages of processing, trading, and industry progression.

Greening the guest bedroom: Exploring hosts’ perspectives on environmental certification for Airbnb

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 423-434
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Fudurich ◽  
Kelly MacKay
Keyword(s):  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Certification Program ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Environmental Certification ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
Environmental Commitment ◽  
Greater Toronto Area ◽  
Tourism And Hospitality ◽  
Insight Into

The rapid rise of home-sharing and peer-to-peer accommodation has exposed new opportunities and issues in the hospitality industry. Given the heightened attention to and awareness of environmental issues in tourism and hospitality, this study explored the likelihood and motivations of Airbnb hosts towards participating in an environmental certification program. Currently, there are no such programs associated with Airbnb or this sector of the sharing economy. As part of this exploratory study, semi-structured interviews with Airbnb hosts in the Greater Toronto Area were conducted to uncover the opinions and motivations of Airbnb hosts towards participating in a potential program, and what program design elements would enhance their likelihood of participation. Results indicated a willingness to participate in an environmental certification program, driven by economic factors and personal values. Host opinions regarding preferred design elements provide insight into factors important to the development and success of such a potential program. Environmental certification is a common tool in tourism to signal environmental commitment by operators, but such a program does not yet exist for home-sharing.

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