The sweet spot in sustainability: a framework for corporate assessment in sugar manufacturing

The assessment of corporate sustainability has become an increasingly important topic, both within academia and in industry. For manufacturing companies to conform to their commitments to sustainable development, a standard and reliable measurement framework is required. There is, however, a lack of sector-specific and empirical research in many areas, including the sugar industry. This paper presents an empirically developed framework for the assessment of corporate sustainability within the Thai sugar industry. Multiple case studies were conducted, and a survey using questionnaires was also employed to enhance the power of generalisation. The developed framework is an accurate and reliable measurement instrument of corporate sustainability, and guidelines to assess qualitative criteria are put forward. The proposed framework can be used for a company’s self-assessment and for guiding practitioners in performance improvement and policy decision-maki

Environmental Impacts of Diverting Crop Residues to Fuel Use

Shortage of fuel wood has lead many rural people to switch to using agricultural residues as an alternative energy source. However this has not always been met with universal acclaim due to the role of residues as fertilisers. Although crop residues and animal manure as a nutrient source has been superseded by inorganic fertilizers in most intensive farming systems, they\ud continue to be the main source of crop nutrient replacement in most developing countries. There has developed wide spread assumption that the removal of all crop residues from the fields must therefore be prevented since this will be detrimental to crop productivity. This is a gross simplification on several fronts

Modelling the linkage between tourism and multiple dimensions of poverty in Thailand

This study aimed at modelling the quantitative linkage between tourism and the whole boundaries of poverty, economic, social, and environmental perspectives, at the provincial level in Thailand. There were both positive and negative effects from tourism to dimensions of poverty. Tourism helped decreasing absolute poverty via tourism income. It also tended to raise nutrition and healthcare indicators. More people accessed to cleaner, safer, and better quality of food and drinking water. People were also more capable in accessing to better healthcare services and in taking care of household sanitations. The environmental indicator was also improved by the environmental concern of crafts and arts production villages which aimed to sell their products to tourists. However, there was a trading-off effect. It weakened locally social and political strength when tourism income distribution was uneven between members of the community. It was proven that poverty eradication (absolute poverty) in the poorest province of Thailand was almost impossible by relying on only tourism income.Tourism, Poverty alleviation, Income poverty, Non-income poverty, Interdisciplinary modeling

Fair Labor Association 2007 Annual Report

Assesses the progress made by companies in the move towards sustainable corporate responsibility in their labor standards. Breaks up data by company