scholarly journals Sustainable Community Development or Voluntourism: Sustainable Housing in Rural Maharashtra

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin Melles
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Recent Criticism ◽  
Housing Project ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Sustainable Housing ◽  
Local Actors

Volunteer tourism (‘voluntourism’) packages development and poverty as culturally exotic and ethical experiences for tourists from industrialized countries. Among the various sectors promoting voluntourism, university sector short term study abroad tours network voluntourism agencies, local actors (e.g., NGOs), universities, and government funding to offer students ‘life changing’ community sustainable development experiences. Alongside the purported benefits for all stakeholders, recent criticism points to the commodification of development and poverty through such tours and multiple pernicious effects of such travel, especially the failure to deliver community impact. Given the significant financial, political, and other interests involved, monitoring and evaluating such initiatives against transparent independent sustainability principles has proved complicated. Case studies employing ethical covert research, fieldwork, and secondary data analysis offer one approach. This case study of a purported sustainable housing project in rural Maharashtra, involving a bilateral university-government-local NGO voluntourism ecosystem lead by an Australian Green NGO (AGC) analyses the multiple gaps between participatory community sustainable development and voluntourism. This case study employs content analysis of project reports, visual data from a field visit, recent village documentary analysis, anonymized email communication, and secondary analysis of contextual data to evaluate the claims of participatory sustainable development and project outcomes of a bilateral NGO voluntourism housing project. The study findings signal lack of financial transparency, incompetent assessment of material needs, limited local participation and control, and failure to deliver on objectives. The conclusion recommends that socially responsible short-term international exchanges should be carefully monitored and exchanges should prefer knowledge exchange.

scholarly journals Sustainable Community Development or Voluntourism: Illustrative Case Study of Sustainable Housing in Maharashtra

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin Melles
Keyword(s):  
Community Development ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Recent Criticism ◽  
Volunteer Tourism ◽  
Sustainable Community Development ◽  
Sustainable Housing ◽  
Local Actors ◽  
Illustrative Case Study

Volunteer tourism or ‘voluntourism’ packages development and poverty as culturally exotic and ethical experiences for tourists from industrialized countries. In the university sector study abroad tours network voluntourism agencies, local actors, e.g. NGOs, universities and government funding to offer students ‘life changing’ experiential and community development learning. Recent criticism of the commodification of development and poverty through such tours points to multiple pernicious effects of such travel, especially the failure to deliver community impact. Following review of current criticism of voluntourism, this illustrative case study of a purported sustainable housing project in rural Maharashtra employs multiple data sources and covert research to explore the multiple gaps between participatory community sustainable development and voluntourism. The study finds signal lack of financial transparency, incompetent assessment of material needs, and limited local participation and control, failure to deliver on objectives, and recommends that socially responsible short term international exchanges should be carefully monitored and prefer knowledge exchange.

scholarly journals The Role of Biogas for Economic Sustainability in Nepal: User’s Perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 36-46
Author(s):  
Maheshwar Prasad Yadav
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Economic Sustainability ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Analytical Research

 Background: Economic sustainability is an important ingredient of sustainable development. Sustainable development is the positive changes in a pattern of resources use in such a way that present needs can be met without destroying the ability for the future generations to meet their needs. Furthermore, renewable energy as an essential ingredient of environment comes from resources which are continually replenished. Renewable energy technologies such as biogas, solar and micro-hydro are widely promoted in Nepal and biogas only considered for this study.Objective: To examine role of biogas for economic sustainability in Nepal based on a case study of Niglihawa VDC of Kapilvastu district.Methodology: This study consists of descriptive cum analytical research design and based on both primary and secondary data. The users’ perspectives of sixteen out of twenty two biogas users have been collected by using structured questionnaire. Moreover, the simple statistical techniques of analysis such as table, percentage, and graphs have been employed in this study.Results: Biogas is an important factor in relation to enterprises and employment through saving time and creating agro-based micro enterprises. Biogas also contributes for economic activities through utilizing bio-slurry as feed and fertilizer.Conclusion: Biogas plays the vital role for the economic sustainability through creating enterprises and employment as well as utilizing bio-slurry as fish meal and fertilizer in the context of Nepal in one way or another. The results may be varied in other area and/or sector of Nepal and beyond.

Sustainable development and social policy: a case of indigenous villages in Hong Kong

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwok Wai Ma
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Cultural Economic ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Small House ◽  
The Government

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the issues relating to sustainable development (SD) in the context of indigenous village development in Hong Kong. Design/methodology/approach – A case study approach is used in this research. In addition to literature review, qualitative data, primarily collected through personal interviews with various stakeholders were the main source of input. Findings – The Small House Policy (SHP) case illustrates an unsustainable policy. It underscores the interrelatedness among the relevant systems – social/cultural, economic, political and environmental – in the context of SD. In the short term, the government can at least expedite the construction of sewage facilities for the villages. Furthermore, the government can consider elevating the penalty and tightening policing/patrolling in village environs to discourage the illegal sale of “ding” rights and small houses. In the longer term, the government needs to put the rural area in order. Identifying means to zone planning would be a possible direction on this front. Originality/value – Through examining the case of SHP relating to the indigenous villages in Hong Kong, the complexity of SD is thoroughly revealed.

scholarly journals Sustainable Development in Island Communities: The Case Study of Postira

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Željka Tonković ◽  
Jelena Zlatar
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Community Development ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sustainable Community Development ◽  
Island Communities

Abstract The article shows the results of the case study of Postira, a village and a municipality on the island of Brač (Croatia) and presents a positive example of sustainable community development on islands in the post-transition social context. Based on the theory of sustainable local community development and its four pillars (economic, ecological, social and cultural), we analyse both the secondary data and the primary data collected from semi-structured interviews with the key actors of local development. The study shows that economic, ecological, social and cultural domaines are connected in Postira which allows for sustainable development of the place. By examining various aspects of sustainable development in Postira, we present the general framework of sustainable island development. It is based on integral development of the local community on sustainability principles, it defines key processes and guidelines and can be applied to rural and island areas, taking into account the specificities of each community.

scholarly journals Microfinance accountability in Cameroon: a cure or a curse for poverty alleviation?

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fidelis Kedju Akanga
Keyword(s):  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Institutional Pressures ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Local Actors ◽  
Accountability Practices

Purpose The purpose of this study is to use empirical findings to identify the different forms of accountability practices existing in Cameroon microfinance institutions (MFIs) and explore how such practices have evolved and institutionalised within the microfinance sector in Cameroon through time. Design/methodology/approach This study is designed to investigate if the institutionalised accountability practices within the microfinance sector in Cameroon are a cure or a curse for poverty alleviation. This study is based on the new institutional sociology (NIS) and on a case study approach and combines in-depth interviews and secondary data sources. Findings This study identifies three principal forms of accountability practices common with MFIs in Cameroon: dysfunctional, manipulative and dribbling accountabilities. Originality/value This paper is novel because it extends the NIS into the microfinance sector and explains how conflicting institutional pressures resulting from differences of accountability practices can be resolved and also exposes the unintended consequences of both resistance and passive actions of local actors on microfinance, the poor and poverty alleviation.

scholarly journals Knowledge exchange and management research: barriers and potentials

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torben Bager
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Research ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Management Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Illustrative Case Study ◽  
High Level

Purpose The growing involvement of management researchers in knowledge exchange activities and collaborative research does not seem to be reflected in a growing academic output. The purpose of this paper is to explore barriers for the limited academic output from these activities as well as the potential for ‘interesting’ papers. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses secondary data and statistics as well as an illustrative case study to trace knowledge exchange activities and barriers for academic output based on these activities. Findings The paper identifies a number of barriers for the turning of data derived from knowledge exchange activities into academic papers such as low priority of case study research in leading management journals, a growing practice orientation in the research funding systems, methodological challenges because of limited researcher control and disincentives for researcher involvement in knowledge exchange activities. The paper also identifies a potential for ‘interesting’ research and discoveries through collaborative research. Research limitations/implications Diminishing the barriers for collaborative and case-based research and exploring the potential for ‘interesting’ discoveries has the potential to increase the number of published papers with a high level of scientific rigor as well as a high level of relevance for practice. Originality/value An outcome focus on the relationship between knowledge exchange activities and management research is to the author’s knowledge new in the debate about weak practical relevance of management research.

scholarly journals Systems approaches for localising the SDGs: co-production of place-based case studies

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David T. Tan ◽  
José Gabriel Siri ◽  
Yi Gong ◽  
Benjamin Ong ◽  
Shiang Cheng Lim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Systems Approaches ◽  
Complex Problems ◽  
Policy Environments ◽  
Local Actors ◽  
Indicator Framework ◽  
Development Goals

Abstract Background Localisation is a pervasive challenge in achieving sustainable development. Contextual particularities may render generalized strategies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) unfeasible, impractical, or ineffective. Furthermore, many localities are resource- and data-poor, limiting applicability of the global SDG indicator framework. Tools to enable local actors to make sense of complex problems, communicate this understanding, and act accordingly hold promise in their ability to improve results. Aim Systems approaches can help characterise local causal systems, identify useful leverage points, and foster participation needed to localise and catalyse development action. Critically, such efforts must be deeply rooted in place, involving local actors in mapping decision-processes and causation within local physical, social and policy environments. Given that each place has a unique geographical or spatial extent and therein lies its unique characters and problems, we term these activities “placially explicit.” We describe and reflect on a process used to develop placially explicit, systems-based (PESB) case studies on issues that intersect with and impact urban health and wellbeing, addressing the perspectives of various actors to produce place-based models and insights that are useful for SDG localisation. Methods Seven case studies were co-produced by one or more Partners with place-based knowledge of the case study issue and a Systems Thinker. In each case, joint delineation of an appropriate framing was followed by iterative dialogue cycles to uncover key contextual factors, with attention to institutional and societal structures and paradigms and the motivations and constraints of other actors. Casual loop diagrams (CLDs) were iteratively developed to capture complex narratives in a simple visual way. Results Case study development facilitated transfer of local knowledge and development of systems thinking capacity. Partners reported new insights, including a shifting of problem frames and corresponding solution spaces to higher systems levels. Such changes led partners to re-evaluate their roles and goals, and thence to new actions and strategies. CLD-based narratives also proved useful in ongoing communications. Conclusion Co-production of PESB case studies are a useful component of transdisciplinary toolsets for local SDG implementation, building the capacity of local actors to explore complex problems, identify new solutions and indicators, and understand the systemic linkages inherent in SDG actions across sectors and scales.

scholarly journals Digital Government Strategies for Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Irfanullah Arfeen ◽  
Demetrios Saranti
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Digital Government ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Qualitative Data Analysis Software

The research study examines the Digital government strategies of different countries and compare it with the Digital Pakistan Policy 2018. Different countries focus on the different factors/themes as per requirement of their countries and need of their citizens. Therefore, a requirement for re-search that compares the different digital government strategies has been identified. Secondary data on eGovernment strategies of different governments have been examined to investigate best practices in other countries. The qualitative data analysis software program NVivo has been used to facilitate code-based analysis of different digital government strategies. The findings and recommendations can be successfully utilized for the improvement of digital government strate-gies and its alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.

scholarly journals Cross-Sector Partnerships for Sustainability: How Mission-Driven Conveners Drive Change in National Coffee Platforms

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 2846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iteke van Hille ◽  
Frank G.A. de Bakker ◽  
Julie E. Ferguson ◽  
Peter Groenewegen
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Nonprofit Organizations ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Alternative Interpretation ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Local Actors ◽  
Important Means ◽  
Development Goals

Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) have deployed various strategies in motivating businesses to source sustainably, such as the co-development and promotion of sustainability certification and direct collaboration in cross-sector partnerships (CSPs). This is an important current-day priority, given the ambitions set out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and SDG 17 in particular. Increasingly, NPOs have taken up a role as conveners of such CSPs. Research on CSPs has, to date, often considered conveners as a ‘resource’ to the CSP, contributing to its effectiveness. In this study, we shift the focus towards the convener by considering a case of a ‘mission-driven convener’, an NPO that initiates CSPs as a strategy to realize its own sustainability objectives. Our explorative case study—comparing the NPO’s efforts across six countries in setting up national coffee platforms—reviews the concept of a mission-driven convener vis-à-vis established notions on convening and identifies which strategies it applies to realize a CSP. These strategies comprise productively combining certification-driven efforts with CSPs, combining process and outcomes of CSPs, and drawing on cross-level dynamics derived from outsourcing of convening work to local actors. With our study, we contribute to research on CSP conveners by offering an alternative interpretation to the relation between the CSP and the convener, attributing more agency to the convener as a mission-driven organization. Strengthening our understanding of CSPs and conveners is an important means to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Social Design for Services Framework

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie SARANTOU ◽  
Satu MIETTINEN
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Research Group ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Service Design ◽  
Social Design ◽  
Practical Action ◽  
The Social ◽  
The World

This paper addresses the fields of social and service design in development contexts, practice-based and constructive design research. A framework for social design for services will be explored through the survey of existing literature, specifically by drawing on eight doctoral theses that were produced by the World Design research group. The work of World Design researcher-designers was guided by a strong ethos of social and service design for development in marginalised communities. The paper also draws on a case study in Namibia and South Africa titled ‘My Dream World’. This case study presents a good example of how the social design for services framework functions in practice during experimentation and research in the field. The social design for services framework transfers the World Design group’s research results into practical action, providing a tool for the facilitation of design and research processes for sustainable development in marginal contexts.

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