CSR in Belgium: the institutional context and practices

Corporate Social Responsibility is a quite recent concept in Belgium which has gained significant momentum since 1995. In May 1997, Belgium set up a legal framework for sustainable development. In April 2006, the government adopted a Reference Framework for CSR followed in 2007 by the CSR action plan. Next to governmental initiatives, the number of actors and platforms involved in CSR has significantly increased leading to the multiplication of CSR initiatives. However, it would be overoptimistic to state that CSR is a well and equally established concept and a set of practices among all Belgian companies. Indeed, CSR in Belgium offers great disparities and diversities. Based on multiple sources of information, the paper provides a descriptive and narrative view on CSR in Belgium, gradually leading towards reflection by the end of the paper. After a brief overview of the context for corporate social responsibility in Belgium, the paper investigates the different components that have been shaping CSR since the 1970s. Subsequently it zooms in to the CSR practices in Belgian companies. Finally, conclusions are drawn on the progress made in Belgium in the area of corporate social responsibility and the future prospects

Monte Carlo simulation of ICRF discharge initiation in ITER

Discharges produced and sustained by ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) waves in absence of plasma current will be used on ITER for (ion cyclotron-) wall conditioning (ICWC). The here presented simulations aim at ensuring that the ITER ICRH& CD system can be safely employed for ICWC and at finding optimal parameters to initiate the plasma. The 1D Monte Carlo code RFdinity1D3V was developed to simulate ICRF discharge initiation. The code traces the electron motion along one toroidal magnetic field line, accelerated by the RF field in front of the ICRF antenna. Electron collisions in the calculations are handled by a Monte Carlo procedure taking into account their energies and the related electron collision cross sections for collisions with H-2, H-2(+) and H+. The code also includes Coulomb collisions between electrons and ions (e - e; e - H-2(+); e - H+). We study the electron multiplication rate as a function of the RF discharge parameters (i) antenna input power (0.1-5MW), and (ii) the neutral pressure (H-2) for two antenna phasing (monopole [0000]-phasing and small dipole [0 pi 0 pi]-phasing). Furthermore, we investigate the electron multiplication rate dependency on the distance from the antenna straps. This radial dependency results from the decreasing electric amplitude and field smoothening with increasing distance from the antenna straps. The numerical plasma breakdown definition used in the code corresponds to the moment when a critical electron density nec for the low hybrid resonance (omega = omega(LHR)) is reached. This numerical definition was previously found in qualitative agreement with experimental breakdown times obtained from the literature and from experiments on the ASDEX Upgrade and TEXTOR

The Portevin-Le Chatelier effect in the Continuous Time Random Walk framework

We present a continuous time random walk model for the Portevin-Le Chatelier (PLC) effect. From our result it is shown that the dynamics of the PLC band can be explained in terms of the Levy Walk

Elimination of turbidity and bacterial contamination in natural water sources (Ubangi river, Central Africa)

Having access to a natural source of water of sufficiently high quality for human consumption has become a strategic concern for the entire world. In fact, drinking water resources in developing countries are almost non-existent, as they are overused or polluted by intense human activity. Our study aims to develop a natural filter that reduces turbidity and eliminates human pathogens. The process developed should be inexpensive and minimize the use of chemical reagents, and should not be labor intensive. In this context, horizontal sand filtration that uses the natural process of water purification occurring in an aquifer can be regarded as the most suitable water treatment process for developing countries.Disposer d’une source d’eau naturelle de bonne qualité, pour la consommation humaine, est devenu maintenant une préoccupation stratégique pour le monde entier. En effet, les ressources en eaux potables dans les pays en voie de développement sont quasi-inexistantes, car surexploitées ou souillées par une activité humaine intense. L’étude que nous proposons a pour objectif : de mettre au point un filtre naturel qui diminue la turbidité et élimine les agents pathogènes pour l’homme. Le procédé développé peu onéreux devra réduire au maximum l’utilisation de réactifs chimiques, et minimiser toutes interventions humaines. La filtration horizontale sur sable qui utilise le processus naturel de purification de l’eau se produisant dans une nappe aquifère, peut être considéré comme le procédé de traitement de l’eau le plus approprié aux pays en voie de développement et répond aux objectifs fixés.Disponer de una fuente de agua natural de buena calidad, apta para el consumo humano, se ha convertido actualmente en una preocupación estratégica en todo el mundo. En efecto, los recursos de agua potable en los países en vías de desarrollo son prácticamente inexistentes, por exceso de explotación o por contaminación a causa de una actividad humana intensa.El estudio que proponemos tiene por objetivo: desarrollar un filtro natural que reduzca la turbidez y elimine los agentes patógenos perjudiciales para el hombre. El procedimiento desarrollado, de bajo coste, debería reducir al máximo el uso de sustancias químicas reactivas y minimizar cualquier intervención humana. Como la filtración horizontal sobre arena que utiliza el proceso natural de purificación del agua tiene lugar en una capa acuífera, se puede considerar como el procedimiento de tratamiento del agua más adecuado a los países en vías de desarrollo y responde a los objetivos fijados

Performative Work: Bridging Performativity and Institutional Theory in the Responsible Investment Field

Callon’s performativity thesis has illuminated how economic theories and calculative devices shape markets, but has been challenged for its neglect of the organizational, institutional and political context. Our seven-year qualitative study of a large financial data company found that the company’s initial attempt to change the responsible investment field through a performative approach failed because of the constraints posed by field practices and organizational norms on the design of the calculative device. However, the company was subsequently able to put in place another form of performativity by attending to the normative and regulative associations of the device. We theorize this route to performativity by proposing the concept of performative work, which designates the necessary institutional work to enable translation and the subsequent adoption of the device. We conclude by considering the implications of performative work for the performativity and the institutional work literatures

Altered Skeletal Muscle Lipase Expression and Activity Contribute to Insulin Resistance in Humans

International audienceOBJECTIVE: Insulin resistance is associated with elevated content of skeletal muscle lipids, including triacylglycerols (TAGs) and diacylglycerols (DAGs). DAGs are by-products of lipolysis consecutive to TAG hydrolysis by adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and are subsequently hydrolyzed by hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL). We hypothesized that an imbalance of ATGL relative to HSL (expression or activity) may contribute to DAG accumulation and insulin resistance. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We first measured lipase expression in vastus lateralis biopsies of young lean (n = 9), young obese (n = 9), and obese-matched type 2 diabetic (n = 8) subjects. We next investigated in vitro in human primary myotubes the impact of altered lipase expression/activity on lipid content and insulin signaling. RESULTS: Muscle ATGL protein was negatively associated with whole-body insulin sensitivity in our population (r = -0.55, P = 0.005), whereas muscle HSL protein was reduced in obese subjects. We next showed that adenovirus-mediated ATGL overexpression in human primary myotubes induced DAG and ceramide accumulation. ATGL overexpression reduced insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis (-30%, P < 0.05) and disrupted insulin signaling at Ser1101 of the insulin receptor substrate-1 and downstream Akt activation at Ser473. These defects were fully rescued by nonselective protein kinase C inhibition or concomitant HSL overexpression to restore a proper lipolytic balance. We show that selective HSL inhibition induces DAG accumulation and insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, the data indicate that altered ATGL and HSL expression in skeletal muscle could promote DAG accumulation and disrupt insulin signaling and action. Targeting skeletal muscle lipases may constitute an interesting strategy to improve insulin sensitivity in obesity and type 2 diabetes