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Article
Publication date: 4 July 2023

Paulo Guilherme Fuchs, Manoel Honorato Filho, Liziane Araújo da Silva, Ana Regina Aguiar Dutra and José Baltazar Salgueirinho Osório de Andrade Guerra

Universities and their actions affect the environment directly and significantly. Therefore, the carbon footprint (CF) needs to be implemented in these institutions for mitigating…

Abstract

Purpose

Universities and their actions affect the environment directly and significantly. Therefore, the carbon footprint (CF) needs to be implemented in these institutions for mitigating climate change and its potential risks. Based on this understanding, the university consortium quality and environment (QualEnv) stands out by its main objective – to increase the university's contribution to sustainable development (SD) through the deployment of systematic environmental practices and quality processes. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to present the CF of the Latin American universities of the QualEnv consortium.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was based on the actions for adopting CF and its implementation at the universities that take part in the QualEnv consortium. The measurement process and report presentation were done properly by the universities and published as institutional documents. Therefore, data were collected and analyzed through a document search, systematic literature review and participant observation.

Findings

The results show knowledge deepening and systematization on CF in higher education. In addition, it presents the effort of a group of universities that, through a research network, seek to adopt practices towards a carbon-neutral university, which requires an incremental and systematic change to break out of the traditional system.

Originality/value

This paper discusses the practical implications for universities and the need to implement initiatives for measuring and reducing their CF since it shows how the institutions belonging to QualEnv consortium have created their own strategies to mitigate climate change and contribute to SD.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 25 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 September 2024

Priscila Cembranel, Luiza Gewehr, Leila Dal Moro, Paulo Guilherme Fuchs, Robert Samuel Birch and José Baltazar Salgueirinho Osório de Andrade Andrade Guerra

This study aims to investigate the contribution of higher education institutions (HEIs) to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and propose strategies to cultivate a culture…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the contribution of higher education institutions (HEIs) to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and propose strategies to cultivate a culture centred on the SDGs in HEIs.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used encompassed an integrative literature review, combining bibliographic analysis on how HEIs incorporate the SDGs into their practices, adopting a qualitative approach for the analysis and categorization of the results.

Findings

The multifaceted contributions of HEIs in promoting the SDGs stand out, through their roles in teaching, research, management and integration and communication between university and society.

Research limitations/implications

While influencing policies at various levels, HEIs encounter challenges in the effective integration of SDGs into their strategies. This underscores the need for contextualized governance, understanding students’ perspectives on sustainability and active external collaboration in policy formulation.

Practical implications

There is an urgent need to integrate SDGs into academic programmes, emphasizing the importance of redesigning curricula, actively involving teachers, researchers and students, establishing partnerships and promoting research applied to SDGs.

Social implications

The social relevance of the study lies in the emphasis on an SDG-centred culture, involving teaching, research, outreach, community engagement and governance practices.

Originality/value

The study’s uniqueness lies in identifying persistent challenges during the transition to an SDG-centred culture, necessitating multisectoral collaboration and educational programmes that integrate sustainability principles into the strategy of HEIs.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 25 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 December 2023

Carla Patricia Finatto, Paulo Guilherme Fuchs, Ana Regina Aguiar Dutra and José Baltazar Salgueirinho de Andrade Guerra

Higher education institutions (HEIs) are increasingly aware of their role in developing and implementing a sustainable paradigm, with the potential to accelerate progress toward…

Abstract

Purpose

Higher education institutions (HEIs) are increasingly aware of their role in developing and implementing a sustainable paradigm, with the potential to accelerate progress toward sustainable development (SD). Therefore, this study aims to investigate the environmental, social and governance (ESG) and sustainable development goals (SDGs) practices of the University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNISUL) and, based on this analysis, indicate how HEIs in general can contribute to the promotion of these concepts.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was based on the authors' experiences and participant observations made during the establishment of sustainability practices at UNISUL. Additional data collected from documentary research and literature review were analyzed qualitatively.

Findings

The results show that sustainability is present in UNISUL’s educational and management processes as actions related to all SDGs and, thus, to all ESG dimensions. On the other hand, it was noted that many actions identified in the literature are not present, with governance being the dimension with fewer practices, thus indicating possibilities for improvement. In this way, new practices were suggested.

Originality/value

New actions linked to SDGs and ESG at UNISUL were identified that can be adopted by other HEIs.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 25 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 November 2024

Paulo Guilherme Fuchs, Gisleine Aver, Valdemiro da Rocha Junior, Priscila Cembranel, Anelise Leal Vieira Cubas, Ana Regina Aguiar Dutra and José Baltazar Salgueirinho Osório de Andrade Guerra

This study explores the strategies for promoting sustainable development (SD) adopted by the higher education institutions (HEIs) associated with the QualEnv University Consortium…

Abstract

Purpose

This study explores the strategies for promoting sustainable development (SD) adopted by the higher education institutions (HEIs) associated with the QualEnv University Consortium (QualEnv). The research examines actions in three main domains: teaching, research and outreach. This study aims to understand better how these strategies are applied and their impact on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The results of this study can potentially contribute to the effectiveness of action plans for SD in HEIs and provide valuable insights for other institutions and stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was based on institutionalizing sustainability research and practices in QualEnv HEIs. In this process, the research used participant observation for data collection. Data was collected through documentary research and a literature review. The data were analyzed qualitatively.

Findings

The results allowed understanding sustainability in all three areas. In teaching, most attention was paid to implementing the SDGs in the curricula and various courses at the institutions. Strategies for qualifying publications and greater dissemination and involvement of research initiatives with the SDGs were sought in research. In outreach, the means and activities the HEIs adopt to reach out to the internal and external (surrounding) communities concerning the SDGs and the search for their propagation and implementation were notable. Many of the actions result from changes to existing processes, which have been given a close look by the institutions with a view to improvement.

Originality/value

This study discusses the practical implications for HEIs to plan and implement SD in their teaching, research and outreach activities. It also demonstrates the effort to improve initiatives to work on education for sustainability, as it shows how the institutions belonging to the QualEnv consortium have planned their strategies to contribute to SD.

Details

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

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Annals in Social Responsibility, vol. 10 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-3515

Article
Publication date: 13 June 2023

Mohammadreza Akbari, Seng Kiat Kok, John Hopkins, Guilherme F. Frederico, Hung Nguyen and Abel Duarte Alonso

The purpose of the article is to contribute to the body of research on digital transformation among members of the supply chain operating in an emerging economy. This paper…

2114

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the article is to contribute to the body of research on digital transformation among members of the supply chain operating in an emerging economy. This paper researches the digital transformation trends happening across Vietnamese supply chains, by investigating the current adoption rates, predicted impact levels and financial investments being made in key Industry 4.0 technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

By using a semi-structured online survey, the experiences of 281 supply chain professionals in Vietnam were captured. Subsequently, statistical techniques examining variances in means, regression analysis and Monte Carlo simulation were applied.

Findings

The findings of this study offer a comprehensive understanding of Industry 4.0 technology in Vietnam, highlighting the prevalent technologies being prioritized. Big data analytics and the Internet of things are expected to have the most substantial impact on businesses over the next 5–10 years and have received the most financial investment. Conversely, Blockchain is perceived as having less potential for future investment. The study further identifies several technological synergies, such as combining advanced robotics, artificial intelligence and the Internet of things to build effective and flexible factories, that can lead to more comprehensive solutions. It also extends diffusion of innovation theory, encompassing investment and impact considerations.

Originality/value

This study offers valuable insights into the impact and financial investment in Industry 4.0 technologies by Vietnamese supply chain firms. It provides a theoretical contribution via an extension of the diffusion of innovation theory and contributes toward a better understanding of the current Industry 4.0 landscape in developing economies. The findings have significant implications for future managerial decision-making, on the impact, viability and resourcing needs when undertaking digital transformation.

Details

The International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. 35 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-4093

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 March 2015

Carlos Alberto Schuch Bork, Janaina Fracaro Souza Gonçalves and Jefferson Oliveira Gomes

This article aims to collect data on the aluminum alloy 7050-T7451 machinability used in the manufacturing of aeronautical structures, using the combination of the jatropha…

Abstract

Purpose

This article aims to collect data on the aluminum alloy 7050-T7451 machinability used in the manufacturing of aeronautical structures, using the combination of the jatropha vegetable-base soluble cutting oil in relation to the canola vegetal and semisynthetic mineral oils and the technique to apply cutting fluid by flood in relation to the Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) in the milling process (HSM – high-speed machining).

Design/methodology/approach

It was observed that the jatropha vegetal cutting oil presented the best results in relation to requirements for lubrication, superficial mean roughness (index Ra) and shape errors in relation to the other oils in both the techniques to apply fluid which were tested. Comparing the application techniques, the jatropha vegetal oil offered an increase in the life span of the cutting tool, using the flood technique, exceeding in almost six times the machined length of the cutting tool in relation to the MQL technique in the same process conditions.

Findings

The Jatropha vegetable-base cutting oil, besides being produced from a renewable source, has inherent characteristics that can help attain a sustainable manufacturing, mainly with the use of the flood technique to apply cutting fluid in the aluminum alloy 7050-T7451 machining.

Originality/value

The Jatropha (vegetable) oil, in relation to its physicochemical properties, appeared to be the best one fit for being used in the machining of aluminum alloys 7050-T7451 because it did not interfere with any of the elements involved in the formation of intergranular corrosion and/or pitting, which are not allowed in the aeronautical production of parts. Jatropha (vegetable) cutting oil, besides being produced from a clean and renewable source, has the inherent characteristics that can help attain a sustainable manufacturing.

Details

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, vol. 67 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0036-8792

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 6 June 2023

Eustáquio Reis

The purpose is to market a reinterpretation of Brazilian economic history highlighting the importance of non-tradable goods to understand major historical developments such as the…

1405

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose is to market a reinterpretation of Brazilian economic history highlighting the importance of non-tradable goods to understand major historical developments such as the lack of industrialization in the mining boom; the rise and contribution of industries to development in the early 20th century; indexation as hyperinflation in the late 20th century; growth and cycles in the early 21st century.

Design/methodology/approach

Section 2 introduces analytical perspectives on the relationship between non-tradables, transport costs and external shocks. Section 3 presents a historical overview of the gold and coffee cycles in the Brazilian economy, which highlights the crucial role played by transport costs in the genesis of industrialization. Thus, in a more precise way, industrialization was not an import substitution process but the substitution of non-tradables by the domestic tradable manufactures.

Findings

Section 4 shows that Brazilian statistical records and historiography disregard this characterization and, to that extent, underestimate economic growth in the primary export phase (1872–1920) and overestimate growth rates in the industrialization period (1920–1940). Section 5 shifts to the end of the 20th century to analyze the relationship between non-tradables, indexation and hyperinflation. Section 6 concludes with a brief discussion of the role played by the terms of trade and non-tradables in the unfolding of the 2014 economic crisis.

Originality/value

Distance from international markets and a continental geographic size made transport costs in Brazil historically prohibitive: the relevance of non-tradables in the Brazilian economic history. While the theme is not new, it seldom received proper attention in the historiography.

Details

EconomiA, vol. 24 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1517-7580

Keywords

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