Does sustainability matter for Fintech firms? Evidence from United States firms

Purpose This study aims to look at how financial technology (FinTech) companies adhere to sustainable standards in contrast to their counterparts. Following the validation of its new sustainability index, this study looks into the impact of sustainability on the stock performance of FinTech companies. Design/methodology/approach To efficiently test the hypotheses, sample has been collected from the Bloomberg of all FinTech and non-FinTech companies from the USA. The final sample comprises 1,712 company-year observations over the investigation period 2010–2019. The methodology entails ordinary least squares regressions and generalized panel methods of moments (GMM). Findings The results suggest that the developed sustainability index is a valid proxy for sustainability measures and directly relates to stock performance. Besides, the evidence indicates that non-FinTech companies display superior sustainability and stock performance compared to FinTech companies. The present results corroborate with stakeholder theory, which implies that quality sustainability performance will alleviate the agency issue and safeguard the shareholders’ interest. Research limitations/implications Despite the fact that it presents the limitation of not considering other dimensions of financial performance, this research is important as it highlights the sustainability practices by the FinTech and non-FinTech companies, offering insights to researchers, policymakers, regulators, financial reports users, investors, environmental union, employees, clients and society. Originality/value This paper is novel because it is unique in evaluating the sustainability practices in FinTech and non-FinTech firms.

Assessing the Sustainability Index of Part-Time and Full-time Hazelnut Farms in Giresun and Ordu Province, Turkey

The study's primary purposes were to assess the sustainability index of hazelnut farms and explore the effects of part-time and full-time farming types on sustainability index in hazelnut production in the Giresun and Ordu Province of Turkey. One hundred fifty-two hazelnut farms were selected using the stratified sampling method, and data were collected. Several steps were taken, including using factor analysis after standardizing the variables to determine their weights to calculate the composite hazelnut farms sustainability index. The research findings showed that overall hazelnut sustainability scores of farms varied from 0.28 to 0.59, and the average score was 0.44 at sampled farms. The composite hazelnut sustainability index was at an unsatisfactory level. The social and economic sustainability index value of farms was equal, and they were higher than the environmental index value. The values were 0.50 and 0.30, respectively. While the economic sustainability index score of full-time farms was higher than that of part-time farms, and part-time farms had higher environmental sustainability index scores than that of full-time farms. Social sustainability scores were not different in terms of farm type. It was recommended that when designing and regulation support policies, policy-makers should differentiate part-time and full-time hazelnut farming. Training and extension programs must be planned to increase the level of knowledge of every willing farmer. In addition, training and certification programs must be implemented to enhance the quality of the foreign labor force.

Application of the Rural Water Sustainability Index (RWSI) in Amazon rural communities, Pará, Brazil

This paper proposes an adaptation of the Rural Water Sustainability Index (RWSI) to the Brazilian Amazon region. Policymakers can use this tool to identify areas of water stress and develop actions to guarantee water access to rural communities. Multi-criteria analysis and a geographical information system were integrated to incorporate various indicators and produce maps displaying spatial water sustainability levels in rural communities. The RWSI was employed on a case study at 16 rural communities in Santa Luzia do Pará, Pará, Brazil. In total, 380 closed and structured interviews were conducted with people living in the area to collect local information for the model application. The results showed a varied spatial behavior between rural communities of Santa Luzia do Pará, with similarities and differences based on the overall condition of water resources (final index values). Half of the locations had ‘Poor’ or ‘Poor-Medium’ water quality. The remaining sample obtained scores ranging from ‘Medium-Good’ to ‘Good’ water sustainability. RWSI’ scores varied widely (from 5.7 to 6.5) among the communities. It was also found that localities more distant from surface water presented more water stress.

Assessment of the Sustainability of Concrete by Ensuring Performance during Structure Service Life

The article presents an original method to assess the sustainability of concrete. The method uses three parameters, namely, performance, lifetime and environmental impact, to calculate a sustainability index. The originality and simplicity of the proposed method is shown when finding the sustainability index, where the first two factors (service life and performance) are kept constant. This approach is possible within the context of the new proposals that specify the durability of structural concrete in EN 1992 and EN 206. It allows the classification of concrete according to its performance, through environmental action resistance classes (ERC). For this purpose, specific experimental methods were used in order to determine the performance of concrete exposed to carbonation. The concretes were prepared with two cement types with additions (CEM II/A-S and CEM II/A-M (S-LL)). Based on the carbonation resistance classes (first parameter—performance) and exposure classes, the thickness of the concrete cover layer was determined to ensure a certain service lifetime (second parameter—service lifetime). Lastly, the global warming potential was calculated for each composition, allowing the users of the method to select the compositions with the lowest environmental impact.

Sustainability Efficiency Assessment in the Turkish Manufacturing Sector

This chapter intends to measure environmental, social, and economic sustainability efficiency levels of the manufacturing companies listed in Borsa Istanbul Sustainability Index by using data envelopment analysis (DEA) based on the target year of 2019. In this context, considering the relationship between inputs and outputs determined as a result of the comprehensive review of the related literature, efficiency assessment is made by considering environmental, social, and economic indicators, which are the main dimensions of corporate sustainability. The input-oriented Charnes, Cooper, and Rhodes (CCR) and Banker, Charnes, and Cooper (BCC) models have been used in the efficiency measurement. According to the obtained efficiency scores for the relatively inefficient companies in terms of environmental, economic, and social dimensions, several suggestions are offered depending on the potential improvement rates for them.

Análise e distribuição espacial do potencial para a sustentabilidade no pós-pandemia do COVID-19 nos municípios do Rio Grande do Sul

A pandemia causada pelo coronavírus disparou a possibilidade da crise em diversos segmentos, sobretudo com a adoção do isolamento social, principal ação para o controle da doença infectocontagiosa. O presente estudo justifica-se pela preocupação em relação às tendências do desenvolvimento sustentável no pós-pandemia da COVID-19, no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. A mensuração do grau de sustentabilidade dos municípios segue a tese de que, quanto maior for o grau de sustentabilidade dos municípios, menor o impacto da pandemia, e maiores os recursos para restabelecer o equilíbrio. O objetivo da pesquisa é analisar a distribuição espacial do potencial para a sustentabilidade no pós-pandemia do COVID-19, nos municípios do Rio Grande do Sul, a fim de gerar um mapa de risco sobre os municípios com menor e maior potencial para a sustentabilidade no pós-pandemia. Foi realizada uma análise ecológica, aplicado o instrumento Barômetro da Sustentabilidade, realizada a distribuição e análise espacial, utilizando o cálculo do Índice de Moran. Os resultados apresentam a distribuição e análise espacial do número de casos confirmados, coeficiente de incidência e quantitativo de óbitos pela COVID-19 no Estado. A espacialidade pode explicar o coeficiente de incidência da doença. Foi estimado o potencial para a sustentabilidade e gerado o mapa de risco do potencial para a sustentabilidade, no pós-pandemia do COVID-19, para os municípios do Rio Grande do Sul. Spatial analysis and distribution of the potential for sustainability in the post-pandemic of COVID-19 in the municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul A B S T R A C TThe pandemic caused by the coronavirus triggered the possibility of the crisis in several segments, especially with the adoption of social isolation, the main action for the control of the infectious disease, therefore, the present study is justified by the concern in relation to the trends of sustainable development in the post-pandemic of COVID-19, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Measuring the degree of sustainability of the municipalities follows the thesis that the greater the degree of sustainability of the municipalities, the less the impact of the pandemic, and the greater the resources to restore balance. The objective of the research is to analyze the spatial distribution of the potential for sustainability in the post-pandemic of COVID-19, in the municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul, in order to generate a risk map with less and greater potential for sustainability in the post- pandemic. This study was carried out by means of an ecological analysis and application of the Barometer of sustainability, later the distribution and spatial analysis was carried out by means of the Moran Index. The spatial analysis, performed by calculating the Moran Index, showed significant spatial independence for confirmed cases (I = 0.058; p = 0.024) and deaths (I = 0.032; p = 0.039), and a significant, albeit weak, correlation. for the incidence coefficient (I = 0.234; p = 0.001) of COVID-19. Spatiality does not explain the distribution of cases and deaths. However, when taking into account the population size of the municipalities, in relation to the number of cases, expressed by the incidence coefficient, the spatial aggregation gains merit. The potential for sustainability was estimated and the risk map of the potential for sustainability was generated, in the post-pandemic of COVID-19, for the municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul.Keywords: Moran index; Sustainability Barometer; Sustainability Index; coronavirus; Pandemic.

A Multivariate Approach to Evaluate Reduced Tillage Systems and Cover Crop Sustainability

The evaluation of the effects of conservation agriculture during the transition from conventional tillage to no-tillage requires numerous indicators to be considered. For this purpose, we monitored changes in a multi-parameter dataset during a three-year experiment that combined three tillage intensities (conventional tillage—CT; minimum tillage—MT; and no tillage—NT) with three soil covering managements (tillage radish cover crop, winter wheat cover crop and bare soil). Using a multivariate analysis, we developed a Relative Sustainability Index (RSI) based on 11 physical (e.g., bulk density and penetration resistance), chemical (e.g., soil organic carbon and pH) and biological soil properties (e.g., earthworm density) to evaluate cropping systems sustainability. The RSI was most affected by tillage intensity showing higher RSI values (i.e., better performances) in reduced tillage systems. Specifically, the RSI under NT was 42% greater than that of CT and 13% greater than that of MT. Soil covering had little impact on the RSI. Among the tested parameters, the RSI was increased most by saturated hydraulic conductivity (+193%) and earthworm density (+339%) across CT and NT treatments.to. Our results suggest that conservation agriculture and, particularly, reduced tillage systems, have the potential to increase farm environmental and agronomic sustainability.

Assessing Sustainability of Paddy Farmers in Peri-Urban Khulna: An Application of Farmer Sustainability Index

Association of sustainability agriculture and farming practices is somehow closely connected. There are necessary different farming practices for both adjusted and unadjusted PFSI measurement. The study observes practices of paddy farming and if farmers are practicing agriculture sustainably by estimating PFSI in three villages of Gutudia union. The objective is to spot the present agricultural practices and accessible sustainable practices, to examine the sustainability degree at field beneath the present paddy farming systems using PFSI and additionally to identify recommendations. The unit of analysis is 50 farmers and measured on a scale of 0 to 100 and also through Saltiel, Bauder, and Palakovich (1994) index. The results discovers that the average sustainability level which is presumably quite unsustainable this shows the necessity for more extension of correct practices. Chi-square analysis shows that the level of farmers’ awareness toward sustainable agriculture and positive attitude are considerably different with the level of PFSI.