Liza Barbour and Julia McCartan
Health professionals play a crucial role in addressing the climate crisis and contributing to sustainable development. However, despite urgent calls from experts and health…
Abstract
Purpose
Health professionals play a crucial role in addressing the climate crisis and contributing to sustainable development. However, despite urgent calls from experts and health professions students, tertiary education currently lacks fit-for-purpose planetary health curricula. This study aims to provide a comprehensive, Australia-wide examination of planetary health curricula offered within two health professions: nutrition and dietetics.
Design/methodology/approach
This mixed-method study involved two phases. Firstly, content analysis of publicly available unit titles and descriptions to determine the frequency and distribution of relevant curricula. Secondly, content and inductive thematic analysis of relevant learning outcomes, guided by Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy to assess the level of cognitive learning and the subject matter being prioritised.
Findings
Examination of 104 degrees offered by 41 Australian universities identified relevant curricula in 71 nutrition degrees (84%) and 18 dietetics degrees (95%). Majority of relevant learning outcomes (n = 137) focus on lower-order cognitive learning, with 11 themes of subject matter identified; planetary health, critiquing the status quo, innovation and disruption, equity, values-based practice and evidence-based practice, (dietary modification, food service in health-care settings, food and nutrition policy, food system drivers and elements of the food supply chain.
Originality/value
This study identified an increase in coverage of planetary health curricula in Australian nutrition and dietetics degrees compared to previous examinations and the need for higher-order learning to adequately equip the future health workforce.
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Disasters are catastrophic events that result in loss of life, injury and significant disruptions to everyday life. Unsustainable poverty, crises and migration policies worsen…
Abstract
Purpose
Disasters are catastrophic events that result in loss of life, injury and significant disruptions to everyday life. Unsustainable poverty, crises and migration policies worsen them. This study aimed to evaluate the critical perspectives of G7’s country leaders regarding their national agendas in 2022, focusing on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR).
Design/methodology/approach
This study utilized document analysis, one of the qualitative research methods. Using purposive sampling, we analyzed 20,215 words of X (Twitter) data from G7’s country leaders between January 1 and December 31, 2022, with a thematic approach using MAXQDA qualitative software. MAXQDA applied Code Cloud, Code Matrix Browser, Word Frequencies and MaxMaps Code Models tests. Results are presented based on codes, categories and themes identified during analysis.
Findings
The G7’s country leaders emphasized peace, justice and strong institutions as their SDGs priority. However, it was observed that developed nations often overlooked critical issues such as hunger, quality education and inequality in their agendas in 2022. Based on SFDRR, the leaders addressed crisis response and recovery topics, but it is crucial to note that there is a need for a shift towards proactive measures in their disaster policies. The study also noted limited coverage of migration issues affecting many countries globally. There is an urgent need to address hunger, provide quality education and reduce inequality worldwide.
Research limitations/implications
This study has several limitations: Former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi did not have an X (Twitter) account in 2022, and the data only reflect the situation in 2022. Also, simply analyzing statements does not necessarily indicate what these countries support and promote in practice. However, this study could be enhanced by including analyses of funding allocations for projects that target various SDGs and SFDRR objectives. Lastly, this study focused on the strategic policy statements made by representatives of different countries. It does not include tactical and operational disaster management processes, which is a limitation because it is difficult to provide a broader perspective.
Practical implications
Developed countries’ approaches to disaster and development policies are essential for disaster risk reduction strategies. Future analyses of funding allocations for projects targeting various SDGs and SFDRR objectives can lead to practical implications.
Originality/value
The authors present a critical viewpoint on the SDGs and SFDRR perspectives of G7’s country leaders. As developed countries possess significant resources and capabilities, they should set a positive example in the global implementation of disaster policies. Consequently, their annual official statements are a valuable guide for disaster policymakers and practitioners.
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Xiaoqin Liu, Zhibin Lin, Xiaohui Li and Cuiying Liang
This study aims to investigate how long commutes negatively affect employees’ creative deviance at work, exploring the mediating role that impaired work–life balance plays in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate how long commutes negatively affect employees’ creative deviance at work, exploring the mediating role that impaired work–life balance plays in linking commute to restricted creative deviance, as well as examining whether access to flexible work arrangements can alleviate commuting’s detrimental indirect effects.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employed a three-wave survey methodology conducted over monthly intervals with 246 participants in China’s Pearl River Delta region. Rigorous screening ensured a demographically diverse sample.
Findings
Commuting time negatively affects creative deviance, both directly and indirectly through work–life balance. Flexible work arrangements mitigate the adverse effects of long commutes on work–life balance, subsequently weakening the indirect effect of commuting time on creative deviance through work–life balance.
Practical implications
A holistic approach is suggested for organizations aiming to foster a supportive and ethical work environment, which involves a combination of organizational policies, leadership practices and individual actions to promote both creativity and employee welfare.
Originality/value
This research breaks new ground by identifying commuting time as a key factor influencing creative deviance in the workplace, mediated by work–life balance. It integrates transportation research with organizational behavior, applying an ethics of care perspective to challenge traditional paradigms. The study’s interdisciplinary approach, bridging multiple fields, provides a novel, holistic view of how non-work factors impact workplace innovation.
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Mariana Foo, Karel Karsten Himawan and Eko Susanto
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of online brainspotting (BSP) therapy in reducing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and influencing brain metabolism in a…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of online brainspotting (BSP) therapy in reducing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and influencing brain metabolism in a survivor of intimate partner sexual violence.
Design/methodology/approach
A quasi-experimental single-case study using a pretest–posttest design was conducted with clinical assessments and neuroimaging techniques (Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy or H-MRS). The PTSD participant underwent 15 online BSP sessions, with a healthy control included for comparison. PTSD symptoms and neural activity, specifically the N-acetyl aspartate/creatine ratio, were evaluated before and after the intervention.
Findings
The results indicated significant reductions in PTSD symptoms and improvements in neural activity, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, medial prefrontal cortex, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, hippocampus and amygdala. Reductions in anxiety and depression levels were also observed through clinical assessments. Follow-up sessions confirmed sustained symptom improvement.
Research limitations/implications
The small sample size and lack of randomization limit generalizability, and reliance on self-reporting could introduce bias. Future research should involve larger samples, randomized trials and longer follow-up periods.
Practical implications
This study offers preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of online BSP therapy in treating PTSD, highlighting its potential as an accessible treatment option and demonstrating the value of neuroimaging in tracking therapy outcomes.
Originality/value
The study provides novel insights into online BSP’s impact on brain regions associated with trauma and emphasizes the need for culturally sensitive PTSD treatment in Indonesia.
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Kutisha T. Ebron, Anthony C. Andenoro, Cheyenne Luzynski and Anne Ngunjiri
In May 2020, Kenya declared Gender-Based Violence (GBV) a health emergency amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Domestic and intimate partner violence typically rises during crises…
Abstract
Purpose
In May 2020, Kenya declared Gender-Based Violence (GBV) a health emergency amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Domestic and intimate partner violence typically rises during crises, regardless of economic status (Spangaro et al., 2021). Before COVID-19, around 45% of women and girls in Kenya had experienced violence (Musembi et al., 2022). Although Kenya’s constitution has addressed GBV since 2010 and gender equity initiatives have been promoted, the pandemic exacerbated GBV, particularly in rural areas, due to lockdowns and movement restrictions. This study examines the lessons learned from Kenya’s COVID-19 response and proposes policies and processes that integrate ethical leadership to effectively combat GBV and advance gender equity.
Design/methodology/approach
This exploratory phenomenology study involved conducting semi-structured interviews with pregnant women, mothers, policymakers and government representatives.
Findings
The qualitative narratives reveal several critical issues and areas for improvement in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and related challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya. Both policymakers and pregnant women highlighted a lack of effective leadership, public policy and application of gender equity principles, with deeply ingrained patriarchal norms hindering progress.
Originality/value
This study aims to improve responses to GBV during crises and promote gender equity through ethical leadership. By examining the impacts of COVID-19 on GBV and assessing the influence of intersectoral factors like employment, healthcare and financial aid, it seeks to provide actionable insights for effective interventions. The findings can inform strategies to prevent and address GBV in crises while ensuring inclusivity and justice. This aligns with international initiatives like the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the “Leave No One Behind” agenda, fostering more resilient and equitable communities.
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Tina Sendlhofer and Fedra Vanhuyse
This study explores the use of digital tools to support the sharing of sustainability information in the transition towards sustainable supply chain management in food supply…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the use of digital tools to support the sharing of sustainability information in the transition towards sustainable supply chain management in food supply chains.
Design/methodology/approach
The qualitative study reports on a Swedish food supply network, consisting of interviews with retailers/restaurants, wholesalers, and farmers/processors. By applying the analytical lens of responsibilisation, the abductive study reveals the complexities and barriers in transitioning to a sustainable food industry with the help of digital tools.
Findings
The findings demonstrate that perceived responsibility for corporate sustainability was limited to the national legislative framework. This limitation is evidence of an evaded regime of responsibilisation across supply chain actors. Additionally, the use of digital tools to support sustainability information sharing was largely absent in strategic orientations. This selective or withheld sustainability information translated into a gatekeeping mechanism that potentially hinders collective efforts to achieve sustainability.
Practical implications
The findings indicate that Swedish food actors are currently in a waiting position regarding the use of digital tools to promote sustainability information sharing. More specifically, industry actors perceive the need for an updated regulatory sustainability framework that supports a faster, digitally supported transition towards a sustainable food industry. Policymakers should be more proactive to incentivise industry actors to develop and adopt digital tools promoting corporate sustainability.
Originality/value
Responding to the call for more research into the empirical reality of supply chain actors and their approaches towards digitalisation and sustainability, this study bridges the gap between conceptual studies and practice. Furthermore, this study refines the theory of responsibilisation by shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of sharing sustainability information within a food supply network. It suggests that there exists an evaded regime of responsibilisation whereby governmental agencies are assigned the greatest responsibility to drive corporate sustainability, and, in the absence of such regulatory requirements, the sharing of sustainability information is limited.
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Nora Annesi, Massimo Battaglia, Ilenia Ceglia and Francesco Mercuri
Organisations are confronted with the challenge of navigating various pressures arising from activities that shape environmental and social impacts, which stakeholders find…
Abstract
Purpose
Organisations are confronted with the challenge of navigating various pressures arising from activities that shape environmental and social impacts, which stakeholders find significant. This research endeavours to ascertain a process facilitating the analysis and seamless integration of sustainability into corporate strategy. The goal is to establish an “integrated” ESG governance framework adept at effectively managing institutional pressures.
Design/methodology/approach
This research employs an action research approach, focusing on a leading company within the sugar industry. The investigation delves into the relationship dynamics associated with business issues through a process that engages, either directly or indirectly, board members, top managers, as well as industrial and commercial customers, along with final consumers.
Findings
The formulation of a sustainability strategy serves as a guiding framework for the Board of Directors in effectively navigating tensions arising from environmental, social and economic pressures.
Research limitations/implications
The research contributes to bridging the realms of business governance and institutional theory (viewed under a paradoxical lens). On a managerial level, the study introduces a structured process aimed at seamlessly integrating sustainability objectives into governance, aligning with international ESG guidelines (OECD, 2023; WEF, 2020).
Originality/value
The originality of this research lies in crafting a sustainability strategy by the BoD that takes into account the impact of governance and responds to the demands of strategic stakeholders.