80,751 research outputs found

    Qualitative evaluation of the Employer Investment Fund phase 1

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    Comparing accounting designs for sustainability govenance

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    A draft proposal for a capital-based framework of sustainable development indicators applicable to all countries, and at all levels of public administration within them, is under consideration by an expert working group convened under the auspices of the UNECE Conference of European Statisticians. Harmonising underlying accounting and information systems should facilitate widespread adoption of a small, universal set of indicators. If implemented, the proposal's communication design could contribute to the vertical and horizontal policy integration essential for effective sustainability governance. Implementing a design that shifts some distance from existing conditions of institutional diversity and autonomy throughout at least a million provincial and local government units is, however, a significant risk. This research-in-progress report identifies one recent case study, and one current, with Australian local authorities. Integrated assessments of change over time in a local community's natural, produced, and human capital stocks have been demonstrated in one case, and of change in a local community's governance capital and social capital in another. Results demonstrate that a common understanding on how assets are distributed over time and space can be achieved without the radical, top-down innovations under consideration through UNECE auspices. The combination of tools and methods used in the case studies also yields significant insights into some of the complexities of wicked policy problems. Clarifying the meaning of 'community engagement' or 'public participation' is advanced in one case study through a relatively new development in social network analysisInternational Research Society for Public Management (IRSPM); Third Sector Study Group of European Group for Public Administration (EGPA

    Ethical Implications of Predictive Risk Intelligence

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    open access articleThis paper presents a case study on the ethical issues that relate to the use of Smart Information Systems (SIS) in predictive risk intelligence. The case study is based on a company that is using SIS to provide predictive risk intelligence in supply chain management (SCM), insurance, finance and sustainability. The pa-per covers an assessment of how the company recognises ethical concerns related to SIS and the ways it deals with them. Data was collected through a document review and two in-depth semi-structured interviews. Results from the case study indicate that the main ethical concerns with the use of SIS in predictive risk intelli-gence include protection of the data being used in predicting risk, data privacy and consent from those whose data has been collected from data providers such as so-cial media sites. Also, there are issues relating to the transparency and accountabil-ity of processes used in predictive intelligence. The interviews highlighted the issue of bias in using the SIS for making predictions for specific target clients. The last ethical issue was related to trust and accuracy of the predictions of the SIS. In re-sponse to these issues, the company has put in place different mechanisms to ensure responsible innovation through what it calls Responsible Data Science. Under Re-sponsible Data Science, the identified ethical issues are addressed by following a code of ethics, engaging with stakeholders and ethics committees. This paper is important because it provides lessons for the responsible implementation of SIS in industry, particularly for start-ups. The paper acknowledges ethical issues with the use of SIS in predictive risk intelligence and suggests that ethics should be a central consideration for companies and individuals developing SIS to create meaningful positive change for society

    Technology, governance, and a sustainability model for small and medium-sized towns in Europe

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    New and cutting-edge technologies causing deep changes in societies, playing the role of game modifiers, and having a significant impact on global markets in small and medium-sized towns in Europe (SMSTEs) are the focus of this research. In this context, an analysis was carried out to identify the main dimensions of a model for promoting innovation in SMSTEs. The literature review on the main dimensions boosting the innovation in SMSTEs and the methodological approach was the application of a survey directed to experts on this issue. The findings from the literature review reflect that technologies, governance, and sustainability dimensions are enablers of SMSTEs’ innovation, and based on the results of the survey, a model was implemented to boost innovation, being this the major add-on of this research.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

    A Framework for Integrating Transportation Into Smart Cities

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    In recent years, economic, environmental, and political forces have quickly given rise to “Smart Cities” -- an array of strategies that can transform transportation in cities. Using a multi-method approach to research and develop a framework for smart cities, this study provides a framework that can be employed to: Understand what a smart city is and how to replicate smart city successes; The role of pilot projects, metrics, and evaluations to test, implement, and replicate strategies; and Understand the role of shared micromobility, big data, and other key issues impacting communities. This research provides recommendations for policy and professional practice as it relates to integrating transportation into smart cities

    Eco‐Holonic 4.0 Circular Business Model to  Conceptualize Sustainable Value Chain Towards  Digital Transition 

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    The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize a circular business model based on an Eco-Holonic Architecture, through the integration of circular economy and holonic principles. A conceptual model is developed to manage the complexity of integrating circular economy principles, digital transformation, and tools and frameworks for sustainability into business models. The proposed architecture is multilevel and multiscale in order to achieve the instantiation of the sustainable value chain in any territory. The architecture promotes the incorporation of circular economy and holonic principles into new circular business models. This integrated perspective of business model can support the design and upgrade of the manufacturing companies in their respective industrial sectors. The conceptual model proposed is based on activity theory that considers the interactions between technical and social systems and allows the mitigation of the metabolic rift that exists between natural and social metabolism. This study contributes to the existing literature on circular economy, circular business models and activity theory by considering holonic paradigm concerns, which have not been explored yet. This research also offers a unique holonic architecture of circular business model by considering different levels, relationships, dynamism and contextualization (territory) aspects

    Feeding Ourselves Thirsty: How the Food Sector is Managing Global Water Risks

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    The global food sector faces extraordinary risks from the twin challenges of water scarcity and water pollution. Growing competition for water, combined with weak regulations, failing infrastructure, pollution and climate change impacts threaten the sector's water security and contribute to a water availability emergency that was recently ranked the world's "top global risk" by the World Economic Forum.This report examines how water risks affect the profitability and competitive positioning of 37 major food sector companies in four industries: packaged food, beverage, meat and agricultural products. It evaluates and ranks these companies -- the majority of which are U.S. domiciled and publicly-traded -- on how well they are positioned to anticipate and mitigate these risks, as well as contribute to improved water resource management.The report provides recommendations for how analysts and investors can effectively evaluate food sector companies on their water risk exposure and management practices. It also provides recommendations for how food companies can improve water efficiency and water quality across their operations and supply chains to reduce risks and protect water resources

    PASSING THE TORCH: NEXT-GENERATION PHILANTHROPISTS | 2017 BNP PARIBAS INDIVIDUAL PHILANTHROPY REPORT

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    The millennial generation is defined by the emergence of technologies that have transformed the way in which they communicate, act and, perhaps most importantly, view the world. Affluent millennials engaged in philanthropy are relying on a host of new tools available today, including social media and data analytics, to advance environmental and social goals. But for those engaged in family foundations which were established generations before them, there are considerations of family legacy. This report takes a closer look at the motivations and actions of millennials involved in their family foundations, which were created with some of the wealth amassed by high-net-worth individuals and families over the years. The research explores how this generation is striking a balance between the seemingly opposing forces of family legacy and innovation in philanthropy in order to make a measurable impact through their family foundations
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