bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An appraisal of virtual networks in the environmental sector
Authors: Helling Klaus , Blim Markus , O'Regan Bernadette 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo provide information to practitioners and researchers on how virtual networks can enhance the cooperation between organisations to help find sustainable solutions for complex environmental problems.Design/methodology/approachAlong with the derivation of a theoretical classification of virtual networks, practical examples of material flow management (MFM) are described. The analysis of best practice is conducted to present actual developments along with virtual forms of cooperation within the environmental community.FindingsThe practical success of virtual networks in the environmental sector shows the direction of the future development. By using internet‐based information and communication tools, virtual networks are not limited by national borders and are able to enhance the cooperation of organisations in a global way. This means that virtual networks are essential instruments in developing complex solutions in the face of the global environmental challenge.Research limitations/implicationsThe case studies described are exclusively German in origin, as MFM is a recognised and widely implemented tool for sustainability in Germany.Practical implicationsThis paper provides practical information to practitioners and researchers on successful virtual forms of cooperation within the environmental sector and clearly identifies the value in maintaining virtual networks.Originality/valueThe information, and details of case studies, outlined in this paper provide useful advice to organisations seeking information regarding the success of virtual networks within the environmental sector.
Land use, water quality and ecological responses in Lake Colac – trends from Australia
Authors: Khalifé Mohsen , Gwyther Janet , Aberton John 
Published: January 2007

PurposeRecently, Colac Otway Shire in Australia released its management plan for Lake Colac, claiming over‐enrichment of the lake with nutrients and degraded water quality. This paper aims to investigate these claims by establishing a correlation between key water and ecological indicators and land uses.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines the correlation between impairment and stressors in Lake Colac. This was achieved by identifying the likely sources of pollutants into Lake Colac; identifying any existing monitoring program; and characterizing the water and sediment inputs. The likely impacts of increased nutrients and sediment levels on indigenous flora and fauna were also examined. The use of meiofauna (very small benthic metazoan animals) was investigated as an indicator of degraded sites. Plankton diversity as a measure of water health was also assessed.FindingsWater quality in Lake Colac was found to vary both temporally and spatially, and exhibited low attainment against acceptable trigger values/objectives. At current levels the lake can be classified as poorly degraded. Likely sources of pollution were identified to be related to land uses in the catchments. The biota of the lake, investigated at four study sites, yielded a sparse, benthic macrofaunal assemblage that was dominated by oligochaetes. In contrast, an abundant and taxonomically diverse meiofaunal assemblage was noted. Future meiofaunal analyses are likely to resolve suitable biotic indicator species of free‐living nematodes in response to land use and waterway threats specified in the study.Originality valueThis work will provide a better understanding of integrated environmental systems to enable development of best management practices, thus transforming the way the land and water are used in the future. Following the present work, other key water and ecological indicators (increased dispersion and dominance of biological species) at five additional sites were studied. Alternative management options for the effluent generated at Colac Sewage Treatment Plant and possible ecological effects of each option were also evaluated. More recently, a sediment characterization study was also carried out at sensitive sites representative of locations where build up of sediments and algae outbreaks are reported. This will enable classification of sediment and evaluation of dredging options.
The appropriateness of CGE modelling in analysing the problem of deforestation
Authors: Centeno Stenberg Luz , Siriwardana Mahinda 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe paper reviews recent developments in utilising computable general equilibrium (CGE) models to analyse forestry policies. The paper highlights the application of CGE modelling to deforestation and forestry issues.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is carried out by comparing different CGE models available in the literature, which have analysed the economic consequences of deforestation and changes in forestry policies.FindingsThe use of CGE models in analysing forestry issues is still in its early stages. There is room for innovation and improvement in the various models used.Practical implicationsThe paper emphasises the relevance of general equilibrium analysis in the evaluation of both micro‐ and macro‐economic policies on forestry. It encourages researchers to use general equilibrium analysis in their study of environmental problems.Originality/valueThe paper highlights the contribution and possible benefits of utilising CGE models in analysing environmental problems such as deforestation, especially in the context of environment‐economics trade‐off.
Determining a quantifiable pollution management model (QPM)
Authors: Rowland‐Jones Rhys , Cresser Malcolm 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe aim of this research is to develop a model for environmental management from which quantifiable indication of overall environmental performance for an organisation may be derived.Design/methodology/approachThe links between environmental performance and financial performance are considered. Several research methods are described which consider pollution performance. However, it is clear that no single method wholly reflects quantitative pollution management (QPM). The initial model for QPM is derived, and the weightings that should be allocated for the individual and combined categories in achieving the indicator of pollution performance are established.FindingsThe paper establishes a methodology for the derivation of a QPM indicator that provides a numeric variable, by using numerical values that have been obtained from a set of linguistic values evaluated against determinations of prescribed events. The robust nature of the developed QPM indicator is provided by means of a prescribed methodology where the outcome indicator is constructed from the results of the audit and the inter‐relationship of the individual components. This inter‐relationship of numeric and linguistic variables encourages the use of modified set theory in which an individual could have a degree of membership ranged over a continuum of values.Practical implicationsThe development of a quantifiable pollution indicator enables customers/consumers to make a purchase decision that takes into account environmental concerns. These unique QPM indicators will assist in promoting a sustainable management strategy with preventative approaches to pollution. Under these circumstances, a QPM indicator would allow industrial and regulatory strategies to be implemented beyond the traditional boundaries of pollution control and waste management. It would give a broader perspective on performance, and encourage application of preventive technologies to reduce pollutant and waste loads, while also promoting environment‐friendly products and services through openly available quantitative indicators. The derived indicator will be limited to the state of a particular process at a given point in time, and as such will need recalculation over given time intervals. This methodology enables the organisation to demonstrate improvement, if applicable. Monitoring tools should in any case be an aid to strategy formulation, not a determinant of it.Originality/valueThis study will assist in allowing environmental performance to become a strategic factor in business planning. Direct comparisons may be made between the operational characteristics of organisations, and how those organisations impact on the environment via pollution, providing direct business benefits to organisations that manage their business and protect the environment.
Changing corporate attitudes towards environmental policy
Authors: Faulkner David , Carlisle Ysanne M. , Viney Howard P. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo report findings from an updated survey of environmental policy and practice among UK organizations. To draw conclusions about the relationship between environmental concerns and organizational strategy making.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reports findings from a 1999 survey of 911 UK organizations, updated by interviews conducted with participant organizations in 2004. The paper represents an extension of a ten‐year longitudinal study of environmental policy and practice in UK organizations.FindingsThe gap between policy formulation and implementation in the environmental area has continued to narrow, but environmental concerns appear not to have moved towards the centre of the strategy making process in many firms. Organizations are still primarily influenced by short‐term rather than long‐term imperatives, and although recognition of opportunity offered by the environment is increasing, organizations are still liable to adopt a reactive position, increasingly so as the size of the organization decreases.Research limitations/implicationsIt offers a contribution to the debate over the ongoing relationship between organizational strategy and environmental factors as a determinant of organizational strategy. It locates the debate in the wider discussion of determinants of organizational strategy.Practical implicationsIt highlights the complex decision‐making processes facing managers in satisfying a variety of stakeholders who may be making competing demands of their organization.Originality/valueThe paper offers a longitudinal review of changes to environmental policy and practice among UK organizations, providing an opportunity to explore the nature of change over a ten‐year period.
A short survey on air quality indicators: properties, use, and (mis)use
Authors: Franceschini F. , Galetto M. , Maisano D. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeAnalysis and comparison of three existing indicators of the air quality: the American air quality index, the French Atmo, and the Italian Indice di Qualità dell'Aria.Design/methodology/approachInternational general and organic regulations to control air quality do not exist yet. Consequently many countries have independently implemented specific indicators to monitor the air pollution and then alert people of resulting health risks. The paper focuses on three of them. Each one is independently presented showing the peculiarities. Therefore, these indicators are compared to identify the features they have in common, as well as those that set them apart, and to figure out which are either restrictive or permissive, and what are their qualities and drawbacks.FindingsThe three mentioned indicators convert the real health risk due to air pollution into numerical information, in different ways. Doing this, they carry out some simplifications or assumptions, which can be questionable. The main difficulty is to understand if the indicators aggregate the different pollutant concentrations consistently with the real effects on human health.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper analyses only three specific indicators of the air quality, selected among the existing ones.Practical implicationsIndicators should carefully be analysed to understand if they properly represents the real effects of pollutants on human health. The most critical aspect to consider is the aggregation of the different pollutant concentrations in one information.Originality/valueThis paper analyses the efficacy of representation of some air quality indicators. It discusses if indicators aggregation is consistent with the real effects on human health.
Eco‐conception in the industrial firms: methodological proposition
Authors: Bahmed Lylia , Boukhalfa Ali , Djebabra Mebarek 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to suggest a methodological approach of eco‐conception by presenting the eco‐conception stakes of a firm, its organisation modes with regard to this new approach and how one could insert the environmental data in the classical conception process.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, an eco‐conception methodology is developed. It is about an approach integrating the concepts:quality,safetyandenvironment(QSE). The taking into account simultaneously of these concepts, in the frame of our approach, allows us to conceive clean and durable products. The failure modes effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) was used in a case study to validate our approach.FindingsThis paper is a development of an approach with results obligation. Owing to our eco‐conception approach of products, the respect of environment is taken into consideration at the stage of product design. From regulation point of view, we put into reflection the approach with results obligation, i.e. approach by objectives of QSE.Practical implicationsA better definition of products implying functional specifications (products performance) strengthened by others of environmental type. As expected from this full definition of products, we cite the minimisation of products effects by unifying man at work (safety of person and goods), man as manager (quality, availability and reliability), as resident (safety in the vicinity of industrial sites) and as citizen (safeguarding environment).Originality/valueTaking into account the triptych QSE at the product design stage. Our suggestion necessitates the implication of all the actors. Therefore, efforts must be concentrated on the dynamic and progressive integration of these actors. Our work is a source of information and knowledge. It is a source of information, as it allows to supply necessary data for better definition and conception of products. It is, in the same time, a source of knowledge in the sense where it presents specific methods (FMECA), that allow to put into existence the interest or rather the necessity of merger of the three concepts QSE.
The effects of mining and processing of magnesite on the environment in SMZ JSC Jelšava
Authors: Zeman Róbert , Lörincz Arpád 
Published: January 2007

PurposeSeeks to provide primer information about the Dúbravský masív magnesite deposit and its exploitation.Design/methodology/approachSpecifies the location of the Dúbravský masív magnesite deposit, one of the biggest deposits in Slovakia, and indeed the world. Examines extraction of magnesite by mining of the Dúbravský masív deposit and its effect on the environment. Describes processing of the magnesite raw material and heat treatment of the magnesite extract, and their effect on the environment.FindingsThis paper contains information on the processing and heat treating of magnesite. The paper also demonstrates the authors' know‐how in the environmental disposal of the unworkable raw ore fraction.Originality/valueThis paper fulfils an identified information need regarding the mining and processing of magnesite raw material and its effects on the environment.
An analysis of the sodium chromate production process with chromic waste recycling
Authors: Kowalski Zygmunt , Kulczycka Joanna , Góralczyk Małgorzata 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis work seeks to present results of research which allowed the development of a technological system for the sodium chromate production process on the basis of a semi‐empirical equation.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed technological method is based on determining the defined process parameters (independent variables) which allow the complicated process to be controlled using only a few parameters that determine the chromate charge compositionFindingsBy using the equation it is possible to determine the composition of this charge, knowing only the results of analyses of the main component of the chromic ore (i.e. Cr2O3) and the values of coefficients X, a and b. In this way, the process parameters X, a and b can be adopted as independent control variables of the sodium chromate process.Practical implicationsThe proposed method for the sodium chromate production process includes the substitution of natural chromic raw material with waste from different recycling types of chromic waste.Originality/valueUsing the control of sodium chromate production with chromic mud in‐process recycling, the system of process control presented has proved itself in industrial practice for over a year.
Influence of thermal processing of FePO4 · 2H2O with Na2CO3 on solubility of phosphorus compounds in mixtures after sintering
Authors: Wzorek Zbigniew , Gorazda Katarzyna , Minda Dorota , Kulczycka Joanna 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis paper sets out to observe the changes occurring during thermal processing of Na2CO3 and FePO4 · 2H2O in control trials, then analyses the influence on availability of phosphorus compounds in comparison with pure FePO4 · 2H2O.Design/methodology/approachControl trials of Na2CO3/FePO4 · 2H2O with molar ratios in the range 0.5‐5.0 were heated to a temperature of 850°C, then calcined within 3 hours without mixing. Cooled products were submitted for chemical analysis regarding the content of phosphorus soluble in cold water, 0.4 percent HCl, 2 percent citric acid and aqua regia as well as crystallographic identification.FindingsThe addition of Na2CO3 significantly increases the availability of phosphorus compounds from FePO4 · 2H2O. The total amount of phosphorus in control trials after the calcining process is soluble in cold water, citric acid and HCl. The molar ratios used affect the type of crystalline phase formation only in the case of a molar ratio near to 1.0. Near‐perfect phosphorus availability in hematite phase formation was observed.Practical implicationsThese preliminary results confirm the necessity for further investigation of the addition of Na2CO3 into industrial sewage sludge before the calcining process. The results may allow for a decrease in energy use during the combustion process and may create the possibility of recovering phosphorus compounds from ash using only cold water instead of mineral acids during the extraction process.Originality/valueThis paper is a new source of information about phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge.
The possibility of recycling flue dust of the ferrochromium productions in Kazakhstan
Authors: Sokolov Vladyslav , Imriš Ivan , Kulczycka Joanna 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to describe a solution for cyclonic flue dust recycling based on the example of ferrochromium producers in Kazakhstan. It includes environmental improvement, which can be assessed in detail based on LCA after the development of a feasibility study of such a proposal.Design/methodology/approachThree pyrometallurgical recycling approaches should be achieved. The first approach is reduction smelting of fine waste in a direct current arc furnace without preliminary agglomeration. The second is reduction smelting of agglomerated waste in a submerged arc furnace, and the third is processing of agglomerated waste with liquid cast iron. The last approach facilitates the reactions of metal oxide reduction by carbon and silicon from the iron with a corresponding decrease in energy and auxiliary material consumption.FindingsValuable material can be produced from ferrochromium dust waste using environmentally friendly technology, including electric furnaces that can operate in SAF regimes and a simple plasma high‐power DC reactor operating under a neutral or reducing atmosphere. Finally, the investigation of waste recycling has developed a novel approach that facilitates metal oxide reduction and provides low energy and auxiliary materials consumption.Practical implicationsResearch into the treatment of flue dust generated in the ferrochromium industry is needed to solve environmental problems not only in Kazakhstan but also in all ferrochromium plants in the world.Originality/valueThe three proposed pyrometallurgical recycling approaches should be achieved on a large scale.
Determination of consolidation behaviour of Haliç dredged material by using a seepage‐induced consolidation test
Authors: Berilgen Saadet A. , Berilgen Mehmet M. , Özaydın Kutay 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo establish relationships between effective vertical stress‐void ratio and hydraulic conductivity‐void ratio on high water content dredged clays, which are then used to predict the field consolidation behavior.Design/methodology/approachThe large strain consolidation model is used for numerical modeling of large‐strain self‐weight consolidation. Material parameters determined from seepage‐induced consolidation tests provided satisfactory predictions of field compression behavior.FindingsIt is shown that realistic estimates of self‐weight consolidation behavior of dredged sea bottom sediments stored on land can be made by using a seepage‐induced consolidation test system and an appropriate consolidation model such as CS2, which is very important in storage capacity design and reclamation planning of such storage areas.Originality/valueIn this paper, the findings are presented of an experimental investigation of the consolidation behavior of Golden Horn dredge material using a seepage‐induced testing system. The experimentally determined consolidation properties have yielded useful relationships for the variation of void ratio with effective stress and coefficient of permeability with void ratio, and use of these has enabled a realistic prediction of the observed behavior.
VaR stress tests for highly non‐linear portfolios
Authors: Einmahl John H.J. , Foppen Walter N. , Laseroms Olivier W. , de Vries Casper G. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeIt is the purpose of this article to improve existing methods for risk management, in particular stress testing, for derivative portfolios. The method is explained and compared with other methods, using hypothetical portfolios.Design/methodology/approachClosed form option pricing formulas are used for valuation. To assess the risk, future price movements are modeled by an empirical distribution in conjunction with a semi‐parametrically estimated tail. This approach captures the non‐linearity of the portfolio risk and it is possible to estimate the extreme risk adequately.FindingsIt is found that this method gives excellent results and that it clearly outperforms the standard approach based on a quadratic approximation and the normal distribution. Especially for very high confidence levels, the improvement is dramatic.Practical implicationsIn applications of this type the present method is highly preferable to the classical Delta‐Gamma cum normal distribution approach.Originality/valueThis paper uses a “statistics of extremes” approach to stress testing. With this approach it is possible to estimate the far tail of a derivative portfolio adequately.