scholarly journals Mapping National Environmental Sustainability Distribution by Ecological Footprint: The Case of Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8671
Author(s):  
Silvio Franco ◽  
Barbara Pancino ◽  
Angelo Martella
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Ecological Footprint ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Operational Definition ◽  
Italian Population ◽  
Resource Exploitation ◽  
Biological Capacity ◽  
Natural Resource Exploitation ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
National Environmental

The paper proposes a possible way of spatially representing sustainability in Italy. For this purpose, the ecological footprint approach was used as a methodological framework to assess the level of sustainability of the 8092 Italian municipalities. For each municipality, the exploitation of ecosystem services, assessed by the ecological footprint indicator, and the corresponding availability of biological capacity, associated to an indicator, have been calculated and compared, thus generating a map representing the relative sustainability of Italian municipalities. The results show a very scattered distribution of ecological balance, wherein unsustainable conditions characterize more than 60% of the territory and almost 95% of the Italian population. Despite the limitations of the methodology and some assumptions regarding the ecological footprint assessment at the municipality level, the study represents an attempt to produce an innovating tool that, based on an operational definition of sustainability, can represent natural resource exploitation at the local level, and provide useful information to address coherent and targeted environmental policies of sustainability.

scholarly journals Assessing Sustainable Development: Toward a Portfolio of Indices?

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 225
Author(s):  
Yacouba Gnegne
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Ecological Footprint ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Single Index ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Weak Sustainability ◽  
Strong Sustainability ◽  
Definition Of

This paper selects and discusses indices that seem to be more connected to the definition of development sustainability and/or allow taking into account issues of weak sustainability and strong sustainability systematically. I appreciate them mostly in terms of their ability to provide information on the fulfilment of human needs sustainably. I defend the idea that rather than being measured through a single index, the assessment of sustainable development requires a mix of indices. The main finding is that this portfolio must meet the triptych: current well-being, sustainability of well-being and environmental sustainability. In this regard, indices such as the HDI, the adjusted net saving and the ecological footprint may constitute such a mix or portfolio.

scholarly journals Geographical Differences in the Quality of Life in Poland: Challenges of Regional Policy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paweł Churski ◽  
Robert Perdał
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Operational Definition ◽  
Spatial Diversity ◽  
Reference Points ◽  
Geographical Differences ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Spatial Differences ◽  
Definition Of

AbstractCommonly used in human geography, quality of life (QOL) refers to the way and degree to which objective human needs are met, not only existential ones, but also those regarding the development of the human personality. This article diagnoses QOL understood in this way in Poland and its changes between 2004 and 2018 (i.e. during modernization), which saw the continuation of systemic transformation after joining the EU. To fully identify the regularity of spatial differences in the analysed phenomenon, 380 local units are used as reference points. First, we formulated an operational definition of multifaceted QOL with its separate dimensions, as well as selecting and constructing organized indicators that can be determined at the local level. Then we quantified local differences in the rate of growth and the level of QOL using multivariate analysis. Third, on the basis of the obtained results, we sought to reach the most significant conclusions: (1) the dynamic economic growth, enjoyed in Poland in 2004–2018, did not change significantly the spatial diversity of the quality of life on a local level. (2) To a large extent, the persistent differences in the quality of life in Poland are related to the historical spatial differences in the level of urbanisation and the well-established, traditional economic structure of the specific territorial units. (3) A higher degree of urbanisation coupled with the service- and service and industry-related functional nature of the local units in Poland are conducive to a better quality of life. This confirms the regularities observed in the countries on the verge of a rapid economic development.

Understanding functional illiteracy from a policy, adult education, and cognition point of view: Towards a joint referent framework

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-122
Author(s):  
Aleksandar Bulajić ◽  
Miomir Despotović ◽  
Thomas Lachmann
Keyword(s):  
Adult Education ◽  
Operational Definition ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Functional Illiteracy ◽  
Scale Levels ◽  
Components Of Reading ◽  
The One ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract. The article discusses the emergence of a functional literacy construct and the rediscovery of illiteracy in industrialized countries during the second half of the 20th century. It offers a short explanation of how the construct evolved over time. In addition, it explores how functional (il)literacy is conceived differently by research discourses of cognitive and neural studies, on the one hand, and by prescriptive and normative international policy documents and adult education, on the other hand. Furthermore, it analyses how literacy skills surveys such as the Level One Study (leo.) or the PIAAC may help to bridge the gap between cognitive and more practical and educational approaches to literacy, the goal being to place the functional illiteracy (FI) construct within its existing scale levels. It also sheds more light on the way in which FI can be perceived in terms of different cognitive processes and underlying components of reading. By building on the previous work of other authors and previous definitions, the article brings together different views of FI and offers a perspective for a needed operational definition of the concept, which would be an appropriate reference point for future educational, political, and scientific utilization.

“The Unconscious” in Current Psychology

2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Norman
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Psychology ◽  
Verbal Report ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Operational Definition ◽  
The Unconscious ◽  
Apparent Lack ◽  
Unconscious Processing ◽  
Unconscious Processes ◽  
Intermediate States ◽  
Definition Of

A series of vignette examples taken from psychological research on motivation, emotion, decision making, and attitudes illustrates how the influence of unconscious processes is often measured in a range of different behaviors. However, the selected studies share an apparent lack of explicit operational definition of what is meant by consciousness, and there seems to be substantial disagreement about the properties of conscious versus unconscious processing: Consciousness is sometimes equated with attention, sometimes with verbal report ability, and sometimes operationalized in terms of behavioral dissociations between different performance measures. Moreover, the examples all seem to share a dichotomous view of conscious and unconscious processes as being qualitatively different. It is suggested that cognitive research on consciousness can help resolve the apparent disagreement about how to define and measure unconscious processing, as is illustrated by a selection of operational definitions and empirical findings from modern cognitive psychology. These empirical findings also point to the existence of intermediate states of conscious awareness, not easily classifiable as either purely conscious or purely unconscious. Recent hypotheses from cognitive psychology, supplemented with models from social, developmental, and clinical psychology, are then presented all of which are compatible with the view of consciousness as a graded rather than an all-or-none phenomenon. Such a view of consciousness would open up for explorations of intermediate states of awareness in addition to more purely conscious or purely unconscious states and thereby increase our understanding of the seemingly “unconscious” aspects of mental life.

PRESERVING AND PROMOTING LOCAL KNOWLEDGE IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND NATURAL RESOURCE EXPLOITATION AND USE OF ETHNIC MINORITIES IN THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINOUS REGION

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vu Thi Thanh Minh
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Ethnic Minorities ◽  
Natural Resource ◽  
Local Knowledge ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Customary Law ◽  
Mountainous Region ◽  
Resource Exploitation ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Natural Resource Exploitation

Ethnic minorities in the Northern Mountainous Region not only use the application of scientific-technological advances but also experiences of the community to enhance production efficiency and environmental protection. Local knowledge (TTDP) of ethnic minorities is useful for environmental protection and natural resource exploitation & use. These are environmental & weather knowledge; farming experiences on sloping and forestry land; knowledge about environmental protection and natural resource exploitation & use especially how to protect precious resources by specific rules/regulations of customary law. In the context of declining natural resources, TTDP is eroded, captured, or illegally exploited. There should be measures in order to preserve and promote TTDP as well as raise the awareness of the community about its important role.

Compliance and Conflict of Value in Public Policy Implementation: Comparison between the New Order and the Reformation Era

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dwiyanto Indiahono ◽  
Erwan Purwanto ◽  
Agus Pramusinto
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Policy Implementation ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
New Order ◽  
The Reformation ◽  
Public Policy Implementation ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Conflict Of Value ◽  
The Relationship

This research aims to examine differences in the relationship of bureaucratic and political officials during the New Order (Soeharto’s era) and the Reformation (post-Soeharto) era within the arena of public policy implementation. This is a matter of importance given that there is a change in relations between the two from integration in the New Order to bureaucratic impartiality in the Reformation Era. This study attempts to answer the question: How were the relations of bureaucratic and political officials in the implementation of local level public policy during the New Order and the Reformation Era? A qualitative research has been conducted in Tegal Municipality using the following data collection techniques: interview, focus group discussion, documentation, and observation. Tegal Municipality was selected as the study location because of the unique relationship shown between the mayor and the bureaucracy. Its uniqueness lies in the emergence of bureaucratic officials who dare to oppose political officials, based on their convictions that bureaucratic/public values should be maintained even if it means having to be in direct conflict with political officials. This research indicates that the relationship between bureaucratic and political officials in the arena of local level policy implementation during the New Order was characterized as being full of pressure and compliance, whereas during the Reformation Era bureaucrats have the audacity to hinder policy implementation. Such audacity to thwart policies is considered to have developed from a stance that aims to protect public budget and values in policies. The occurring conflict of values here demonstrates a dichotomy of political and bureaucratic officials that is different from the prevailing definition of politics-administration dichotomy introduced at the onset of Public Administration studies.

An Analysis of the Demand for Reporting on Internal Control

2000 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather M. Hermanson
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Operational Definition ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
Individual Investors ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
User Groups ◽  
Definition Of

The purpose of this study is to analyze the demand for reporting on internal control. Nine financial statement user groups were identified and surveyed to determine whether they agree that: (1) management reports on internal control (MRIC) are useful, (2) MRICs influence decisions, and (3) financial reporting is improved by adding MRICs. In addition, the paper examined whether responses varied based on: (1) the definition of internal control used (manipulated as broad, operational definition vs. narrow, financial-reporting definition) and (2) user group. The results indicate that financial statement users agree that internal controls are important. Respondents agreed that voluntary MRICs improved controls and provided additional information for decision making. Respondents also agreed that mandatory MRICs improved controls, but did not agree about their value for decision making. Using a broad definition of controls, respondents strongly agreed that MRICs improved controls and provided a better indicator of a company's long-term viability. Executive respondents were less likely to agree about the value of MRICs than individual investors and internal auditors.

Shape Dynamics and the Linking Theory

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flavio Mercati
Keyword(s):  
Phase Space ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Line Element ◽  
Hamiltonian Formulation ◽  
Operational Definition ◽  
Extended Phase Space ◽  
Extended Phase ◽  
Problem Of Time ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Matter Fields

This chapter explains in detail the current Hamiltonian formulation of SD, and the concept of Linking Theory of which (GR) and SD are two complementary gauge-fixings. The physical degrees of freedom of SD are identified, the simple way in which it solves the problem of time and the problem of observables in quantum gravity are explained, and the solution to the problem of constructing a spacetime slab from a solution of SD (and the related definition of physical rods and clocks) is described. Furthermore, the canonical way of coupling matter to SD is introduced, together with the operational definition of four-dimensional line element as an effective background for matter fields. The chapter concludes with two ‘structural’ results obtained in the attempt of finding a construction principle for SD: the concept of ‘symmetry doubling’, related to the BRST formulation of the theory, and the idea of ‘conformogeometrodynamics regained’, that is, to derive the theory as the unique one in the extended phase space of GR that realizes the symmetry doubling idea.

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