Analyzing Measures for the Construct “Energy-Conscious Driving”: A Synthesized Measurement Model to Operationalize Eco-Feedback

During the last several years, a large number of studies have dealt with eco-driving and have defined rules for driving vehicles more ecologically, eco-friendly, and energy efficiently. These rules are vague or insufficient for achieving their purpose, and the construct “energy- conscious driving” is unsatisfactorily defined. To structure available research and develop a more extensive concept of energy-conscious driving, a measurement model for energy- conscious driving is introduced. The model stems from a literature review conducted to identify six groups of measures for energy-conscious driving, and a synthesis of these groups to identify dependencies between them. This paper contributes to theory by building on existing knowledge on eco-driving through an analysis of available literature and describing dependencies between our six measures of energy-conscious driving. Based on our model, researchers can evaluate different eco-feedback designs and practitioners can implement more specific eco-feedback systems for improved user performance

Multi-disciplinary Green IT Archival Analysis: A Pathway for Future Studies

With the growth of information technology (IT), there is a growing global concern about the environmental impact of such technologies. As such, academics in several research disciplines consider research on green IT a vibrant theme. While the disparate knowledge in each discipline is gaining substantial momentum, we need a consolidated multi-disciplinary view of the salient findings of each research discipline for green IT research to reach its full potential. We reviewed 390 papers published on green IT from 2007 to 2015 in three disciplines: computer science, information systems and management. The prevailing literature demonstrates the value of this consolidated approach for advancing our understanding on this complex global issue of environmental sustainability. We provide an overarching theoretical perspective to consolidate multi-disciplinary findings and to encourage information systems researchers to develop an effective cumulative tradition of research

Energy Security as a Key Driving Factor for Socioeconomic Development: From Mitigation to Solution

This book looks at the increasing demand for energy of contemporary societies and economies from around the world. Energy is the driving force behind development. As such, the future challenge will be not only to meet the rising demand but also to implement less reliance on depleting fossil fuels, which cause damage to the environment. Moreover, the sustainability of supplied energy requires a reduction of emissions to control the absorption capacity vis-à-vis the environment. Globally, policymakers have largely recognized the significance of the relationship between energy and economic progress. Policymakers usually consider the social and economic aspects of energy security in terms of affordability and accessibility of service. The conditions of socioeconomic development depend on safe, secure, and sustainable energy at affordable prices. One of the prime concerns of policymakers should be to ensure energy security at the national level. These factors result in an increasing interest in undertaking activities in developing renewable resources. Energy efficiency is treated as the most cost-effective way to reduce energy demand while maintaining stable economic activity. Increasing energy efficiency is an important contributive aspect to solving issues in relation to climate change, energy security, and energy competitiveness. As a result, no country can afford to waste energy—giving rise to this Special Issue of “Energy Security as a Key Driving Factor for Socioeconomic Development: From Mitigation to Solution” in the journal Energies

Determinants of organic food purchase behavior of consumers in Bangladesh

Organic food market has experienced steady growth throughout the world over the last decade. It is expected that a double-digit growth could be sustained in the foreseeable future. However, for developing countries specifically, including Bangladesh, the growth opportunities may not be fully realized unless the emerging challenges are addressed. Some of these challenges are credibility, availability and low level of consumers‘ adoption on such foods. It appears that understanding behavioral issues related to organic foods may highlight some important directions towards addressing these emerging challenges. Therefore, this study is conducted to explore the determinants of organic food purchase behavior and to explain the magnitude of influences of such determinants on purchase behavior in Bangladesh. Based on a systematic review of literature, a research framework was developed from Integrated Behavior Model which was originally proposed by Montano and Kasprzyk. The causal model was empirically tested by using partial least-square structural equation modeling. The survey is comprised of 416 usable samples, collected from organic food buyers in Bangladesh. Results suggest that the model fit is significant and adequate. All antecedents of intention appear to be significant, except perceived behavioral control. Emotional and environmental attitudes share are contributing factors to attitude construct. Intention, along with habit, is found to have significant impact on purchase behavior. Trust is found to have significant moderating impact on the relationship between intention and behavior. However, moderating effect of situational constraints in the intention-behavior relationship is not existent. In addition to the theoretical implications, a number of managerial implications are observed. Managers need to enhance consumers‘ trust on various stakeholders, reduce situational constraints and project environmental benefits to consumers. Overall, the study is expected to confer value to future organic food researchers and managers

Corporate sustainability performance of the Readymade Garments industry in Bangladesh:impact of organisational pressures and sustainability management control system

The Readymade Garment (RMG) industry of Bangladesh has been severely criticized for its negative environmental impact, frequent industrial accidents, inhuman working conditions and low wages. In response to these escalating criticisms, RMG companies in Bangladesh are sincerely trying to improve their Corporate Sustainability Performance (CSP) to pacify the concerns raised by various stakeholder groups. This study first developed and then tested a conceptual framework in order to understand relationships among the Organisational Pressures (i.e. external and internal), the Sustainability Management Control System (SMCS) and CSP, based on a large-scale questionnaire survey in Bangladesh. In total 255 responses were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to identify the major internal and external pressure behind CSP. In this study, International Retailers (IRs) and cost competitiveness emerged as the main triggers to improve CSP in Bangladesh. This is the first study which has investigated the mediating role of SMCS between organisational pressure and CSP. The results confirm the positive mediating effects of SMCS between external pressure and CSP. Drawing upon contingency theory, this study highlights the importance of having a dedicated SCMC as a strategic tool to improve CSP. This study has also utilised the Analytic Network Process (ANP) approach to develop a Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) model to assess the performance of the RMG companies, based on their sustainability criteria. This study also demonstrates the application of a benchmarking model based on RMG companies‘ CSP

Quantifying Quality of Life

Describes technological methods and tools for objective and quantitative assessment of QoL Appraises technology-enabled methods for incorporating QoL measurements in medicine Highlights the success factors for adoption and scaling of technology-enabled methods This open access book presents the rise of technology-enabled methods and tools for objective, quantitative assessment of Quality of Life (QoL), while following the WHOQOL model. It is an in-depth resource describing and examining state-of-the-art, minimally obtrusive, ubiquitous technologies. Highlighting the required factors for adoption and scaling of technology-enabled methods and tools for QoL assessment, it also describes how these technologies can be leveraged for behavior change, disease prevention, health management and long-term QoL enhancement in populations at large. Quantifying Quality of Life: Incorporating Daily Life into Medicine fills a gap in the field of QoL by providing assessment methods, techniques and tools. These assessments differ from the current methods that are now mostly infrequent, subjective, qualitative, memory-based, context-poor and sparse. Therefore, it is an ideal resource for physicians, physicians in training, software and hardware developers, computer scientists, data scientists, behavioural scientists, entrepreneurs, healthcare leaders and administrators who are seeking an up-to-date resource on this subject

B Corp: Insights for a New Economy

Ph.D. University of Hawaii at Manoa 2016.Includes bibliographical references.In a time of unprecedented change, our current economy is structured to serve a dying past rather than to create a new sustainable future. Economic activity as we know it has resulted in many of the current social and environmental challenges we face locally and globally. A New Economy is needed that is better structured to create economic stability and prosperity, a more just society, and a regenerative ecology out of the rapid changes of the next century. B Corp is a unified group of businesses claiming to lead a movement for such an economy. This project interviewed 50 B Corp founders from across the U.S. to explore their values, ideas, and beliefs including why and how they created companies that benefit society and the environment, how they articulate the New Economy, and how they view the strengths, weaknesses, and potential political significance of their movement. Comparing the interview insights with a comprehensive literature review results in three overarching goals and seven guiding principles for a New Economy. Economic theory beginning with Adam Smith’s classical economics is explored as an underpinning to the trajectory of the current economy. Modern social movement theory describes how the B Corp movement builds on previous direct action for economic reform, such as the Global Justice Movement, and provides insights into what could make the movement succeed or fail. Finally, Futures Studies methods and generational cohort analysis are engaged to design a useful vision of a stable, prosperous, just, ecological sound future New Economy in 2030 led by an older Millennial generation that have replaced the Baby Boomers in occupying positions of power, leadership, and authority and enacted the recommendations from this research

The stakeholder scorecard: Evaluating the influence of stakeholder relationships on corporate performance

In today\u27s knowledge-driven economy, the majority of a typical firm\u27s value comprises intangible assets ranging from its brand to the expertise of its employees. However, intangible asset valuation is inherently subjective, context dependent, and future oriented. This study addresses the empirical correlation between the quality of a firm\u27s relationships with its stakeholders and indicators of shareholder value. Its main purpose was to develop and test a quantitative research method that would enable practitioners to identify the intrinsic value of relationship capital. This study is based on a multidisciplinary theoretical foundation that contributes to a holistic understanding of relationship capital. These theoretical contributions include Homans\u27 social exchange theory, Freeman\u27s stakeholder theory and Eisenberger\u27s perceived organizational support theory. The research design used concurrent mixed methodology. The first phase incorporated a phenomenological study to verify a conceptual model that was designed to measure the value of relationship capital. Phenomenological data were used to develop a quantitative instrument and to test its validity and reliability using the data analysis technique of structural equation modeling (SEM). The second phase operationalized the variables and tested them empirically in a field-based process. The results of this study demonstrated that relationship capital is predicted by the variables of perceived reciprocity, reputation, relational duration and economic value. These results offer a significant contribution to social change by enabling a firm to correlate social investments to indicators of value creation, thereby allowing practitioners to test quantitatively the impact of these social investments on firm performance

Supply chain sustainability: towards a maturity model

Sustainability has become a very relevant issue due to several factors such as increased pollution, climate change, scarcity of resources, high waste, social problems related to human rights such as exploitation of child labour, lack of acceptance of diversity in the workplace and wage inequalities, workers' health and safety problems, among others. In this context, pressures also increase from different stakeholders, external and internal, for organizations to change their behaviour concerning sustainability. Given its role in production and consumption systems, it is considered that organizations can proactively contribute to sustainability. The integration of sustainability objectives /principles in all aspects of the organization, in different activities and functional areas, including those involving its supply chain partners and other stakeholders such as non-governmental organizations, are critical factors for improving sustainability. Sustainability requires thinking beyond the boundaries of an entity or organization. To manage and improve sustainability in supply chains is essential to consider several aspects such as: taking into account a Triple Bottom Line perspective, where the different dimensions of sustainability (economic, environmental and social) are considered; have a short-term and long-term perspective; consider the expectations and needs of supply chain organizations and their stakeholders; and, integrate sustainability objectives at intra and inter-organizational levels in the management of the different processes or flows of materials, information, and capital between companies along the supply chain. However, embedding sustainability in organizations and supply chain requires developing efforts and the implementation of sustainability practices and creates some challenges for organizations. The main objective of this thesis is to propose a Supply Chain Sustainability Maturity Model that can be used as: i) a self-assessment tool to provide a diagnosis and broader understanding of how and which organizational sustainability practices are implemented in individual organizations and their supply chain; ii) an instrument to help develop a roadmap for sustainability behaviour improvement, and iii) a benchmarking tool to evaluate and compare standards and best practices among organizations and supply chains. A methodology based on six steps, suggested in the literature on the development of maturity models, was used to develop the model. The construction of the maturity model was based on a literature review and had the participation of five Portuguese companies in the mould sector for its improvement, application and validation. The model aims to mitigate the shortcomings of previous models and offer a holistic perspective aligned with the supply chain sustainability components. Thus, the model presents a differentiating character when considering three integrative perspectives: Intra and inter-organizational sustainability practices involving different partners in the supply chain; the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainability; and other critical areas for sustainability: sustainability governance, product and process level, customer and supplier management, and focus on stakeholders. The model considers five maturity levels, making it possible to determine the maturity level for each critical area globally considering the company and its supply chain. As it makes it possible to monitor the progress of efforts towards sustainability, the model includes also a temporal dimension inherent to the concept of sustainability. Future research may help consolidate the model.A sustentabilidade tornou-se numa questão muito relevante devido a vários fatores como aumento da poluição, alterações climáticas, escassez de recursos, elevados desperdícios, problemas sociais, falta de respeito pelos direitos humanos, exploração do trabalho infantil, falta de aceitação da diversidade no local de trabalho, desigualdades salariais, problemas de segurança e saúde dos trabalhadores, entre outros. Neste contexto, aumentam também as pressões dos diferentes stakeholders, externos e internos, para as organizações alterarem o seu comportamento em relação à sustentabilidade. Tendo em atenção o seu papel nos sistemas de produção e consumo, considera-se que as organizações podem contribuir proactivamente para a sustentabilidade. A integração dos objetivos/princípios da sustentabilidade em todos os aspetos da organização, nas diferentes atividades e áreas funcionais, incluindo as que envolvem os seus parceiros da cadeia de abastecimento, e outros stakeholders como as organizações não governamentais são fatores críticos para melhorar a sustentabilidade. A sustentabilidade requer pensar para além das fronteiras de uma entidade ou organização. Para gerir e melhorar a sustentabilidade nas cadeias de abastecimento é essencial considerar vários aspetos como: ter em conta uma perspetiva Triple Bottom Line, onde sejam contempladas as diversas dimensões da sustentabilidade (económica, ambiental e social); ter uma perspetiva de curto e longo prazo; considerar as expectativas e necessidades das organizações da cadeia de abastecimento e dos seus stakeholders; e, integrar os objetivos de sustentabilidade aos níveis intra e inter-organizacional na gestão dos diversos processos ou fluxos de materiais, de informação, e de capital entre as empresas ao longo da cadeia de abastecimento. Contudo, incorporar a sustentabilidade nas organizações e na cadeia de abastecimento exige o desenvolvimento de esforços e a implementação de práticas de sustentabilidade, e cria alguns desafios para as organizações. O principal objetivo desta tese é propor um Modelo de Maturidade para a Sustentabilidade da Cadeia de Abastecimento que possa ser usado como: i) uma ferramenta de autoavaliação para fornecer um diagnóstico e ter uma compreensão mais ampla de como e quais práticas de sustentabilidade são implementadas nas organizações em termos individuais e na sua cadeia de abastecimento; ii) um instrumento para ajudar a desenvolver um roadmap para a melhoria do comportamento de sustentabilidade; e, iii) uma ferramenta de benchmarking para avaliar e comparar standards e melhores práticas entre organizações e cadeias de abastecimento. Para o desenvolvimento do modelo foi usada uma metodologia assente em seis passos, sugerida na literatura sobre desenvolvimento de modelos de maturidade. A construção do modelo de maturidade baseou-se numa revisão da literatura e contou com a participação de cinco empresas portuguesas do setor dos moldes para o seu aperfeiçoamento, aplicação e validação. O modelo procura mitigar as insuficiências de modelos anteriores e oferecer uma perspetiva holística e alinhada com as componentes da sustentabilidade da cadeia de abastecimento. Assim, o modelo apresenta um carácter diferenciador ao considerar três perspetivas integradoras: Práticas de sustentabilidade intra e inter-organizacionais envolvendo diversos parceiros da cadeia de abastecimento; as dimensões económica, social e ambiental da sustentabilidade; e, diferentes áreas críticas para a sustentabilidade: governança da sustentabilidade, nível de produto e processo, gestão de clientes e fornecedores, e foco nos stakeholders. O modelo considera cinco níveis de maturidade, permitindo determinar o nível de maturidade para cada uma das áreas críticas, e considerando globalmente a empresa e a sua cadeia de abastecimento. Para acompanhar o progresso dos esforços em direção à sustentabilidade, o modelo inclui também uma dimensão temporal inerente ao conceito de sustentabilidade. Investigação futura pode ajudar a consolidar o modelo

ANTECEDENTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF INTERNAL BRANDING: THE CASE OF ABU DHABI DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Internal branding is a new marketing paradigm to gain effective brand strategy that has recently emerged in the academic literature of marketing. It is a brand spirit that brings together brand loyalty, management and employees to their mutual benefit to create and deliver a value-added product or service to employees, customers and stakeholders (Keller, 1993). {Keller, 1993 #59}Generally, studies on the role of internal branding in creating a competitive organisational culture by considering antecedents that enable internal branding and its consequences do not exist within the UAE context. This study aims to show the importance of internal branding, and to develop and test a conceptual model that integrates specific constructs as antecedents and consequences of internal branding, these are external customer orientation, internal customer orientation, interdepartmental connectedness, quality of internal services, external customer satisfaction, and job satisfaction. The study takes on a quantitative approach a positivist enquiry, i.e., the primary research is in the form of a survey questionnaire and the secondary research is drawn from the literature. The questionnaire was designed and distributed amongst a selected sample of 300 employees from cross-functional sections in Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, where they were asked to test the suggested model. The findings identified four factors as the antecedents plus two factors as the consequences of internal branding. The study proposes an empirically tested integrated model of the antecedents and consequences of internal branding that will enable organisations to implement internal branding leading to business success. The developed conceptual model could contribute superior value to the Departments of the Abu Dhabi Government in general, and to the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development to contributing a practical business solution, particularly to its success. This study is the first to propose a model that integrates the antecedents and consequence of internal branding in a government setting in the UAE. The outcomes and findings of this study will, as it is hoped, to enrich the internal branding concept and literature, along with extensively extending insightful knowledge beyond the Western schools of thought to the UAE