When the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were agreed upon by the UN General Assembly in 2015, and subsequently endorsed by most UN Member States, there was a sense of ...optimism in respect of their timely implementation by 2030. This optimism has now become a concern. This is due to the fact that a combination of unfavourable circumstances and crises have so severely undermined the pursuit of the SDGs, that there are serious concerns about the probability of their achievement by 2030. This paper reports on an expert-driven literature review of the implementation of the SDGs and a bibliometric analysis, aimed at identifying some of the issues which have been slowing SDGs’ progress. Based on the information gathered, it suggests some specific measures which may be deployed, in order to accelerate their implementation by 2030.
The potential for energy efficiency and for the deployment of renewable energy at universities is substantial, and they represent promising ways to meet an institution's energy needs on the one hand, ...without a large climate burden on the other. However, in order to achieve successful investment and results, it is imperative to understand the level of current commitment to energy actions. Therefore, this paper investigates the level of engagement in energy efficiency measures of a sample of 50 higher education institutions from round the world, and identifies which types of renewable energy are being used to date. Results show that in more than half of the universities only a small portion of energy consumption comes from renewable sources (1%–20%) and solar/photovoltaics is the most used source (70%). Investment in energy efficiency is more common in the sample, with 54% of the universities reporting higher levels of engagement, mainly in buildings (78%) and equipment/machineries (56%). Departing from the assumption that sustainable energy use is a pre-condition for campuses to pursue sustainability, the paper identifies current deficiencies and discusses improvements in this key area, with experiences which may be replicable elsewhere.
•Renewable energy accounts as minor part of the energy usage in most universities.•Solar/photovoltaic energy applications are the most common modalities of renewable energy used at HEIs.•Buildings and equipment have been identified as the primary areas where energy efficiency improvements are needed.•. A positive correlation between engagement in energy efficiency and investments in renewable energy was observed.•There is much room for improvements in what universities can do to enhance their energy efficiency.
Purpose
This paper aims to discuss how the theory of complex thinking can be considered an interesting element in engineering education, especially in the context in which challenges toward ...sustainable development are multidisciplinary.
Design/methodology/approach
This viewpoint synthesizes the main reflections and discussions generated during a process of debate, research and creation of a proposal for an undergraduate engineering course at a higher education institution in Brazil. The literature on engineering education, sustainability and complexity was considered in an integrated way. Debates were conducted considering the authors’ knowledge and experience as professors of engineering courses and researchers in the field of sustainability. A qualitative and reflexive approach was used to organize the main discussions.
Findings
The prevailing classical engineering paradigm trains professionals to think from a Cartesian, reductionist perspective, appropriate for solving well-structured problems with known solution paths and convergent answers. However, addressing sustainability challenges requires a different kind of thinking capable of dealing with situations characterized by uncertainty, emergence and incompleteness of knowledge. Complexity thinking can be useful for this purpose as it provides a broad system approach to deal with ill-defined, ill-structured and unpredictable problems. This study can be understood as a call to researchers and professionals to consider the value and importance of complexity thinking to advance engineering education for sustainability.
Originality/value
The need to overcome the limits of the classical engineering paradigm is emphasized in the context of sustainability. Complex thinking is considered as a path toward a paradigm shift in engineering education for sustainability. It can contribute to the training of professionals to face pressing challenges now and in the future. This viewpoint provides some insights to enhance debates on education engineering.
This study aims to analyse the main benefits observed due to ISO 9001:2015 implementation and certification in Brazilian companies. A survey with market professionals was conducted in order to ...perform this analysis. The data were statistically treated. First, Cronbach's Alpha was calculated to verify the reliability of the sample and Multidimensional Scaling was performed to eliminate possible outliers. Then, Exploratory Factor Analysis was conducted to identify the variables that englobe most of information variance and allocate them into factors. It was verified that from the 12 variables analysed, 7 were allocated into two factors that explained 70.913% of the model. In Factor 1, the variables were related to improvements in the business processes quality; reduction of errors and defects; improvements in the documentation processes; customer satisfaction. In Factor 2, the variables were related to improvements in cost savings; improvements in market share; and improvements in sales volume. The findings of this research can be useful for both academics and managers, for future research, and to evaluate possible opportunities to combine different managerial approaches to enhance the potential benefits that ISO 9001 can provide, respectively.
PurposeConsidering the high impacts caused by manufacturers on sustainability, this research aims to analyse how Brazilian manufacturing companies deal with sustainability issues. To do this, ...sustainability parameters are analysed to verify possible improvement opportunities.Design/methodology/approachThis research uses Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and grey relational analysis (GRA) to analyse data from a survey with Brazilian professionals regarding aspects of sustainability in Brazilian manufacturers. The average score levels and the ranking of these aspects are evaluated.FindingsThrough the analysis performed, it was possible to verify that manufacturers in Brazil still have a long path to travel in the search for sustainability. Comparatively, it was observed that practices related to local communities received the lowest scores, on average. In contrast, on average, practices related to productivity and efficiency, occupational accidents and diseases, and compliance with environmental legislation received the highest scores.Practical implicationsThe results presented in this paper show that there are several improvement opportunities to be sought by Brazilian manufacturing companies regarding sustainability aspects. Particular attention should be given to local community practices. Besides companies, policymakers can also use this analysis to guide their future actions, encouraging manufacturing companies to better support the local community. Researchers can use the instrument of analysis (TOPSIS and GRA) to analyse other realities and compare them with the findings presented.Originality/valueThe analysis of Brazilian manufacturing companies’ reality regarding sustainability practices and considering a model based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Brazilian Institute of Corporate Governance (IBGC) is novel in the literature. The use of TOPSIS and GRA, as well as comparing their findings, generated interesting insights for companies, policymakers and researchers. The analysis presented shows the need for more significant concern for local communities and can be used to support further debates and action plans to minimise this gap.
Purpose
The inclusion of sustainability in higher education courses has been debated in recent decades and has gained particular emphasis throughout the COVID-19. This paper aims to show how the ...context of the pandemic, which demanded the transition from in-person classes to virtual classes, was used to illustrate better the concepts of life cycle assessment (LCA) for Production Engineering students in a Brazilian University.
Design/methodology/approach
The research strategy used was action research. Throughout the discipline offering, the environmental impacts resulting from in-person and remote classes were comparatively assessed through a practical activity using LCA. Students’ behaviour and perception of the activities were recorded by the professor and discussed with the other researchers on the team. At the end of the course, students answered a questionnaire to assess their satisfaction with different aspects of the discipline, and these data were analysed via Fuzzy Delphi.
Findings
The results focus on discussing the pedagogical aspects of this experience and not the environmental impacts resulting from each class modality. It was possible to notice a greater engagement of students when using a project that directly involved their daily activities (food, transportation, use of electronics, etc.) compared to the traditional approach of teaching LCA concepts. In this traditional approach, the examples focussed on the industrial sector, a more distant context from the reality of most students. Student feedback demonstrated great acceptance by them regarding the approach adopted.
Originality/value
This study contributes to expanding debates about sustainability insertion in higher education and the training of professionals more aligned with the sustainable development agenda.
PurposeThis study aims to present consolidated information on blockchain, which seeks to better clarify the concept of blockchain and the associated implications and ...characteristics.Design/methodology/approachThe methodological procedure used was Grounded Theory, based on a Systematic Bibliographic Review on the adoption of blockchain in supply chain management. To add experts' opinion on the subject to the analyzed panorama, data from a survey were also considered in the analysis.FindingsThe Grounded Theory enabled the development of consolidated information on blockchain related knowledge, identifying benefits, fragilities and contributions of the concept for supply chain management.Originality/valueAn epistemological gap has been identified between the use of blockchain in supply chain management and a theoretical basis to support the application. The originality of this study lies in providing a proposition of this theoretical basis.
Purpose
Junior enterprises have been gaining increasing attention in the Brazilian Higher Education Institutions. In addition, these companies are contributing to enhance the training of future ...professionals. Improvements in future professionals’ training must consider education for sustainability. In this context, this paper aims to critically analyze the role of junior enterprises in the training of undergraduate students in line with the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Design/methodology/approach
To discuss the ways for junior enterprises to contribute to students’ training with a higher alignment with sustainable development, it is necessary to know the routine of their activities well. Therefore, the strategy used in this research was to use the Delphi process with students who participated/participate in this kind of extracurricular activity in their institutions and are familiar with the SDGs disseminated by the United Nations.
Findings
From the rounds of Delphi method debates, eight items were listed and presented an agreement greater than 50% of the participants. Illustratively, three of them are cited here: most participants understand that some current metrics used by junior enterprises require greater alignment with the SDGs; most participants agree that junior enterprises need to better monitor the results of their postexecution projects because in general beneficial impacts on sustainability are observed in the long term; and most of the participants understand that the actions developed by junior enterprises are aligned with corporate sustainability and conscious capitalism.
Originality/value
The contribution of junior enterprises to the promotion of sustainability education is practically not addressed in the literature. The findings presented here, resulting from the Delphi process, can greatly contribute for junior enterprises to rethink their actions to better prepare future professionals to act toward sustainable development.
Social sustainability is a work field characterised by an emphasis on social aspects, e.g. equity, ethics, health, gender balance, or empowerment, within a broader sustainability context. Although ...the concept seems to be reasonably well established and deemed worthy of pursuing, some obstacles prevent its wide dissemination. Through a bibliometric analysis focusing on the literature on social sustainability at institutions, with a focus on companies, this paper aims to investigate and describe some of the barriers associated with social sustainability implementation. Apart from identifying that sustainability reporting, environmental disclosure and financial performance play a central role in successfully achieving social sustainability, in the context of which gender-related issues seem more tangential, the results indicated some solutions commonly reported for overcoming barriers and obstacles to a company’s social sustainability implementation within different sectors. These solutions have to do, among many other factors addressed in this study, with strengthening communication transparency and trust, contributing to awareness, using technology to document and promote social sustainability. Thus, empowering organizations and citizens, recognized as essential factors to social development, and addressing the challenges in a multi-dimensional way.
This article aims to evaluate improvements in opportunities for research partnerships focused on innovation, considering the ISO 56003 guidelines, Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) concepts, ...and the experiences of the authors of this article, who are researchers in various areas (ex post facto). The results presented arise from structured debates and discussions. As a result of the analysis and reflections carried out, some improvement opportunities in most of the partnerships established among research groups can be visualised. Partners in a research group often debate aspects related to technical knowledge associated with the research and contractual procedures in detail; however, they do not equally emphasise other important partnership management aspects, such as the analysis of the research impacts on all stakeholders, the definition and adoption of a governance policy to better conduct the interaction among members, and other actions that can enhance the partnerships. This article can be characterised as a synthesis of lessons learned, in addition to a presentation of guidelines mentioned in the literature. This knowledge can be useful to other researchers in planning new partnerships or evaluating existing ones. For deciding whether to enter into a partnership or withdraw from it, the information presented here is of great value.
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