Abstract: The request for a sustainable development challenges
both managers and consumers to rethink habitual practices and
activities. While consumers are challenged to develop sustainable
consumption patterns, companies are asked to establish managerial
systems and structures considering economical, ecological, and social
issues. As this is in particular true for housing associations, this paper
aims first, at providing an understanding of sustainability strategy in
residential trade and industry (RTI) by identifying relevant facets of
this construct and second, at conceptually analyzing the impact of
sustainability strategy in RTI on operational efficiency and
performance of municipal housing companies. The author develops a
model of sustainability strategy in RTI and its effects and further,
sheds light in priorities for future research.
Abstract: Coastal resource management, community empowerment and socio economic development are the cornerstones for uplifting the lives of coastal area inhabitants. This paper aims to identify the positive impacts of coastal management projects toward fishermen-s economic well-being, to analyze the role of fishermen and their families in effecting economic change and to analyze the roles of stakeholders in managing coastal resources. Structured and semi-structured questionnaires were prepared to obtain qualitative data, and interviews were conducted with fishermen. Findings show that community empowerment and conservation of coastal resources through local and central government projects have exerted positive impact on the coastal community. Some activities involved women who are more active particularly in “off-fishing" season. Traditionally, local fishermen together with local stakeholders have set up a zoning system to minimize conflicts between fishermen. In addition, zoning is used to protect certain ecosystems that can provide benefits well into the future.
Abstract: General as well as the MSW management in Thailand is reviewed in this paper. Topics include the MSW generation, sources, composition, and trends. The review, then, moves to sustainable solutions for MSW management, sustainable alternative approaches with an emphasis on an integrated MSW management. Information of waste in Thailand is also given at the beginning of this paper for better understanding of later contents. It is clear that no one single method of MSW disposal can deal with all materials in an environmentally sustainable way. As such, a suitable approach in MSW management should be an integrated approach that could deliver both environmental and economic sustainability. With increasing environmental concerns, the integrated MSW management system has a potential to maximize the useable waste materials as well as produce energy as a by-product. In Thailand, the compositions of waste (86%) are mainly organic waste, paper, plastic, glass, and metal. As a result, the waste in Thailand is suitable for an integrated MSW management. Currently, the Thai national waste management policy starts to encourage the local administrations to gather into clusters to establish central MSW disposal facilities with suitable technologies and reducing the disposal cost based on the amount of MSW generated.
Abstract: The Long-range Energy and Alternatives Planning (LEAP) energy planning system has been developed for South Africa, for the 2005 base year and a limited number of plausible future scenarios that may have significant implications (negative or positive) in terms of environmental impacts. The system quantifies the national energy demand for the domestic, commercial, transport, industry and agriculture sectors, the supply of electricity and liquid fuels, and the resulting emissions. The South African National Energy Research Institute (SANERI) identified the need to develop an environmental assessment tool, based on the LEAP energy planning system, to provide decision-makers and stakeholders with the necessary understanding of the environmental impacts associated with different energy scenarios. A comprehensive analysis of indicators that are used internationally and in South Africa was done and the available data was accessed to select a reasonable number of indicators that could be utilized in energy planning. A consultative process was followed to determine the needs of different stakeholders on the required indicators and also the most suitable form of reporting. This paper demonstrates the application of Energy Environmental Sustainability Indicators (EESIs) as part of the developed tool, which assists with the identification of the environmental consequences of energy generation and use scenarios and thereby promotes sustainability, since environmental considerations can then be integrated into the preparation and adoption of policies, plans, programs and projects. Recommendations are made to refine the tool further for South Africa.
Abstract: In the traditional architecture, buildings were designed
to achieve human comfort by using locally available building materials and construction technology which were more responsive to
their climatic and geographic condition. This paper will try to bring out the wisdom of the local masons and builders, often the inhabitants
themselves, about their way of living, and shaping their built environment, indoor and outdoor spaces, as a response to the local
climatic conditions, from the findings of a field
settlement.
Abstract: Rural villagers in Thailand have unique skill for producing craft using local materials. However, the appearance and function of their products are not suited to the demand of international market. The Thai government policy on sustainable economy emphasises the necessity to incorporate a design strategy that will draw out the unique qualities and add value to the products, while raising the satisfaction of international consumer. As an industrial designer, the author sees opportunities that design can enhance sustainability of Thai local products through the potentials that available in village-based enterprises. This research attempts to address, how best use design to practically solve the problems in the development of Thais product in. The privilege solution is expressed through the design of design strategy that supports sustain economic development of microenterprise in Thailand in the way that aligns with product design development. This consideration integrates together with global business outlook in the development of products from rural communities.
Abstract: Renewable energy sources have gained ultimate urgency due to the need of the preservation of the environment for a sustainable development. Pyrolysis is an ultimate promising process in the recycling and acquisition of precious chemicals from wastes. Here, the co-pyrolysis of hazelnut shell with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene was carried out catalytically and noncatalytically at 500 and 650 ºC. Potassium dichromate was added in certain amounts to act as a catalyst. The liquid, solid and gas products quantities were determined by gravimetry. As a main result, remarkable increases in gasification were observed by using this catalyst for pure components and their blends especially at 650 ºC. The increase in gas product quantity was compensated mainly with the decreases in the solid products and additionally in some cases liquid products quantities. These observations may stem from mainly the activation of carbon-carbon bonds rather than carbon-hydrogen bonds via potassium dichromate. Also, the catalytic effect of potassium dichromate on HS: PEO and HS: UHMWPE co-pyrolysis was compared.
Abstract: This paper concerns the study of sustainable construction materials applied on the "Health Post", a prototype for the primary health care situated in alienated areas of the world. It's suitable for social and climatic Sub-Saharan context; however, it could be moved in other countries of the world with similar urgent needs. The idea is to create a Health Post with local construction materials that have a low environmental impact and promote the local workforce allowing reuse of traditional building techniques lowering production costs and transport. The aim of Primary Health Care Centre is to be a flexible and expandable structure identifying a modular form that can be repeated several times to expand its existing functions. In this way it could be not only a health care centre but also a socio-cultural facility.
Abstract: Thisresearch paper is dedicated to an actual issue in Latvia and in the whole European Union – development of the secondary materials management. The goal of this paper is to research the development of the secondary materials management in Latvia as a result to point out its main positive aspects and problems. In this research paper the author regards following issues: significance of the secondary materials management, current situation of the waste generation and utilization in Latvia comparing with other EU Member States, main problems and positive aspects of the secondary materials management in Latvia. The research author concludes that in last ten years a great work is done to develop the secondary materials market. Nevertheless following improvements are necessary: implementation of the packaging deposit system, development of the separate waste collection, increasing of the recycling capacity.
Abstract: The growing importance of sustainability in corporate
policies represents a great opportunity for workers to gain more
consideration, with great benefits to their well being. Sustainable
work is believed to be one which improves the organization-s
performance and fosters professional development as well as
workers- health. In a multiple case study based on document
research, information was sought about work activities and their
sustainability or corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies, as
disseminated by corporations. All the companies devoted attention to
work activities and delivered a good amount of information about
them. Nevertheless, the information presented was generic; all the
actions developed were top-down and there was no information about
the impact of changes aimed at sustainability on the workers-
activities. It was found that the companies seemed to be at an early
stage. In the future, they need to show more commitment through
concrete goals: they must be aware that workers contribute directly to
the corporations- sustainability. This would allow room for
Ergonomics and Work Psychodynamics to be incorporated and to be
useful for both companies and society, so as to promote and ensure
work sustainability.
Abstract: This paper describes topology of business models in market ecosystem of the emerging electric mobility industry. The business model topology shows that firm-s participation in the ecosystem is associated with different requirements on resources and capabilities, and different levels of risk. Business model concept is used together with concepts of networked value creation and shows that firms can achieve higher levels of sustainable advantage by cooperation, not competition. Hybrid business models provide companies a viable alternative possibility for participation in the market ecosystem.
Abstract: The purpose is to study the model and characteristic of
participation of the suitable community to lead to develop permanent
water marketing in Bang Noi Floating Market, Bangkonti District,
Samutsongkhram Province. A total of 342 survey questionnaire was
administered to potential respondents. The researchers interviewed
the leader of the community. Appreciation Influence Control (AIC)
was used to talk with 20 villagers on arena. The findings revealed
that overall, most people had the middle level of the participation in
developing the durable Bang Noi Floating Market, Bangkonti,
Samutsongkhram Province and in aspects of gaining benefits from
developing it with atmosphere and a beautiful view for tourism. For
example, the landscape is beautiful with public utilities. The
participation in preserving and developing Bang Noi Floating Market
remains in the former way of life. The basic factor of person affects
to the participation of people such as age, level of education, career,
and income per month. Most participants are the original hosts that
have houses and shops located in the marketing and neighbor. These
people involve with the benefits and have the power to make a water
marketing strategy, the major role to set the information database. It
also found that the leader and the villagers play the important role in
setting a five-physical database. Data include level of information
such as position of village, territory of village, road, river, and
premises. Information of culture consists of a two-level of
information, interesting point, and Itinerary. The information occurs
from presenting and practicing by the leader and villagers in the
community.All of phases are presented for listening and investigating
database together in both the leader and villagers in the process of
participation.
Abstract: While import-substituting industrialization policy
constitute the basis for the industrialization strategies of the 1960s
and 1970s in Turkey, this policy was no longer sustainable by the
1980s. For this reason, export-oriented industrialization policy was
adopted with the decisions taken on January 24, 1980. In other words,
the post-1980 period, Turkey's economy has adopted outwardoriented
industrialization strategy.
In this study, it is aimed to analyze the effect of the change in
economic structure on foreign trade with the transformation of
foreign trade and industrialization policies in the post-1980 period. In
this respect, in order to analyze the relationship between import,
export and economic growth by using variables of the 1960-2011
period, Chow test was applied. In the analysis the reason for using
Chow test is whether there is any difference in economic terms
between import-substituting industrialization policy applied in the
1960-1980 period and the 1981-2011 period during which exportoriented
industrialization policy was applied as a result of the
structural transformation.
Abstract: Kish Islands in South of Iran is located in coastal
water near Hormozgan Province. Based on the wind 3-hour statistics
in Kish station, the mean annual windspeed in this Island is 8.6 knot
(4.3 m/s). The maximum windspeed recorded in this stations 47 knot
(23.5 m/s). In 45.7 percent of recorded times, windspeed has been
Zero or less than 8 knot which is not suitable to use the wind energy.
But in 54.3 percent of recorded times, windspeed has been more than
8 knot and suitable to use wind energy to run turbines. In 40.2
percent of recorded times, windspeed has been between 8 to 16 knot,
in 13 percent of times between 16 to 24 knot and in 1 percent of
times it has been higher than 24 knot. In this station, the direction of
winds higher than 8 is west and wind direction in Kish station is
stable in most times of the year.With regard to high – speed and
stable direction winds during the year and also shallow coasts near
this is land, it is possible to build offshore wind farms near Kish
Island and utilize wind energy produce the electricity required in this
Island during most of the year.
Abstract: Sustainable development is highly dependent on the
implementation of environmental education programs, which has as
its ultimate goal to produce environmentally literate citizens that
undertake environmentally friendly actions. Efforts on environmental
education along past years are now perceived on the increase of
citizens awareness on European countries and, particularly, in
Portugal. However, we still have a lack of information on the
prevalence of specific behaviors that contributes to sustainability,
influenced by a new attitude toward the environment. The
determination of pro-environmental behaviors prevalence in higher
education students is an important approach to understand to which
extend the next leading generation is, in practice, committed with the
goals of sustainable development. Therefore, present study evaluates
the prevalence of a specific set of behaviors (water savings, energy
savings, environmental criteria on shopping, and mobility) on the
University of Madeira students and discusses their commitment with
sustainable development.
Abstract: A model of a system concerning one species of demersal
(inshore) fish and one of pelagic (offshore) fish undergoing fishing
restricted by marine protected areas is proposed in this paper. This
setup was based on the FISH-BE model applied to the Tabina fishery
in Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines. The components of the model
equations have been adapted from widely-accepted mechanisms in
population dynamics. The model employs Gompertz-s law of growth
and interaction on each type of protected and unprotected subpopulation.
Exchange coefficients between protected and unprotected
areas were assumed to be proportional to the relative area of the
entry region. Fishing harvests were assumed to be proportional to
both the number of fishers and the number of unprotected fish. An
extra term was included for the pelagic population to allow for the
exchange between the unprotected area and the outside environment.
The systems were found to be bounded for all parameter values. The
equations for the steady state were unsolvable analytically but the
existence and uniqueness of non-zero steady states can be proven.
Plots also show that an MPA size yielding the maximum steady state
of the unprotected population can be found. All steady states were
found to be globally asymptotically stable for the entire range of
parameter values.
Abstract: Sustainable energy usage has been recognized as one
of the important measure to increase the competitiveness of the
nation globally. Many strong emphases were given in the Ninth
Malaysia Plan (RMK9) to improve energy efficient especially to
government buildings. With this in view, a project to investigate the
potential of energy saving in selected building in Universiti Tun
Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) was carried out. In this project, a
case study involving electric energy consumption of the academic
staff office building was conducted. The scope of the study include to
identify energy consumption in a selected building, to study energy
saving opportunities, to analyse cost investment in term of economic
and to identify users attitude with respect to energy usage. The
MS1525:2001, Malaysian Standard -Code of practice on energy
efficiency and use of renewable energy for non-residential buildings
was used as reference. Several energy efficient measures were
considered and their merits and priority were compared. Improving
human behavior can reduce energy consumption by 6% while
technical measure can reduce energy consumption by 44%. Two
economic analysis evaluation methods were applied; they are the
payback period method and net present value method.
Abstract: In current global economics the application of Business Continuity Management is the prerequisite for sustainable competitive advantage in an organization. Business Continuity Management is a managerial which identifies the potential impact of losses in an organization. The aim of this paper is to identify and critically evaluate the relative advantages and disadvantages of deploying Business Continuity Management in an organization on the basis of seven criteria. The strongest advantage of Business Continuity Management is in its capacity to identify a crisis situation and help the organization to flexibly and also to keep the critical knowledge within the organization. By contrast the main disadvantage is that establishing Business Continuity Management in an organization is time-consuming and its implementation as an integral part of the organizational culture present significant difficulties.
Abstract: Increasing concerns over climate change have limited
the liberal usage of available energy technology options. India faces
a formidable challenge to meet its energy needs and provide adequate
energy of desired quality in various forms to users in sustainable
manner at reasonable costs. In this paper, work carried out with an
objective to study the role of various energy technology options
under different scenarios namely base line scenario, high nuclear
scenario, high renewable scenario, low growth and high growth rate
scenario. The study has been carried out using Model for Energy
Supply Strategy Alternatives and their General Environmental
Impacts (MESSAGE) model which evaluates the alternative energy
supply strategies with user defined constraints on fuel availability,
environmental regulations etc. The projected electricity demand, at
the end of study period i.e. 2035 is 500490 MWYr. The model
predicted the share of the demand by Thermal: 428170 MWYr,
Hydro: 40320 MWYr, Nuclear: 14000 MWYr, Wind: 18000 MWYr
in the base line scenario. Coal remains the dominant fuel for
production of electricity during the study period. However, the
import dependency of coal increased during the study period. In
baseline scenario the cumulative carbon dioxide emissions upto 2035
are about 11,000 million tones of CO2. In the scenario of high nuclear
capacity the carbon dioxide emissions reduced by 10 % when nuclear
energy share increased to 9 % compared to 3 % in baseline scenario.
Similarly aggressive use of renewables reduces 4 % of carbon
dioxide emissions.
Abstract: Located within the tropical belt region, there are
certain rules which should implemented in creating a passive
sustainable housing design in Malaysia. Traditional Malay house
possess a strong character with certain special spaces to create a
sustainable house which suit to the tropical climate in Malaysia. One
of the special space known as verandah or serambi gantung, create
various advantages in solving various issues. However, this special
space is not extremely being applied currently which produce major
issues in term of social and environmental aspects. Hence, this
phenomena create a negative impact to the occupant while Malaysia
already has a best housing design previously. Therefore, this paper
aims to explore both of the main issues mentioned above and reveal
the advantages of implementing verandah into passive sustainable
housing design in Malaysia. A systematic literature review is the
main methodology in this research to identify the various advantages
about verandah.. The study reveals that verandah is the best solution
in term of social and environmental issues and should be
implemented in current housing design in Malaysia.