M. Calder and S. Courtney
Reports on a survey undertaken to gather information about therelatively new business centres market. Examines the trend of smallbusinesses, business centre facts, sub‐markets…
Abstract
Reports on a survey undertaken to gather information about the relatively new business centres market. Examines the trend of small businesses, business centre facts, sub‐markets, survey results, and a comparison with French business centres. Concludes that the 1980s saw a shift to entrepreneurialism in the United Kingdom, and despite the recession the shift has been permanent, with the consequence that the kind of flexible space off
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Minou Weijs-Perrée, Rianne Appel-Meulenbroek, Bauke De Vries and Georges Romme
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the objectives, tenants, spaces and services of different business center concepts and test whether the existing classifications in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the objectives, tenants, spaces and services of different business center concepts and test whether the existing classifications in literature and in the real estate market draw on significantly different concepts.
Design/methodology/approach
After a literature review, data on business centers were collected with a questionnaire among owners/mangers of 139 business centers in the Netherlands. The existing business center concepts are examined whether these concepts are significantly different, using bivariate analyses.
Findings
The findings of this study give insight into the business center market, the existing business center concepts and (dis)similarities between the concepts. Although many dissimilarities were found between the business center concepts, like offered services, social spaces and contractual agreements, findings show that the four business center concepts can be offered in similar objects.
Originality/value
New ideas about working and the work environment have caused the business center market to become more differentiated. Some studies have attempted to classify the business center market into several categories or analyzed in detail one specific business center concept. However, these studies did not describe in detail the differences between the concepts. Also there is hardly any empirical research on this sector. This paper addresses gaps in previous research on business centers and demonstrates that there are significant (dis)similarities between the existing business center concepts.
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Investigates the importance of English language sources ofFriedrich Theodor Althoff (1839‐1908), a German of great influence bothin his own country and, indirectly, in the United…
Abstract
Investigates the importance of English language sources of Friedrich Theodor Althoff (1839‐1908), a German of great influence both in his own country and, indirectly, in the United States. Explores some measures of his influence in education and international understanding. Examines a wide variety of sources. Explains how it could happen that an influential person would end up in intellectual history with almost no recognition. Challenges several conventional assessments. Althoff′s most important contributions are in print and more almost certainly exist in university archives, but the material is scattered and unorganized. Because we do not yet have the full story of this remarkable and complex man, firm conclusions about his influence are not yet possible.
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Karla E. Von Dentz, Bianca S. Silva, Eveline A.I.F. Queiroz, Gisele F. Bomfim, André F. Nascimento, Mário M. Sugizaki and Renata A.M. Luvizotto
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa ethanolic extract (HsE) on protein levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa ethanolic extract (HsE) on protein levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, adiponectin and leptin in adipose tissue, as well as on the lipid and glycemic profiles of high-fat/sugar diet-induced obese (DIO) rats.
Design/methodology/approach
Obesity was induced in male Wistar rats through a high-fat/sugar diet provided for eight weeks. Control rats received a standard diet. The high-fat/sugar DIO animals were subsequently randomized into DIO (n = 8) and DIO treated with HsE (DIO + HsE, n = 8, 150 mg/kg/day) by gavage, for additional eight weeks. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed, and blood samples and epididymal adipose tissue were collected for biochemical analysis and adipokine protein level evaluation, respectively.
Findings
Compared to the DIO rats, HsE treatment decreased weight gain (50.6%) and mesenteric fat (42%), indicated as diminished visceral fat (22.5%). HsE did not affect the lipid profile and TNF-α levels in adipose tissue; however, it effectively prevented a 13% increase in fasting glucose levels and improved glucose tolerance. Compared with the C group, HsE normalized the adiponectin levels and leptin/adiponectin ratio and decreased the IL-6 (55%) and leptin (18.6%) levels in adipose tissue of obese rats.
Originality/value
HsE improves adipokine protein levels in high-fat/sugar DIO rats, demonstrating the clinical efficacy of HsE in the treatment of obesity and obesity-related diseases.
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Erica Udas, Monique Wölk and Martin Wilmking
Nowadays, several higher education institutions around the world are integrating sustainability topics into their daily operations, functionality and education systems. This paper…
Abstract
Purpose
Nowadays, several higher education institutions around the world are integrating sustainability topics into their daily operations, functionality and education systems. This paper presents a case study from a pilot project implemented by the Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald (hereafter, Greifswald University), Germany on its way towards a “carbon-neutral university”. The purpose of this paper is to share an institutional process targeting a gradual transformation towards achieving carbon neutrality. This might be relevant to other higher education institutions striving for a systematic and progressive change from a traditional system to a low emission or carbon-neutral pathway.
Design/methodology/approach
To achieve carbon neutrality, three major transformative strategies were adopted: carbon reduction, carbon offsetting and mainstreaming sustainable actions via teaching and research.
Findings
A locally adaptable institutional framework on sustainability was successfully developed to: promote changes in daily operations, implement interdisciplinary research, incorporate sustainability into teaching and education and enhance outreach programs. Strong commitment from all stakeholders resulted in reduction of the university’s carbon footprint from 8,985 to 4,167 tCO2e year−1. Further, the unavoidable emissions could be locally offset through enhanced carbon sequestration on the university-owned forests.
Originality/value
Based on the experiences of Greifswald University, this paper presents major challenges and success lessons learned during the process of gradual institutional transformation to achieve the target of carbon neutrality.
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Deniz Zaptcioglu Celikdemir, Gonca Gunay, Alev Katrinli and Sebnem Penbek Alpbaz
The purpose of this paper is to define the sustainable university in Turkey, by considering perspectives of various stakeholders such as experts, intellectual, public, political…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to define the sustainable university in Turkey, by considering perspectives of various stakeholders such as experts, intellectual, public, political parties and media using public opinion formation analysis. The paper aims to re-define the “sustainable university” with all dimensions including environmental, economic and social factors in Turkey.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the model of shaping the policy agenda and public opinion formation by certain groups, presented by Papadakis (1996), was used to determine the main characteristics of a sustainable university. Based on this model, the researchers collected data from intellectuals, experts, political parties, media and public simultaneously. Focus groups and archival search were used.
Findings
The results of the public opinion formation process presented that the definition of sustainable universities in Turkey includes the economic, ecological and social aspects and a holistic view of different groups. The findings of the study presented that the definition of sustainable universities in Turkey has many facets. Different groups in the public opinion formation process share almost similar views, though these points are usually mentioned under different headings. Thus, nearly each respondent in the public opinion formation process discusses the concept of being a “trade mark” as a university.
Research limitations/implications
The research may lack generalizability, as it takes place in Turkey, which is a non-Western country.
Practical implications
The research sheds a light for universities, which are the major cornerstones of higher education, especially in the area of sustainability and sustainable development. Also, universities have a great impact in regional development, which stresses once again the importance of sustainability in higher education. They should modify their education programs and curricula in accordance with sustainability. University–industry cooperation should be provided. They should manage to become a trademark.
Social implications
Universities being the major cornerstones of higher education play a vital role in regional development of countries; therefore, their sustainable development should be well handled to enable regional development.
Originality/value
The universities are the major actors which should pursue sustainability, as they affect society. The studies on sustainability and universities have been generally grouped under two main subjects in the literature. First group of studies highlights the support of universities for sustainability of corporations, whereas other studies stress the importance of becoming a sustainable university. There are not many studies on this subject which considers the public opinion formation process throughout the literature; therefore, this study contributes to the literature with this aspect. The study takes place in Izmir, Turkey, which is a non-Western country. Most of the studies on this subject take place in Western countries, so as the study is deployed in a non-Western country, it reflects a different point of view.
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Bob Gates, Colin Griffiths, Paul Keenan, Sandra Fleming, Carmel Doyle, Helen L. Atherton, Su McAnelly, Michelle Cleary and Paul Sutton