bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceived Consumer Effectiveness and Willingness to Pay for Credence Product Attributes of Sustainable Foods
Authors: Kovacs Ildiko , Keresztes Eva Reka
Published: April 2022

While perceived consumer effectiveness has consistently been linked to socially conscious attitudes, such as sustainable consumption decisions, the concept appears to have been confounded with other related constructs in the empirical studies measuring its effects on consumer buying intentions and consumer behaviour. A sustainable food consumer evaluation is based on product values and credibility to health, origin, environment, and ethical concerns. The research aimed to examine if sustainability-related perceived consumer effectiveness has an impact on purchase intention and willingness to pay for sustainable food products, in order to provide information on the pricing of sustainable foods. The study was carried out using a quantitative approach on a sample of 1204 young consumers using a self-administered online questionnaire. The results indicated a significant positive relationship between perceived consumer effectiveness and consumers’ willingness to pay a premium price for sustainable food attributes. Based on this willingness to pay a premium price for food products, a WTP Index was developed. The findings revealed that perceived effectiveness has a strong connection with the buying intention of food products with sustainable attributes.
How to Engage the Crowds to Create Value? Evidence from the Pathfinder Arena Case
Authors: Prisco Anna , Muto Valerio , Troise Ciro , Tani Mario
Published: April 2022

Reward-based crowdfunding has emerged in recent years as an interesting channel business that can leverage to obtain new financial resources outside the traditional ones. In this study, we explore how the creators of a reward-based crowdfunding campaign have engaged the crowd to create value and co-create knowledge to reduce both financial and market risks. Accordingly, we analyze the case study of the Kickstarter Campaign for Pathfinder Arena, a board game created by Giochi Uniti, an Italian Gaming Company. Through the lens of the social identity theory, we show that backers can generate the feedback processes needed to improve the product, when they want to belong in a community and when they want to interact with the creators. This research could have important implications for both researchers and future creators of reward-based crowdfunding projects, showing them the way to implement some instrument for involving the crowd to generate value.
The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Air Transport Passenger Markets-Implications for Selected EU Airports Based on Time Series Models Analysis
Authors: Barczak Agnieszka , Dembińska Izabela , Rozmus Dorota , Szopik-Depczyńska Katarzyna
Published: April 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a drastic reduction in air traffic passengers, especially during the period when the EU countries introduced a lockdown. Even after the relaunch of airline operators, passenger traffic did not return to the pre-pandemic trend. The aim of the study was to estimate the difference between the demand that was observed during the pandemic, and the demand that was forecast based on the pre-pandemic trend. The calculations were made for airports in selected EU countries. The first method was seasonality indicators, using quarterly data for 2015–2021. In the multiplicative model of seasonal fluctuations, the method of determining the seasonality indicators was used, based on the quotient of empirical values and the value of the trend. The one-name period trend method was used in the next step, then Fourier spectral analysis was applied. In the context of forecasts for the individual quarters of 2020 and 2021, all models indicate a further growing trend in the demand for passenger transport, which could have been observed if the COVID-19 pandemic had not occurred. As a result of the pandemic, the number of passengers handled at airports has significantly decreased. In the third quarter of 2021, freight growth was already noticeable, with the exception of Netherland, where a marked decline was recorded.
Land-Use Impact on Water Quality of the Opak Sub-Watershed, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Brontowiyono Widodo , Asmara Adelia Anju , Jana Raudatun , Yulianto Andik , Rahmawati Suphia
Published: April 2022

The integrated monitoring system of water quality is eminently reliant on water quality trend data. This study aims to obtain water quality patterns related to land-use change over a periodic observation in the Opak sub-watershed, Indonesia, both from a seasonal and spatial point of view. Landsat image data from 2013 to 2020 and water quality data comprising 25 parameters were compiled and analyzed. This study observed that land use remarkably correlated to water quality, especially the building area representing the dense population and various anthropogenic activities, to pollute the water sources. Three types of pollutant sources were identified using principal component analysis (PCA), including domestic, industrial, and agricultural activities, which all influenced the variance in river water quality. The use of spatiotemporal-based and multivariate analysis was to interpret water quality trend data, which can help the stakeholders to monitor pollution and take control in the Opak sub-watershed. The results investigated 17 out of 25 water quality parameters, which showed an increasing trend from upstream to downstream during the observation time. The concentration of biological oxygen demand over five days (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrite, sulfide, phenol, phosphate, oil and grease, lead, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and total coli, surpassed the water quality standard through spatial analysis.
Insurance as an Alternative for Sustainable Economic Recovery after Natural Disasters: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Kalfin  , Sukono  , Supian Sudradjat , Mamat Mustafa
Published: April 2022

The risk of natural disasters has increased over the last few decades, leading to significant economic losses across the globe. In response, research related to the risk of economic loss due to natural disasters has continued to develop. At present, insurance remains the best solution for funding such losses. The purpose of this study is to analyse the development of insurance as an alternative for sustainable economic recovery after natural disasters. The data used are articles obtained from several sources indexed by Scopus and Google Scholar. The search resulted in a final database of 266 articles, culled from a total of 813 articles before the final selection was made. The articles used are publications from 2000–2021 (including 21 database periods), to which we applied a systematic literature review method. Identification and evaluation of the articles was carried out through visualization of their content, development of disaster risk insurance, and availability of disaster risk insurance by country and type. The identification results show that the relationship between the word “insurance”, according to visualization using the VOSviewer software, has a relationship with other clusters including the words “disaster”, “disaster insurance”, “risk”, “natural disaster”, “study”, “recovery”, and “disaster risk financing”. The 266 articles studied show that there was an annual increase in the number of published scientific papers over the period 2000–2021. The types of disaster risk insurance, based on a review of the articles, include agricultural insurance, flood insurance, property insurance, earthquake insurance, crop insurance, and natural disaster insurance. In addition, of the six types of disaster risk insurance, three have been discussed the most in the last five years, namely, agricultural, flood, and property insurance. The increase in the number of scientific publications discussing these three types of disaster risk insurance has been influenced by climate change. Climate change causes a significant increase in the potential for disasters and is accompanied by an increased risk of loss. This review is expected to provide information and motivation for researchers related to the development and importance of disaster risk insurance research. Research in the risk sector for disaster losses due to climate change should be continued in the future in order to help fund economic recovery, especially throughout the insurance sector. With continuous research on disaster risk insurance, it is hoped that the resulting information can be more effective in determining insurance risk and in helping local economies and communities recover after the advent of a disaster. With the availability of funds for post-disaster recovery, the regional economy affected by the disaster can be immediately restored and recovered from adversity.
Exploring the Development Strategies of Science Parks Using the Hybrid MCDM Approach
Authors: Lim Sirirat Sae , Nguyen Hong Ngoc , Lin Chia-Li
Published: April 2022

Science parks contribute to a country’s economic growth, promote industrial transformation, and meet the development needs of high-tech industries. They also play an essential role in enhancing technological development and competitiveness. Due to the impact of the fierce U.S.-China trade war on the global economy, many Taiwanese companies are considering moving their high-end product production lines back to their home country. This trend may promote the growth of the population in the surrounding areas of science parks and affect the limited infra-structure at the same time. This study explores how science parks could achieve sustainable development goals by formulating their development strategy. We summarized four evaluation aspects for constructing the driving factors for developing the science park through literature review and interviews with experts. Combined with the hybrid multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach, we analyzed stakeholders’ satisfaction among the four aspects of the driving factors for the development of the science parks and put forward appropriate strategy recommendations. We found that the improvement of public infrastructure (PI) can improve not only the environmental quality (EQ) but also promote the business environment (BE) and the working environment (WE). This improvement could attract domestic and foreign manufacturers, create employment opportunities, expand the park’s scale, and eventually promote industrial development. This research improves the method of collecting empirical data to establish the driving forces for developing science parks through suitable development strategies.
Impacts of Second Home and Visiting Friends and Relatives Tourism on Migration: A Conceptual Framework
Authors: Ferrari Sonia
Published: April 2022

What is the thread that unites tourism and migration? A review of existing literature suggests two forms of tourism linked to migration: visiting friends and relatives and second home tourism. Tourism related to visiting friends and relatives can be stimulated by migratory movements, and, in turn, gives rise to new migrations. Second home ownership, however, serves as the main connection between tourism and migration, promoting tourism that generates from or relates to current and past migrations. This exploratory study is based on a qualitative systematic literature review and focuses on the characteristics of second home and visiting friends and relatives-related tourism, and migration, in order to clarify little studied linkages among them that can affect tourism-related development. The study shows that many of the migration-led tourism segments reflect factors that may promote sustainable development.
Determination of Properties of Loose and Granulated Organic Fertilizers and Qualitative Assessment of Fertilizer Spreading
Authors: Zinkevičienė Raimonda , Jotautienė Eglė , Jasinskas Algirdas , Kriaučiūnienė Zita , Lekavičienė Kristina , Naujokienė Vilma , Šarauskis Egidijus
Published: April 2022

Precise and environmentally friendly fertilization is one of the most effective agrotechnical measures to improve crop yield, crop quality, and environmental sustainability. The aim of this study was to determine the uniformity of spreading of organic fertilizers on the soil surface at different flows by evaluating the influence of the physical and mechanical properties of the fertilizers. The physical properties of organic fertilizers have been found to have a significant impact on the uniformity of fertilizer distribution. The investigation of fertilizer properties showed that the average moisture content of meat and bone meal granular fertilizers was 8.6 ± 0.2%, of cattle manure granular fertilizers—14.9 ± 1.5%, of dry lime—9.4 ± 0.1%, of wet lime—17.0 ± 1.1%, and of manure—66.7 ± 6.9%. It was found that the granules of cattle manure were more evenly spread on the soil surface (Gaussian coefficient 0.46) than the granules of meat and bone meal (g2 = 7.11). At the same time, manure was found to be most evenly distributed on the soil when dry lime was spread more evenly than wet. Simultaneously, it was revealed that the physical properties of the fertilizer, such as higher moisture, lower mass, granule length, and width, affected the uniformity of fertilizer distribution on the soil surface.
Ergonomic Risk Assessment of Aluminum Form Workers’ Musculoskeletal Disorder at Construction Workstations Using Simulation
Authors: Palikhe Shraddha , Lee Jae Young , Kim Bubryur , Yirong Mi , Lee Dong-Eun
Published: April 2022

This study analyzes an existing scenario of musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) associated with the ergonomic hazard of the aluminum formwork workstation and its workers. Aluminum form-workers have increasing evidence of MSDs from repetitive tasks such as the adjustment, alignment of pins, pulling, pushing, and installation of panels, because of the cumulative exposure to ergonomic risks. Existing research indicates that this is due to insufficient expertise, form-worker awareness, and a complex construction plan. Using the Tecnomatix process simulate, this study aims to identify awkward postures during the process of lifting, assembling, and installing formwork to quantify MSDs and assess the ergonomic risk of aluminum form-workers and provide simple solutions. This simulation method makes use of input data from a random sample of 92 participants retrieved from four construction sites. The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), Ovako Working Analysis System (OWAS) scores, and Energy Expenditure Rate (EER) for three identified awkward cases were determined to be unsatisfactory, unsafe, and acceptable with suggested alternatives. The ergonomic scores correspond to various bodily stresses, allowing workers to better understand which body parts experience major stress when performing manual jobs. The suggested integrated preventive ergonomics system reduces MSDs and improves how people interact with their surroundings.
Measuring the Intermediate Goods’ External Dependency on the Global Value Chain: A Case Study of China
Authors: Chen Wen , Xing Lizhi
Published: April 2022

In the face of the anti-globalization trend and the shrinking of the global value chain, ensuring the safety of the global layout of the industrial chain and the sustainability of each country’s internal intermediate product production cycle has become an important new development strategy for all countries. The sustainability of the internal and external cycles of production systems is closely related to global value chains. Based on the world input-output model, we define the trade pattern of intermediate goods in various countries from the perspective of trade intermediary attributes, and propose two indicators by which to measure the dependence of China on the global value chain in the process of “dual circulation” development: the degree of vertical specialization (VSD) and the import share of domestic total consumption (IMS); China’s super-large market leads to low values of both VSD and IMS. China’s high-tech industry has the highest degree of external dependence in the process of participating in dual circulation, and there has been a fluctuation cycle since 2009. The external dependence of different industries shows heterogeneity.
The Overall and Disaggregate China’s Bank Efficiency from Sustainable Business Perspectives
Authors: Chang Ming-Chung , Chen Chiang-Ping , Lin Chien-Cheng , Xu Yu-Ming
Published: April 2022

The goal of the basic business perspective has switched from previously maximizing profit to the current three fields of environment, society, and the economy, within the viewpoint of corporate social responsibility (CSR). This study, from the perspective of sustainability, discusses the current business model of the relationship between CSR and the performance of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), a state−owned bank, with SBM-DEA and Tobit regression methods, and it puts forward a direction for improvement for future business models. Through the analysis of the years from 2010 to 2018, it has been found that the years with the best performances are 2010, 2011, and 2018, and some empirical evidence from the ICBC is as follows. First, corporate financial leverage closely follows gross domestic product (GDP) growth in terms of utilizing total assets. The ICBC seems to place less attention on its sales and on the number of deposits because of its high ratio of government stock holdings. Second, the ICBC raises labor productivity through education and training of its employees as well as through the proper utilization of capital for input-side management. Lastly, performance has improved as the ICBC has focused more on long-term society contributions, which are directed toward charity donations, loans for poverty alleviation, and green economy development in terms of output-side management. Therefore, through the above three CSR strategies, the ICBC has positively contributed toward environmental innovation and the societal transition of China, and its practices can be used as a sustainable model for future development.
The Legacy of Mercury Contamination from a Past Leather Manufacturer and Health Risk Assessment in an Urban Area (Pisa Municipality, Italy)
Authors: Ghezzi Lisa , Arrighi Simone , Giannecchini Roberto , Bini Monica , Valerio Marta , Petrini Riccardo
Published: April 2022

An abandoned open green space in the urban setting of the Municipality of Pisa (Tuscany, Italy) has been designed for renewal to foster the development of recreational activities and improve the lives of the surrounding communities. However, the geochemical site characterization revealed Pb, Cu, Zn and Hg concentrations in the soil exceeding the thresholds imposed by Italian regulations for residential use. Pb, Cu and Zn contents likely reflect the effects of urban vehicle traffic, while Hg contamination represents the legacy of a past artisanal tannery that used Hg(II)-chloride in leather processing in the mid-1900s. Mercury is widely distributed in the area, with the highest concentration in the uppermost soil layer, and reaching about 170 mg/kg in the common dandelion rhizosphere. Chemical extractions and thermal desorption experiments have indicated that most Hg is in the elemental free and matrix-bound fraction, with a possible minor amount (less than 4 wt%) of HgS and negligible methylated forms (0.1 wt%). The data suggest that soil processes could reduce Hg2+ to volatile Hg0. Mercury in groundwater, hosted in a shallow aquitard in the area, was below 0.2 µg/L. However, the presence of chloride in groundwater might result in the formation of Hg stable aqueous complexes, increasing Hg release from solids. Future water quality monitoring is hence recommended. The risk assessment highlighted that mercury in soil carries a risk of non-cancerous effects, in particular for children, posing the basis for management planning.
The Spatial Perception and Spatial Feature of Rural Cultural Landscape in the Context of Rural Tourism
Authors: Yang Weili , Fan Bing , Tan Jingbo , Lin Jing , Shao Teng
Published: April 2022

The development of rural tourism in the greater Xi’an area is in full swing, which is an important indicator for the implementation of rural revitalization. However, there are certain realistic challenges such as the lack of rural culture, the destruction of cultural context, and the loss of “rurality” of tourist areas. It is of vital significance to explore, integrate and revive the rural culture by advancing the rural cultural landscape based on the concept of cultural landscape in human geography. The specific categories of the rural cultural landscape were divided into three perspectives of agricultural production, famers’ lifestyle, and countryside ecology. Spatial reflections of various rural cultural landscapes were carried out based on pluralistic new data. The spatial characteristics of cultural landscapes were studied by using kernel density analysis and creating Thiessen polygons analysis and interpolation in ArcGIS spatial analysis, in order to show the spatial patterns of the special rural cultural areas and the cultural landscapes in greater Xi’an. Above all, our study inventoried and mapped the rural cultural landscapes in the context of rural tourism, identified spatial features of rural cultural landscape and rural tourism, and we proposed solutions that promote the cultural quality of rural tourism which are of vital significance in reviving rural culture.
The Effects of Aerated Irrigation on Soil Respiration and the Yield of the Maize Root Zone
Authors: Yu Zhenzhen , Wang Chun , Zou Huafen , Wang Hongxuan , Li Hailiang , Sun Haitian , Yu Deshui
Published: April 2022

To investigate the effect of aerated irrigation on the soil environment and yield in the root zone of maize, and to provide a basis for the extension of aerated irrigation, a 2-year experiment (2020–2021) was conducted at the Zhanjiang National Soil Quality Observation Experiment Station, with two experimental observations per year (spring-summer and fall-winter) to investigate the effects of aerated irrigation (AI) and non-aerated irrigation (CK) on soil respiration rate, soil temperature, water content, oxygen content, soil bacterial biomass and root biomass. We used partial least square regression analysis (PLSR) to establish the regression equations of soil respiration rate, soil temperature, water content, oxygen content, soil bacterial biomass and root biomass under the two treatments, and the screening of the main soil environmental factors affecting changes in soil respiration rate under aerated irrigation technology. The results showed that, compared with CK, the AI treatment significantly increased the soil respiration rate and soil oxygen content (15.38~17.87% and 18.94~25.17%, respectively), as well as the root biomass and soil bacterial biomass (14.99~19.09% and 35.10~45.59%, respectively), and reduced the soil water content by 5.33~12.71% (p < 0.05). The effects of different treatments on soil temperature were not significant. The mean fruit yield with AI treatment was also 7.16~20.51% higher (p < 0.05) than that with CK, and the stem thickness and leaf area of maize plants were significantly increased (9.31~17.06% and 8.68~15.20%, respectively (p < 0.05)). The regression fitting results showed that the soil respiration rate is quadratic polynomial negatively correlated with soil temperature, water content and soil oxygen, and the power function is positively correlated with root biomass and bacterial biomass under the two treatments. The variable importance for projection (VIP) values of the PLSR model showed a soil temperature VIP = 1.51, soil oxygen content VIP = 1.42 and root biomass VIP = 1.40, demonstrating that aerated irrigation technology can drive soil respiration rate by changing soil oxygen content and root biomass. Furthermore, the improvements in soil aeration conditions and respiration with AI appeared to facilitate the improvement in fruit yields, which also suggests the economic benefits of AI.
Potentiality of Formulated Bioagents from Lab to Field: A Sustainable Alternative for Minimizing the Use of Chemical Fungicide in Controlling Potato Late Blight
Authors: Islam Md. Huzzatul , Masud Md. Mostafa , Jannat Muhtarima , Hossain Muhammad Iqbal , Islam Shafiqul , Alam Md. Zahangir , Serneels Francois J. B. , Islam Md. Rashidul
Published: April 2022

Late blight of potato caused by an oomycete, Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) De Bary limits the production of potato worldwide. Late blight management has been based on chemical fungicide application, and the repeated use of these fungicides introduces new and more aggressive genotypes, which can rapidly overcome host resistance. Therefore, innovative and effective control measures are needed if fungicide use is to be reduced or eliminated. Some potential formulated bacterial bioagents viz. Pseudomonas putida (BDISO64RanP) and Bacillus subtilis (BDISO36ThaR), and fungal bioagents viz. Trichoderma paraviridicens (BDISOF67R) and T. erinaceum (BDISOF91R), were evaluated for their performance in controlling late blight of potato under growth chamber and field conditions. Both artificial inoculation and field experiments revealed that eight sprays of these bacterial (P. putida and B. subtilis) and fungal (T. erinaceum) bioagents were found to be most effective at reducing late blight severity by 99% up until 60 days after planting (DAP), whereas these bioagents were found to be partially effective until 70 DAP, reducing late blight severity by 46 to 60% and 58 to 60% in the field and growth chamber conditions, respectively. However, these bioagents can reduce the spray frequencies of Curzate M8 by 50% (four sprays instead of eight) when applied together with this fungicide. Economic analysis revealed that T6 (eight sprays of formulated P. putida + B. subtilis + four sprays of Curzate M8) and T16 (eight sprays of formulated P. putida, B. subtilis, and T. erinaceum + four sprays of Curzate M8) performed better in consecutive two years, applying less fungicidal spray compared to T1 (eight sprays of Curzate M8 (Positive control)), which indicated that the return ranged, by Bangladeshi Currency (Taka), from 0.85 to 0.90 over the investment of Bangladeshi Currency (Taka) 1.00 in these treatments, and these results together highlight the possibility of using bioagents in reducing late blight of potato under a proper warning system to reduce the application frequency of chemical fungicide.
Purpose in Corporate Governance: The Path towards a More Sustainable World
Authors: Ricart Joan Enric , Rey Carlos
Published: April 2022

In order to give a more realistic view of how ESG and sustainability are developed in organisations, this paper explores the development of purpose in corporate governance and the challenges faced. The theme is analysed at the intersection between stakeholder theory and business models in two dimensions: the capability of the market to align stakeholders’ interests (invisible hand) and the trade-offs between purpose and profit. The analysis conducted gave rise to four scenarios with a range of theoretical and practical implications focused on corporate governance.
Sustaining Student Roles, Digital Literacy, Learning Achievements, and Motivation in Online Learning Environments during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Yu Zhonggen
Published: April 2022

The sudden COVID-19 pandemic has forced many educational institutes to shut down and many students to stay home receiving online learning. This study aims to identify the changes in student roles and digital literacy and the strategies to improve motivation and learning achievement in online learning environments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a rapid evidence assessment review study based on the protocol of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA), it is concluded that student roles have experienced great changes, that students have assumed multiple roles and that they are socially and cognitively engaged in their roles, roles that can be promoted by information technologies. Their digital literacy, individually varying, needs to be improved although it has undergone improvements. Digital technologies and social regulation can improve online learning achievements. Teaching strategies, teacher–student cooperation, gamification, and computer applications can improve online learning achievements. Future research could focus on inter-disciplinary research into the models to sustain online learning during or after the pandemic.
Ridesharing as a Potential Sustainable Transportation Alternative in Suburban Universities: The Case of Najran University, Saudi Arabia
Authors: AlQuhtani Saad
Published: April 2022

In Saudi Arabia, car ownership rates are considered comparatively high due to the lack of other alternatives, cheap fuel and car registration costs, and higher income. The population relies mainly on automobiles for their daily trips and primarily commutes alone, contributing to many negative consequences. Therefore, ridesharing is a transportation mode that is a suitable approach in such an area, since it can increase the occupancy rates and reduce single-occupant driving, which in turn can cut vehicle emissions, contribute to a reduction in vehicle ownership and vehicle miles traveled, alleviate traffic congestions and accidents, and decrease the need for parking spaces. Suburban universities are considered major trip generators and attractors. They also can offer a niche market for ridesharing programs. Thus, data was obtained from a survey performed at Najran University to investigate the ridesharing behavior among the university population. Following a descriptive analysis of the commuter survey data, a binary logistic regression model was adopted to investigate the interest in ridesharing. The estimation results show being female and non-Saudi, as well as being students and faculty members in general (versus staff), along with the presence of fixed (regular) work or class schedules, increase the likelihood of ridesharing. Since the probability of most of the university population (i.e., students and faculty members) toward ridesharing is high, the number of automobiles needed by commuters will be reduced, resulting in a higher transition to environmentally sustainable urban mobility. In addition, the university has many motivators that can positively affect the propensity to rideshare, such as the lack of public transportation, fixed schedules, a longer distance to campus, and a similar social background among attendees; therefore, universities or other large employers can take these motivators into account when planning ridesharing services.
Deformation Capacity of RC Beam-Column Joints Strengthened with Ferrocement
Authors: Araby M. Zardan , Rizal Samsul , Abdullah  , Afifuddin Mochammad , Hasan Muttaqin
Published: April 2022

Beam-column joints constructed in the pre-seismic building code do not provide transverse reinforcement and good reinforcement detailing within the region. These cause the occurrence of brittle shear failure, which is one of the factors affecting the number of reinforced concrete (RC) moment resistance building structures collapsing during an earthquake. Therefore, in this study a brittle beam-column joint with a non-seismic building code was designed and strengthened by a ferrocement. Four layers of wire mesh with a diameter of 1 mm and a mesh size of 25.4 mm were installed on both sides of the beam-column joint and cement mortar was cast on it. As a comparison, a ductile beam-column joint was also designed following the current building code, which considers seismic effects. The test results by applying reversed cyclic loading at the beam tip showed that strengthening using ferrocement prevents crack propagation, increasing the deformation capacity, ductility, stiffness, and energy dissipation of beam column joint which are higher than those of the beam-column joint which is designed following the current building code. However, the strengthening does not improve the load carrying capacity significantly.
Hard Cash in Hard Times—The Effect of Institutional Support for Businesses Shaken by COVID-19
Authors: Gródek-Szostak Zofia , Adamczyk Jadwiga , Luc Małgorzata , Suder Marcin , Tora Justyna , Kotulewicz-Wisińska Karolina , Zysk Wojciech , Szeląg-Sikora Anna
Published: April 2022

This study analyzed 350 companies based in the Śląskie Province that received financial aid to avoid the negative impacts of COVID-19. This study focused on the structure of companies receiving public support due to their business being at risk of negative impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of the amount and type of support. It also classified industries by the amount of subsidy. When analyzing the available data, the Kruskal–Wallis test was applied, which is a nonparametric equivalent of the one-way analysis of variance. It was used to test whether the selected factors significantly affect the values of individual measures. Although the amounts of subsidies received vary, they have contributed to preserving at-risk jobs due to the public health crisis and maintaining the competitiveness of affected micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Study on Numerical Model and Dynamic Response of Ring Net in Flexible Rockfall Barriers
Authors: Xia Chunlan , Zhang Zhiyong , Liu Chengqing , Zhang Huaxin , Tian Shuai
Published: April 2022

Developing reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure of high quality and improving the ability of countries to resist and adapt to climate-related disasters and natural disasters have been endorsed by the Inter-Agency Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goals (IAEG-SDGs) as key indicators for monitoring SDGs. Landslides pose a serious threat to vehicle traffic and infrastructure in mountain areas all over the world, so it is urgent and necessary to prevent and control them. However, the traditional rigid protective structure is not conducive to the long-term prevention and control of landslide disasters because of its poor impact resistance, high material consumption and difficult maintenance in the later period. Therefore, this study is aimed at the flexible rockfall barriers with good corrosion resistance, material saving and strong cushioning performance, and proposes a fine numerical model of a ring net. This model is used to simulate the existing experiments, and the simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental data. In addition, the numerical model is also used to study the influence of boundary conditions, rockfall gravity and rockfall impact angle on the energy consumption of the ring net. It is indicated that the fixed constraint of four corners increases the deformability, flexibility and energy dissipation ability of the ring net. Apart from that, the influence of gravity on the energy dissipation of the overall protective structure should not be neglected during the numerical simulation analysis when the diameter of rockfall is large enough. As the impact angle rises, the impact energy of the rockfall on the ring net will experience a gradual decline, and the ring at the lower support ropes will be broken. When the numerical model proposed in this study is used to simulate the dynamic response of flexible rockfall barriers, it can increase the accuracy of data and make the research results more credible. Meanwhile, flexible rockfall barriers are the most popular infrastructure for landslide prevention and control at present, which improves the ability of countries to resist natural disasters to some extent. Therefore, the research results provide technical support for the better development and application of flexible rockfall barriers in landslide disasters prevention and control, and also provide an important and optional reference for evaluating sustainable development goals (SDGs) globally and regionally according to specific application goals.
Numerical Simulation Study on the Effects of Co-Injection of Pulverized Coal and Hydrochar into the Blast Furnace
Authors: Li Tao , Wang Guangwei , Zhou Heng , Ning Xiaojun , Zhang Cuiliu
Published: April 2022

To solve the energy crisis and slow down the greenhouse effect, it is urgent to find alternative energy sources for the iron and steel production process. Hydrochar is an auxiliary fuel and the only renewable carbon source that could reduce the injection of bituminous coal into the blast furnace. Numerical simulation is an effective method of understanding the combustion performance in the lower part of the blast furnace. A 3D blowpipe-tuyere-raceway model was established using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method to study the effects on combustion performance between pulverized coal and hydrochar. The results showed that co-injection of anthracite and hydrochar has a better combustion performance than co-injection of anthracite and bituminous coal, with a more appropriate distribution of temperature, velocity, and gas phase. With the co-injection of hydrochar, the total burnout rate and anthracite burnout rate increased, respectively, by 6% and 2.1%, which is caused by the interaction mechanism between anthracite and hydrochar. As a result, hydrochar as an auxiliary fuel for blast furnace injection not only can achieve low-carbon production and cut down carbon emission but also benefit the combustion process of anthracite coal.
Optimising Land Consolidation by Implementing UAV Technology
Authors: Cienciała Agnieszka , Sobura Szymon , Sobolewska-Mikulska Katarzyna
Published: April 2022

The increase in population and the growing demand for food that accompanies it drive the need to achieve sustainable agriculture. Technological progress and methodological novelties provide tools that may support the processes of improving the spatial structure of agricultural lands, as well as their management. One of the examples may be the application of photogrammetric and remote-sensing products to facilitate land consolidation. In the following paper, the systematised procedure of conduct is investigated to determine the moments at which these products could be adopted. In identifying the possibilities for implementing the abovementioned tools, we analyse the legal regulations governing the process and the literature on the subject, as well as some practical examples encountered in surveying practice. In addition, the usefulness of such geospatial products is tested on data gathered during an exemplary UAV flight. We then investigate the issues with implementing the abovementioned tools and assess their advantages and disadvantages in smart agriculture. The research proves that reliable elaboration of the consolidation project concept is critical for its correct realisation, while modern measurement methods providing efficient, up-to-date, factual data facilitate the procedures and support rational decision making. Moreover, they enable us to ensure the necessary accuracy of the data for the scope of the land use and avoid analysing a compilation of several cartographic materials concerning the surveyed object. In the present study, the RMSExyz mean square error at the control points for the orthomosaic, generated using the Matrice 210 RTK v2 professional flying platform, is 5.6 cm, while for the orthomosaic created from images from the amateur drone Mavic 2 Pro RMSExyz, it is 9.2 cm. The results obtained also indicate the usefulness of low-budget drones during the land consolidation process.
Literature Review and Theoretical Framework of the Evolution and Interconnectedness of Corporate Sustainability Constructs
Authors: Costa Alberto J. , Curi Denise , Bandeira Ana Maria , Ferreira Augusta , Tomé Brízida , Joaquim Carla , Santos Carlos , Góis Cristina , Meira Deolinda , Azevedo Graça , Inácio Helena , Jesus Mafalda , Teixeira Maria Goreti , Monteiro Patrícia , Duarte Ruben , Marques Rui Pedro
Published: April 2022

The concept of sustainable development (SD) was introduced in the “Our Common Future” report, launched in 1987, which influenced the emergence of many studies related to the role played by organizations as actors supporting SD. SD is a consolidated concept; however, since 1987, many political, social, and natural events have occurred on our planet, which have impacted companies’ behaviors. However, the diversity of research from different fields has provoked, among the academic community, a lack of clarity surrounding “sustainability” (S), “corporate sustainability” (CS) and “corporate social responsibility” (CSR) concepts. This lack of clarity can also be identified in companies, which have referred to “sustainability” only in the environmental field. Recently, increased discussions related to corporate sustainability metrics have shed light on the ESG criteria (environmental, social, and governance), increasing misperceptions associated with the concept. Ambiguous definitions and constructs may prevent managers from identifying sustainability goals for their companies. Therefore, literature reviews as a research method are more relevant than ever. Thus, in this work, we aim to answer the following question: How should we integrate different perspectives on corporate sustainability, in order to broaden the understanding of the concept? In this study, we conducted a focused bibliographic review and revisited the papers that most influenced the construction of the concepts. The information in this paper is helpful to improve the understanding of CS; to provide specific insights into the studies that have investigated this field; to help managers and entrepreneurs who are improving CS actions in their companies; and to support academia by putting together a large amount of information about this theme in one paper.
Applying a Set of Potential Methods for the Integrated Assessment of the Marine Eco-Environmental Carrying Capacity in Coastal Areas
Authors: Wu Kankan , Chen Keliang , Gao Yu , Jiang Shang , Huang Haiping
Published: April 2022

The accelerated socioeconomic development has placed the coastal ecosystems under stress, which influences the sustainable development of coastal areas. Marine eco-environmental carrying capacity assessment (MECCA) can provide a scientific basis for coordinating coastal socioeconomic development and eco-environmental protection, ensuring a more effective marine ecosystem-based management approach toward sustainability. However, accurate assessment methods are still in the exploratory stage, as there has been a lack of systematic research and applications combining integrated MECCA with a unified method to underpin coastal management processes. In light of this issue, this study applied the marine eco-environmental carrying capacity in coastal waters (MECCCW) conceptual framework to support the establishment of an assessment indicator system for MECCA and used the regularization method and entropy method to determine weights. This study also applied the simplified state space model to comprehensively evaluate and analyze the marine eco-environmental carrying capacity (MECC) of coastal areas. Focusing on the coastal area of Sanya Bay, southern China, as the study area, we assessed the MECC for the period from 2015 to 2020. The state of the MECC was divided into three grades: load capacity, full-load capacity, and overload capacity. The results showed that (1) the MECCA indicator system in Sanya Bay included a total of three criteria and eight assessment indicators and (2) the weights of the environmental carrying capacity (ECC) and human activities (HA) were both relatively higher than that of ecological resilience (ER). The latter result indicates that either ECC or HA could play a more predominant role in the changes of the MECC state in Sanya Bay. The results also indicated that (3) for each criterion, ECC, ER, and HA were at load capacity from 2015 to 2020. In this instance, ECC and HA presented similar change trends in relation to the MECC state of Sanya Bay. Finally, (4) the overall Sanya Bay’s MECC was also at load capacity and weakened, fluctuating between 2015 and 2020. These findings indicate that the coastal area of Sanya Bay is capable of sustainable development, but that there is a need for further eco-environmental improvement. The results of this study can serve as a reference when decisions have to be made about coastal management from an environmental and ecological perspective. Furthermore, this method may provide a feasible approach for integrated MECCA in other coastal areas.
The Tension between SMEs’ Growth and Sustainability in Emerging and Developed Countries’ Internationalization: Towards a Conceptual Model
Authors: Coldwell David , Venter Robert , Joosub Tasneem , Duh Helen
Published: April 2022

Economic growth is a priority in many developing countries in the drive to eradicate inequality and poverty, but elevated levels of economic growth are regarded as inimical to climate preservation and sustainability. The continuing depletion of natural resources and industrial pollution has led to increasing global pressure and government policies aimed at reducing climate deterioration. Advocates of ’strong sustainability’ are concentrated in the economically developed world, while developing countries have a greater need for economic growth and advocate weaker forms of sustainability where economic development, the promotion of employment and eradication of poverty take precedence over climate preservation concerns. Extant internationalization literature does not provide an integrated model of sustainable internationalization. (i.e., the relative emphasis of human and natural capital in contextual and universal factors in the internationalization process of developing and developed countries). To address this underexplored research gap, a cross-sectional, non-probabilistic convenience sample of South African SMEs using a mixed methods approach, and a secondary data eclectic analysis of developed and developing countries’ SME internationalization using a comparative multiple-case design, were adopted in this study. Findings indicate that both contextual and universal factors are prominent in developing and developed countries’ internationalization. The findings also suggest that developing countries initially focus on unsustainable contextual factors and later move on to embracing sustainable universal factors in their internationalization. This paper provides a conceptual model to describe the relative importance of contextual vis-à-vis universal factors in the sustainability of SMEs’ development as they pass through the various stages of internationalization over time.
Determinants of Pro-Environmental Behaviour in the Workplace
Authors: Foster Bob , Muhammad Zikri , Yusliza Mohd Yusoff , Faezah Juhari Noor , Johansyah Muhamad Deni , Yong Jing Yi , ul-Haque Adnan , Saputra Jumadil , Ramayah Thurasamy , Fawehinmi Olawole
Published: April 2022

The primary notion of sustainable development is to maintain a promising future for the planet and the next generation by raising the awareness of sustainable development of people around the world. This study seeks to foster and enhance more sustainable behaviour in households, workplaces, schools, and higher educational institutions; previous research has placed increasing attention on the identification of factors of pro-environmental behaviour. Accordingly, this study aims to examine the elements influencing the pro-environmental behaviour of employees in the workplace. A survey was performed from January to February 2020 on 150 public employees of an organisation in Terengganu. Out of 150 employees, only 84 participated and had their responses collected by using convenience sampling. Smart PLS-SEM was used in analysing the relationships between the variables. The result of this study found that green lifestyles have a significant positive effect on pro-environmental behaviour. However, the impacts of environmental commitment, environmental consciousness, green self-efficacy, and green human resource management were insignificant. This study provides data that were developed using a cross-sectional design; the assessment of causality among the constructs was a risky process. Furthermore, the study collected data from a single source, namely the employees, which would enhance the relationships through common method bias. The findings of this study also offered several managerial implications for green organisations.