Eco-Initiatives in Municipal Cultural Institutions as Examples of Activities for Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Poznan

The aim of the study is to demonstrate which pro-environmental initiatives consistent with the idea of sustainable development are undertaken by municipal cultural institutions in Poznan—the largest city in the Greater Poland region in Poland. The diagnostic survey was conducted by means of interviews with directors of municipal cultural institutions or their representatives. A total of 12 (out of 15) municipal cultural institutions from the city of Poznan were surveyed. All were asked to cite specific examples of their activities, visualising their institution’s approach to ecology. The results indicated that the institutions undertake numerous eco-initiatives, which very often fit into the discourse on so-called “deep ecology” and address the sources of the existing environmental crisis. Their activities are also aimed at stimulating a “return to nature” of the city’s inhabitants. In addition to initiatives aimed at the recipients of the offer of individual institutions, many institutions also pay attention to pro-environmental internal activities. In effect, the results could be divided into three general groups, which include internal institutional activities, the implementation of projects on environmental themes, and educational activities in the field of ecology. However, these activities were undertaken individually, as the survey revealed a lack of inter-institutional cooperation on ongoing projects.

Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility Orientation: From Gathering Information to Reporting Initiatives

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies have become an important research topic in recent years as they can generate numerous benefits for organizations, especially when an adequate market orientation (MO) has been defined. In this sense, several research questions arise: do companies have enough CSR information to implement appropriate strategies? Does the information that they have gathered allow them to define a complete set of CSR activities (response) based on the triple bottom line approach? And, once they have carried out their initiatives, do these companies ensure adequate dissemination of the results to stakeholders?. In order to answer the above questions, this study sought to examine companies’ CSR orientation from a MO perspective. Working with data on a sample of 165 firms in Spain, during January 15th and February 15th, 2017, structural equation modeling was used to test a set of research hypotheses. The results reveal an important link between information, response, and diffusion and help extend the MO strategy concept. CSR information has a positive, direct influence on the development of initiatives covering three dimensions (economic, social and environmental). In addition, a direct relationship exists between the development of social and environmental initiatives and CSR disclosure. This research’s findings contribute to the literature on interest groups and business sustainability. Also, they confirm that the development of social and environmental initiatives contributes positively to CSR dissemination and to the generation of competitive advantages. This way, collecting CSR information constitutes a valuable asset. With respect to the limitations of the study, the answers reflected each SME leader’s subjective opinion, the variables’ measurement was dealt with through reflective models using the PLS technique based on variance and only Spanish companies already oriented toward CSR participated in the study. Las estrategias de responsabilidad social corporativa (RSC) se han convertido en un tema de investigación importante en los últimos años, ya que pueden generar numerosos beneficios para las organizaciones, especialmente cuando se ha definido una orientación adecuada al mercado (OM). En este sentido, nos surgen varias preguntas de investigación: ¿disponen las empresas de suficiente información de RSC para implementar adecuadas estrategias? ¿la información que poseen les permite definir un conjunto de actividades de RSC (respuesta) basadas en el enfoque del triple bottom line? Y, una vez que han llevado a cabo sus iniciativas, ¿estas empresas aseguran una adecuada difusión de los resultados a los grupos de interés?. Con el fin de dar respuesta a las anteriores cuestiones, este estudio buscó examinar la orientación de la RSC de las empresas desde una perspectiva OM. Trabajando con datos de una muestra de 165 empresas en España, durante el período comprendido desde el 15 de enero al 15 de febrero de 2017, se utilizaron los modelos de ecuaciones estructurales para probar un conjunto de hipótesis de investigación. Los resultados revelan un vínculo importante entre la información, la respuesta y la difusión y ayudan a extender el concepto de estrategia de OM. La información de RSC tiene una influencia positiva y directa en el desarrollo de iniciativas que cubren las tres dimensiones (económica, social y medioambiental). Además, existe una relación directa entre el desarrollo de iniciativas sociales y ambientales y la divulgación de la RSC. Los hallazgos de esta investigación contribuyen a la literatura sobre grupos de interés y sostenibilidad empresarial. Además, confirman que el desarrollo de iniciativas sociales y ambientales contribuye positivamente a la difusión de la RSE y a la generación de ventajas competitivas. De esta manera, la recogida de información de RSE constituye un activo valioso. Con respecto a las limitaciones del estudio, las respuestas reflejaron la opinión subjetiva de cada líder de las Pymes, la medición de las variables se trató a través de modelos reflectivos utilizando la técnica PLS basada en la varianza y solo las empresas españolas ya orientadas hacia la RSE participaron en el estudio.

Civic Engagement in Local Environmental Initiatives

The goal of this chapter is to draw attention to the interrelation of multiple mediatized relationships, including face-to-face interaction, in local civic engagement around biodiversity and the environment. The authors propose that civic engagement and participation transcend the type of media used, and that artificial distinctions between online and offline participation are unproductive. Their argument is supported by three examples of participatory projects in which social media-based and face-to-face interactions are closely interrelated. This contribution highlights local uses of social media and the web. It shows how engagement plays out across multiple channels and how resources can be found in a variety of media formats. In particular, online media significantly alter the visibility of both local actions and of the resulting data.

Pädagogische Ansatzpunkte in der Umweltbildung für Zuwanderer/-innen

Regarding Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in general and Environmental Education in particular, immigrant adults are still insufficiently involved and not identified as a relevant target group. However, in recent years, there have been and continue to be few initiatives that are dedicated to promoting sustainable practices of migrants. The article starts at this point and examines, with recourse to various concepts of intercultural education on the one hand and the distinction between politischer Bildung und Erziehung, both referred to as political education in the Anglo-Saxon context, three environmental initiatives in Germany, thus linking ESD and intercultural education.

China will continue Greek investments despite pushback

Significance Unionised workers have staged several industrial actions against the port’s Chinese owners, the China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO). The recent death of an employee has raised again concerns about working conditions. There are concerns more widely about the Chinese giant’s impact on the local business and marine environments, and whether it honours its agreements. Impacts The current centre-right government will have less cordial relations with China than its left-wing predecessor. Amid its disputes with COSCO over its investment agreement, Athens will strive to portray Greece as a safe place for foreign investors. COSCO will endeavour to improve its image locally by proclaiming environmental initiatives and supporting charities.

Does corporate environmental responsibility affect investor future goal in the energy sector firms?

This study investigates the relationship between corporate environmental responsibility and firm’s financial performance by using a sample set of 2,241 firm-year observations representing 470 unique energy firms from 30 countries from 2013–2020. Supporting stakeholder theory, we find that firms with better environmental responsibility actions are associated with higher Tobins’q, suggesting that the investors react positively to the firm’s environmental initiatives. Overall, our findings suggest that firms in the energy sector should pay attention to corporate environmental responsibility practices to obtain a good response from the investors and achieve the firm’s long-term financial goals.