bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Teaching EFL in a Rural Context through Place-Based Education: Expressing Our Place Experiences through Short Poems
Authors: Salazar Jaramillo Pilar , Espejo Malagon Yeyson 
Published: December 2019

This project implemented Place Based Education (PBE) as the basis to teach English to children from a rural school in Bogota, Colombia. Place Based Education is defined by (Sobel, 2004) as the process of considering not only the community, but also the environment as the beginning to teach concepts related to language arts and other subjects from the curriculum. In the case of our research project; we used PBE to teach English as a Foreign Language to two fourth grade rural classrooms. As for the objectives of our research, the first one sought to explore the role PBE had on approaching EFL students to their rural context and as for the second one, it was aimed to identify and describe the responses students had towards the writing of short poems based on the Genre-Based Approach (Hyland, 2007). Regarding the findings of our research project, it was evidenced that Place Based Education connected students to their rural surroundings and developed on them, an emotional bond towards their rural world. Regarding the writing of English, it was shown that the Genre- Based Approach permitted for students to feel confident and enthusiastic while writing in English. Furthermore, as part of the experiences students had with their local and English language, a book with the poems written by the students was created and published. Key words: Place Based Education, Genre- Based Approach, poetry for children, rural context, EFL
The Role of Environmental Law Education for Sustainable Development
Authors: Audzei Hanna 
Published: December 2019

National imperative of sustainable development is a strategy that combines into one social, economic and environmental policies. First of all the environmental legal education should aim to prepare people for life in an innovative type of society. To achieve this goal of environmental and legal education we should be reoriented to form a human ecological and legal culture and eco-innovative type of legal thinking and a willingness to innovative type of environmental and legal action. The successful solution of this and other challenges requires science foundation, including environmental law science. Keywords: law, environmental legal education, sustainable development, environmental safety, ecology, responsibility, ecological culture, legislation
Project GENESIS: An All-inclusive Model to Perform Cost-Benefit Analysis of Green Roofs and Walls
Authors: Matos Silva Cristina , Oliveira Cruz Carlos , Teotónio Inês 
Published: December 2019

Green roofs and walls are one of the most promising alternatives for retrofitting existing built environments and tackle urban challenges in a multifunctional way. Yet, these solutions are being confined to specific countries or cities, as their economic contribution has not been fully examined nor accepted. GENESIS is a trans-disciplinary project funded by FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia that will develop a systematic and comprehensive model to support potential investors or decision-makers, balancing the costs with the benefits of green roofs and walls in a life cycle perspective. The main objective of the project is to enhance existing cost-benefit analysis of green roofs and walls through a multidisciplinary approach that will allow the replication in different regions and type of infrastructures. This will be achieved by: i) monetizing and including all economic, social and environmental benefits in the analysis in order to weight different types of benefits (even those that are typically difficult to estimate because they have no market value) and establish a comparative basis of alternative solutions and potential scenarios; ii) comprising an uncertainty model to cope with climate change and inaccurate forecasting of benefits/costs modelling and; iii) including multi-criteria mode in order to incorporate users and investors preferences. This all-inclusive model crucial for a wide spreading in is green roofs and walls and a more sustainable development in cities. Keywords: green roofs/walls; cost-benefit analysis; investors/users preferences; sustainable urban development; uncertainty
A Value Chain Framework for Assessment of Sustainable Practices in Manufacturing Firms
Authors: Pande Bhavya , Kumar Adil Gajendra 
Published: December 2019

Manufacturers face the challenge of implementing and assessing sustainable practices in their organizations due to several factors including lack of availability of clear guidelines and tools. Porter and Kramer (2006) suggest a framework on how to capture the negative effects of an organization’s primary and support value chain activities on the environment and society. In this paper, the framework suggested by them has been suitably modified to capture and organize sustainable practices relevant to manufacturing firms. Accordingly, a number of sustainable practices are identified through a detailed analysis of literature and incorporated in the developed framework. Further, in order to validate the potential of the proposed framework to be used as an assessment tool, feedback was sought from a senior level professional from an internationally acclaimed research center with experience and proficiency in conducting sustainability audits in textiles and leather industry. Going forward, the validated framework will be administered to assess sustainable practices in select manufacturing organizations. This study is a part of an ongoing research on assessment of sustainability in manufacturing organizations. Keywords: Assessment of Sustainable Practices; Sustainable Value Chain Practices; Triple Bottom Line; Total Life Cycle Approach; Sustainable Manufacturing
The Damage Caused to the Environment in the Context of the Sustainable Development of Society
Authors: Kudeikina Inga , Kaija Sandra 
Published: December 2019

The opportunity to use the tangible resources of our planet – water, air, subterranean depths – secure the existence of our civilization. Despite the existence of private property and the division of ownership of tangible resources between natural and legal persons, the resources required for life are objectively determined by the very life form. Any living creature needs air, water and subterranean depths. They are the common value of the mankind. The right to live in a favourable environment is recognized as the basic right of each individual, of each member of the public. A significant aspect is the high quality environment, which includes specific standards and requirements for the quality of air, water and subterranean depths. This is necessary in order to ensure the legal protection of the environment, balancing the rights of private owners and society as a whole. The protection of the environment is the subject matter of the legal framework. The key challenge for the protection of the environment is to find an opportunity to balance the economic development and the sustainable development of the environment, which is why the greatest attention should be allocated to the questions that relate to the prevention and compensation for the damage caused to the environment. Keywords: environment, damage caused to the environment, sustainable development
Sustainable e-Governance and Human Resource Development
Authors: Burlacu Sorin , Alpopi Cristina , Mitrită Marcela , Popescu Maria-Loredana 
Published: December 2019

Much of the literature focusing on organizational change suggests that changes often fail because of employees' resistance. This resistance is caused by their personal fears that change will affect them in any way. Employees are often afraid of changes that could lead to changes in comfortable social dynamics and to additional, less desirable or even more difficult tasks. The proliferation of new technologies brings new challenges but also concerns about job stability. Our paper addresses the issue of human resources development from e-government perspective and presents some features that could be considered when promoting technologies especially in sensitive areas such as public administration. The methodology of research aimed at measuring and interpreting a set of economic, technical and social aspects present in public organizations in Romania. The research findings show how HR is transforming into the digital era and what one might consider to bridge the gap between knowing and doing what is needed to put technology together with the latest processes and skills for a sustainable development of human resources. Keyword: e-HR, the digital era, the development of human resources
What is the Connection between Soil Carbon Dioxide Emission, Global Warming and Food Security?
Authors: Toro Agnes , Harsányi Endre 
Published: December 2019

In the heart of the western civilization, mainly in the European Union, we are more interested in the quality of the food than in its quantity. Due to our ever-changing world we have to pay more attention to the future of the latter, namely to food security. As food security depends on global warming as well, one of its triggering actors was selected for analysis, the emission of carbon dioxide from the soil. The experiments were set up in the Látókép experimental site, which is situated in the eastern part of Hungary. I have examined the effect of less soil disturbance regarding the CO2 emission, in the case of winter ploughing, strip tillage and subsoiling methods. Measurements were performed with five differently placed and unique cylinders and with the help of the TESTO 535 measuring device. The results confirmed the hypothesis: less emission can help in the fight against global warming, thus it has a direct link to and impact on food security. Keywords: food security, global warming, CO2 emission, tillage methods
New Fiscal Package in Kosovo and Its Impact on Economy
Authors: Nimani Artan , Kukaj Halil 
Published: December 2019

In order to create a more flexible system for citizens and businesses in Kosovo, the Government of Kosovo made a decision by which from 1 April 2014 increased the salaries for 25% for employees receiving salaries and pensioner compensation and other social categories from the Kosovo budget. This Government decision carries some problems with regard to public finance management and impact on the country's economy by creating a new reality in the payroll and public spending. Direct impact of this document: Decision No: 01/176. 10 March 2014, are: First, the increase in wage expenditures was not planned in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework 2014-2016 and this has given an indication of macroeconomic inefficiency (Assessed by the Kosovo Finance Ministry). Secondly, this increase decreases capital investment costs, which have the greatest potential to generate economic growth. Thirdly, wage growth along with spending on the Pristina-Skopje highway is expected to increase the budget deficit over the fiscal rule. Such a situation was also present at the time of investments in the Motorway Vermicë - "Nations connection way". In order to balance the increase of budget expenditures with revenues, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), at the conclusion of the Kosovo visit in March 2015, suggested to the Government of Kosovo that in the continuation of the increase of the various excise duties to see the possibilities for growth Value Added Tax (VAT) which would bring a substantial increase in budget revenues. At the 20th meeting of the Government of Kosovo, dated 24 March 2015, during this IMF visit, the Government took a series of decisions on fiscal changes. Among other things, these decisions have to do with the approval of new draft laws: 1. Changes in Value Added Tax (VAT); 2. Changes in Corporate Income Tax; 3. Changes in Personal Income Tax; and 4. Changes in excises duties of cars, tobacco, and alcoholic beverages etc. Based on the analysis of these changes and their effects, one can make an assessment of the economic and fiscal effects of the aforementioned laws. Some of the key findings of this study-analysis section show that small businesses will be negatively impacted by lowering the VAT threshold, while the abolition of VAT on machinery and raw materials will lower the cost of production and potentially increase investments in manufacturing sectors. Reform in fiscal policy encourages greater investment in production and at the same time improves business liquidity. According to an estimate by the Ministry of Finance, businesses will have about 27.6% cheaper start of production process. Keywords: Kosovo budget.,VAT, Tax, IMF, Ministry of Finance, fiscal
Values Congruence on CSR and Its Impact on Corporate Reputation
Authors: Li Songdi , Spry Louise , Woodall Tony 
Published: December 2019

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is increasingly accepted by decision makers and implemented in businesses, because it is beneficial to an organization’s profit and influence and also the perceptions and commitment of its stakeholders. Therefore, doing CSR is largely related to building a good reputation. Although the individual values of managers is more and more regarded as a driver CSR, and as the congruence between corporate values and employee values is known to impact CSR activities, the link between individual values and Corporate Reputation (CR) is an understudied topic. The purpose of this article is to propose how to investigate this issue in a higher education context. Exploring, a) to what extent university top managers and middle managers values concur in respect of CSR, and b) how this might impact on the CR which is perceived by other stakeholders are its chief focus. The proposed study is to be based on two case study universities, one in the UK and one in China. Both semi-structured interviews and surveys are proposed, representing a mixed methods approach to a complex problem. This study will benefit university top management in its CSR decision making. Keywords: personal values, organisational values, values congruence, CSR, corporate reputation
The Energy from Renewable Sources in the European Union: Achieving the Goals
Authors: Angheluta Sorin Petrica , Burlacu Sorin , Diaconu Amelia , Curea Cristina Stefania 
Published: December 2019

The existence and continuity of life on Earth is based on the existence of an ecological balance. Under the influence of pollution, the quality of the natural environment gradually degrades. Thus, pressures are exerted on the environment, including from energy production and consumption activities. The different phenomena of pollution, associated with the destruction of the environment, have made the sources of energy production diversified. Sustainable development can be achieved through the use of technologies that protect the environment. Within the electricity sector, energy from renewable sources has grown significantly in recent years. Energy production from Renewable energy reduces the use of fossil fuels, but also influences the process of reducing greenhouse gases. The article starts from the analysis of the current situation of renewable sources in the member countries of the European Union. With support of the comparative analysis of existing data at European level, the stage of achieving the European Union's objectives on renewable energy is presented. Also, comparative analyses of data on the share of renewable energy in final energy consumption are presented. Lack of emissions of pollutants, and the fact that they are inexhaustible, make, on the whole of electricity production, the share of renewable sources increases. Keyword: Renewable energy, European Union, electricity production
European Multi-Level Governance
Authors: Bran Florina , Bodislav Dumitru Alexandru , Rădulescu Carmen Valentina 
Published: December 2019

This paper represents an overview of the concept of multi-level governance and the approach delivered on innovation at European level with the purpose of helping and empowering researchers and businesses to thrive in a technologically advanced economy. The concept of multi-level governance derives from the analysis of the institutional framework for the development of Community policies and the Community political process. This stems from the presumption that the Community governance system has a high degree of differentiation and integration both vertically and horizontally. The multi-level governance model illustrates how certain competences of the national state are transferred to the supranational level or to the public or private sub-national authorities. Within this model, we can meet both supranational actors and actors at national, regional or local levels. This type of governance is characterized by the existence of a limited number of authorities, divided so as to be able to perform more functions, excluding their overlapping to exercise exclusively competences on delimited territories. Multi-level governance in innovation is characterized by a national transition as a unique place for the development and implementation of innovation policy, both at supranational and sub-national levels. Keyword: multi-level governance, European Union, development, social cohesion, institutions
Digital Technologies Applied in Agriculture for Sustainable Development
Authors: Radulescuu Carmen-Valentina , Popescu Maria-Loredana , Oancea Negescu Mihaela Diana , Bodislav Dumitru Alexandru 
Published: December 2019

Recently, many articles deal with Internet and mobile phones that have penetrated all sectors of the economy, including agriculture, in the light of their benefits. Various reports, including the World Bank, describe the main benefits of new information and communication technologies and promote their greater integration into the wider economy to increase efficiency by completing other production factors and fostering innovation, for example, drastically reducing transaction costs. The article analyzes recent literature but also presents novelty elements that emerged from questions such as the risks associated with new technologies considering that there are not enough studies in the field confirming, on the one hand, the benefits but also the losses caused by them. Keyword: New technology, agriculture, innovation
Shaping the Common Labor Market between Denmark and Sweden: Lessons for Sustainable Development
Authors: Plaskonis Kate 
Published: December 2019

Though Denmark and Sweden have had a similar historical development over the years, the differences in their labor markets have become more visible than ever. While the labor shortage is increasing in Copenhagen, there is a high number of unemployed individuals with a more substantial proportion of vulnerable groups among them in Sweden. Despite some appealing factors (such as less governed labor law, the simplicity of employing and the high wages), the interest of Swedes to work in Copenhagen area has decreased, and as a result, the number of commuters has fallen. Could it then be employers’ attitudes towards foreign-born individuals that differ? Through interviewing Swedish and Danish employers and foreign-born population, Fördomsfönster Öresund project investigates if the attitudes differ and how social sustainability and utilizing the existent competence frame a common regional labor market. Interviews show that some concepts might be crucial in addressing the issue: language, prejudice, leadership and the difference in perceptions. By informing and responding to these problem areas, there is a strong possibility of greater integration, competence-based employment and higher revenues in commuting within the region. Keywords: Diversity, competence, social sustainability, labor market, green commuting
Education in Biosphere Reserves to Enhance Intercultural Competence between Japanese and Russian Youth
Authors: Mammadova Aida 
Published: December 2019

Japan and Russian youth has many stereotypical cultural perceptions about each other’s culture, which in many times leads to cultural misunderstandings with negative effects. In this study we decided to use Biosphere Reserves (BRs), which are highly recognized areas under UNESCO’s MAB Programme for their conservation, learning and sustainable development initiatives, to enhance the cultural competence and awareness in youth of both countries. 50 Japanese students were divided into two groups and visited 3 Russian BR with 4 universities, with 2 weeks’ duration of each trip. Later 14 Russian students visited Japanese Mount Hakusan BR and participated in the academic BR training course for 3-weeks. We have conducted the specific survey to evaluate the changes in students’ knowledge, attitude and skills towards each other’s culture, and it was observed that all 3 elements were increased in all students. Besides 90% of students replied that they were strongly agree, that BR helped them to understand cultural diversity of each county. 87% replied that community interaction was the most effective way to break cultural stereotypes. This kind of cross-cultural communication in BR, showed very positive results and can be used as the new methodology for the future environmental education. Keywords: Environmental Education, Sustainability, Biosphere Reserves, Cultural Competence, Awareness
Use of Industrial Waste to Produce Ceramic Coatings on Metal
Authors: Pereira Antunes Maria Lucia , Souza C.S. , Moraes R.F. , Rangel E.C. , Cruz N.C. 
Published: December 2019

Industrial processes are activities that produce large amounts of wastes. Often these wastes are disposed in dam or landfills, occupying large areas and causing environmental damage such as the contamination of water and soil. According to the Circular Economy concept, waste should be minimized and reused as raw material in a new process. This work describes two residues, namely red mud (bauxite residue) and waste foundry sand (WFS), whose chemical compositions indicate their suitability for use as protective coatings. These residues were used to obtain coatings on aluminum alloy by employing plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO). The PEO process enables the creation of coatings that are durable, uniform, and strongly adherent on metallic components of different shapes. The mineralogical compositions of the coatings were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Surface wettability was determined by contact angle measurements and evaluation was made of the average surface roughness. Alumina was the main phase observed by XR, indicating good chemical stability and high thermal resistance. The coatings obtained with the red mud were thicker and less rough, compared to those obtained with the WFS. The results demonstrated the feasibility of using these wastes for coating metals in order to improve their properties and enable new applications. Keywords: Industrial Waste, Red Mud, Waste Foundry Sand, Circular Economy, Ceramic Coating.