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Article
Publication date: 1 September 2005

N. Lourdel, N. Gondran, V. Laforest and C. Brodhag

Owing to its complexity, sustainable development cannot be simply integrated as a supplementary course within the engineers' curricula. The first point of this paper aims to…

1682

Abstract

Purpose

Owing to its complexity, sustainable development cannot be simply integrated as a supplementary course within the engineers' curricula. The first point of this paper aims to focalise on how to reflect pedagogically. After dealing with these questions, a tool that can evaluate the student's understanding of sustainable development concepts will be presented.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis of a student's sustainability comprehension, based on cognitive maps, has been developed. The students are asked to write and connect by arrows all the terms that they associate with the concept of sustainable development. The assessment of the aforementioned cognitive maps is based on an approach via semantic category.

Findings

This study shows that the students' perception of sustainable development before the training seems mainly focalised on environmental and economical aspects. After the SD course, an increase in the number of words quoted is noted for each category (social and cultural aspects; the stakeholders, the principles of sustainable development and the allusions to complexity, temporal and spatial dimensions). Their vision seems richer and wider. The training seemed useful to help the students who did not associate sustainable development with diverse dimension to improve this perception.

Research limitations/implications

To reduce the length of the elaboration of the maps, there is no preliminary training for the construction of maps. To simplify this elaboration, only one type of arrows is used to connect words. To minimise the time of analysis of the maps, the relevance of the relations made between the words is not verified. Besides, the classification of words within the semantic categories implies a certain level of subjectivity.

Practical implications

This cognitive map method can be a useful tool to improve learning in quantitative terms but also in qualitative terms. Identifying knowledge gaps and misunderstood ideas allows the improvement in the training.

Originality/value

This study presents a new method that can be used to evaluate the impact of training sessions on students. Another advantage is to analyse how the students' knowledge is interconnected. This seems particularly interesting because the study of this transdisciplinary concept also necessitates an integrated vision.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 6 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 1 March 2006

M. Morand and L. Rayman‐Bacchus

This paper investigates corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy management in multinational companies (MNCs). The focus is on examining the relationship between subsidiaries…

2299

Abstract

This paper investigates corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy management in multinational companies (MNCs). The focus is on examining the relationship between subsidiaries and headquarters in the management of CSR, in terms of the commonplace notion of ‘think global, act local’. Primary and secondary data was collected in one MNC and a case study produced. The findings show that the initiative to launch a CSR policy is taken and enacted exclusively by the headquarters, mainly as an answer to the financial and legal pressure felt to accompany the present widespread interest in CSR. Findings are articulated around three major steps used to manage CSR initiatives: the determination of values, the integration of those values in action and the evaluation of the policy. Consistency of policy is driven from headquarters, through adoption of a corporate value framework, while the implementation is to some extent localised. Feedback from subsidiaries is collected and shared by the centre, which also seeks out synergies in pursuit of increased efficiency. Corporate structure is therefore linked to CSR management. Implementation is observed to comprise three parts: the headquarters seek to motivate local actions through reference to the company culture, through directive measures, and by pedagogic action. Pedagogy comes out as necessary in order for the CSR policy to permeate the entire organisation and initiate the right actions and reactions in the variety of situations encountered throughout the organisation. Constant scrutiny and evaluation are considered necessary in order to sustain the credibility of the policy in relation to external stakeholders.

Details

Social Responsibility Journal, vol. 2 no. 3/4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-1117

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 17 April 2007

Nathalie Lourdel, Natacha Gondran, Valérie Laforest, Bruno Debray and Christian Brodhag

Owing to its complexity, sustainable development (SD) cannot be simply integrated as a supplementary course within the engineer's curricula. The first aim of this paper is to…

2550

Abstract

Purpose

Owing to its complexity, sustainable development (SD) cannot be simply integrated as a supplementary course within the engineer's curricula. The first aim of this paper is to focus on how to reflect pedagogically this complexity. After dealing with these questions, the paper aims to present a tool that can evaluate the student's understanding of SD concepts.

Design/methodology/approach

A method of analysis of a student's sustainability's comprehension, based on cognitive maps, has been developed. The students are asked to write and connect by arrows all the terms that they associate to the concept of SD. The assessment of the aforementioned cognitive maps is based on an approach via semantic category.

Findings

This study shows that the students' perception of SD before the training seems mainly focalised on environmental and economical aspects. After the SD course, an increase of the number of words quoted is noted for each category (social and cultural aspects; stakeholders, principles of SD and allusions to complexity, temporal and spatial dimensions). Their vision seems richer and wider. The training seemed successful to help the students who did not associate SD to diverse dimension to improve this perception.

Practical implications

This cognitive map method can be a useful tool to improve learning in quantitative terms but also in qualitative terms. Identifying knowledge gaps and misunderstood ideas allows the improvement in the training.

Originality/value

This study presents a new method that can be used to evaluate the impact of training sessions on students. Another advantage is to analyse how the student's knowledge are interconnected. This seems particularly interesting because the study of this transdisciplinary concept as well, necessitates an integrated vision.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 8 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

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Book part
Publication date: 14 September 2020

Virginia Munro

The Fourth Industrial Revolution has escalated innovation to new heights unseen, creating an evolution of innovation and corporate social responsibility (CSR), and as a result, a…

Abstract

The Fourth Industrial Revolution has escalated innovation to new heights unseen, creating an evolution of innovation and corporate social responsibility (CSR), and as a result, a more Innovative CSR. With this evolution comes also the evolution of the ‘Preneur’ from social entrepreneur to corporate social entrepreneur and corporate social intrapreneur. It is therefore important to acknowledge that social entrepreneurship is not just for the social sector, or start-up entrepreneur – corporations can also be social entrepreneurs. This chapter establishes an understanding of this possibility alongside solving wicked problems and challenges, and how to provide collaborative networks and co-creation experiences to assist others on this journey. More importantly, the chapter discusses how corporates can assist millennials (and Generation Z) by funding and incubating their innovative or social enterprise idea under the umbrella of CSR strategy, until it is ready to be released to the world. The chapter is supported by academic literature and business publications with suggestions for future research opportunities.

Details

CSR for Purpose, Shared Value and Deep Transformation
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80043-035-8

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 15 November 2022

Olatoyese Zaccheus Oni, AbdulLateef Olanrewaju and Soo Cheen Khor

Contrasted with some other industries, the construction industry has been linked with the most noteworthy accident occurrence rate, the majority of which has been related to poor…

3267

Abstract

Purpose

Contrasted with some other industries, the construction industry has been linked with the most noteworthy accident occurrence rate, the majority of which has been related to poor health and safety practises. This paper therefore sets out to conduct a comprehensive review of the critical success factors that can aid sustainable health and safety practises on construction sites in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The review focussed heavily on published reports, drawn between the years 2000 and 2022. The Scopus database was used for gathering the articles reviewed for this study.

Findings

After reviewing various literature studies, a total of 106 critical success factors were identified. All these factors were then categorised under the three pillars of sustainability. A total of 48 factors were grouped under the economic factors, 37 factors were grouped under the social factors and the remaining 21 factors were grouped under the environmental factors.

Originality/value

This paper conducted a comprehensive review of the critical success factors for bridging sustainability and health and safety. This study will help in developing a sustainable health and safety model that can drastically reduce the accident rate on the construction site.

Details

Frontiers in Engineering and Built Environment, vol. 3 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2634-2499

Keywords

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Book part
Publication date: 8 November 2010

Kathryn Hegarty and Barbara de la Harpe

Sustainability education has at its heart an ethic of interdisciplinary research and teaching practice. This is because sustainability problems require integrated solutions…

Abstract

Sustainability education has at its heart an ethic of interdisciplinary research and teaching practice. This is because sustainability problems require integrated solutions, multiple perspectives, bodies of knowledge and skill sets. Given the imperative to address looming environmental challenges and the need for every graduate to be equipped to do so, how do we enable and support interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability education within our disciplines and professional programmes? It is increasingly apparent that organisational learning for change must be taken forward in the context of local disciplinary meanings and priorities; this is how academics know themselves and identify and value their research – and teaching – priorities. However, at the same time this may create tensions when disciplinary boundaries need to be crossed and disciplinary identities are challenged. This chapter will consider (inter)disciplinarity in engagements with organisational learning and change, and suggest a way forward in order to create ‘bottom-up’ and ‘top-down’ transformation in education for sustainability.

Details

Interdisciplinary Higher Education: Perspectives and Practicalities
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-85724-371-3

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Article
Publication date: 27 September 2022

Diane Zandee, Ambika Zutshi, Andrew Creed and André Nijhof

The paper aims to provide managerial recommendations for implementing circular economy (CE) principles in both organizational and interorganizational contexts, including when…

987

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to provide managerial recommendations for implementing circular economy (CE) principles in both organizational and interorganizational contexts, including when using digital tools, such as building information modeling (BIM) and blockchain. Drawn from the construction sector in the Netherlands, the findings can be generalized to similar sectors where a company may receive multiple inputs as part of its supply chain augmented by digital technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

Design addresses the research question: what are the strategic and tactical approaches of organizations on the CE pathway? Sub-questions target initiatives pursued by participants, and look toward information, roles and functions for supporting the CE process. Applying a multiple-case study approach (21 semi-structured interviews with 29 participants) the paper explores strategic initiatives of construction companies implementing CE pathways. The strength of the research design comes from facilitation of rich and deep qualitative insights from Netherlands-based managers embedded within global supply chains contributing to conceptual mapping. A limitation is data from one country (though representing both national and multinational companies).

Findings

Interviewed managers share guidance for production-related construction companies anchored in materials and product design. Recommendations include to (1) develop both internally and externally the awareness of CE amongst leaders, (2) communicate with internal and external stakeholders for shared vision across the supply chain, (3) start with pilot projects, and (4) ensure product data-integration for CE business models through computer modeling and blockchain for decision-making processes, choices of materials, business model coordination and product (re)design. Continuous learning about CE roles and responsibilities amidst organizational process restructuring is required throughout linear to CE transitions. Extending the time for the CE principles evaluation process would allow for reconsideration of decisions made for CE implemented projects.

Originality/value

A novel CE gameplan with a hurdles and recommendations checklist provides an operational interface with decision making points between internal factors for the host organization and external supply chain partners.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 31 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 5 June 2017

Chiara Amini and Silvia Dal Bianco

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on firm performance in six Latin American economies. Firm performance includes five…

2425

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on firm performance in six Latin American economies. Firm performance includes five distinct dimensions, namely, firm turnover, labour productivity, innovativeness, product differentiation and technological transfer. The countries under scrutiny are Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico.

Design/methodology/approach

Propensity score matching techniques are used to identify the causal effect of CSR on firm performance. To this end, World Bank Enterprise Survey (2006 wave) is used. This data set collects relevant firm-level data.

Findings

CSR has a positive impact on the outcome variables analysed, suggesting that corporate goals are compatible with conscious business operations. The results also vary across countries.

Research limitations/implications

The pattern that emerges from the analysis seems to suggest that the positive effects of CSR depend on countries’ stage of industrialisation. In particular, the least developed the economy, the wider the scope of CSR. Nonetheless, the relationship between conscious business operations, firm performance and countries’ level of development is not directly tested in the present work.

Practical implications

The main practical implication of the study is that Latin American firms should adopt CSR. This is because corporate responsible practices either improve firm performance or they are not shown to have a detrimental effect.

Social implications

The major policy implication is that emerging countries’ governments as well as international organisation should provide meaningful incentives towards CSR adoption.

Originality/value

The paper provides three major original contributions. First, it brings new descriptive evidence on CSR practices in Latin America. Second, it uses a broader and novel definition of firm performance, which is aimed at capturing developing countries’ business dynamics as well as at overcoming data limitations. Finally, it reassesses and extends the empirical evidence on the impact of CSR on firm performance.

Details

Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society, vol. 17 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-0701

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 12 July 2022

Samet Gunay, Selma Kurtishi-Kastrati and Kristina Krsteska

This study aims to explore the impact of regional green economies and communities on global sustainability. This study attempts to show if the empirical results align with the…

545

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the impact of regional green economies and communities on global sustainability. This study attempts to show if the empirical results align with the regional sustainable development policy and practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical analyses are conducted through time-varying correlations, structural break tests and volatility modeling. As a public health indicator, the community variable is proxied by the daily COVID-19 cases.

Findings

According to the results, the US green economy and global sustainability relationship exhibit a greater variety than that of Europe and Asia regions. Volatility modeling reveals that green economies are significant variables for each region in accounting for the changes in global sustainability. Europe and Asia have the highest and lowest effects in this interaction, respectively. The results are consistent with the carbon emission statistics of the regions studied and the government’s efforts to promote sustainable development. Furthermore, this study supports the efforts of the European Union to tackle climate and environmental issues, as well as create a resource-efficient economy and truly prosperous society.

Originality/value

This study presents empirical findings concerning global sustainability by providing evidence from three regions. The outcomes on the extent of regional contribution to global sustainability may lead the policymakers to develop new strategies in the management of turmoil periods such as a pandemic.

Details

Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, vol. 17 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6204

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 9 August 2019

Hieu Thanh Nguyen, Thinh Gia Hoang and Hiep Luu

This study aims to examine corporate social responsibility (CSR) with the opportunity- and innovation-based view of multinational subsidiaries (MNSs) in Vietnam. While CSR has…

1431

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine corporate social responsibility (CSR) with the opportunity- and innovation-based view of multinational subsidiaries (MNSs) in Vietnam. While CSR has traditionally been investigated in the developed market, this paper demonstrates how MNSs can take advantage of their CSR practises and create business opportunities and innovation activities for themselves and local society in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an exploratory qualitative research-based on four MNSs that have practised CSR in Vietnam. Data were collected from 18 individual interviews with managers and business leaders in four case firms.

Findings

This study finds that CSR activities in the studied firms potentially drive new business opportunities and innovation in the form of product, process, idea and management practises. In addition, both opportunities and innovation also benefit MNSs and the local community in Vietnam.

Research limitations/implications

The paper makes clear that CSR literature varies depending on the different countries or areas where the studies take place and these studies tend to focus on a specific area that was appropriate within a particular socio-economic and political context. Given that the business context in Vietnam is characterised by opportunities and incentives for innovation from the socio-economic of the context of a South East Asian developing market, the research provides an important first step in the integration and consolidation of CSR practises, opportunities and innovation. In light of the findings presented above, the study provides an important contribution to the CSR literature, particularly the CSR practises of multinational corporations (MNCs) in developing countries.

Practical implications

The study suggests that CSR practitioners in Asian emerging countries should ground themselves in an understanding of the local society and try to gain an understanding of the priorities of local stakeholders. MNCs should develop an appreciation of the context in which CSR is initiated, as addressing such issues often inspires firms to bring in social innovations in the form of products, services and processes and discover or create opportunities based on the emergent social problems through business solutions that overall benefit their business and local stakeholders.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to explore the interaction between MNSs undertaking CSR and business opportunities and innovation in the context of a developing country – Vietnam.

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