Sustainable change: knowledge absorption as a factor of absorptive capacity theory among green industry consultants

2011 Summer.Includes bibliographical references.Researchers and practitioners have been interested in organizational learning as a means to improve performance (Gilley, Dean, & Bierema, 2001; Senge, 1990). The diversity of individuals comprising the context of an organization requires response to change to continue competitive organizational development. When influences and triggers pressure an organization to change, a niche is created for the external consultant. Consultants assist organizations to become more conscious of their own capabilities to successfully address, acknowledge, and use knowledge from internal and external environments. The purpose of this study is to assess the use of knowledge types identified within ACAP theory by consultants guiding clients on a path toward sustainable change. This study enhances existing research regarding absorptive capacity by looking for evidence of new knowledge through the lens of sustainable change. The research goal is to ascertain the active use of key factors of knowledge absorption by green consultants. Findings of this study support a relationship among the consultant's role and the client's capabilities. Utilizing sustainable change strategies and the consultant's complex set of skills the consultant works with a client exhibiting existing strategies supportive of sustainable change. Determining the types of knowledge already present within the organization, green consultant's focus on a customized approach offered through tactics for sustainable change to achieve organizational objectives creating lasting and sustainable change

Australia cultural built heritage:Stakeholders' perceived conservation barriers and motivations

Stakeholders are recognised as drivers of effective conservation of cultural built heritage. Yet, as stakeholders have eclectic views in terms of their interest in, knowledge of and perceptions about the management of historic fabric, their practices are often diverse. The objective of this paper is to gain an understanding of the stakeholders' views drawn from relevant professional field on the issues that act as barriers to conservation and identify the factors that motivate built heritage management in Australia. Using a qualitative research design, two focus groups were conducted in Queensland and New South Wales with purposely selected key informants (N=14) working in the Australian heritage sector. The study presents stakeholders' interest in managing built heritage and the perceptions concerning the application of conservation policy and practices in the Australian built heritage sector, as influenced by the interdisciplinary backgrounds of participants. The paper contributes to an in-depth understanding of the conservation barriers and motivators and their implications for policy and practices in the management of Australian built heritage. The study is based on the perceptions of key informants with diverse interests and knowledge about the conservation of cultural built heritage; this makes the research analysis and implications inclusive and influential from both theoretical and practical points of view.</p

Are We There Yet, Impact Investing?

Impact investing has been an evolving field for the past ten years. More and more institutional investors are looking to change their investment approaches to impact investing. Academics, institutions, and international organizations are creating reports and publishing research on the impact investing field, tracking its growing progress. Without any incidents thus far, impact investing is an industry that is about to burst. A retrospective and internal analysis of the field is needed in order to grow at a better and faster pace. This paper is attempting to fill a hole in the information about impact investing. It provides a comprehensive overview over what impact investing is and its historical background. Additionally, this project considers the future of impact investing and the challenges it faces while trying to provide solutions

A perceptual study of the impact of green practice implementation on the business functions

1This article outlines the perceptions of businesses regardingthe impact of green practice implementation on the businessfunctions. To achieve the aim of this study, an in-depth literaturestudy and empirical research were undertaken. A self-administeredquestionnaire was completed by 298 owners, managers andemployees in businesses within the Nelson Mandela Metropole. Toinvestigate the relationship between the independent (classifi cationdata) and dependent variables (perceptions of impact on businessfunctions), 13 null hypotheses were tested. The results revealedsignifi cant relationships between these variables. It was foundthat the functions least impacted by green business practicesare general management/human resources, purchasing/supplychain management and fi nance/information technology. Furtheranalysis of the business functions reveals that the manufacturing/operations, marketing/sales and distribution/logistics functions arethe most impacted by green business practices. Practical guidelinesare provided to assist in greening the business functions

Reviewing the Role of Sustainability Professionals in Construction

Purpose: This paper explores what is known in the body of literature on sustainability professionals in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry to support the formulation of research questions for future studies.\ua0Design/Methodology/Approach: This was done through a systematic literature review in Scopus and Web of Science. In the literature search, 22 journal papers were selected to be included in the review because of their relevance to sustainability professionals, professional roles, and environmental practices in the AEC industry.Findings: Key characteristics of the papers such as methodology and theory are mapped, followed by main findings on how the sustainability profession and sustainability professionals’ roles are studied within the body of literature. The review shows that the topic of sustainability professionals in the AEC industry is currently under-researched and under-theorized. Specifically, there is a lack of in-depth studies on sustainability professionals’ roles and agency.Research limitations/implications: By providing an overview of the current literature on sustainability professionals in the AEC industry, it is possible to identify research gaps to formulate research questions for future studies.Practical implications: This is important as collaboration between professions, including sustainability professionals, is believed to be key for a successful shift towards sustainability; furthering the understanding of sustainability professionals’ role is therefore central.Originality/value: This paper is the first systematic literature review on sustainability professionals in the AEC industry

Nitrogen supplements effect on amylase production by Aspergillus niger using cassava whey medium

The production of amylase by Aspergillus niger on three cassava whey media in liquid shake culture was compared. The supplemented cassava whey (SCW) medium exhibited gave amylase activity of 495 U/ml. Biomass cropped was 1.63 g/l in the SCW medium. Yeast extract employed as a nitrogensupplement increased biomass yield of A. niger to 2.75 g/l with maximum amylase activity of 643 U/ml. Sodium nitrate (NaNO3) as nitrogen supplement had the lowest biomass yield of 0.77 g/l and amylase activity of 206 U/ml. Thus yeast extract as nitrogen supplement of cassava whey medium supported maximum production of amylase and biomass of A. niger

Impact of Fadama Project on Income and Productivity of Fadama Users in Okigwe Agricultural Zone of Imo State, Nigeria

The prevalent food shortage and food insecurity in Nigeria can largely be attributed to over dependence on oil. This problem has become a perennial one. It has led to increase in poverty level in the country. This is disheartening considering the fact that the country is endowed with enormous agricultural and human resources. This ugly situation has been of great concern to agricultural administrators, policy makers and agricultural development practitioners. This research sought to ascertain the impact of Fadama project on income and productivity of Fadama users. Two sets of interview schedules were used. One was administered on Fadama User and the other on Non- Fadama users. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. It was observed that Fadama users had mean output of 5158(kg) of cassava, 6456 (kg) of Yam. Non Fadama users had mean output of 1950 (kg) of Cassava, 3621 (kg) of Yam. Experts have highlighted the challenges confronting adequate food production to include; poor infrastructural base, low capacity utilization, capital constraint, technical know-how, labour and manpower constraint, as well as policy, environmental and cultural constraints. Keywords: Fadama; mean output; Productivit

Assessment of Heavy Metals in Surface Water of the Ikpoba Reservoir, Benin City, Nigeria

The present study was carried out to determine the impact of some heavy metals namely, Cd, Mn, Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni, Zn and Cr on the water quality of the Ikpoba reservoir Benin City, Nigeria, with a view to safeguard public health. Water samples were randomly collected from four stations within the Reservoir from August 2005 to December 2005 and were analyzed for heavy metal concentrations using Atomic Absorption Spectrometric technique. The mean concentration of these metals were, Cd, (0.02mg/l), Mn(0.026mg/l), Cu(0.24mg/l), Fe(5.60mg/l), Pb(0.07mg/l), Ni(0.03mg/l), Zn(116.59mg/l) and Cr(0.033mg/l). The mean concentrations of Cd, Fe, Pb, Ni and Zn, exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) maximum permissible level for drinking water.Keywords: water quality, heavy metals, Ikpoba reservoi

Significant Barriers Influencing Green Design Application among the Contractors in Construction Industry

This paper aims to find out the vital barriers that affecting the implementation of Green Design practice, which is part of the Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) application in construction industry. GSCM is an innovative strategy that integrates environmental and social considerations with involving all parties in product (building) design stage, procurement, materials sourcing and selection, completion and handover to the ultimate users without overlooking the end-of-life management of the product. By the same time, GSCM also can improve both short and long-term competitiveness and profitability of the organisation. Green design application can reduce the environmental effects throughout the product lifecycle by minimising the resources and energy consumption. The objectives of this study are to determine and analyse the critical barriers that preventing Green Design related activities among contractors in construction industry. Quantitative research method with survey questionnaire was employed in this study. Total 450 sets of questionnaire were distributed with 21.8% response rate. The independent variables in this study was the barriers of Green Design implementation while the dependent variable was the adoption level of Green Design practice in construction industry. In short, four (4) barriers are identified, which were Government Supports, Company Resources, Knowledge and Information, and Financial issue barriers. Results of the study shown that Government Supports and Company Resources barriers were significant for Green Design practice. Significance of this research is to provide a better understanding of green practices, such as GSCM, to deal with current environmental issues and to realise the recent problems and obstacles faced by all construction players, so that further actions are required for a successful GSCM implementation in order to move towards a sustainable environment in the future