To show that the practices, processes and resources for the management of the university environment should be aligned to meet the ever‐growing demands of sustainability and its…
Abstract
Purpose
To show that the practices, processes and resources for the management of the university environment should be aligned to meet the ever‐growing demands of sustainability and its motivations should be clearly spelt out to all stakeholders. Universities should also strive to become leaders in the development of effective environmental programmes and work to overcome the barriers that may exist in this regard.
Design/methodology/approach
The general focus of this inquiry was based on the qualitative research paradigm. Information was gathered from a wide variety of formats, both printed and online databases which was used to build a foundation for analysis, consideration, description, explanation and prediction. It is maintained that universities – which arguably have played a significant role in bringing mankind to its current position – must practice, demonstrate and educate on the path to sustainability.
Findings
Effective environmental management systems (EMSs), must be adopted so as to manage and assess a university's impacts on the environment and education for sustainable development (ESD) should become common practice in all higher education institutions.
Practical implications
Two of the most essential tools for achieving sustainability are undoubtedly policy and education. In this regard, a number of universities across the globe have signed accords that partly make them responsible for adapting their curricula so that students in all faculties become conversant with issues of sustainability. A concerted effort to create public awareness and to educate and train about the concept of sustainability is necessary in the programme of a university which is concerned about the environment.
Originality/value
Unfortunately, many higher education signatories to international agreements on sustainability, while purporting to be concerned about environmental issues are in essence not implementing measures quickly enough. This paper fulfils the need of sensitizing higher education institutions to the need for action on environmental issues and builds on previous knowledge. A knowledge of environmental consequences should be fostered urgently by universities and there should be a firm commitment on the part of the hierarchies in a university to assume more responsible approaches to the management of environmental performance enhancement, which is also a non‐negotiable.
Details
Keywords
Ayşe Meriç Yazıcı and Hüseyin Çiçeklioğlu
The purpose of this study is to examine how green innovation awareness is integrated into corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and what regulatory role environmental…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine how green innovation awareness is integrated into corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and what regulatory role environmental ethics plays in this process. This study evaluates how green innovation shapes the environmental, social and economic responsibilities of businesses and its impact on achieving sustainable development goals.
Design/methodology/approach
The population of this study consists of four field operation centers of a nuclear power plant operating in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey. The sample consists of 397 employees in the field operation center using simple random sampling method.
Findings
The findings of this study revealed positive and significant relationships between the variables. According to the results obtained from both models, green innovation awareness and environmental ethics variables have a positive and significant effect on CSR, but environmental ethics does not have a moderating role in the effect of green innovation awareness on CSR.
Originality/value
This study is important in that it will help to clarify the gray areas in the literature by developing recommendations for practitioners, researchers and professionals in line with the research results. In addition, the fact that the research was conducted in the field studies of a nuclear power plant, which is one of the best places to address the issues of green innovation, CSR and environmental ethics, increases its importance.
Details
Keywords
Evangelos L. Psomas, Angelos Pantouvakis and Dimitrios P. Kafetzopoulos
The purpose of this paper is to define and subjectively measure ISO 9001 effectiveness as the achievement of the standard's objectives and determine its impact on the performance…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to define and subjectively measure ISO 9001 effectiveness as the achievement of the standard's objectives and determine its impact on the performance dimensions of service companies related to product/service quality, operational and financial performance.
Design/methodology/approach
An empirical study was carried out using a sample of 100 ISO 9001:2008 certified service companies. Data were obtained from the quality managers of the companies through a structured questionnaire. Exploratory factor analyses are applied to extract the latent factors of the indicators of ISO 9001 objectives and performance dimensions. Multiple linear regression analyses are also applied in order to determine the impact of ISO 9001 effectiveness on the performance dimensions of service companies.
Findings
The findings of the present study confirm the dimensionality of the ISO 9001 effectiveness (evaluated by the degree of achievement of the standard's objectives, namely prevention of nonconformities, continuous improvement and customer satisfaction focus) and reveal its significant contribution to the performance of the service companies. The product/service quality and operational performance of the service companies are directly and significantly influenced by ISO 9001 effectiveness. However, the financial performance is directly influenced only by operational performance, while the impact of ISO 9001 effectiveness is indirect through its significant correlation with operational performance.
Research limitations/implications
The sample of the responding ISO 9001 certified service companies is limited to small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) from one country (Greece). Moreover, the introduced instrument is of subjective nature as the data collected through quality managers may be biased regarding ISO 9001 effectiveness and company performance. Furthermore, the influence of ISO 9001 effectiveness on service company performance with regard to market share and customer satisfaction has not been determined. The above limitations suggest future research recommendations.
Practical implications
By defining ISO 9001 effectiveness based on its objectives, managers may be aware of what to improve to increase the standard's effectiveness and therefore directly improve service company performance in terms of quality and operative results and indirectly in terms of financial results.
Originality/value
Based on the core issues of ISO 9001 effectiveness this empirical study confirms its multi‐dimensional structure and determines the contribution of ISO 9001 effectiveness to specific performance dimensions of service companies.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the development of export competitiveness of Hungary and other new member countries of the EU (NMEs) prior to their accession. It also…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the development of export competitiveness of Hungary and other new member countries of the EU (NMEs) prior to their accession. It also makes a contribution to the methodology of competitiveness measurement. It links competitiveness analysis to so‐called eclectic trade theories trying to synthesise different approaches to comparative advantage.
Design/methodology/approach
Introductory theoretical remarks are followed by a survey of various techniques to measure competitiveness. It defines “fields of competitiveness” in order to gauge Hungary's relative positions vis‐à‐vis her main export competitors. The analysis of export competitiveness of these countries in their main markets within the EU‐15 is based on market shares between 1996 and 2001.
Findings
The most advanced economies of the sample including Spain, Hungary, Slovenia and the Czech Republic showed a “neo‐technological” type of competitiveness development. The “Heckscher‐Ohlin” path based on cheap labour and mass technologies was followed by Portugal, Poland or Turkey for example. The “Ricardian” path with a great degree of reliance on natural resources could be observed in the case of Ukraine and Bulgaria.
Originality/value
The paper makes a contribution to three fields of economics: the economics of transition, competitiveness analysis and trade theory. It proves that the catch‐up process of the NMEs brought about significant changes in their patterns of specialisation and competitiveness which is a feature of transition hitherto neglected by literature. Furthermore, it provides a proof to the so‐called eclectic model of trade theory introduced by Hirsch in the 1970s.
Details
Keywords
Rateb Sweis, Nasser AL-Huthaifi, Afnan Alawneh, Wassim Albalkhy, Taghrid Suifan and Raeda Saa'da
This paper aims at studying the level of implementation of ISO 9001 in Jordanian consulting engineering firms and to what extent does the implementation effectiveness affect the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims at studying the level of implementation of ISO 9001 in Jordanian consulting engineering firms and to what extent does the implementation effectiveness affect the success of the construction projects. Moreover, the paper seeks to identify the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) that directly influence the ISO 9001 effectiveness in Jordanian consulting engineering firms.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire was constructed and distributed to a sample of 125 employees from six ISO 9001-consulting firms. After collecting the data, exploratory factor analysis was utilized to validate the latent constructs (CSFs, ISO 9001 Effectiveness, and Firm Performance).
Findings
The findings suggest that firms experience a high level of ISO 9001 effectiveness. Moreover, among the five identified CSFs; employee attributes, external environmental pressure and quality system attribute had a significant impact on the ISO 9001 effectiveness, while internal motivation and firm attributes were insignificant.
Originality/value
The significance of this study lies in exploring such topic in the developing countries, since most of current studies were focused on developed contexts such as the USA and UK. Therefore, this research acts as a response to calls in the current literature regarding considering different industries and contexts.