Uncovering the Determinants of Sustainability Practices: Perceptive of Small Scale Dairy Farmers

10.31355/21 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 037-047
Author(s):  
Nalini Arumugam ◽  
Zainab Mohd Karim
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Dairy Industry ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Regional Study ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
Sustainability Practices

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED WITH THE INFORMING SCIENCE INSTITUTE. Aim/Purpose............................................................................................................................................................................... This research will explore the factors that determine the level of adoption and participation in sustainability practices among the local dairy farmers in Malaysia. Background............................................................................................................................................................................... Sustainability is often aimed at a solution in most fields: economics, social, and ecological welfare. Sustainability is known as the best technique to practice farming, which ensures the continuity of the practices, guarantees the continuous access to economic resources; the social well-being of the people; and also the preservation of the environment. In order to improve productivity of the dairy industry in Malaysia, it is important for the dairy farmers to be encouraged to embrace the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in their management of farm operations. Methodology............................................................................................................................................................................... Data were collected with the use of well-structured questionnaires. The face-to-face interview was conducted for 167 dairy farmers from six selected states in Malaysia. Likert-like scale was used to determine the practices that were adopted by the dairy farmers. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive analysis and regression. Contribution............................................................................................................................................................................... This paper attempts to bring into focus the sustainable practices in farming industry especially local dairy farmers in Malaysia. It also helps to prioritize the determinants which mainly influence the sustainability in dairy industry. Findings.................................................................................................................................................................................... The findings suggest that the most significant element contributing to sustainability in the Malaysia’s dairy industries was environmental sustainability. It can be concluded that farm sustainability, environmental sustainability, and social sustainability variables explained about 42.6% of the variance that reflected sustainability. Recommendations for Practitioners......................................................................................................................................... The overall findings revealed that the entire element gave a significant role in the sustainability of the dairy industry. It is suggested that the industry in Malaysia develops over time towards sustainability. Recommendation for Researchers............................................................................................................................................ There is need for measuring sustainability thoroughly in every aspect and separately measured the sustainability determinants. Impact on Society....................................................................................................................................................................... Adopting the good management practices in improving the production by potentially revealing the dairy farmers sustainable operation practices, give benefits determinants influences dairy farmers adoption of sustainability practices; and also insights into the decision making process of dairy farmers in adopting sustainability practices. Future Research.......................................................................................................................................................................... Cross Regional study will provide better insights on intensifying the determinants of sustainability and improving the livelihood of small farmers.

Building scale and well-being in a hospice: a qualitative exploration

2020 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2019-002151
Author(s):  
Margo Annemans ◽  
Koen Coomans ◽  
Ann Heylighen
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Day Care ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Physical Proximity ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Hospital Environments ◽  
Outdoor Spaces

ObjectiveThis study explored how built space plays out in palliative care, focusing on spatial aspects that could support or hamper patients’, relatives’ and caregivers’ well-being.MethodsThis study was conducted in a freestanding small-scale hospice combining a residential part for eight guests with a day-care part for groups of about five persons. Observations were combined with semistructured, individual interviews with eight guests (sometimes accompanied by relatives) and three focus-group interviews with staff, volunteers and relatives. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed based on the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven.ResultsThe most important spatial aspects that impact on physical and social well-being in palliative care turned out to be the building scale and physical proximity. The small-scale setting counters the (often negative) association of palliative care with hospital environments. When the medical condition of the guest allows, it makes communal or outdoor spaces reachable, which enhances emotional and social well-being. In worse conditions, it still makes that care and nature are always nearby. The compactness of communal spaces intensifies social contacts.ConclusionsThe building scale and physical proximity play out in the relationship between the building and its surroundings, between the residential and the day-care parts and among people within the building. Future research could investigate to what extent these spatial aspects are relevant in more conventional palliative care units or even in general hospital wards.

An Efficient Pursuit? Independent Shopkeeping in 1930s Britain

2005 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 278-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Phillips ◽  
Andrew Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Retail Trade ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Documentary Evidence ◽  
Retail Management ◽  
Competitive Position ◽  
Small Traders ◽  
Trade Press

During the 1930s, the small-scale retailer was regarded by many commentators as being responsible for the apparent inefficiencies of the retail trade in Britain. Using a range of documentary evidence from the period, this article draws attention to debate on the merits of large- and small-scale retailers, highlighting a concern for the latter’s contribution to wider community well-being and to developments in retail trade practices. The relative inefficiency of the small trader was frequently explained in relation to a lack of awareness of sound shop management. Consequently, emphasis was placed by commentators on the need for small traders to enhance their knowledge of retail management practices in order to improve their own competitive position and efficiency in the retail trade more widely. Both the popular and trade press offered small traders a range of advice that was intended to improve their fortunes. This article considers the form and content of such advice.

scholarly journals Scientific appraisal of the Irish grass-based milk production system as a sustainable source of premium quality milk and dairy products

2017 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. O’Brien ◽  
D. Hennessy
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Dairy Products ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Dairy Product ◽  
Dairy Industry ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Export Market ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
The Future

AbstractThe Irish dairy industry is critically important to the economy and general well-being of a large section of the Irish population. Its quality, sustainability and maintenance are the key for a vibrant rural society in the future. Two important elements for the future of this industry include (a) the quality, marketing and sale of dairy products on the export market and (b) sustainability from the perspectives of people, planet and profit. This paper provides a short review of current scientific evidence in relation to a number of topics, each of which is important in maintaining and developing dairy product quality and the sustainability of the Irish dairy industry. The topics addressed in the paper are as follows: the parameters of milk composition; milk processing; hygiene quality and safety; farm management practices and the regulations that govern such practices; animal health and welfare; environmental impacts; economic implications for farm families and rural communities; and the overall future sustainability of the family-based dairy farm structure.

scholarly journals The relevance of sustainable management practices to competitiveness in manufacturing companies

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Maria Gati ◽  
Isak Kruglianskas ◽  
Claudio Marcos Vigna ◽  
Alexandre Mendes Da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Capital Investment ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Competitive Performance ◽  
Environmental Innovation ◽  
Environmental Criteria ◽  
External Relations

This study was conducted with the purpose of investigating the influence, on corporate competitiveness, of strategic management practices based on socio-environmental responsibility. We also sought to understand the interrelationships between the management practices relating to strategy, socio-environmental innovation and sustainable supply chain. We analyzed the aspects of competitive performance with respect to: profitability, cost, revenue, market share and image. The methodology applied was quantitative analysis, in a e-Survey, where, in o129 manufacturing industries. The results indicated a large number of significant correlations between many of the management practices studied and competitive performance, especially in terms of image. As for the practices, the ones that stood out were the initiatives to implement actions that integrate sustainable practices (e.g. inclusion of sustainability criteria in the development of new products and processes); and external relations (incorporation of socio-environmental criteria in the selection of suppliers and capital investment). As a limitation, this research was developed to cover the strategic KPI´s of a corporate competitive performance, and the future research should contemplate the tactical and operational perspectives. Just a few quantitative research’s are done with this propose, and in Brazil, it is quite insignificant, what means that this research is original. The results can be applied to stimulate the enterprises to improve their socio environmental sustainability management practices. Also, this research reinforces some of the SGDs recommended by UN for 2030 agenda which should improve company’s attractiveness for financial market and for people and planet.

scholarly journals Exploring the Connections between Agroecological Practices and Ecosystem Services: A Systematic Literature Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Palomo-Campesino ◽  
José González ◽  
Marina García-Llorente
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
Social Ecological Systems ◽  
Biophysical Approach ◽  
Ecologically Sustainable

Current patterns of global change are threatening the supply of agrarian ecosystem services on which human well-being depends. Within this context, agroecology has emerged within political and scientific arenas as a socially equitable and ecologically sustainable alternative to conventional agriculture. We performed a systematic literature review to explore how agroecology and the ecosystem services framework have been adopted together in the scientific literature, focusing on studies including empirical data on the effects of agroecological practices on the supply of ecosystem services. In our search, we combined terms related to agricultural practices and terms related to ecosystem services. A total of 179 scientific articles were analyzed. Most of the studies used a biophysical approach to evaluate ecosystem services, with regulating and provisioning services being more frequently analyzed than cultural services. More than half of the analyzed relationships between agroecological practices and ecosystem services were positive. Remarkably, our review showed that many of the ten elements of agroecology defined by the FAO have not been properly addressed in the literature. Finally, we identified research gaps and provided insights on where future research and policies should be focused in order to promote the transition towards sustainable agrarian social-ecological systems that increase the supply of ecosystem services while minimizing environmental impacts.

Students’ perceptions of HEI regarding environmental sustainability – a comparative analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 629-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabete Correia ◽  
Fátima Conde ◽  
Rosa Nunes ◽  
Clara Viseu
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Stakeholder Participation ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Major Stakeholder ◽  
Spearman Correlation Test ◽  
Sustainability Practices ◽  
Sustainability Initiatives ◽  
Portuguese Higher Education

Purpose This paper aims to compare the environmental sustainability practices at the campus operations between two Portuguese higher education institutions (HEIs) at different stages of the implementation of an Eco-School Programme. It also seeks to analyse the involvement of the students in the process of implementing these practices in their institutions. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was carried out in two HEIs (a green and a non-green institution). Data were collected from a total of 832 students. Techniques of descriptive statistics and inferential statistical techniques such as the Mann-Whitney test, χ2 and Spearman correlation test, were applied. Findings The results obtained show that, from the students’ perspective, and in both institutions, there is still much to be done on the path towards sustainability, particularly in transport and landscaping. Significant differences were found only between some environmental sustainability practices at the campus level. However, students from the green institution are more participative in sustainability activities. Practical implications This study provides a picture of two HEIs’ sustainability behaviour from the students’ standpoint, which can be important for decision-makers in HEIs, in as much that students are one of the HEIs’ major stakeholder groups; furthermore, it enables them to better guide their efforts towards sustainability. Originality/value This paper focusses on the students’ perspective and their role in the sustainability initiatives undertaken by HEIs. It can be useful for future research that attempts to analyse the importance of HEIs’ stakeholder participation in sustainability.

scholarly journals Ecological footprint and human well-being nexus: accounting for broad-based financial development, globalization, and natural resources in the Next-11 countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Prince Nathaniel
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
Financial Development ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Ecological Footprint ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Environmental Preservation ◽  
Trade Offs

AbstractThe Next-11 (N11) countries have witnessed great advancements in economic activities in the past few years. However, the simultaneous attainment of environmental sustainability and improved human well-being has remained elusive. This study probes into ecological footprint (EF) and human well-being nexus in N11 countries by applying advanced estimation techniques compatible with heterogeneity, endogeneity, and cross-sectional dependence across country groups. From the findings, human well-being, captured by the human development index, increases the EF, and EF also increases human well-being which suggests a strong trade-off between both indicators. This shows that policies that are channeled toward promoting human well-being are not in consonance with environmental wellness. Financial development and biocapacity increase the EF, while natural resources and globalization reduce it. Human well-being increases the EF in all the countries except in Egypt. This study argues that strong institutions could help mitigate the trade-offs and ease the simultaneous attainment of both environmental preservation and improved human well-being. The limitations of the study, as well as, possible directions for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Understanding the Awareness, Knowledge, and Opinion of Dairy Cattle Welfare among Dairy Farmers in Keningau, Sabah

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1750
Author(s):  
Mohammed Babatunde Sadiq ◽  
Sim Song-Lin ◽  
Siti Zubaidah Ramanoon ◽  
Sharifah Salmah Syed-Hussain ◽  
Wan Mastura Shaik Mossadeq ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Issues Management ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
High Production ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
High Production Level ◽  
Lying Down

This study aimed to assess the knowledge and opinions about DCW among dairy cattle farmers in Keningau, Sabah. A questionnaire was developed, validated, and administered by hand to 30 farmers. The data collected include farmers’ and farm demographics, and opinions regarding the criteria and indicators of DCW. Only 17 respondents (57%) had heard of “dairy cattle welfare” before this study. Nine farmers (30.0%) had poor knowledge about DCW criteria, whereas 13 (43.7%) and 8 (26.7%) farmers had satisfactory and good knowledge, respectively. Farmers with higher education, larger herd size, high production level, and exotic cattle breeds showed a better understanding. Farmers understood most of the indicators; however, opinions regarding cattle behavior during milking, their physical appearance and their lying down behaviour need to be improved. Nevertheless, 28 respondents ranked their animals’ welfare as either good or satisfactory, which further reflects a poor implementation of DCW measures. The main factors suggested by farmers to influence DCW in their herds were facilities, worker issues, management practices, and animal well-being. In conclusion, guidance from veterinarians and animal welfare specialists may be needed to improve the farmers’ understanding and practices of DCW.

scholarly journals The Service-Profit Chain: Reflections, Revisions, and Reimaginations

2021 ◽  
pp. 109467052110524
Author(s):  
Jens Hogreve ◽  
Anja Iseke ◽  
Klaus Derfuss
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Feedback Effects ◽  
The Past ◽  
Current State ◽  
Human Resource Management Practices ◽  
Published Research ◽  
Service Managers ◽  
Service Profit Chain

Over the past 25 years, the service–profit chain (SPC) has become a prominent guidepost for service managers and researchers. In this article, we reflect on and synthesize published research to clarify what researchers have learned about the SPC and what remains less well understood. Based on an in-depth discussion of the field, we present a revised SPC and propose multiple areas in which further research would be worthwhile, such as internal service quality as specific systems of human resource management practices, both employee and customer well-being as additional mediators, different targets of employee and customer loyalty, contingencies, and non-linear and feedback effects. We conclude by reimagining the SPC, and we discuss digital and artificial-intelligence–driven changes to the SPC’s structure. Finally, based on the insights we discuss, we inform scholars of the current state of SPC research and provide a detailed agenda for future research.

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