5,845 research outputs found
Organizing sustainable development
The role and meaning of sustainable development have been recognized in the scientific literature for decades. However, there has recently been a dynamic increase in interest in the subject, which results in numerous, in-depth scientific research and publications with an interdisciplinary dimension. This edited volume is a compendium of theoretical knowledge on sustainable development. The context analysed in the publication includes a multi-level and multi-aspect analysis starting from the historical and legal conditions, through elements of the macro level and the micro level, inside the organization. Organizing Sustainable Development offers a systematic and comprehensive theoretical analysis of sustainable development supplemented with practical examples, which will allow obtaining comprehensive knowledge about the meaning and its multi-context application in practice. It shows the latest state of knowledge on the topic and will be of interest to students at an advanced level, academics and reflective practitioners in the fields of sustainable development, management studies, organizational studies and corporate social responsibility
The Pragmatic Development of a Carbon Management Framework for UK SMEs
The UK's commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 is challenged by critics citing current government strategies as inadequate, marked by a lack of concrete action and aspirational guidelines. Notably, businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which constitute about half of all business emissions, are pivotal to this goal. Yet, existing policies and standards often neglect the significant role of SMEs, who face barriers such as limited knowledge and resources in implementing carbon management practices.
This thesis explores the development of a novel carbon management framework specifically designed for medium-sized organisations in the UK to address these problems. The research adopts a practical approach through collaboration with an industry partner, facilitating a case study for real-world application.
Adopting a mixed-methods research design grounded in pragmatism, the study commenced with a qualitative study in the form of a focus group. This exploratory phase, critical for understanding SME challenges, yielded rich data revealing key management themes in strategy, energy, and data. The framework design was supported by a materiality assessment and input from key stakeholders on three major iterations. The final framework comprises three phases: establishing a baseline carbon footprint, creating a carbon reduction plan, and strategically implementing this plan. The validation process, conducted at Knowsley Safari, successfully tested the initial two phases but faced constraints in fully assessing the third phase due to time limitations.
While the research achieved its primary aim of developing a novel carbon management framework for SMEs, it encountered limitations, notably in time and the generalisability of findings due to reliance on a single case study. Future research could test the framework across diverse SME settings to establish its broader applicability and effectiveness in aiding the UK's net-zero emission goals
On the Control of Microgrids Against Cyber-Attacks: A Review of Methods and Applications
Nowadays, the use of renewable generations, energy storage systems (ESSs) and microgrids (MGs) has been developed due to better controllability of distributed energy resources (DERs) as well as their cost-effective and emission-aware operation. The development of MGs as well as the use of hierarchical control has led to data transmission in the communication platform. As a result, the expansion of communication infrastructure has made MGs as cyber-physical systems (CPSs) vulnerable to cyber-attacks (CAs). Accordingly, prevention, detection and isolation of CAs during proper control of MGs is essential. In this paper, a comprehensive review on the control strategies of microgrids against CAs and its defense mechanisms has been done. The general structure of the paper is as follows: firstly, MGs operational conditions, i.e., the secure or insecure mode of the physical and cyber layers are investigated and the appropriate control to return to a safer mode are presented. Then, the common MGs communication system is described which is generally used for multi-agent systems (MASs). Also, classification of CAs in MGs has been reviewed. Afterwards, a comprehensive survey of available researches in the field of prevention, detection and isolation of CA and MG control against CA are summarized. Finally, future trends in this context are clarified
Corporate social responsibility and climate change: the case of oil and gas industry of Nigeria
The thesis contributes to the literature on social accounting, accountability, and reporting by providing insights into the perspectives of multinational and indigenous oil and gas corporations in Nigeria regarding climate change, particularly the link between gas flaring and its impact on the environment and local communities. The use of interpretive research methods and the application of climate justice theory provide a unique theoretical lens to challenge existing policies and practices and engage with stakeholders holistically and transparently.
The study highlights the inadequacy of current corporate social and environmental responsibility (CSER) practices in addressing climate change challenges and the need for corporations to adopt an ethics or climate justice approach in their actions and reporting, supported by policy instruments to ensure compliance. Empirical evidence shows that corporations in this industry ride on increasing demand for fossil fuels, lax regulation and monitoring of the industry, vulnerability and powerlessness of local communities to take undue advantage of the communities. However, they use some CSR programmes, remote from real solutions to gas flaring or climate change challenges, to pacify community stakeholders and sustain or improve corporate legitimacy. An intentional commitment by the corporations, including imbibing ethics or climate justice lens, and backed by strict and mandatory policy instruments is essential for addressing gas-flaring-induced climate challenges
Evaluation Methodologies in Software Protection Research
Man-at-the-end (MATE) attackers have full control over the system on which
the attacked software runs, and try to break the confidentiality or integrity
of assets embedded in the software. Both companies and malware authors want to
prevent such attacks. This has driven an arms race between attackers and
defenders, resulting in a plethora of different protection and analysis
methods. However, it remains difficult to measure the strength of protections
because MATE attackers can reach their goals in many different ways and a
universally accepted evaluation methodology does not exist. This survey
systematically reviews the evaluation methodologies of papers on obfuscation, a
major class of protections against MATE attacks. For 572 papers, we collected
113 aspects of their evaluation methodologies, ranging from sample set types
and sizes, over sample treatment, to performed measurements. We provide
detailed insights into how the academic state of the art evaluates both the
protections and analyses thereon. In summary, there is a clear need for better
evaluation methodologies. We identify nine challenges for software protection
evaluations, which represent threats to the validity, reproducibility, and
interpretation of research results in the context of MATE attacks
Multiphase flow measurement and data analytic based on multi-modal sensors
Accurate multiphase flow measurement is crucial in the energy industry. Over
the past decades, separation of the multiphase flow into single-phase flows has
been a standard method for measuring multiphase flowrate. However, in-situ, non-invasive, and real-time imaging and measuring the key parameters of multiphase
flows remain a long-standing challenge. To tackle the challenge, this thesis first
explores the feasibility of performing time-difference and frequency-difference imaging
of multiphase flows with complex-valued electrical capacitance tomography (CVECT).
The multiple measurement vector (MMV) model-based CVECT imaging algorithm
is proposed to reconstruct conductivity and permittivity distribution simultaneously,
and the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) is applied to solve
the multi-frequency image reconstruction problem. The proposed multiphase flow
imaging approach is verified and benchmarked with widely adopted tomographic
image reconstruction algorithms. Another focus of this thesis is multiphase flowrate
estimation based on low-cost, multi-modal sensors. Machine learning (ML) has
recently emerged as a powerful tool to deal with time series sensing data from multi-modal sensors. This thesis investigates three prevailing machine learning methods,
i.e., deep neural network (DNN), support vector machine (SVM), and convolutional
neural network (CNN), to estimate the flowrate of oil/gas/water three-phase flows
based on the Venturi tube. The improvement of CNN with the combination of long-short term memory machine (LSTM) is made and a temporal convolution network
(TCN) model is introduced to analyse the collected time series sensing data from the
Venturi tube installed in a pilot-scale multiphase flow facility. Furthermore, a multi-modal approach for multiphase flowrate measurement is developed by combining
the Venturi tube and a dual-plane ECT sensor. An improved TCN model is built
to predict the multiphase flowrate with various data pre-processing methods. The
results provide guidance on data pre-processing methods for multiphase flowrate
measurement and suggest that the proposed combination of low-cost flow sensing
techniques and machine learning can effectively translate the time series sensing
data to achieve satisfactory flowrate measurement under various flow conditions
Systemic Circular Economy Solutions for Fiber Reinforced Composites
This open access book provides an overview of the work undertaken within the FiberEUse project, which developed solutions enhancing the profitability of composite recycling and reuse in value-added products, with a cross-sectorial approach. Glass and carbon fiber reinforced polymers, or composites, are increasingly used as structural materials in many manufacturing sectors like transport, constructions and energy due to their better lightweight and corrosion resistance compared to metals. However, composite recycling is still a challenge since no significant added value in the recycling and reprocessing of composites is demonstrated. FiberEUse developed innovative solutions and business models towards sustainable Circular Economy solutions for post-use composite-made products. Three strategies are presented, namely mechanical recycling of short fibers, thermal recycling of long fibers and modular car parts design for sustainable disassembly and remanufacturing. The validation of the FiberEUse approach within eight industrial demonstrators shows the potentials towards new Circular Economy value-chains for composite materials
Spillovers of underground gas storage facilities and their role in the sustainable energy markets:assessment and policy recommendations
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of the construction and operation of underground gas storage (UGS) facilities, under the prism of the recent rise in energy prices. The focus is on developing energy markets interconnected with gas producers through pipelines and has access to liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in parallel. Design/methodology/approach: Through a focal market in Europe, the authors estimate the economic value for both stakeholders and consumers by introducing a methodology, appropriately adjusted to the specificities of the domestic energy market. The Transmission System Operator, the Energy Market Regulator, the Energy Exchange and Eurostat are the main data sources for our calculations and conclusions. Findings: The authors investigate the perspectives of UGS facilities, identifying financial challenges considering specific energy market conditions which are barriers to new storage facilities. Nevertheless, the energy price rocketing coupled with the security of gas supply issues, which arose in autumn 2021 and were continuing in 2022 due to the Russia–Ukraine crisis, highlight that gas storage remains, at least for the midterm, at the core of European priorities. Originality/value: The paper emphasizes on developing markets toward green transition, proposing tangible policy recommendations regarding gas storage. A new methodological approach is proposed, appropriate to quantify the economic value of UGSs in such markets. Last, a mix of energy policy options is suggested which include regulatory reforms, support schemes and new energy infrastructures that could make the gas storage investments economically viable
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Role of Formal and Informal Institutions in Advancing Sustainable Environmental Practices in SMEs of Pakistan's Textile Sector
Economies around the globe have established formal institutions to protect their natural environments (Klewitz et al., 2012, Wahga et al., 2018b), but parallel to them are 'proto-institutions' that also make an important contribution towards sustainable development. A proto-institution, an institution in the making, comprises rules, practices, and technologies that are partially diffused and weakly entrenched but poised to become widely institutionalised (Lawrence et al., 2002, p. 283). This qualitative study examines how proto-institutions in Pakistan's textile sector emerged and played a role in promoting sustainable environmental practices. Stakeholder Theory and Institutional Theory were combined to guide data collection and analysis. Primary data were collected through in-depth interviews, field observations and a field journal, whereas secondary data came from archival records and industry-specific publications. NVIVO 12 was used to sort and prepare data for analysis. Grounded analysis (Gioia et al., 2013, Easterby-Smith et al., 2015) revealed that institutional voids (Mair and Marti, 2009) and institutional gaps (Kolk, 2014) impeded the ability of formal institutions to assist the textile sector and ensure compliance with the established Punjab Environmental Quality Standards (PEQS). Due to these voids and gaps, textile manufacturers and stakeholders collaborated in various ways, resulting in the emergence of proto-institutions. These proto-institutions address the 'knowledge gap' by conducting informative seminars, capacity building workshops, and the production of best practice manuals. They bridge the 'cleaner production gap' by devolving internationally tested cleaner production solutions and assisting with their implementation. In addition, they take steps to close the 'compliance gap' by building the capacity of firms and public institutions. They fill the 'R&D gap' through commercial research into inputs, processes, and product development. They also provide firms with financial assistance through matching grants that help firms overcome their 'financial assistance gap' and acquire international certifications for market entry into global markets and undertake business development services. In doing so, these proto-institutions imposed iii normative and mimetic pressure on firms to adopt green practices while coexisting with formal institutions as compensatory institutions to create environmentally compliant isomorphs (firms). These findings add to the insights about institutional work processes and roles of proto-institutions, by presenting evidence from a previously under-research context: promoting sustainability in a SMEs dominated manufacturing sector of a developing country. In terms of practice, these findings are helpful information for textile manufacturers who are yet unknown to the benefits they could reap by adopting sustainable practices and processes in their manufacturing concerns. The information about collaboration is helpful for stakeholders looking to form new partnerships for responsible production. This study also suggests policymakers to both encourage and collaborate with proto-institutions to accomplish national and international commitments such as SDG 12 - Sustainable Consumption and Production, and race to net zero in textiles. Furthermore, the context specific factors that are affecting the emergence and development of proto-institutions in Pakistan’s textile sector could also help policymakers in Pakistan and alike developing countries to overcome institutional gaps and voids in their formal institutional arrangements and better promote sustainable production in their key manufacturing sectors
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