Greenwashing in Business to Business (B2B) Context. Prevalence, Motives, Risks and Mitigation Strategies

This dissertation is devoted to providing an in-depth analysis of greenwashing tactics within the sphere of B2B interactions. Greenwashing, a deceitful practice involving falsified environmental declarations by businesses, is the core focus of this study. The research utilizes stakeholder theory as its theoretical framework, capitalizing on a web-based, open-ended questionnaire to collect substantive qualitative data from a diverse group of B2B stakeholders. The study employs grounded theory as the cornerstone of its data examination, thus enabling the creation of theoretical structures that are directly rooted in the data. The research seeks to understand the triggers, tactics, and aftereffects of greenwashing within B2B relations. It delves into the basic motivations and expectations that compel companies to partake in greenwashing and scrutinizes the problems they encounter. The study spotlights major hurdles pertaining to transparency, trustworthiness, information disparity, and stakeholder anticipations within the B2B realm. Upon evaluation of the survey responses, the research unveils critical revelations concerning the workings of greenwashing within B2B engagements. It brings to light varied motivations behind greenwashing, such as reputation enhancement, attaining a competitive edge, and compliance with industry standards. The results underscore the hardships businesses encounter during greenwashing and offer potential solutions for bypassing or mitigating these issues. This research augments existing knowledge by expanding our comprehension of the operations of greenwashing within a B2B framework. It offers theoretical advancements by using grounded theory to create theoretical structures derived from qualitative data. The real- world ramifications of this study propose tactics for businesses to cultivate transparency, establish verification protocols, involve stakeholders, and advance legitimate sustainability practices within B2B associations. By procuring a comprehensive comprehension of greenwashing in B2B scenarios, this study can offer valuable insights to businesses, policy implementers, and stakeholders about the intricacies and repercussions of greenwashing practices. The outcomes can guide initiatives aimed at endorsing responsible and transparent sustainability practices, reducing greenwashing, and ultimately fostering more sustainable and ethical B2B exchanges. Keywords: Greenwashing, Sustainability, Business-to-Business (B2B), Stakeholder Theory

A substitute for the classical Neumann--Morgenstern characteristic function in cooperative differential games

In this paper, we present a systematic overview of different endogenous optimization-based characteristic functions and discuss their properties. Furthermore, we define and analyze in detail a new, $\eta$-characteristic function. This characteristic function has a substantial advantage over other characteristic functions in that it can be obtained with a minimal computational effort and has a reasonable economic interpretation. In particular, the new characteristic function can be seen as a reduced version of the classical Neumann-Morgenstern characteristic function, where the players both from the coalition and from the complementary coalition use their previously computed strategies instead of solving respective optimization problems. Our finding are illustrated by a pollution control game with $n$ non-identical players. For the considered game, we compute all characteristic functions and compare their properties. Quite surprisingly, it turns out that both the characteristic functions and the resulting cooperative solutions satisfy some symmetry relations

Проблемы театации текста

Problems of the theatationВ статье представлены проблемы театации — введённого автором понятия для обозначения ментального процесса, который рассматривает своеобразие видения в тексте как его ценностный статус, конституируемый интерпретацией

Open and hidden strangeness with kaons and φ\varphi-mesons in Bjorken energy density approach for central A+A collisions from SPS to LHC

We use the available data on $$and$$ for the identified hadrons including $\pi^{+}+\pi^{-}$, $K^{+}+K^{-}$, $p+\overline{p}$, $K^*(892)^0$ and $\varphi$-mesons, registered at midrapidity ($\vert y\vert < 0.5)$ in central 0-5% Au-Au, Pb-Pb and Xe+Xe collisions in a broad range of energies in order to compare the relative contributions to the Bjorken energy density. Particles, like strangeness-neutral $\varphi$-meson (a system of $s\overline{s})$ quarks) and K-meson (containing single s-quark), are of specific interest because they might have different production mechanisms and differ in sensitivity to the properties of the QGP-medium formed in relativistic heavy-ion collisions.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, XXV Baldin ISHEP

Use of Lignocellulosic Materials for PHA Production

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are very promising materials that might serve as an environmentally friendly alternative to petrochemical plastics. The main obstacle preventing PHAs from entering the market massively is the final cost of the polymer material, a significant portion of which is attributed to carbon substrate. Hence, the researchers have been intensively seeking cheap substrates for sustainable production of PHAs. Lignocellulose represents a very promising substrate for PHAs production – it is abundant, cheap, and it does not compete with human food chain. On the other hand, utilization of lignocellulose materials as substrates for biotechnological processes represents a challenge due to many factors, such as necessary hydrolysis of the biomass to yield fermentable sugars and presence of numerous antimicrobial agents. Therefore, this work summarizes recent advances in biotechnological conversion of lignocellulose materials into PHAs. The review not only deals with the process of fermentation, but it also considers different approaches of lignocellulose hydrolysis and detoxification

Interconnection of Waste Chicken Feather Biodegradation and Keratinase and mcl-PHA Production Employing Pseudomonas putida KT2440

Background and objective: Waste chicken feather is an important waste product of the poultry processing industry and is annually produced in substantial amounts. Hence, wise management of this waste is desirable. In this work we aimed at feathers biodegradation by a selected bacterial strain capable of utilizing chicken feathers as sole carbon source Pseudomonas putida KT2440. To utilize feather, the bacterial culture excrete keratinase, which can be easily isolated after biodegradation process and which, therefore, represents an interesting side product of the intended technology. Moreover, bacterial culture of employed for feather degradation is also capable of mcl-PHA accumulation.Materials and methods: Bacterial culture of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 was cultivated in presence of waste chicken feathers as the only carbon source; during the cultivation keratinase activity and biomass growth were monitored. Metabolically active biomass after feather degradation was used for mcl-PHA production.Results and conclusion: During cultivation on waste feathers, bacteria did not accumulate detectable amounts of medium-chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate (mcl-PHA); nevertheless, when metabolically active bacterial cells after feather biodegradation were transferred into nitrogen limited mineral media, a high medium-chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate content of 61% of cell dry weight in microbial cells was reached. The polymer consisted of 3- hydroxyhexanoate (27.2% mol) and 3-hydroxyoctanoate (72.8% mol) monomer units. Therefore, this work demonstrates a possible interconnection of feather biodegradation with keratinase and medium-chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate production.Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest

Antimutagenic properties of several kinds of rice as tested upon yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae D7

The aim of this work was to study antimutagenic and antioxidant properties of water extracts of various types of rice. Antioxidant activity, total phenolic andflavonoid contents were measured spectrophotometrically. Individual phenolics — catechins, catechin gallates, ferulic acid — were analysed by HPLC/PDA. Antimutagenic activity of rice extracts was tested using unicellular eukaryotic yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae D7 the first time.Non-processed rice types contained substantially higher amount of soluble total and individual phenolics and had higher antioxidant activity than peeled rice. Parboiled rice, in which technological processing helps to maintain active substances inside the grains, exhibited also relatively high phenolic levels. The highest antimutagenic effect was proved in Indian Rice, Arborio, Jasmine Rice and Three Colours Rice independently of rice extract concentration. Because of relatively high values of phenolics and high antioxidant activity, the antimutagenic activity of these samples could be attributed to biologically active phenolics present mainly in the bran layer of whole rice grain

The impact of domestic violence on family cohesion: exploring a pastoral approach in the Masvingo Diocese

Text in English with summaries in English, Shona and NdebeleBibliography: pages 228-252The work being reported hereunder focused on spousal conflict as a threat to family cohesion, while exploring a pastoral approach in the Masvingo Diocese in Zimbabwe. Experience as a pastor has shown that domestic violence is cancerous in the Masvingo Diocese and this is proved by alarming statistics about this province. Many marriages have been irrevocably broken down and the moral fabric that used to characterise family cohesion seems to have evaporated into thin air. It is on that premise that the objective of the study was to suggest practical ways that can be employed to facilitate pastoral counselling among families, encountering spousal issues in the Masvingo Diocese. The research is anchored in Viktor Frankl’s Logotherapy, complimented by White’s narrative therapy. The research adopts a mixed method approach which involved closed questionnaires, focus-group discussions and structured interviews. Some 40 respondents constituted the study sample and they were purposively sampled. The research sample consisted of four priests in the five deaneries and 36 ordinary members of the Catholic Church. The key results were that Logotherapy and narrative counselling are effective methods of assisting people to find new meaning in their lives. Practical ways which pastoral counsellors can adopt go a long way in ameliorating internal household strife. It must as well be stated that, as a recommendation, pastors have to take an active role in addressing this malicious domestic violence. Problems of domestic violence can be solved through pastoral care and counselling.Iyi itsvagurudzo yezvinokonzerwa nemhirizhonga dzemudzimba pakubatana kwemhuri, pachiongororwa nzira yekufambisa chitendero muDunhu reMasvingo. Kubva muruzivo seMufundisi, zvinoratidza kuti mhirizhonga yemudzimba yadzika midzi muDunhu reMasvingo uye izvi zvinotsigirwa neumbowo hunotyisa hunowanikwa mudunhu iri. Michato mizhinji yakakaparadzika zvisingagadzirisiki uye tsika neyemuro yaimbowanikwa pakubatana kwemhuri inenge yakanyangarika pasina anoziva kwayakaenda. Nekuda kwezvikonzero izvi, chinangwa chetsvagurudzo ino ndechekuedza kupa nzira dzingashandiswa pakubatsiridza pakushandisa dzidziso yechitendero kuvanhu vanowirwa nemhirizhonga yemudzimba muDunhu reMasvingo muZimbabwe. Tsvagurudzo ino inotsigirirwa nedzidziso yaViktor Frankl yeurapi hwelogo iyo inosimbiswa nenhoroondo yedzidziso yaWhite. Tsvagurudzo ino inoshandisa nzira dzakasiyana-siyana dzinosanganisa mibvunzo yakavharwa, mibvunzo yokutsvaga pfungwa dzavanhu uye hurukuro dzomumapoka saka boka richashanda mutsvagurudzo ino rine vanhu makumi mana avo vakasarudzwa pachinangwa ichi. Chikwata cheboka iri chinosanganisira vaPriste vana uye vatenderi makumi matatu nevatanhatu vanobva mumaDhinari mashanu. Zvakabuda mutsvagurudzo yedzidziso dzeurapi dzelogo nenhoroondo yedzidziso yacho inzira kwadzo dzingabatsira kune vakawanana kuti vawane mafungiro nemaonero matsva ehupenyu uye nzira chaidzo dzingashandiswa nevadzidzisi vechitendero idzo dzinogona kugadzirisa pakuru dambudziko remhirizhonga mudzimba. Zvinodawo kucherechedza uye sekurudziro nemazano kuVafundisi kuti vanofanira kutora matanho akasimba pakugadzirisa chirwere ichi chemhirizhonga mudzimba agogona kugariswa kuburikidza nebasa revadzidzisi nechitendero nerairo yavo.Isufundo lesi sikhangela ukuphambaniseka okwenzakalayo ekubambaneni kwemuli yikuhlukumezana emakhaya sikhangele umbono webandla le Masvingo Diocese. Okuhlanganwe lakho njengo Mufundisi kubonise ukuthi emakhaya kuyamemetheka ukuhlukuzemana eMasvingo Diocese njalo kuvenzwa yibalo ezesabekayo kulendawo.Inutshando eminengi idhilikile njalo Ubuntu lokuziphatha okwakutholakala ekubambeneni kwemuli sokuuqukile kwaphephetwa ngumoya. Yikho injongo yesifundo iyikubonisa undlela ezesebenzayo ezingasetshenziswa ukubonisa lokusiza abahlukumenzwayo emakhaya endaweni yeMasvingo Diocese e Zimbabwe. Ukulonda kubotswe kuViktor Frankl ekhangela ukwelatshwa ngemifanekiso (Logotherapy) kauye incedisana le white’s narrative therapy. Umkhondo uthatha imibono etshiyeneyo ehlanganisela imibuzo evalekileyo, ingxoxo ezihleliweyo lengxoxo phakathi kwamaqembu njalo kwakhetwa isampula elabaphenduli abalitshumi lane abakethwa ngokucophelela.Isampula ihlanganisa abafundisi abane kanye labebandla abangu 36 emadeanery amahlanu eMasvingo.Impumela eyinhloko yikuthi ukwelatshwa kwe logo kanye lokwelatshwa okulandayo zindela eziphumelelayo ezingancedisa ababili emendweni ukuthola likuzwisisa empilweni njalo ukuhamba phambili ekuthuthukiseni ukwenangaba ukuhlukumezana emakhaya ngembono ku bokholo. Kumele kugaphelwe ukuthi njengabafundisi abaqotho kufanele bathathe indima ekusebenzelaneni lalokhu kuhlukumezana emakhaya. Inkinga yokuhlukuluzana emakhaya ingaqoniswa ngokunakekela komfundisi lokukhulumisana.Practical TheologyD. Phil. (Practical Theology

Proizvodnja biomase obogaćene karotenoidima ili ergostorolom s pomoću crvenoga kvasca Rhodotorula glutinis izloženog stresnim uvjetima

The aim of this study is to compare the production of biomass enriched with carotenoids and ergosterol by yeast strain Rhodotorula glutinis CCY 20-2-26 grown under optimal growth conditions and in the presence of exogenous stress factors. R. glutinis cells were exposed to UV irradiation, oxidative stress (2–10 mmol/L H2O2) and osmotic stress (2–10 % NaCl). During the experiment, growth characteristics and the production of biomass, carotenoids and ergosterol were evaluated. Experiments were carried out in Erlenmeyer flasks and in laboratory fermentor. First, R. glutinis cells were exposed to higher concentration of stress factors added into the production medium. Further, low concentrations of NaCl and H2O2 were added to the inoculum medium or to both inoculum and production media. Exposure of red yeast cells to all tested stress factors resulted in higher production of carotenoids as well as ergosterol, while biomass production was changed only slightly. Under high stress, 2–3 times increase of β-carotene was observed. The addition of low salt or peroxide concentration into the inoculation media led to about 2-fold increase of carotenoid production. In Erlenmeyer flasks the best effect on the carotenoid and ergosterol production (3- to 4-fold increase) was exhibited by the combined stress: the addition of low amount of NaCl (2 mmol/L) into the inoculum medium, followed by the addition of H2O2 (5 mmol/L) into the production medium. The production of ergosterol in most cases increased simultaneously with the production of carotenoids. Cultivation of R. glutinis carried out in a 2-litre laboratory fermentor was as follows: under optimal conditions about 37 g/L of yeast biomass were obtained containing approx. 26.30 mg/L of total carotenoids and 7.8 mg/L of ergosterol. After preincubation with a mild stress factor, the yield of biomass as well as the production of carotenoids and ergosterol substantially increased. The best production of enriched biomass was obtained in the presence of peroxide in the inoculation medium (52.7 g/L of biomass enriched with 34 mg/L of carotenoids) and also under combined salt/peroxide or salt/salt stress (about 30–50 g/L of biomass enriched with 15–54 mg/L of total carotenoids and about 13–70 mg/L of ergosterol). R. glutinis CCY 20-2-26 could be used as a potential biotechnological producer of carotenoid-rich biomass.Svrha je ovoga rada usporediti proizvodnju biomase, obogaćene karotenoidima ili ergosterolom s pomoću crvenoga kvasca Rhodotorula glutinis CCY 20-2-26 u optimalnim uvjetima rasta, s proizvodnjom u uvjetima vanjskoga stresa. Stanice R. glutinis bile su izložene UV-zračenju, oksidativnom (2-10 mmol/L H2O2) i osmotskom stresu (2-10 % NaCl). Tijekom pokusa, provedenog u Erlenmeyerovim tikvicama i laboratorijskom fermentoru, procijenjene su karakteristike rasta te proizvodnja biomase, karotenoida i ergosterola. Stanice R. glutinis najprije su izložene većim koncentracijama soli i vodikova peroksida dodanih podlozi za uzgoj, a zatim malim koncentracijama tih spojeva dodanih inokulumu ili inokulumu i podlozi za uzgoj. Izlaganjem stanica kvasca stresnim uvjetima dobivene su veće količine karotenoida ili ergosterola, dok se količina proizvedene biomase nije bitno povećala. Dodatkom veće koncentracije soli ili vodikova peroksida količina se β-karotena povećala 2-3 puta, a dodatkom malih koncentracija tih spojeva inokulumu količina je karotenoida dvostruko porasla. U pokusu provedenom u Erlenmeyerovim tikvicama dobiveno je 3-4 puta više karotenoida i ergosterola (u usporedbi s kontrolnim uzorkom) pri ovim uvjetima: 2 % NaCl je dodano inokulumu, a zatim je 5 mmol/L H2O2 dodano podlozi za uzgoj. Uzgojem R. glutinis u laboratorijskom fermentoru volumena 2 L pri optimalnim je uvjetima dobiveno 37 g/L biomase, obogaćene s 26,3 mg/L karotenoida i 7,8 mg/L ergosterola. Nakon prethodne inkubacije stanica kvasca pod blagim se stresom bitno povećala proizvodnja karotenoida i ergosterola. Najbolji su rezultati postignuti u ovim uvjetima: dodatkom vodikova peroksida dobiveno je 52,7 g/L biomase obogaćene s 34 mg/L karotenoida, a dodatkom soli i vodikova peroksida ili dviju različitih koncentracija soli dobiveno je 30-50 g/L biomase obogaćene s 15-54 mg/L karotenoida i 13-70 mg/L ergosterola. Na kraju je pokusa zaključeno da se R. glutinis CCY 20-2-26 može uspješno upotrijebiti za proizvodnju biomase obogaćene karotenoidima