Sustainable Futures最新文献

This study evaluates the effects of time resolution on the optimization results of a renewable energy system for an off-grid island. The assessment uses a multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) applied to Tilos Island in Greece. Three objective functions—levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), renewable ratio (RR), and profit—are considered across four distinct scenarios with six variables representing the number of renewable technologies. These cases are implemented using three time resolutions: minute-by-minute, 15-minute, and hourly. A significant difference in results is observed based on the time resolution used. With hourly data optimization, 100 % renewable energy coverage is achievable at Tilos’ current diesel generator cost (0.46 $/kWh). However, using minute-by-minute data, renewable energy coverage ranges from 85.87 % to 95.64 %, depending on the scenario. The primary reason for this discrepancy is the volatile nature of demand and power generation on Tilos Island. The analysis further indicates that the differences between minute-by-minute and hourly optimization diminish as the volatility of the input data to the algorithm decreases.

This study aimed to create a model that would enable the achievement of a sustainable competitive advantage. The research approach is combining four multi-criteria decision-making tools including Fuzzy DEMATEL, ISM, MICMAC Analysis and Fuzzy BWM to evaluate factors in four key areas included corporate social responsibility, green marketing, brand image, and brand equity in Unilever Corporation. These factors collectively contribute to enhancing competitiveness. The process begins with the fuzzy DEMATEL method, which helps to uncover the cause-and-effect relationships among various components. Following this, the ISM approach is utilized to construct a hierarchical model that clarifies how these components influence and depend on one another. This step is crucial for gaining insights into their collective impact on Unilever's sustainability goals. Next, MICMAC analysis categorizes these factors based on their levels of influence and dependence, pinpointing the most critical elements that drive competitive advantage. Finally, the fuzzy BWM technique is applied to prioritize these key factors, leading to the aimed at bolstering Unilever's long-term competitiveness by fostering a green and sustainable brand image that resonates with consumer values. The key results reveal that the highest priority was given to achieving sustainable development goals. The criterion "Promotion of customer awareness" secured the second position Finally, ensuring the quality of products and services was also recognized as a third key focus area. Identifying these key factors and their interrelationships will provides decision-makers and stakeholders in Unilever company with actionable insights for precise planning and strategic prioritization.

Given the inevitable rise in global urban size, it has become pertinent to prioritize sustainable urban development which supports economic growth. Hence, the surge in sustainable urban-economic growth literature. Moreover, there is a growing argument that the growth effect of urbanization is contingent on the mediating roles of certain macroeconomic factors. However, despite being one of the fastest urbanizing countries in the world, extant studies on urbanization-economic growth nexus in Nigeria are few and the possible modulating roles of macroeconomic factors in the nexus has not been studied. Therefore, using annual data spanning between 1991 and 2022, this study examines the modulating effect of human capital development (HCD) in the relationship between urbanization and economic growth in Nigeria. For the empirical analysis, the study adopts the autoregressive distributed lag error correction model (ARDL-ECM). Robustness of the findings is tested using the dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS) estimator. The regression outcomes s show that while urbanization independently does not promote economic growth, its interaction with the measure of HCD produces a positive coefficient suggesting that HCD mitigates the adverse effect of urbanization on economic growth. Based on the findings, the study recommends that urban development policies should be compatible with achieving well-managed cities in order to harness the agglomeration economies benefits of increasing urbanization process. In addition, due to the favourable role of HCD in the urbanization-economic growth relationship, strategic plans focused on promoting human capital in the form of education and health should be focalized in urban development policies.

Even though several studies link access to infrastructure and wellbeing, very few clearly examine the impact of this relationship on children. so, does enhanced access to infrastructures improve child well-being? Thus, the study examines the contribution of access to infrastructure on children's well-being. It uses the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) on 30 countries in sub-Saharan Africa from 2000 to 2020.. Results of the study show that access to education, healthcare, electricity and sanitation helps reduce child mortality and anemia. Thus, authorities in developing countries should Improve the construction and development of these infrastructures. Furthermore, public policies should ensure that infrastructures are accessible to all children, including those with special needs or living in rural or disadvantaged areas.

Based on the stakeholder theory, this research explores the influence of various forms of stakeholder pressure on web-based environmental disclosure within the Asian mining industry. This paper included all mining companies listed on the capital markets of Asian countries that showed strong motivation as they obtained higher recognition and demand among investors and the general public. In total, 202 mining companies met the specified criteria in Asia. However, 67 mining companies were excluded as they either not having resourceful website or had websites that were not accessible in English. The study's findings reveal that both government and institutional exert a positive and significant impact on the extent of web-based environmental disclosure. Similarly, international operations are closely linked to the scope of web-based environmental disclosure. Thus, the outcomes of this research contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the factors determining web-based environmental disclosure, bridging a gap left by prior research which predominantly focused on company characteristics.

This study analyses the impact of information and communications technology (ICT) diffusion and e-governance on sustainability in 148 Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries. It considers control variables such as institutional quality, urbanization, research and development (R&D), and the COVID-19 effect as dummy variables. Two step-generalised method of moments analysis of a panel dataset of 148 BRI partner countries from 2013 to 2021 reveals that ICT diffusion and e-governance benefit sustainability, with R&D and institutional quality also making positive contributions, while urbanization and the pandemic negatively impact sustainability. The findings were validated through D-K regression checks and support the technology spill-over effect, innovation, triple bottom line, endogenous growth, and stakeholder theories. They highlight the significance of investing in ICT infrastructure and digital literacy programs, improving institutional reforms and governance practices, putting sustainable urban planning into practice, and supporting R&D projects to advance sustainability in BRI partner nations. This study clarifies the potential problems brought forth by the pandemic and makes suggestions for reducing its negative effects on sustainability. It contributes to evidence-based decision-making, guiding sustainable practices in BRI partner nations.

Advanced green technology developments have induced key innovation approaches in the manufacturing industry to boost sustainable development (SD) in the present market. Despite the industrial need for green innovation and its associated benefits to regulate and optimise their operations and environmental performance, respectively, green innovation implementation and adoption remain inadequate. Due to the key significance of green innovation for firms operating in emerging markets, this research endeavors to investigate the green innovation influence on the relationship between Environmental Management System adoption and impact on Environmental Performance. To bridge this gap, The current work aimed structuring and validating a study model via the integration of Resource-Based View (RBV) and Institutional theories with the Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) framework to persuade companies towards green innovation implementation. Survey questionnaires were disseminated to 183 employees in a manufacturing company to collect the study data, which were then assessed with partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) and Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). Resultantly, the model's integrated constructs of perceived benefits, top management support, coercive pressure, normative pressure, and mimetic pressure predicted green management accounting practices. Green management accounting practices directly and significantly impacted green environmental performance, while green innovation significantly and negatively moderated the ‘green management accounting practice-green environmental performance’ link. Thus, the integrated model provides decision-makers with clear implications of green practice and innovative technology adoption for optimal environmental performance. The outcomes derived from literature reviews on advanced green technologies implied a notable ‘green management accounting practice-environmental performance’ relationship within emerging countries.

Green innovation represents a foundational strategy for companies aiming for sustainable and superior growth. In the digital economy landscape, rapid advancements in digital technologies provide enterprises with renewed momentum for progression. Nevertheless, there is scant empirical evidence supporting its efficacy in enhancing environmentally responsible corporate innovation. In the present study, utilising the resource-based view, data were gathered from 571 high-tech firms in China's Yangtze River Delta via surveys. Through hierarchical regression analysis, the interaction between digital transformation and green innovation was examined, taking into account the moderating effect of market-driven environmental pressures. The results indicate that digital transformation substantially promotes green innovation, and this relationship is further positively affected by the presence of market-driven environmental pressures. The present research contributes to the enhancement of green innovation theories and broadens the scope of digitalization research, providing valuable insights for advancing a green, low-carbon circular economy in the digital context.

The research problem of the article concerns adapting current innovation governance theories to assess national innovation systems. The operationalization of this task in the Polish context translated into identifying the most promising trends and technological areas for the Polish economy in the 2030 perspective. The study included a horizon scanning and trend radar variant, identifying seven trends: nanomaterials and nanotechnologies, smart grids and energy storage, Food Tech, smart/precision farming, drone technologies, telemedicine, application of hydrogen in steel, and the technological areas included in them. Results were further assessed based on CAWI surveys conducted on a sample of experts representing the Łukasiewicz Research Network. Smart/precision farming, telemedicine, smart grids and Food Tech proved the most promising for the Polish economy. The small difference in results leads us to believe that nanomaterials and nanotechnologies, drone technologies and hydrogen applications in steel production should also be in the spotlight, but special attention should be paid to the accompanying challenges, such as development costs or insufficient R&D infrastructure. The size and scope of the research make it unique and, at the same time, support the significance of the results for Polish technology, economy and science.

Integration of advanced digital technologies along with ensuring environmental sustainability in the logistics sector is becoming the need of the hour novel multimodal transportation concept. The rapid technological development in the era of industry 4.0 can not only create new opportunities in achieving highly efficient, intelligent, and smart logistics systems but also enable new business models for value addition, additionally, this novel system will also avoid environmental degradation and use of scarce natural resources that contribute to climate change. This paper summarizes the research trends of these technologies in multimodal logistics systems since 2005 through a systematic literature review. The results revealed a mixed picture of the situation, starting from emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain becoming key technological concepts for multimodal logistics systems to government policy hurdles and lack of impact breakthroughs in the industry. However, the results show that adaptation to these technologies improves the overall environmental, economic, and social sustainability of the system.