scholarly journals Investigating Web-Based Sustainability Reporting in Italian Public Universities in the Era of Covid-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3468
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Nicolò ◽  
Natalia Aversano ◽  
Giuseppe Sannino ◽  
Paolo Tartaglia Polcini
Keyword(s):  
Public Universities ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Social Performance ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Active Engagement ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
The Social ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Specific Section

Universities are increasingly called to demonstrate to stakeholders their active commitment to responding to social and environmental issues through comprehensive reporting practices. Such expectations were further enhanced by the recent pandemic outbreak unleashed by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has bolstered social pressures on universities to demonstrate their active engagement in supporting health systems in fighting against the virus as well as in ensuring adequate e-learning paths for students. Therefore, this study aims to investigate to what extent Italian public universities disclose sustainability information on their websites. The study is based on a well-established framework adapted from the literature. The category “Sustainability and COVID-19” has been added to also examine the extent to which universities disclose information regarding policies and strategies adopted to cope with the ongoing pandemic crisis. Results evidence that most of the sampled universities devote a specific section of their websites to disclose information on sustainability issues. Results also highlight a strong commitment to the disclosure of social issues. Particular attention is devoted to disclosing information about “Social Performance”; “Sustainability and COVID-19” and “Society Issues”. The results may be beneficial to both policymakers and university governors in gaining awareness about the potential of websites in engendering insights into the social issues that involve a university and a wider range of stakeholders.

The Impact of Covid 19 on Pregnant Women and Child Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 1367-1373
Author(s):  
Nikhil Sanjay Mujbaile ◽  
Smita Damke
Keyword(s):  
Social Issues ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Separation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
And Child Health ◽  
General Wellbeing

The Covid illness (COVID-19) pandemic has spread rapidly all through the world and has had a drawn-out impact. The Pandemic has done incredible damage to society and made genuine mental injury to numerous individuals. Mental emergencies frequently cause youngsters to deliver sentiments of relinquishment, despondency, insufficiency, and fatigue and even raise the danger of self-destruction. Youngsters with psychological instabilities are particularly powerless during the isolate and colonial removing period. Convenient and proper assurances are expected to forestall the event of mental and social issues. The rising advanced applications and wellbeing administrations, for example, telehealth, web-based media, versatile wellbeing, and far off intuitive online instruction can connect the social separation and backing mental and conduct wellbeing for youngsters. Because of the mental advancement qualities of youngsters, this investigation additionally outlines intercessions on the mental effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Further difficulties in Low Middle-Income Countries incorporate the failure to actualize successful general wellbeing estimates, for example, social separating, hand cleanliness, definitive distinguishing proof of contaminated individuals with self-disconnection and widespread utilization of covers The aberrant impacts of the Pandemic on youngster wellbeing are of extensive concern, including expanding neediness levels, upset tutoring, absence of admittance to the class taking care of plans, decreased admittance to wellbeing offices and breaks in inoculation and other kid wellbeing programs. Kept tutoring is critical for kids in Low Middle-Income Countries. Arrangement of safe situations is mainly testing in packed asset obliged schools. 

A European Computer Driving Licence: integrating computer literacy in the new Social Work degree

2008 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Gregor
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Computer Literacy ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Driving Licence ◽  
The Social ◽  
E Learning ◽  
College Now

'Informacy', the learning of information technology skills, is now a key element of all Social Work curricula in the U.K. following the General Social Care Council's accreditation requirements. These stipulate that all undergraduates acquire computer literacy skills to the level of the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) or its equivalence and require that all accredited Social Work courses assess students to ensure that this is achieved. However, many universities do not have the support of information technology departments in order to ensure that their students are taught how to use a computer. Nor do they have access to interactive web-based packages that assist the students in teaching themselves IT skills to the high levels required by the European Computer Driving Licence. The research suggests that an integrated e-learning teaching and assessment strategy can help to promote computer literacy among Social Work students. This paper explores some of the challenges that arise from integrating e-learning into the teaching and assessment of a Social Work degree, based on the experience of the Social Work Department at Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College (now Bucks New University).

scholarly journals Corporate Sustainability Practices in Polluting Industries: Evidence from India, China and USA

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-168
Author(s):  
Prem Sagar Mishra ◽  
◽  
Ajay Kumar ◽  
Niladri Das
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Social Performance ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Legitimacy Theory ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Corporate World ◽  
Financial Perspective ◽  
Sustainability Reports ◽  
Sustainability Practices

In recent years, the tilt of the corporate world towards non-financial reporting can be clearly seen from traditional accounting practices. Sustainability reporting disclosures are an important tool for providing information about the environmental and social performance of companies to their various stakeholders. From a financial perspective, for any firm, there is always a possibility of reporting more of the information that favours their interests or conceal that which is not in their favour. This study evaluates the annual and sustainability reports of 380 Indian, 400 Chinese and 400 USA companies from five highly polluting industries on the basis of GRI (global reporting initiatives) guidelines. From the result, it is inferred that the findings are consistent with the legitimacy theory. The result shows that the profitability and capital structure of firms in the sample do not affect the sustainability reporting practices significantly. In addition, larger firms have a tendency to disclose more information in their annual and sustainability reports than smaller firms.

scholarly journals Cause-effect chains in S-LCA based on DPSIR framework using Markov healthcare model: an application to “working hours” in Canada

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwa B. Hannouf ◽  
Getachew Assefa ◽  
Malek B. Hannouf ◽  
Ian Gates
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Social Performance ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Working Standard ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Dpsir Framework ◽  
The Social ◽  
Analytic Models

Abstract Purpose This study has two aims: first, propose the use of the driver-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) framework to expand the normal focus of impact pathways in social life cycle assessment (S-LCA) on endpoint impacts to a systematic analysis to find links between the main sources of social issues and impacts; second, develop a new impact assessment method to quantify the lifetime health and economic outcomes associated with social subcategories, for the first time, using decision analytic models. Methods The DPSIR framework is mapped to the corresponding elements of the S-LCA context in relation to the social subcategories defined in the UNEP/SETAC methodological sheets. Next, a more robust approach is developed for cause-impact chains between social subcategories and impacts on human well-being based on decision-analytic models (decision trees and Markov models) using healthcare approaches and data. Finally, the health and economic consequences associated with social subcategories are quantified by using Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) and costs based on medical literature and healthcare studies. Results and discussion The method was applied to the “working hours” social subcategory in Canada. The cause-effect chain is built using DPSIR framework in relation to the current social issue in Canada of working more than standard hours. Results of the decision analytic model show that working standard hours is more effective and cost-saving than working more than standard hours from the Canadian healthcare perspective. Working standard hours compared to more than standard hours led to an increase of 0.73 QALY and decrease in cost of $6702 per worker. Based on an estimated 2.4 million Canadian workers working more than standard hours, this resulted in a total gain of 1.7 million QALYs and saving of $16 billion overall. Using cost-effectiveness analysis, possible interventions at multiple entry points of the cause-effect chain within DPSIR framework are proposed to reduce the negative health impacts and associated costs of working more than standard hours in Canada. Conclusions Applying the method on other subcategories could help decision-makers establish the cause-effect aspects of the social performance of their product systems using a quantitative systematic analysis from a life cycle perspective. This approach supports corporate decision-makers to quantify social impacts associated with their product supply chains by calculating QALYs and healthcare costs of their socio-economic conditions enabling them to identify possible interventions to improve the social performance.

Humanities 2.0: E-Learning in the Digital World

2011 ◽  
Vol 116 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Guerlac
Keyword(s):  
Online Education ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Digital Humanities ◽  
Public Universities ◽  
Digital World ◽  
The Social ◽  
Economic Forces ◽  
E Learning ◽  
The University

This essay analyzes the social and economic forces behind the push for online education (especially in public universities), the discourses that support it, and the sometimes surprising discursive alliances that form among critics of the university. It also considers the opportunities as well as the risks of digital humanities and calls for increasing digital literacy on the part of humanists.

CSR and sustainability reporting practices of top companies in India

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajul Jain ◽  
Lawrence H. Winner
Keyword(s):  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
International Perspective ◽  
Private Companies ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Pragmatic Constructivism ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contribute an international perspective to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability (Sus) discussions by examining CSR/Sus reporting practices of the 200 largest state-owned and private companies in India. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conduct a case study at the Danish carpet manufacturer EGE. The authors interpret the case from the perspective of pragmatic constructivism, which focusses on the integration of four dimensions: facts, possibilities, values, and communication. Findings – The analyses showed that while most companies share CSR/Sus information through their websites they associate different levels of importance to this communication. However, the study found that overall the CSR/Sus climate in India is showing signs of positive reform. Research limitations/implications – Being among the first, this study provides a framework for future studies to continue exploring CSR/Sus context in India, a country that despite its growing importance and influence has been largely ignored in the CSR/Sus literature. Practical/implications – The study outlines the current CSR/Sus reporting trends and best practices in India that can help managers and organizations identify issues and topics that they could channel their resources and efforts into to maximize returns and benefits in this area. Social/implications – This study provides insights into how corporations in an emerging and complex economy such as India are assuming roles of corporate citizens and are actively using web-based communication to engage and interact with stakeholders on issues that are of general concern. Originality/value – The value of this study is in providing empirical insights into the strategies that Indian companies use to report on their CSR/Sus policies and commitments. The study is among the first to examine CSR in India from a sustainability perspective, and evaluate compliance with global reporting standards among top corporations.

Corporate Social Performance, Firm Size, and Organizational Visibility: Distinct and Joint Effects on Voluntary Sustainability Reporting

2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 742-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp Schreck ◽  
Sascha Raithel
Keyword(s):  
Firm Size ◽  
Corporate Social Performance ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Social Performance ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Environmental Reporting ◽  
Joint Effects ◽  
Marginal Costs ◽  
Sustainability Reports ◽  
Corporate Social

This study investigates the distinct and joint effects of corporate social performance (CSP), firm size, and visibility on a company’s decision to disclose sustainability-related information through sustainability reports. It seeks to provide more nuanced explanations for why certain companies tend to extensively report on their sustainability performance. First, while prior studies have predominantly focused on environmental reporting, the current analysis considers comprehensive sustainability reports that include both environmental and social issues. Second, the article argues that the effects of two important antecedents of legitimacy pressure—firm size and organizational visibility—should be analyzed separately rather than restricting the analysis on the effects of legitimacy pressure per se. Third, it argues that the hypothesized effects are nonlinear because the marginal costs and benefits of sustainability reporting vary with a company’s CSP level, its size, and its visibility in the public. Finally, although there is a strong link between CSP and sustainability reporting, the strength of this link depends on its size and visibility. The study of 280 companies in environmentally and socially sensitive industries provides considerable support for these hypotheses, including evidence that size and visibility independently affect sustainability reporting and that the shape of the CSP/sustainability reporting link is contingent upon firm size and visibility.

Assessing sustainability reports of US universities

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 1158-1184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Remmer Sassen ◽  
Leyla Azizi
Keyword(s):  
Social Performance ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Social Dimension ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Incentives ◽  
The Social ◽  
Sustainability Reports ◽  
The University ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess sustainability reports of US universities to provide findings on the relative importance of disclosure topics. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted content analysis by using a specific university-oriented catalogue of indicators to cover the specific sustainability-related aspects of this sector. Findings Sustainability reporting by universities is still in its early stages. The findings show a clear focus on the environmental dimension, whereas the university and the economic dimensions see lower levels of reporting. The social dimension is rarely addressed. Research limitations/implications Future research could use the results of this study as a basis for investigating stakeholder expectations towards universities’ sustainability reporting and developing university-specific sustainability reporting standards. Practical implications The results could be used to improve universities’ sustainability reporting, as “good” practices are now readily available. Social implications The level of reporting on the social dimension is very low. Therefore, developing political incentives to improve universities’ social performance might be of interest. Originality/value The investigated setting is unique and contributes several findings in a less-researched area along with several practical, social and research implications.

scholarly journals Students’ Satisfaction Using E-Learning as a Supplementary Tool

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (15) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Ai Chin Thoo ◽  
See Pheng Hang ◽  
Yoke Lai Lee ◽  
Liat Choon Tan
Keyword(s):  
General Education ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Web Based Learning ◽  
The Social ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Students Satisfaction ◽  
Self Learning

E-learning is useful to help students gaining digital and data literacy during their studies particularly in the era of Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0). E-learning which is characterized by time and place flexibility should be utilized as a tool for self-learning. In Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), e-learning plays an important role as a supplementary tool for effective web-based learning. The purpose of this study is to examine what are the factors that drive students’ satisfaction in e-learning. A total of 194 samples were collected from undergraduate students in UTM using quantitative method. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was utilized for data analysis. The findings showed that delivery method and con-tent have a positive and significant relationship with satisfaction of using e-learning. However, system operations has no impact on students’ satisfaction in e-learning. In conclusion, the finding of this study is expected to provide an effective teaching model for general education schools.

Philosophy of Web-Based Mediation

2011 ◽  
pp. 465-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olli Mäkinen
Keyword(s):  
User Interfaces ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Commercial Practice ◽  
Ethical Decisions ◽  
The Social ◽  
Phenomenological Perspective ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Learning Platforms ◽  
Processing Techniques

This chapter deals with the influence of mediation in different kinds of virtual environments, e.g. virtual conferences, e-learning platforms, distance learning environments and surroundings, Internet Relay Chat (IRC), and various other user interfaces. Mediation is a means in which messages, discussion and behaviour are becoming more and more conceptual and abstract and have an effect on our social being. As a result of mediation there is no first-hand experience of reality, everything is constructed, and in virtual reality we have receded a long way off from real life. Mediation affects our capability to make independent ethical decisions. The same process is discerned in all the social and commercial practice where it is rationalized by processing techniques or when it is made virtual. Here mediation is studied from a phenomenological perspective. Quantification, modelling and regulation also describe aspects of mediation. This chapter is a review article and an opening in mediational ethics based on classical philosophy.

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