Assessment of the energy cooperative service: the case of electricity distribution cooperatives in Brazil

The creation of energy cooperatives has been frequently justified by the need to supply energy to remote regions which were not economically attractive to large companies. These cooperatives emerge in different energy sectors, including generation and distribution and more recently with a focuses on renewable energy. Brazil followed also this cooperative approach for the electricity distribution sector which could be easily justified by the dimension of the country and population dispersion. The interest of the cooperative models has been challenged recently based on the argued lower performance comparatively to larger companies. This paper proposes a framework for the assessment of the cooperative customer's satisfaction which was applied to the case of five electricity distribution cooperatives located in Northeast of Brazil. The case demonstrated the suitability of the proposed framework to deal with the required specificities of the target population and showed the higher performance of the cooperative for several criteria and in particular to aspects related to consumers' relationship.- This work has been supported by FCT -Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia within the Project Scope: UID/CEC/00319/2019

Students’ perception of campus sustainability in a Brazilian university

Over recent decades, higher education institutions (HEIs) have been recognised as ideal leaders in supporting the transition to sustainable societies. Leading by example, they have been embarking upon committing themselves to sustainability by incorporating sustainable development practices (SDP) into their integrated management system. As a major stakeholders group, students play a significant role in moving this agenda forward. This study aims to develop an assessment framework to evaluate the students’ perception of campus sustainability, based on a Brazilian HEI case study. A survey was assembled using five demographic questions, three dichotomous questions, and 43 items resorting to a 1–5 Likert scale and administered to a sample of 207 undergraduate technology students. Through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, a reliable scale emerges with 31 items grouped into eight dimensions: Waste; Emissions/Procurement; Energy; Quality of Life in the Workplace (QLW); Fauna and Flora; Institutional Framework; Education/Research; and, Water. The dimensions explain 68.50% of the total model variance. The lowest-evaluated dimension was Emissions/Procurement, with a 2.26 average value, followed by water (2.27) and Energy (2.28); all three of these were below the scale’s midpoint. The best-evaluated dimension was Education/Research, with an average of 3.30. This research provides an insight into HEI students’ sustainability perception and into how the university decision-makers could improve the sustainable practices to increase the students’ engagement.- (undefined

Influences of the Covid-19 pandemic on the impact factor of a sample of environment/sustainability-related journals

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to changes in academic routines. These changes have also contributed to an increase in the number of papers submitted to journals, citations and, ultimately, to changes in metrics. This study aims to address a gap between theory and practice, analysing the changes in the impact factor (IF) of a sample of 30 environment/sustainability-related journals, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: The study used an expert-driven literature analysis and an assessment of a selected sample of 30 environment/sustainability-related journals’ increased trends. Findings: The unprecedented trend observed when analysing the results obtained in the IF of environment/sustainability-related journals contribute to the body of knowledge on this topic, allowing us to understand how specifically the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced scientific publishing, despite the restrictions imposed by lockdowns and access to research knowledge and facilities. Research limitations/implications: Based on a sample of 30 environment/sustainability-related journals, this study can highlight lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting specific measures which may be addressed to contribute to upkeep levels of publishing in the environment/sustainability field covered in this study. Practical implications: This study will contribute to setting the stage for additional research on the influences of the COVID-19 pandemic on scientific publishing’s impact in environment/sustainability areas of knowledge. The implications of this research will allow us to set the basis for more extensive research in other areas of knowledge. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is unique, as it addresses the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic in 30 considered exemplary environment/sustainability-related journals, the main research area of all the authors involved in this publication

Assessing the connections between COVID-19 and waste management in Brazil

In addition to the health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, several countries— particularly in developing regions—faced serious additional challenges in the economic, social and environmental areas. In Brazil, one of these challenges refers to the changes in consumption caused by the lockdowns, and the environmental impacts caused by new patterns of waste generation. Against this background, this paper investigates the changes in consumption and waste generation in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides a technical contribution to the topic by comparing the perception of survey respondents on the amount of household waste produced before and during the pandemic, and cross-checking these with information on current aspects of policymaking, the findings suggest that the amount of some specific types of household waste has noticeably increased, challenging even more the local waste management systems. The data instrument was validated by a pre-test, prior to deployment. According to the respondents, packaging (both plastic and paper/cardboard) was the type of waste that reported the highest increase in generation during the lockdowns, which is in line with the results of increased consumption of food delivery within this period. The results also suggest that current waste management policies make Brazil ill-equipped to deal with one of the non-intended effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has severely impacted Latin America’s largest country.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

University rankings and sustainable development: the state of the art

Purpose In light of the growing emphasis on sustainability in higher education, this paper aims to explore the effectiveness of sustainability university rankings, specifically focusing on sustainable development (SD), to understand their impact on advancing universities’ sustainability goals and address gaps in practical implications and limitations. Design/methodology/approach This study examines sustainability rankings in higher education (HE) through document analysis. Chosen for significance, these rankings were evaluated for regional participation, criteria and the top 20 universities. The method involved scrutinising official ranking websites for diverse perspectives on sustainability. The results are classified into three categories: regional participation, assessment criteria and top universities in the latest iterations. Findings The findings show that sustainability rankings are widely spread, and their existence has led to an increased motivation for universities to further engage in efforts in the field of SD. This study offers suggestions for optimising the role of promoting SD principles and practices in HE. Originality/value This comprehensive assessment sheds light on rankings’ operations and success levels. It makes a significant contribution to the literature, providing an unprecedented overview of analysed rankings and on sustainability assessment and their impact. This analysis will be valuable for universities towards the integration of SD principles and practices into the HE environment

Integração, monitoramento e avaliação da sustentabilidade em instituições de ensino

Programa doutoral em Industrial and Systems Engineering (DPISE)Since the onset of the environmental crisis, global education systems have been tasked with devising alternatives that align more effectively with ecological limits. Consequently, Higher Education Institutions (HEI) worldwide have assumed leadership roles to inspire and expedite societal transformation. They have integrated sustainable development initiatives (SDI) into their strategies, systems, processes, and routines while participating in networks of sustainable HEI. However, this continuous process encounters notable challenges and barriers. The government has instituted intricate regulations in Brazil to guide public institutions in standardising their integration. Brazilian federal public HEI have grappled with meeting these legal requirements. In light of this context, this PhD research aims to establish a comprehensive framework supporting action plans for integrating, monitoring, assessing, and reporting sustainability in Brazilian federal public HEI. The framework, rooted in a complex adaptive system and a deductive approach to modelling a solution, was validated through a typical case study— the Federal University of Paraíba. The cross-sectional study utilised a mixed-method approach, encompassing a literature critical review, interviews, desk research, and direct observation to gather data. Strategies for analysing the collected data included a systematic literature review, content analysis, descriptive statistics, and process and mathematical modelling. This investigation contributes significantly to existing literature, providing a comprehensive and critical assessment of HEI commitments to SDI, along with the models and tools used for fulfilment and efficacy evaluation. Broadly, the study offers valuable insights into the practical implementation of a holistic approach to integrating SDI within HEI. Furthermore, it proposes a systematic methodology, the Framework to Integrate, Monitor, Assess, and Report Sustainability in HEI (FIMARSHEI), designed to aid Brazilian federal public HEI in effectively integrating SDI into their policies and practices. Beyond the specific case study, the significance of this work lies in the adaptability and expansiveness of the proposed framework, applicable to various institution types. Thus, this research makes meaningful contributions to the scientific community by providing insights on developing and implementing a comprehensive approach to incorporating SDI in diverse educational settings.Desde o início da crise ambiental, os sistemas globais de educação foram encarregados de elaborar alternativas alinhadas aos limites ecológicos. Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES) assumiram papéis de liderança para inspirar e acelerar a transformação societal, integrando iniciativas de desenvolvimento sustentável (IDS) em suas estratégias, sistemas, processos e rotinas, participando também de redes de IES sustentáveis. No entanto, esse processo contínuo enfrenta desafios notáveis. No Brasil, o governo instituiu regulamentações para orientar instituições públicas na integração, representando um desafio substancial para as IES na região. Diante desse contexto, esta pesquisa de doutorado visa desenvolver um framework que apoie planos de ação para integrar, monitorar, avaliar e relatar a sustentabilidade nas IES federais públicas brasileiras. O framework, fundamentado em sistemas adaptativos complexos e na abordagem dedutiva, modelou uma solução validada por meio de um estudo de caso típico - a Universidade Federal da Paraíba. O estudo transversal utilizou métodos mistos, incluindo revisão crítica da literatura, entrevistas, desk research e observação direta para coletar dados. Estratégias para analisar os dados incluíram revisão sistemática da literatura, análise de conteúdo, estatísticas descritivas e modelagem matemática e de processos. Esta pesquisa contribui significativamente para a literatura, oferecendo uma avaliação abrangente e crítica dos compromissos das IES em incorporar IDS, juntamente com os modelos e ferramentas usados para o cumprimento e avaliação de eficácia. O estudo oferece insights valiosos sobre a implementação prática de abordagem holística para integrar IDS nas IES, propondo uma metodologia sistemática, o Framework to Integrate, Monitor, Assess, and Report Sustainability in HEI (FIMARSHEI), para auxiliar as IES federais públicas brasileiras na integração de IDS. A importância deste trabalho reside na adaptabilidade e abrangência do framework proposto. Assim, esta pesquisa oferece contribuições e insights significativos à comunidade científica, sobre como desenvolver e implementar uma abordagem abrangente para incorporar IDS em diversos ambientes educacionais

Corporate Image of Banking Institutions: A Proposal for your Measurement Scale

A imagem funciona como elemento de mediação simbólica entre a organização e suas audiências, tendo sua influência reconhecida como fator de avaliação global, notadamente quando a distinção baseada em atributos concretos de diferentes ofertas se torna particularmente difícil de ser elaborada por essas audiências. Neste sentido, este estudo objetivou a elaboração de uma escala para medir a imagem corporativa de uma agência do Banco do Brasil S.A. A pesquisa se caracteriza como quanti-qualitativa. Para alcance dos objetivos estipulados foram definidos os seguintes procedimentos metodológicos: (i) análise da validade de conteúdo para checar se as variáveis utilizadas no modelo são de fato indicadores confiáveis para medir a imagem bancária; (ii) análise exploratória de dados, por meio de estatística descritiva e análise fatorial exploratória, para identificar as variáveis latentes do modelo; (iii) análise da fiabilidade da escala (Alfa de Cronbach). Como resutados, foi possível perceber o relevante impacto que a dimensão “segurança”, formada pelas variáveis (a) segurança nos depósitos, (b) segurança aos dados pessoais dos clientes, (c) segurança nas transações, (d) reputação e (e) reputação melhor do que a concorrência, causa na determinação da imagem bancária da Agência Esperança, do Banco do Brasil S.A. Como conclusões, verificou-se que a escala de imagem corporativa bancária é revelada a partir de um conjunto de associações: 20 (vinte) variáveis agrupadas em cinco dimensões (segurança, contato pessoal, serviços oferecidos, identidade e política de financiamento).The image works like element of symbolic mediation between the organization and its stakeholders, having recognized its influence as a factor in overall evaluation, notably when the distinction based on specific attributes of different offerings becomes particularly difficult to be prepared for these audiences. Thus, this study has the objective to develop a scale to measure the corporate image of an agency of Banco do Brasil S.A. The research is characterized as quantitative. For achievement of goals stipulated were set the following methodological procedures: (i) exploratory data analysis through descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis, to identify the underlying variables of the model; (ii) analysis of the reliability of the scale (Cronbach's alpha). As results, it was possible to realize the important impact that the dimension “security” in the determination of the Agency's Bank image, of Banco do Brasil S.A. As conclusions, it was emerged that the Bank's corporate image is revealed from a set of bindings: 20 (twenty) variables grouped into five dimensions (safety, personal contact, services offered, identity and funding policy).&nbsp

Assessing the Connections between COVID-19 and Waste Management in Brazil

In addition to the health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, several countries— particularly in developing regions—faced serious additional challenges in the economic, social and environmental areas. In Brazil, one of these challenges refers to the changes in consumption caused by the lockdowns, and the environmental impacts caused by new patterns of waste generation. Against this background, this paper investigates the changes in consumption and waste generation in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides a technical contribution to the topic by com-paring the perception of survey respondents on the amount of household waste produced before and during the pandemic, and cross-checking these with information on current aspects of policy-making, the findings suggest that the amount of some specific types of household waste has notice-ably increased, challenging even more the local waste management systems. The data instrument was validated by a pre-test, prior to deployment. According to the respondents, packaging (both plastic and paper/cardboard) was the type of waste that reported the highest increase in generation during the lockdowns, which is in line with the results of increased consumption of food delivery within this period. The results also suggest that current waste management policies make Brazil ill-equipped to deal with one of the non-intended effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has severely impacted Latin America’s largest country.PeerReviewe

Perceptions of the academic community on the performance of sustainable development initiatives in higher education

Since the UN Conference on the Human Environment was held in Stockholm in 1972, higher education institutions (HEIs) have been adapting to assume their social role in supporting societies in promoting sustainable lifestyles. However, HEIs are complex institutions composed of several interdependent subsystems. Sustainable improvement requires holistic assessment measures to comply with established goals. To date, few studies have focused on comparing the different perceptions of sustainability in HEIs and considering the views of the academic community in shaping the efforts and better disseminating sustainable development initiatives. To fill this gap, this work aimed to implement a methodology that compares the perceptions of sustainability and the implemented actions among members of HEIs to show the discrepancies between perceptions and facts. Many studies report either the perception of members of the academic community or the technical assessment of the sustainable performance of the institution in isolation. The novelty of this work lies in developing a tool that allows the use of a similar scale to compare the perception of users of academic services with the valuation attributed by technicians responsible for implementing sustainable development initiatives at HEIs. Analysing of these results enables the identification of dimensions with discrepancies, guiding managers as they carry out actions to promote greater community engagement in implementing sustainability initiatives that boost the consolidation of these values in the institutional culture. Additionally, it is highlighted that the proposed methodology could be adapted for use in other types of institutions, maintaining the same benefits described here.- (undefined

Barriers to institutional social sustainability

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