Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Formulation and implementation of sustainability strategies'

Purpose - The purpose of the current study was to gain a broader understanding of corporate sustainability strategy formulation and implementation in multi-business organizations. Specifically, regarding how to succeed with efficiency, alignment and consensus across strategic levels. Method - The study was conducted through a single case study in a multi-business organization operating in the defense sector globally. A qualitative method with 18 semi-structured interviews to collect data was used to gain a broad contextual understanding of the research questions. The data was inductively analyzed through thematic analysis. Findings - The primary findings of the study are 18 themes of drivers and challenges for successfully formulating and implementing corporate sustainability strategies in multi-business organizations. Considering the drivers and challenges, distinctions between the strategic levels were outlined, and predominantly indicated that the role of the corporate level enables the success. Additionally, a visual understanding of four contradictions that needs to be managed by the corporate level was provided - autonomy and compliance, cooperation and competition, exploitation and exploration, communication bottom-up and top-down. Theoretical and practical implications - The study has contributed theoretically by increasing the knowledge regarding drivers and challenges for formulation and implementation of corporate sustainability strategies in multi-business organizations. Further, the study contributes with managerial support by illustrating distinctions of the key drivers and challenges between the strategic levels, and by visualizing the strategic contradictions that needs to be balanced by the corporate level, to manage corporate sustainability strategies in multi-business organizations successfully. Limitations & Future research - The research concerned the strategic management process, with a focus on the internal organization, whereas the findings revealed the significance of incorporating an external perspective. Thus, future research could further investigate the exchange with external stakeholders. Moreover, this research was limited by being a single case study, and in future research it would be interesting to investigate other industries.
Syfte – Syftet med den här studien var att öka förståelsen kring formulering och implementering av hållbarhetsstrategier i fler-företagsorganisationer. Specifikt gällande hur man lyckas med effektivitet, en gemensam inriktning och konsensus, genom de strategiska nivåerna av ett sådant företag. Metod – Studien har genomförts som en fallstudie på en fler-företagsorganisation inom försvarsindustrin, som finns globalt över hela världen. En kvalitativ metod med 18 semi-strukturerade intervjuer för att samla in data användes för att öka den kontextuella förståelsen av forskningsfrågorna. Den insamlade informationen var sedan induktivt analyserad genom tematisk analys. Resultat – Resultatet av studien var primärt 18 teman av drivkrafter och utmaningar för att framgångsrikt lyckas med hållbarhetsstrategier i fler-företagsorganisationer. Gällande drivkrafterna och utmaningarna har också skillnader mellan de strategiska nivåerna blivit överskådliga, vilka tydligt visar på att företagsnivån spelar den mest avgörande rollen för att lyckas. Dessutom har en visuell förståelse för fyra strategiska motsägelser som behöver hanteras av företagsnivån blivit tillhandahållen – autonomi och efterlevnad, samarbete och tävlan, kortsiktighet och långsiktighet, kommunikation nerifrån-och-upp och uppifrån-och-ner.  Teoretiskt och praktiskt bidrag – Studien har bidragit teoretiskt genom att öka kunskapen kring drivkrafter och utmaningar för formulering och implementering av hållbarhetsstrategier i fler-företagsorganisationer. Vidare bidrar studien med praktiskt stöd genom att illustrera skillnader mellan de framträdande drivkrafterna och utmaningarna mellan dom strategiska nivåerna, och genom att visualisera de strategiska motsägelserna som behöver balanseras av företagsnivån, för att lyckas med hållbarhetsstrategier i fler-företagsorganisationer. Begränsningar och framtida forskning – Studien hade ett fokus på den interna organisationen gällande den strategiska lednings processen, men resultatet visade på att ett externt perspektiv också är högst relevant. Så, framtida forskning skulle vidare kunna undersöka utbytet med externa intressenter. Dessutom så har den här studien blivit begränsad av att vara en fallstudie på endast ett företag, framtida forskning skulle kunna vidare undersöka andra industrier.

Background: Today as awareness about sustainable development increases, more attention is drawn towards sustainability strategies of the companies. However, prior research has not investigated the formulation and implementation of sustainability strategies within companies of different size and scope as existing studies are skewed towards the perspectives of large firms even though SMEs mark up more than 90% of the market.  Purpose: The main objective of this study is to gain an in-depth understanding of sustainability strategy formulation and implementation within the cosmetics industry from the perspectives of both MNCs and SMEs.   Method: To fulfil the purpose of the study, exploratory qualitative research is performed, using a multiple-case study design where several cases are selected to develop a more in-depth understanding of the research topic.  Conclusion: Based on the collected data, it can be concluded that sustainability strategies are initially driven by an environmentally conscious founder who has translated personal beliefs into the organizational culture. Furthermore, the analysis results show the relationship between the driver of sustainability with formulation and implementation mechanisms applied within the company.

Purpose: Environmental sustainability was firstly thought to be an obstacle to economic development, whereas innovation promotes it. Nowadays, the contradiction between these two terms is less and the purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of the connection between environmental sustainability and eco-innovations as this can lead to a win to win procedure with the help of the relevant strategies that should be applicable based also on scientific evidence. Design – Methodology – Approach: This paper consists of four case studies in the sustainability and eco-innovation sector in Sweden. An abductive method is used. Emails were sent and phone calls were made to the companies. Skype and telephone interviews were conducted. Findings: The findings provide a practical contribution to the companies of how certain strategies can be implemented in businesses so as to connect environmental sustainability and eco-innovations. Moreover, the findings showed that barriers did not appear that could influence or change companies’ strategies. Research limitations / implications: This paper is only limited to one dimension of sustainability, that of the environment, besides focuses on eco-innovations that come from the gulf of the environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the thesis is limited in the strategies that businesses implement towards environmental sustainability and eco-innovations, as well as the potentials barriers that may come up. Practical Implications: The practical implications are identified to the actions / strategies that businesses follow towards environmental sustainability and eco-innovations. Originality – Value: This paper finds and fills the gap that many companies have as far as the non-comprehension of how environmental sustainability and eco-innovations are connected by the means of implementing specific strategies. Key Words: sustainability, innovation, eco-innovation, strategies for sustainability and eco-innovations, barriers. Paper: Master Thesis

Since the publication of Bruntland report in 1987 and the world leaders meeting at the Earth Summit at Rio in 1992, the international community has paid more attention to the importance of formulating strategies for sustainable living and conservation of the environment. The concept of sustainable development is not simply about needs and environment. It involves various aspects of development such as health, education, environmental protection, biodiversity and political freedom. Sustainable Development Strategies (SDS) enable countries to act on the basis of understanding how environmental, social and economic problems relate to each other and can be solved. Many SDS were formulated world wide but were not successful, especially in developing countries. Formulating an effective SDS is a key approach to achieve sustainability. It should consider important factors such as practicality, feasibility of objectives, flexibility, committed leadership that understands the real meaning of development and sound implementation and monitoring of the strategy. SDS aims to improve and integrate existing cost benefit, planning and environmental management tools such as CBA, Land-use Planning, EIA, SEA, Sustainability Indicators and using Planned Social Change approaches to change people's attitudes towards development. Kuwait has a unique democratic system compared with the Arabian Gulf Countries and its people enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world. However, it faces major social, administrative, economic and environmental problems. Examples of these include high dependency on expatriated labour, high expenditure and consumption rates, waste management problems, inadequate land-use planning and weaknesses in enforcing laws and regulations. Kuwait also depends on oil as its major source of income and existing industrial activities are mainly related to the oil sector. In order to achieve sustainable development in Kuwait, it is important to consider formulating an adequate strategy for sustainable living. To achieve such a goal decision makers must identify clear objectives. Then all major social, economic, environmental and institutional problems and obstacles that obstruct achieving sustainability should be identified. Afterwards, alternatives are proposed and courses of actions are selected then implemented and monitored. To achieve this, a will of change must be present in the minds of the decision makers so that present and future generations have a better quality of life.

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to investigate how organizations successfully can implement sustainability strategies. To fulfill the purpose, three research questions were established: What factors are important to consider when implementing environmental sustainability strategies? How do these factors affect the implementation of an environmental sustainability strategy? How can these factors enable a successful implementation of sustainability strategies? Method – To achieve the purpose of this study, a case study has been conducted at an organization where empirical data has been collected through interviews, observations, and document analyses. Further, a literature review was carried out to establish a theoretical framework. The empirical data and theoretical framework have been compared and analyzed in order to answer the research questions and fulfill the purpose. Findings – The findings provided six important factors in the implementation of environmental sustainability strategies: organizational structure, organizational culture, internal communication, management control, leadership, and employee motivation. The factors affect the implementation by hindering and facilitating alignment, common understanding, efficient communication, employee involvement and motivation. Further, the factors can enable a successful implementation by creating a mutual understanding of the strategy's vision and goals and establishing an organizational alignment in relation to the strategy. Last, the research indicates that a holistic consideration of these factors is needed. Implications – The research did not contribute to new theories, however, it provided increased knowledge on various factors that affect and enable environmental sustainability strategy implementation. Further, the research suggests that the factors should be considered holistically and simultaneously to achieve organizational alignment and mutual understanding. Limitations – The study is a single case study where one organization has been explored and a limited number of interviews have been conducted. The credibility of the study is believed to have increased further if multiple organizations had been studied with more interviews.

Purpose: There is an increasing interest in sustainability, literature testifies that more and more customers are requesting sustainable products. This increasing request impacts companies that are therefore forced not only to provide sustainable alternatives but also turn their business into a more sustainable one. Due to the relatively newness of this topic there is a need to investigate how sustainable marketing strategies impact companies in the business-to-business sector. This paper is a single case study that presents how an international business-to business company is implementing sustainable marketing strategies, in their process to build a circular economy company. This research aims to describe how sustainable marketing strategies affect the implementation process of a B2B company who is moving towards a circular economy business model. Design/methodology/approach: The study has been conducted using a single case study, employing an abductive approach. Semi-structured interviews, observations, documentation and field notes were collected in a large B2B company in Sweden. Findings: The following challenges have been found to affect the implementation process of sustainable marketing strategies: terminology, communication channels, price strategy, culture, greenwashing, lack of performance measurement, lack of managerial involvement, lack of rewarding system, long decision process, poor use of cross-functional teams, lack of a clear plan, marketing strategies, proactive vs reactive. Originality/value: Since sustainability has been studied mainly in the business-to-consumer sector, this paper contributes to the existing literature because it provides an overview on how an international business-to-business company implements sustainable marketing strategies. Furthermore, the study also brings up the challenges that obstacles the implementation, giving useful insights to companies that would like to approach sustainability more or are in the process of implementing sustainability. Additionally, this paper highlights the importance of involving management and employees around the world and creating a single coherent understanding of sustainability in order to reflect such cohesiveness also in the marketing strategy. Paper type: Single case study.

Sustainable innovations are observed as a major way by which the ill-effects of the built environment can be avoided or offset. The adoption of innovations are critical to the society, as they pave the way for further incremental or radical innovations, depending on the feedback from their users. In this process, the attributes of an innovation play an important role in its adoption. The objective of this study was to determine whether observability, one of many attributes of innovations identified in the literature as affecting their adoption, plays a critical role in the adoption of sustainable innovations, specifically Rainwater Harvesting Technologies and Strategies (RwHTS). Further, the study aimed to determine whether the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) resulted in frequent adoption RwHTS. Last but not least, the study also sought to understand how designers used BIM to enhance the acceptance of RwHTS in capital projects. The stakeholders identified for this study were architectural firms that are geographically located in the southeastern states of the United States, and the study was conducted from their perspective. This study was segregated into two major phases. The first phase involved a survey of 2,200 designers/architects located in seven southeastern states, including Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, and District of Columbia. The survey questions targeted experiences associated with the implementation of RwHTS and the use of BIM for designing and constructing facilities over the last decade by the architectural firms. Based on the responses received, six firms were purposively selected for Phase II, which involved a case study approach that included meeting with the designers, conducting interviews, understanding general firm policies for capital projects, identifying factors that result in the adoption of RwHTS, and developing a process-based profile undertaken by the firm to understand how key decisions were made. By the end of this phase the researcher identified the factors that result in the adoption of RwHTS. In addition, the researcher also found that observability did not emerge as an attribute that played a critical role in the adoption of RwHTS, in comparison to the other attributes. The study also found that the current use of BIM did not result in the frequent adoption of RwHTS. Finally, the study was able to produce a generalized process map that depicted the steps undertaken during the design process for the adoption of RwHTS in capital projects. This study encompassed the basic principles of sustainability in the built environment, adoption of innovation, and Building Information Modeling use within the design industry.
Ph. D.

Thesis (MBA) --University of Limpopo, 2011
The potential for tourism to contribute to the economy of South Africa has been embraced by the new democratic government for a lengthy period. In order for government to benefit fully from tourism, it has charted out strategies and policies to make tourism grow and for communities to also benefit from the activities emanating from tourism. Although these measures to support the growth, development and sustainability of tourism SMMEs are in place, implementation remains a challenge. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the growth and development strategies have been implemented in Limpopo province to support the sustainability of Tourism SMMEs in Polokwane. This is done through the interogation of the literature to determine the major objectives of the tourism growth and development strategies in Limpopo Province, the challenges faced by tourism SMMEs and also to gain feedback through empirical studies on the effectiveness of, and support of the Tourism Growth and Development Strategies.

Purpose – The purpose of this study was twofold. First, we wanted to increase knowledge about what is important to address within an organization, when formulating and implementing a corporate sustainability strategy. Second, we wanted to explore how the level of achievement of corporate sustainability influences the ability of an organization to integrate sustainability within its own organization. Method – We used an abductive approach within this study. In total, we conducted 20 interviews which we analysed through a thematic analysis. We also conducted two surveys. Findings - We have found six crucial aspects that will affect the formulation and implementation of a corporate sustainability strategy; conceptual confusion, motivation, action, cooperation, guidelines, and communication. We have also found that all dimensions of sustainability need to be understood and incorporated into the organization, in order for a corporate sustainability strategy to have impact. Theoretical and practical contributions - We have contributed to previous literature by connecting the five stages of achieving corporate sustainability with obstacles and solutions within the phases of strategy formulation and implementation. Further, we have provided a framework that can be useful to organizations when trying to achieve corporate sustainability. Limitation of the study - We have only analysed four out of almost 60 savings banks in Sweden, and the ones part of this study is also part of a sustainability project. It is therefore of essence that another more expansive study is performed that integrates more savings banks.

The interdependence between the economy and the environment necessitates integrated policymaking that recognizes the biological limits of our world and the scarcity of these natural resources. At the 1992 Earth Summit, countries agreed to adopt a National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS) which should comprise the integration of economic, social, and environmental policies across sectors, territories, and generations; country ownership and commitment; broad participation and effective partnerships; development of the necessary capacity and enabling environment; and focus on outcomes and implementation. Working from these key factors and based on decades of international research and peer reviews of these policies, this study hypothesizes four relationships to test the influence of these principles on the successful execution of an NSDS. Offering the first formal framework which theorizes and evaluates connections between these dimensions, this qualitative approach is applied to two case studies, South Africa and Germany, by the use of documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews. The present study finds that embedding NSDS programs and institutions within existing policy agendas and organizations is extremely difficult, especially in countries with a solid history of environmental policy. Also, the significant role of subnational governments and entities in all aspects of policymaking must be taken into account for the effective implementation of a National Strategy. The present research examines the necessity of specific policymaking processes and implementation mechanisms for an effective National Sustainable Development Strategy, ascertains common implementation challenges, and offers recommendations for the improved implementation of National Sustainable Development Strategies.

The increasing rate at which e-Learning is implemented in institutions of higher education has been reported widely. The literature suggests that institutions of higher education, across the globe, use the efforts of champions to initiate and establish e-Learning activities. The paucity of research about the activities of e-Learning champions in an African context is noticeable, while implementation of e-Learning is spreading rapidly in Africa. It is to provide information within the African context of this activity that this study sought to identify and explain the activities and characteristics (through strategies) as well as the qualities (through motivations) of e-Learning champions as they engage in innovative practices in institutions of higher education in Africa. Two research questions guided the study which examined the activities of champions and how (activities and characteristics through strategies) and why (qualities through motivations) they engaged in their activities within their institutions. To address these questions, the study followed a qualitative research design, using semi-structured interviews with champions and policy level staff in institutions of higher education in Namibia, South Africa and Kenya as well as documents as its data sources. The intention was not to compare champions and their activities in these countries, but rather to establish understanding of these champions and their contexts as a group. The contextual relevance was solely based on the availability of champions and policy level staff due to the purposive and convenience sampling techniques applied. The study’s findings show that the activities of champions in Africa are not significantly different from those as described in recent literature in non-African countries. Rather, particular strategies and motivational factors are found that are related to activities, characteristics and qualities of champions. The support factors identified by policy level staff and in institutional policy documents differed from those thought to be motivating by champions themselves. Champions have expressed the need for an approved budget, sufficient infrastructure, an e-Learning unit with specialised staff, and dedicated time for e-Learning activities. Policy staff point to a level of support already in place in the form of some financial considerations for e-Learning and incentives. No explicit reference could be found in policy documents to the role of champions or what motivates them. This disjuncture between the environment of the champions and that of the established institution is explained by a maturity model of institutionalisation of innovations. The study’s contribution to the scholarly domain is at several levels. Firstly, the proposed conceptual framework is a contribution to academic discourse in that it contributed variables of analysis (strategies and motivations) of champions who engage in innovation within established institutions, institutional procedures, directives (through guidelines) and policies (through intentions), as well as goals which lead to a common objective in achieving scalability and sustainability. Secondly, the finding that institutions that wish to have innovations institutionalised must be aware of the disturbances that such innovations can bring and thus must create policies that recognise the role of champions and are able to accommodate, tolerate and support them. Thirdly, the synthesis of characteristics of champions, and their qualities with the support needed by them, and issues in relation to scalability and sustainability that may motivate institutions of higher education to support champions (or not) contribute guidelines which may be used to identify, acknowledge or recruit potential champions, where champions are needed.
Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2011.
Science, Mathematics and Technology Education
unrestricted

This study is an investigation into water management policies in South Africa, their effect on water users and the perceptions users have of these policies. The investigation begins with an exposition of concepts such as water demand management (WDM), as well as integrated water resource management (IWRM). A sub-discourse of the main theme is the societal tendency to neglect its common property. Garret Hardin's groundbreaking observations on the "tragedy of the commons" (1968) are explored in an effort to locate issues of relevance in effective water management strategies. In contemplating the commons, it is evident that aspects of morality and ethics are involved. The morality of a society be it in a global or national context, seems to manifest itself in legislation and policies, and in the way these are implemented. The relevance of good governance, hydropolitics and sustainable development is also discussed to provide the necessary theoretical background to an understanding of the relationship between consumers and the water commons. Access to safe drinking water is protected in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act, 108 of 1996. Flowing from the government's obligation to take reasonable legislative and other measures to achieve the progressive realisation of fundamental human rights stipulated in section 27(2) of the Constitution, the challenge since 1994 has been to provide access to water for all inhabitants and to manage the available water resources effectively. Furthermore, the objective of subsequent water legislation such as the National Water Act, 36 of 1998 and regulatory plans, like the National Water Resource Strategy has been to incorporate international trends in water governance. The Department of Water and Environmental Affairs (DWEA) divided South Africa into 19 regions, called water management areas (WMA). In this study, attention is focused on what constitutes a catchment and how a catchment management agency (CMA) governs its water resources. A description is provided of the functions of water user associations (WUAs) and how ththe Lower Orange Catchment Management Area is, for example, the blueprint from which stakeholders develop their goals. In this study, the water situation in the Lower Orange Water Management Area is under scrutiny. The focus is on the three main institutional components of water management (the Lower Orange catchment management, the Upington Islands Water User Association [UIWUA] and the //Khara Hais Local Municipality). The progress of the establishment of the Lower Orange Catchment Management Agency is outlined over a period of five years. Meanwhile, the Upington Islands Water User Association was developed and this has grown in stature. The work being done by these institutions is investigated by looking at grassroots effects, especially in respect of irrigation activities. The unique water management circumstances of the //Khara Hais Local Municipality are then investigated along with the plans outlined in their Integrated Development Plan {lOP) and their Water Services Development Plane Internal Strategic Perspective (ISP) of(WSDP). Because local irrigation operations consume most of the available surface water in the Lower Orange Water Management Area, irrigation farmers and their activities warrant closer attention. A historical overview is given of the development of irrigation in the region followed by an assessment of the role of two of the most prominent historical figures in Upington, Reverend Adriaan Schroder and Abraham "Holbors" September. Ultimately, however, the focus falls on the current state of irrigation in the area. It is possible to distinguish between the approach of large commercial farming operations and that of smaller irrigation farming units to irrigation. Specific attention is given to the perceptions of irrigation farmers as far as the policies and legislation pertaining to water issues is concerned. This study will hopefully provide the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs(DWEA), //Khara Hais Local Municipality and organised agriculture with some recommendations on efficient integrated water management strategies. It might well be of value to other municipalities who are experiencing similar problems. The aim has been to identify typical problems and potential disputes between water management institutions and relevant role-players.
Thesis (Ph.D. (Public Management and Administration))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2010.

The objectives of this study are to investigate the formulation and implementation of strategies within Retail Bank at corporate, business unit, functional and operational levels, focusing specifically on who is accountable and responsible for strategy formulation and implementation at each of these levels, as well as the factors related to the success or failure of strategy implementation and how success is measured. In addition, this study attempts to determine whether or not the financial industry as a whole plays a significant role in the success of strategy implementation within Retail Bank.

博士
國立中興大學
水土保持學系所
104
Due to global climate changes, the impact caused by extreme climate has become more and more compelling. In Taiwan, the total rainfall stays in the same level. The rainfall with high recurrence interval happens frequently, leading to soil loss of slope-land, and it may further result in floods and sediment hazards. Although Taiwan is a small island, the population density is ranked at the second highest around the world. Moreover, third-fourth of Taiwan is slope-land, so the soil and water conservation (SWC) is rather important. Therefore, under the impacts of climate and social environmental changes, how to maintain the sustainable development of slopeland and the safety of living environment in Taiwan becomes a crucial issue. This study adopted 4 foresight analyses to cover both qualitative and quantitative aspects, including International Trend Analysis, Focus Group, Delphi method and Strategy Roadmap. In addition, Eisenhower Matrix was taken as a decision support tool to achieve an unbiased result. The findings of this study can contribute to reach consensus among multi-stakeholders on sustainable development of soil and water resources and to lay down foresight strategies of SWC in short-term, mid-term and long-term bases. Ultimately, the goal of sustainability can be realized in Taiwan. The spatial distribution of water budget in Taiwan was calculated from moisture index derived from long-term data of rainfall and evaporation. According to the values of mean and coefficient of variation of moisture index, the key watersheds with drought, flood and sediment disaster respectively were screened out and the corresponding strategies were proposed in this study. Results show that the basin of Puzih river is a crucial flooding potential area due to having larger coefficient of variation and/or highest average in moisture index; Sindian river watershed with drought potential shows that there is a negative tendency in moisture index; Cishan river watershed has the potential of encountering the secondary debris disaster due to large amount of landslides occurred in the watershed during Typhoon Morakot and located at the areas with high value of moisture index. The conservation method in the Puzih river basin was recommended to construct farm ponds. Because the long-term trend of water budget is drought in the Sindian river watershed, agriculture non-point source pollutant induced water pollution will increase at the usual time, and the water turbidity will also increase abruptly due to landslide during extreame rainfall. Therefore, the best management practices for non-point sources pollution controls in the Sindian river watershed should be considered. The Cishan river watershed was suggested to find out the treatment priority of landslides for enlargement and secondary disaster prevention. Finally, the database of action program can be drafted using the core foresight strategies of the short, medium and long term conservation resources coupled with the background information of pre- and/or post- expert meeting. The goal fishbone diagram of adaptation strategies can then be drawn as the references of related authorities for policy making under climate change.

Resumo alargado: No cumprimento da sua missão a UNESCO teve, desde a sua criação em 1945, como uma das suas preocupações colocar a qualidade da educação na base do desenvolvimento, abordando-a através de uma visão holística como meio para a promoção da paz, da erradicação da pobreza e como impulsionadora do desenvolvimento e do diálogo intercultural. A educação é um pré-requisito para promover alterações comportamentais e fornecer as competências para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável (DS) na medida em que permite a igualdade de oportunidades entre classes, géneros, e crenças ainda que o conceito de Educação para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável (EDS), que nasceu após a Conferência de Joanesburgo em 2002, deva ser enquadrado a nível local e temporal. A recomendação da adoção da Década das Nações Unidas da Educação para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável (UN DEDS) 2005-2014, tem por objetivo integrar, num quadro temporal definido os princípios, os valores e as práticas do DS a todos os aspetos da educação e da aprendizagem. Uma boa parte destas responsabilidades recai sobre as Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES), que têm assim uma acrescida responsabilidade moral na consciencialização, no alargamento do conhecimento, e no desenvolvimento das competências e dos valores de um futuro sustentável e justo. O papel que as IES podem desempenhar na educação integrada para a EDS é um dos grandes desafios na transição para um futuro mais sustentável. Para tal, espera-se das IES que, na sequência do caminho que têm vindo a trilhar, continuem a assumir o seu papel central na mudança de paradigma de forma a permitir às gerações atuais e futuras viverem de modo mais saudável e em harmonia e respeito com a Terra, que tem recursos finitos e limites biofísicos que têm sido demonstrados de forma evidente e incontornável. Dados assentarem nos três pilares do “triângulo do conhecimento”: Ensino, Investigação e Inovação, as IES são, neste quadro, absolutamente fundamentais. Muitas Declarações e Compromissos foram assinados. A assinatura e comprometimento dos líderes das IES, tornando-as verdadeiros catalisadores do DS, são consideradas um sinal promotor da sustentabilidade, como se constata através de diversas Declarações pré-DEDS 2005-2014: Talloires (1990), Halifax (1992), Quioto (1993), Swansea (1993), Copernicus (CO-operation Programme in Europe for Research on Nature and Industry through Coordinated University Studies) (1994), Global Higher Education for Sustainability Partnership (GHESP) (2000), Luneburgo (2001) e Barcelona (2004). A Declaração de Talloires, de 1990, foi o primeiro ato oficial de compromisso do ensino superior com o DS para que este se assuma como agente de mudança na incorporação e disseminação da sustentabilidade. Em 1994, a Declaração Copernicus, assinada por 196 universidades, foi entendida como o compromisso da gestão de topo das IES com o DS com vista a preservar o ambiente e à promoção do DS. É importante conhecer-se o perfil e nível de compromisso das universidades em todo o mundo, em particular na Europa, continente onde se encontram as mais antigas instituições, e tendo em conta o seu papel como líder nas estratégias e políticas de implementação da sustentabilidade no ensino superior. Não existe atualmente em Portugal um estudo sistemático que permita conhecer o perfil das IES, em particular das universidades públicas, e identificar pistas e boas práticas para a sua melhor implementação. Este facto leva a questionar de que forma e em que termos foi integrada a sustentabilidade nas estratégias institucionais no ensino superior universitário em Portugal, nomeadamente nos planos, programas e políticas do Governo e do Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior (MCTES) e nas estratégias e práticas das Instituições de Ensino Superior Universitário Público (IESUP) como balanço da DESD 2005-2014. O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi avaliar de que forma a sustentabilidade foi integrada nas Instituições de Ensino Superior Universitário (IESU) público em Portugal, através das suas estratégias institucionais, no âmbito dos objetivos da UN DEDS 2005-2014. Os objetivos específicos, que estão organizados por ordem cronológica e de forma a responder ao objetivo geral, foram: (i) Avaliar a integração da sustentabilidade nos planos, programas e políticas do Governo português e do MCTES; (ii) Avaliar a integração da sustentabilidade nas estratégias e políticas das catorze IESUP na perspetiva de alguns dos atores chave com impacto no processo de decisão; (iii) Analisar as ações e as (boas) práticas nas IESUP onde tenha sido identificada a aplicação de estratégias, políticas para a sustentabilidade com vista a avaliar e definir um perfil do país; e (iv) Propor um modelo de inclusão de melhorias de sustentabilidade (think tank de iniciativas) nas estratégias e políticas das IESUP, com vista a aumentar, transferir o conhecimento e partilhar as (melhores) práticas integradas entre as Instituições de ensino superior portuguesas. Esta investigação segue um desenho de investigação baseado no estudo sobre as catorze universidades públicas em Portugal, de acordo com uma abordagem maioritariamente dedutiva (onde se recorreu em parte à Grounded-Theory), com métodos mistos, embora maioritariamente qualitativos, utilizando análise de documentação (dados secundários) e entrevistas semiestruturadas (dados primários). Como primeiro passo, foi realizada uma revisão da literatura e reflexão crítica sobre diversos documentos de origem governamental e do Ministério (MCTES) recolhidos e organizados cronologicamente. Para a análise de conteúdo foi utilizada o software NVivo, cujo objetivo foi avaliar se nos programas e políticas do Governo em geral e, especificamente, do MCTES, a sustentabilidade foi integrada nas universidades públicas, e em caso afirmativo, de que forma, em particular durante a DEDS 2005-2014. Seguidamente, realizou-se um estudo exploratório de acordo com uma abordagem qualitativa através de entrevistas semiestruturadas com atores chave com impacto no processo de decisão de implementação da sustentabilidade nas universidades públicas portuguesas. Esta fase visou obter mais informação sobre planos, políticas e programas não acessíveis ou não tornados públicos, que de outra forma estariam fora do nosso alcance, bem como obter indicações relativamente às barreiras sobre a implementação da EDS nas universidades públicas. Na terceira fase procedeu-se à análise, ao nível de cada uma das instituições, do conteúdo de planos estratégicos, planos e relatórios de atividades e relatórios de sustentabilidade (PEs, PAs, RAs e RSs, respetivamente) das catorze IES, o que foi essencial na avaliação de uma primeira definição do perfil do País no que respeita à implementação da sustentabilidade no sector da educação superior. Por último, foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas (ainda que na primeira parte do guião a entrevista indiciasse uma entrevista estruturada) aos atores com papel relevante na integração da sustentabilidade em cada uma das universidades. O objetivo foi o de listar as diferentes ações implementadas, bem como de que forma se ultrapassaram as barreiras, quer durante a UN DEDS 2005-2014 quer na atualidade (2018), e ainda conhecer os desafios que se anteveem para as universidades. Foram, igualmente, discutidas iniciativas e boas práticas por parte de quase todas as IES. Verificou-se assim que, ao longo da DEDS 2005-2014, houve alguma insuficiência quer de orientações estratégicas quer de políticas nacionais respeitantes à implementação da EDS no ensino superior emanadas quer do Governo quer do Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior. Estes resultados decorrem quer da análise de documentos quer das entrevistas a atores chave. Ainda que o Programa Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Portugal tenha sido um bom exemplo de compromisso político e estratégico de aplicação de sustentabilidade no ensino superior, com a criação de Mestrados (MSc) e Doutoramentos (PhD), este focou-se maioritariamente na área da energia. O mesmo se pode dizer do programa de Eficiência Energética na Administração Pública (Eco.AP), um outro bom exemplo do envolvimento Ministerial, cujo papel é o de avaliar e implementar medidas para melhorar e reduzir o consumo energético nas universidades. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a UN DESD 2005-2014 não foi considerada em si mesma uma motivação para a incorporação da sustentabilidade nas universidades, tal como a assinatura de declarações formais não foram nem condição necessária nem suficiente para tal. Foram as Universidades, por sua iniciativa, que protagonizaram o seu próprio movimento de implementação, tendo sido possível recolher no seu conjunto bons exemplos e iniciativas. Da análise de documentação das universidades públicas portuguesas no período da DEDS 2005-2014, constata-se que estas integraram a sustentabilidade nas suas políticas e estratégias principalmente através das dimensões “operações no campus”, “alcance e colaboração” e “DS através de experiências no campus”, através de múltiplas e diferentes ações, algumas delas não circunscritas a uma única universidade. Quando, para efeitos desta investigação, se procedeu à realização de entrevistas aos atores com papel relevante na temática da sustentabilidade nas universidades públicas e se questionou quer o período da década quer o ano de 2018, as dimensões que surgem como relevantes na integração da sustentabilidade, e sem alteração entre momentos, são: (i) “operações no campus”, (ii) “educação”, (iii)“alcance e colaboração”, (iv) “investigação” e, só depois, (v) “DS através de experiências no campus”. As ações das universidades relacionadas com a EDS mostram que as ações relacionadas com EDS foram realizadas de forma “isolada” e não de forma integrada de acordo com a “whole institution approach” da Organização das Nações Unidas. Realce-se a exceção de parcerias no DS, nos projetos de investigação, publicações, colaboração em projetos de desenvolvimento sustentado (DS) e financiamento para a investigação. Foi, ainda, possível conhecer as (melhores) práticas nas universidades públicas onde, apesar de existirem áreas chave onde as IES, não obstante barreiras como a falta de recursos financeiros e humanos e da falta de enquadramento de políticas governamentais, enfrentaram os desafios no âmbito da sustentabilidade. Através deste estudo foi possível chegar a uma definição de perfil do País para a implementação da sustentabilidade no sector da educação superior, em particular nas universidades públicas, sendo proposta uma plataforma de diálogo e partilha - Sustainability4U - com vista a potenciar a aprendizagem do tema no seio da comunidade das IES. Esta plataforma Sustainability4U é uma proposta de iniciativas para ampliar e transferir o conhecimento, bem como para partilhar as (melhores) práticas integradas entre as IES portuguesas, sejam elas universidades ou politécnicos. Os desafios à implementação do DS estão relacionados com iniciativas: (i) ao nível governamental e institucional, como sejam um maior financiamento e uma maior regulamentação governamental, mas também com (ii) iniciativas ao nível das próprias IES. São necessárias estratégias para a implementação do DS nos planos institucionais, na criação de um gabinete dedicado à EDS nas universidades ou nas faculdades onde tal estrutura não exista e na criação de competências transversais em DS acessíveis a todos os estudantes, através de disciplinas e/ou cursos para promover a transdisciplinaridade. O propósito é que o DS seja parte integrante da cultura da universidade e crie um fator multiplicador na instituição e na sociedade não só a longo prazo, como também no futuro próximo. Em 2018 foi criada a “Rede Campus Sustentável” entre os membros da comunidade das IES (universidades e politécnicos) com vista à partilha de conhecimento e experiências, mas igualmente para levar a gestão de topo a assinar uma carta de compromisso baseada na Declaração de Copernicus e na Estratégia Nacional para a Educação Ambiental (ENEA). Esta Iniciativa mostra não só um compromisso da comunidade académica portuguesa como um bom exemplo de uma abordagem “bottom-up”. O compromisso para a implementação de políticas públicas nas universidades é crítico para que o processo seja efetivo no que respeita à EDS inclusivo. Consequentemente, há uma necessidade premente de alterar o paradigma nas universidades portuguesas e ainda debelar alguns obstáculos. * * * Este estudo apresenta algumas limitações, nomeadamente o escasso número e qualidade de documentos originários de fontes Governamentais e Ministeriais ou mesmo da Sociedade Civil (capítulo 1) aplicáveis à temática (DESD 2005-2014). Poder-se-á considerar que este facto denota uma falta de compromisso por parte das instituições governamentais face à EDS. No entanto, nada se pode referir com acuidade sobre a representatividade da amostra dado que, apesar dos elevados esforços desenvolvidos, e ainda que não tenham recolhido mais documentos, eles poderiam existir e não estar disponíveis e/ou alcance dos investigadores. No que concerne às perceções dos atores chave (capítulo 2) face à implementação da EDS o estudo poderia ter sido enriquecido com a opinião do Ministro da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior, Secretários de Estado e de pelo menos mais um responsável do Conselho de Reitores das Universidades Portuguesas (CRUP), nomeadamente o líder de 2010 a 2014. No entanto, tal não foi possível em tempo útil, apesar dos melhores esforços. A amostra por ser de conveniência não permite que os resultados sejam generalizados para o sistema de ensino superior português, não só devido ao escasso número de entrevistados (sete de uma amostra de quinze), mas também devido à sua natureza (provenientes do governo, academia e sociedade civil). No entanto, o objetivo das entrevistas com atores chave serviu para confirmar a análise prévia de documentos oficiais e cada entrevista foi muito completa, permitindo aproximação à saturação de informação, o que significa que informação adicional recolhida forneceria eventualmente poucos dados novos. Para o período em causa (2005-2014), as principais universidades publicaram toda a documentação necessária para tratamento e análise (capítulo 3). Ainda assim, teria sido importante aceder a um maior número de documentos publicados ou disponíveis, relativamente a algumas universidades. Para tal, foram envidados esforços para obter informação adicional quer através dos websites, quer por contacto direto com os técnicos e/ou centros de documentação. O método por convite direto da entrevista forneceu boas respostas (capítulo 4), mas (em alguns casos) pode não ter sido entrevistada a pessoa ideal no sentido de ser aquela com o maior conhecimento dos esforços de implementação da sustentabilidade e/ou de atividades na sua instituição. O guião de entrevista foi desenvolvido para ser compreendido por todos os respondentes e cobrir um largo espectro de temas. No entanto, pode ser difícil para um entrevistado ter um conhecimento adequado e suficiente de todos os tópicos e temas em causa. Pretende-se em desenvolvimentos futuros pôr em prática a plataforma Sustainability4U, não só entre as IES portuguesas, mas igualmente a nível europeu e internacional, baseado no estudo de caso de país do sul da Europa, Portugal. Regiões ou perfis semelhantes podem aprender com esta experiência, ganhando experiência com a forma como os obstáculos foram ultrapassados. O conhecimento do perfil detalhado das Universidades pode ser ainda alargado a todas as IES em Portugal.
Worldwide higher education institutions have the responsibility to implement Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in its multiple ways. The aim of this research is to assess how ESD was integrated into universities in Portugal through their policies and strategies within the framework of the goals of the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development 2005-2014 (UN DESD 2005-2014). Despite some recent studies, this is an underexplored research field in Portugal. This research was mainly based on a qualitative approach and a detailed content analysis method regarding policies, plans and programmes either from the Government or the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Higher Education (MCTES) as well as universities´ plans and reports through the decade 2005-2014. Semi structured interviews were conducted to the government bodies and major key actors in the Portuguese universities, i.e., from Portuguese University Council of Rectors (CRUP), as well as, with each sustainability relevant role actor at each university. Results showed that ESD implementation at universities in Portugal is still in its early stages of development and that there is an insufficiency of national integrated strategies or policies. Public Portuguese universities have their own strategies or policies on ESD, leading them to progress with several timely initiatives and practices that resulted from their proactiveness and rhythm rather than from governmental commission. Except for some actions concerning outreach and collaboration, research or education, these initiatives seem to have been taken in isolation from each other and were not holistically integrated, despite some pro-active sustainability implementation actions and best practices. Nevertheless, universities face barriers and challenges in implementing SD that need to be expanded, namely in the promotion of student and staff sustainability awareness, as well as in the development of transdisciplinary courses for students. This study intends to define a country profile of ESD implementation in universities and to show how to move forward through the proposal of the platform Sustainability4U1 where a think tank of initiatives is put forward. Future investigation will be undertaken as the platform Sustainability4U may be used as a support to widen transfer of knowledge and sharing of (best) practices not only between Portuguese universities, but also at European and international levels based on Portugal´s case study. Similar regions or profiles may learn from this experience, gaining from the way the barriers were overcome.

Perception regarding the role of businesses in our society has been going through a transformation. We no longer identify a company’s sole purpose as being that of maximizing shareholder return but we increasingly expect companies to do good for society. There is growing recognition that Corporate Social Responsibility is essential in today’s business and companies are voluntarily disclosing their effects on the people and communities where they operate. Corporate responsibility is helpful not only for corporations to show higher commitment to practice ethics particularly to develop economic forces and to improve the quality of lives of the workforce and their respective families but also for stakeholders. Social discrimination puts stones in the way of corporations for not to build up good capacity for sustainable livelihoods. This study undertakes the significance of Corporate Social Responsibility not only for wealth creation but also for maximizing the value of wealth creation to society.
A percepção relativa ao papel dos negócios na nossa sociedade tem vindo a sofrer uma transformação. Não mais identificamos como o único objectivo de uma empresa o de maximizar o retorno monetário do accionista e cada vez mais se espera que a empresa seja benéfica para a sociedade. Há um crescimento no reconhecimento que a responsabilidade social de uma empresa é essencial nos negócios e as empresas estão voluntariamente a divulgar os seus efeitos junto das comunidades onde operam. A responsabilidade corporativa é vantajosa, não só para que as empresas demonstrem uma maior dedicação à prática de ética particularmente para desenvolver forças económicas e para melhorar a qualidade de vida dos trabalhadores e das suas respectivas famílias, mas também para os accionistas. A discriminação social é um óbice no trajecto das empresas dado não conseguir desenvolver sustentáveis boas condições de vida. Este estudo baseia-se na importância da responsabilidade social empresarial não só como criação de riqueza mas também para maximizar a importância da criação dessa riqueza para a sociedade.

The objective of the study was to examine the marketing strategies of Ethiopian medium and large textile companies. The textile sector became the focus of this study because it has performed far below expectation, despite the government‘s unreserved support to the sector and the country‘s comparative advantage in the sector. To attain the stated objective, qualitative research approach with case study design was employed. The cases were selected based on two criteria; production of finished textile products and operation in both local and global markets. Accordingly, nine companies qualified these criteria and all of them were used as cases. The RBV was the theory employed to explain the differences in performances among firms‘ in similar environment. Furthermore, within and cross case analyses were employed to get in-depth understanding and to explain about the marketing strategies of the firms. The major findings of the study indicate that the emphasis given to marketing strategy and the marketing resources and capabilities commitment thereof were found to be so low that the companies seemed to equate marketing strategy with selling strategy. Furthermore, the companies failed to link their marketing enabling environment with their marketing strategy. Similarly, such weak link was reflected between the firms‘ marketing strategy and their market performances. Hence, the marketing strategies of the case companies are so weak that with their current marketing strategy, it is difficult for them to be competent in the local market, let alone in the international markets. Generally, both empirical and conceptual conclusions were drawn from the findings. As a result, the cross-case findings indicate that marketing resources commitment is linearly linked to marketing strategy which in turn is linked to export performances. Therefore, it can be understood that the link between enabling environment and marketing strategy is direct and the link between marketing strategy and marketing performances is linear. Hence, it can be understood from this transitivity that there exists a link between firms‘ enabling environment and their marketing performances.
Business Management
D.B.L.