Emerald | International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education | Table of Contents

Developing partnerships with the community for coastal ESD

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to draw lessons for developing community-university partnerships from experiences in promoting coastal education for sustainable development (ESD). Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative data collected from two coastal community outreach projects were analyzed. Findings – The outreach projects improved the relationship between university and community members. It is important to conduct interviews at the early stages of the projects to understand the needs of the community and set project outcomes to meet community-defined priorities. The most effective means for promoting an ESD program based upon community-university partnerships is to reach out to and network with local individuals who have been active in community projects and embed the program concept into the activities of those individuals. Mediators who link the academic community with the local community are helpful in promoting the partnerships, and university students were found to be successful mediators. Originality/value – On the basis of the experiences gained from starting an ESD program in the community, this research provides some clues to initiate service learning or community-based research based upon community-university partnerships.

Environmental management accounting in the Taiwanese higher education sector: Issues and opportunities

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Huei-Chun Chang) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address the issue of managing the major environmental costs from an accounting perspective. The current state of practices for managing the costs associated with the consumption of electricity, water and paper, as well as the generation of wastes within three universities in Taiwan, was investigated. The costs mentioned above were termed “major” environmental costs for the purpose of this study. Design/methodology/approach – Being an exploratory study, the paper followed a qualitative, case study methodology. A multiple-case design was chosen and three Taiwanese universities were investigated. The major source of data collection was through face-to-face interviews. However, available resources were also examined, such as the charts of accounts, annual reports, strategic plans, sustainability reports and information disclosed on the web-pages of the three universities. Findings – The findings demonstrated that there appeared to be a general absence of environmental management accounting (EMA) utilisation to manage the major environmental costs by the three universities. Efforts to improve environmental performance, in particular from an accounting perspective, were still lacking. Originality/value – The study contributes significantly to the following areas: providing specific information about how the major environmental costs are accounted for and managed; identifying limitations of current management accounting systems being used for the purpose of managing environmental costs; and extending the applicability of EMA to the higher education (HE) sector.

Beyond reduction: climate change adaptation planning for universities and colleges

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Rochelle Owen, Erica Fisher, Kyle McKenzie) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to outline a unique six-step process for the inclusion of climate change adaption goals and strategies in a University Climate Change Plan. Design/methodology/approach – A mixed-method approach was used to gather data on campus climate change vulnerabilities and adaption strategies. A literature review highlighted common themes in adaption research. Meetings, surveys, and a specialized workshop with climate scenarios were created to elicit campus and community input. Findings – The majority of the peer-reviewed and grey literature surrounding climate change adaptation planning is aimed at larger levels of organization than a University campus (e.g. nations, populations, regions, and cities). An original planning process was created to identify vulnerabilities, risks and strategies. Key vulnerabilities fell into three main areas of concern: energy, transportation, and built environment. Adaptation goals, objectives and strategies were outlined for the Dalhousie University Climate Change Plan, based on risk levels associated with vulnerabilities. Research limitations/implications – The adaption survey and workshop was created for this research. Small improvements were suggested for future use. The six weather scenarios presented at the workshop emphasized extreme events. Some participants felt that scenarios should be developed that feature smaller climate changes over a longer period of time. The prioritization activity used to establish risk needed to clarify the definition of risk being used. Future scenarios could include more consideration of socio-economic factors. Originality/value – Specific planning frameworks to create campus-level climate adaptation strategies are sparse. A unique planning framework and workshop was developed to identify key climate change adaption strategies for universities.

Many roads lead to sustainability: a process-oriented analysis of change in higher education

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Matthias Barth) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to comparatively analyse activities to integrate sustainability in teaching, research and operational practice in different higher education institutions, which differ both in the degree of how far implementation goes and in regards to the most active stakeholders. Against that background, the paper explores, in a process-oriented focus, which drivers and barriers are experienced as most important and how they relate to each other. Design/methodology/approach – A comparative multi-case study has been conducted, with two main steps to structure the research process: first, desktop research was used to select appropriate cases in a theoretical sampling. Second, data from interviews with relevant stakeholders in each case were analysed according to the constant comparison method. Findings – Across all cases, three distinctive patterns of implementation processes emerged, each of them with a unique set of influencing factors. For each pattern, drivers and barriers, as well as their relevance, are experienced differently and specific key constructs can be found to explain the implementation process. Research limitations/implications – The research focused on German institutions of higher educations and all cases are drawn from that population, which might limit the generalizability. Practical implications – It is hoped to provide valuable insights for future implementation processes and for various ways to support a sustainable transition in higher education. Originality/value – This is one of the first papers to consider the process of implementation and the interaction between drivers and barriers. The value of the paper lies in its potential to help in understanding what role different drivers and barriers play in different patterns of implementation.

A community-based social marketing campaign at Pacific University Oregon: Recycling, paper reduction, and environmentally preferable purchasing

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Elaine J. Cole, Laura Fieselman) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to design a community-based social marketing (CBSM) campaign to foster sustainable behavior change in paper reduction, commingled recycling, and purchasing environmentally preferred products (EPP) with faculty and staff at Pacific University Oregon. Design/methodology/approach – A CBSM campaign was developed after a nine month pilot study. A six-month mixed methods research approach used pre-postsurveys, office supply purchasing reports, a recycling study, and a waste audit. The CBSM campaign strategies used were prompts, communication, incentives, commitment, convenience, norms and social diffusion. Findings – The campaign titled, Greening Pacific! successfully identified and ranked key barriers to paper reduction, recycling and purchasing environmentally preferable products and developed CBSM tools and materials that were instrumental in affecting change. The CBSM campaign strategies and materials that were effective include recycling and paper reduction prompts, a sustainable office pledge, initiating a green team and training staff leaders, and deskside recycling box distribution. An increase in campus-wide purchasing of recycled content paper and EPP was found. Post-survey results found that 74 percent of staff and faculty changed their behavior because of the CBSM campaign. Research limitations/implications – The study could have benefited from a longer data collection period. Practical implications – Establishing aspects of green office practices on campuses can have significant impacts on purchasing EPP, waste reduction, energy and cost savings, and reducing the use of toxic chemicals. CBSM is a valuable framework for fostering behavior change. Originality/value – Community-based social marketing provides higher education institutions and other organizations with an effective model to foster environmental change in a targeted and community-oriented way.

Environmental literacy and attitudes among Malaysian business educators

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the level of environmental literacy among business lecturers in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach – A survey, which involved a combination of newly developed items and items adopted from past studies, was used to collect data from 35 respondents (out of 70). Findings – The overall mean score for environmental literacy is 3.22 (out of 5), indicating that the respondents' level of literacy is slightly more than just fair knowledge. The most widely understood environmental literacy term is corporate social responsibility (CSR). The respondents were apparently aware of the recent mandatory disclosure requirement, i.e. to include the environmental information in companies' annual reports and the initiative moving towards “Green Malaysia”. Practical implications – Universities in Malaysia could learn from environmental initiatives undertaken by universities in developed countries in terms of implementation, organizational policies and strategies. It is important for business lecturers to influence students to favourably perceive environmental issues as one of the core business activities, using a participative approach in teaching and learning. Originality/value – This paper adds to the limited literature of CSR education research, particularly in Malaysia, by filling the gap with the development of 13 items to determine the level of awareness toward environmental initiatives in Malaysia.

Exploring the ambiguity: what faculty leaders really think of sustainability in higher education

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Tarah Wright, Naomi Horst) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how a cohort of university faculty leaders in Canadian universities conceptualize sustainable development, sustainable universities, the role universities play in achieving a sustainable future, key issues facing the university, and the barriers to implementing sustainability initiatives on campus. Design/methodology/approach – Research was collected through in-depth interviews with university faculty leaders from university members of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. Interviews included both closed and open-ended questions and two checklists focused on sustainable development and sustainable universities. Interview transcripts are analyzed through the identification of respondent themes and using N'Vivo software. Findings – The majority of participants demonstrated they had previously given thought to their own understanding of sustainable development, but less had thought about the term sustainable university. The majority of participants would like to see their institutions incorporate sustainability in the avenues of education, research and daily operations. Participants agreed that the most obvious barriers to sustainability were financial and that leadership, incentive and demand are required to move forward with improving sustainability at universities. Originality/value – There are few studies that explore the conceptualizations of sustainability, what constitutes a “sustainable university” and what role universities should play in achieving sustainability held by major stakeholders, including faculty leaders. Higher education scholars share a reasonably common understanding of these concepts, but if universities are accountable for creating a sustainable future, all university stakeholders too must share a common understanding. This paper attempts to make a contribution to this significant gap in the literature.

UNDP online portal – open access development data

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

United Nations Alliance on Climate Change Education, Training and Public Awareness Launched

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Human Security and Sustainable Development in the Pacific Islands & Rim

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

DECC Datasets – Energy Consumption in the UK

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

ILO Director-General Calls for Promoting Sustainable Enterprise

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

DESA Produces Document on Happiness

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

CLUES – new tool for strategic planning

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Editorial

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Walter Leal Filho) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Diary

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Sustainable Energy Landscapes: Designing, Planning, and Development

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Organic Agriculture for Sustainable Livelihoods

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Decision Making for a Sustainable Environment: A Systemic Approach

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Green Taxation and Environmental Sustainability

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100