scholarly journals A fragility approach to campus sustainability – methodological explorations

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Platje

Aim: Often, the approach towards entering a path of sustainable development is that intervention needs to take place. This may lead to unwanted side effects. This paper presents the basis for explorative research on campus sustainability. The aim is to create a basis for developing a methodology for identifying fragilities, threats to organizational viability and sustainable development of the external environment. Design / Research methods: The ideas presented in this paper were developed through literature study and discussed during three explorative research workshops organized in May and June 2016 at the WSB University in Wrocław (Poland), the University of Sonora (Hermosillo, Mexico) and Siauliai University (Lithuania). The ideas developed are the basis for future research on the issue. Conclusions / findings: Although more elements are included in the survey, representing elements of organizational viability and mental models directing the path of change. The survey presented and discussed in reflection papers in this volume will be the base for further research on how to improve campus sustainability by eliminating unsustainabilities. Originality / value of the article: While the traditional approach towards campus sustainability is what action should be undertaken in order to support this aim, in this paper focus is on what not to do. It can be expected that this approach leads to less undesired side-effects than an interventionist approach.

2022 ◽  
pp. 269-288
Author(s):  
Parul Bhyan ◽  
Bhavna Shrivastava ◽  
Nand Kumar

Sustainable development is a requisite for future generation, as increasing urbanization, destruction of natural resources by anthropic activities, degrading ecosystems for the sake of present economic development at cost of environmental exploitation are increasing by each passing day on earth. The goal of this chapter is to provide meaningful insights for policy-makers and decision-makers towards sustainable development in the construction industry. This study is first-of-its-kind study focusing on the Sustainable Developments Goals and sustainability dimensions and their criteria and indicators in one compilation through literature study. The study concludes that there is a need to integrate the construction industry into the Sustainable Development Goals and their targets to test the built environment sustainability and there is a need to develop the most adequate frameworks for commencing the topic. Two possible frameworks suggested for future research recommendation needed for the Indian context to enhance sustainability within construction industry are based on LCSA and MCDM analysis.


This paper explores the vision of “University Third Mission” on the emergence of “Sustainable Science”. We aim to track environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) patent trends, proportionate players, collaborative players of higher educational institutions. The patentscope database and green patent inventory of World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO )is utilized to extract patent filings details of Indian Universities and Indian Institutes of Technologies(IITs), thus totally 930 institutions for the period of 14 years. After the cleaning process, data visualization tools and technique like Gephi, are applied on data to check collaboration patterns using centrality measures and excel for charts. We find that overall patenting trends are increasing; yet ESTs patent filings are low. Only a meager number of institutions are active and a handful of institutions have the collaboration record showing the research for sustainability is something to embrace. Status of current research output shall equip the policymakers and university management to design future research agenda and strategies to execute the university third mission and to contribute for sustainable development. This research brings new thoughts on university research for sustainable development and adds value within university third mission; it focuses on Technologies for sustainable development filings, micro level players and their collaboration patterns.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 1863-1872
Author(s):  
T. W. Barlow ◽  
M. T. Greene ◽  
P. Y. Papalambros

AbstractThe design community can contribute significantly to the success of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in Africa. Currently, alignment of the design research community on sustainable development goals in Africa is not well understood. In this paper, we review relevant literature and identify trends in research topics studied and in patterns of collaboration between researchers. We find differences in topic representation and collaboration trends between African-based and non-African based researchers. Understanding these differences better will be important for future research.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 79
Author(s):  
Vania Sarahid Flores Borboa

Aim: The author provides a critical reflection of the questionnaire discussed at the workshop “Methodology for assessing the campus sustainability from the perspective of multi-level antifragility” held in June 2016 at the University of Sonora (Hermosillo, Mexico). This paper poses a reflection of how the sustainability perspective in high level education institutions could define the stage of change of alumni and therefore has an influence on sustainability issues of local companies. Design / Research methods: In the article, the author applies ideas and reflections regarding the research questionnaire discussed at the workshop “Methodology for assessing the campus sustainability from the perspective of multi-level antifragility” held in June 2016 at the University of Sonora (Hermosillo, Mexico) to sustainability issues in local companies. Conclusions / findings:  Universities have great responsibility in preparing students for applying principles of sustainability into business practice. In particular regarding the complexity of the world, where knowledge can be applied in a quickly changing environment. University staff and students can have a completely different view on the existence of different fragilities. Originality / value of the article: The article provides critical feedback on an innovative approach towards research on campus sustainability in the context of application to business practice. 


Land ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 117
Author(s):  
Dan Yan ◽  
Litao Liu ◽  
Xiaojie Liu ◽  
Ming Zhang

Urban agriculture has been proposed as an important urban element to deal with the challenges of food insecurity and environmental deterioration. In order to track current popular topics and global research trends in urban agriculture, we used bibliometric analysis and visualization mapping to evaluate and analyze the developments in the knowledge of urban agriculture based on 605 papers from the core collection database Web of Science from 2001–2021. The results were as follows. (1) The number of urban agriculture publications increased substantially year by year, indicating that the field is attracting increasing attention. The University of Kassel, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and University of Freiburg are the most productive research institutions in the field of urban agriculture. The top-five most influential countries are the Unites States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and China, of which the Unites States plays a central role in the cooperative linkage between countries. (2) Research on urban agriculture focuses not only on food production and different styles but also on how to realize the various functions of urban agriculture. In addition, UA-related sustainability and the water-energy-food nexus have become two emerging research topics. (3) Urban agriculture does not necessarily mean a resource-conserving and environmentally friendly food system. To achieve sustainable development, a transition based on technological innovation is needed. How to improve the sustainable development level of the food system while fully considering the resilience, sustainability, and versatility of urban agriculture is the main direction of future research.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 981-990
Author(s):  
Raras Gistha Rosardi ◽  
Sucihatiningsih Dian Wisika Prajanti ◽  
Hamdan Tri Atmaja ◽  
Juhadi

Sustainable development is a global agenda with issues of economic growth, environment, and welfare. The instrument for realizing sustainable development is through sustainable tourism. Agrotourism as an effort to apply the principles of sustainable tourism focusing on environmental, social, and economic dimensions. This study aims to find a sustainable tourism model in Pagilaran Tea Plantation‎ Agrotourism. This study uses a qualitative method with a case study concept. The data collection techniques used in the study were observation, in-depth interviews, literature study, and documentation. The data were analyzed by source triangulation and the data were analyzed with the help of Atlas.ti.8 software. The result of this study was the model of sustainable tourism in Pagilaran Tea Plantation Agrotourism that involves social, economic, ecological, cultural, and educational dimensions. The novelty of this study is that the Sustainable Tourism model in Pagilaran Tea Plantation Agrotourism involves the University element and is committed to upholding the principles of Tri Dharma of Higher Education, namely Education, Research, and Community Service. Pagilaran Tea Plantation Agrotourism implements Pentahelix collaboration in realizing sustainable tourism by involving academics, companies, communities, government, and media. Pagilaran Tea Plantation Agrotourism is committed to being a vehicle for family tourism, the official tourism, and study tour by prioritizing edutourism and providing ecological insight. The tourism potentials such as Tea walking, Tea Factory, and tea picking dance become the uniqueness and attraction of Pagilaran Tea Plantation Agrotourism. The novelty result of this study is that the Educational dimension is an element that can strengthen the realization of Sustainable Tourism.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Diana Cibulskiene ◽  
Vėjūnė Laurinavičiūtė ◽  
Gaivilė Nemeišytė ◽  
Renata Osockyte ◽  
Raimunda Urbelytė ◽  
...  

Aim: Provide a summary of the discussion of focus group 2 at the workshop on “Methodology for assessing the campus sustainability from the perspective of multi-level antifragility” held in June 2016 at Siauliai University (Lithuania), as well as reflection notes each of the participant wrote after the workshop. The paper shows the outcome of the process of interaction and reflections of the authors. Design / Research methods: This article contains feedback based on the experience and ideas from third year students from sustainable business from the University of Siauliai (Lithuania). Discussion took place during the workshop in focus groups. Afterwards, a discussion took place among all participating students and lecturers. After the workshop, the authors wrote individual feedback notes. These are summarized in this paper. Conclusions / findings: When using a wider set of indicators of campus sustainability showing different types of fragilities, different stakeholders need to be used as a source of information. The reason is that when not possessing information on a certain aspect, as was confirmed by this focus group, an indicator tends to be considered irrelevant. A conclusion that should be treated with care is that indicators of lying and cheating, honesty, as well as indicators of mistakes may be a good starting point for creating indicators of campus sustainability focusing at threats for organizational viability and sustainability of the university’s external environment. Originality / value of the article: The article provides critical feedback on an innovative approach towards research on campus sustainability.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (37) ◽  
pp. 10-26
Author(s):  
Sharmila Rani Moganadas ◽  
Subhacini Subramaniam ◽  
Shwu Huey Nun ◽  
Ainee Suriani Bahaman

Sustainable development has long gained momentum as an indispensable change-maker of the present and future, across nations, organisations, institutions, and individuals around the globe. Despite its universal recognition, the understanding of the concept’s constituents seems vague and heterogeneous, which has led to piecemeal initiatives that appear to impede the vision of systemic sustainability. In this disposition, many experts reckon that the higher education institutions that are in the sustainably adept nick, capable of cultivating and leading the community towards a holistic sustainable development approach. This portrays the need for a sound knowledge or awareness of sustainable development dimensions among campus actors; in particular, the educators, as it emerges as the prerequisite to campus sustainability endeavours. This paper, therefore, aims to carry out one of the grassroots level efforts, which is to measure the awareness of sustainable development dimensions among academic staff of a private university in Malaysia. This research adopted an online and offline survey to obtain responses from 169 educators. The findings show that there are significant differences in the level of awareness on sustainable development dimensions (economy, social, and environment) among educators of the university. Gaps and needs identified in this study can be useful to the management to better orientate their actions towards campus sustainability plans, such as policies, curriculum development, operations, research, etc.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 63
Author(s):  
Diana Cibulskiene ◽  
Alina Gogitidze ◽  
Vladimir Kuvshinov ◽  
Laura Malyševa ◽  
Kornelija Raišytė ◽  
...  

Aim: Provide a summary of the discussion of focus group 1 at the workshop on “Methodology for assessing the campus sustainability from the perspective of multi-level antifragility” held in June 2016 at Siauliai University (Lithuania), as well as reflection notes each of the participant wrote after the workshop. The paper shows the outcome of the process of interaction and reflections of the authors. Design / Research methods: This article contains feedback based on the experience and ideas from third year students of sustainable business from the University of Siauliai (Lithuania). Discussion took place during the workshop in focus groups. Afterwards, a discussion took place among all participating students and lecturers. After the workshop, the authors wrote individual feedback notes. These are summarized in this paper.  Conclusions / findings: Students may provide limited information on university viability and sustainability of the university’s external environment due to lack of information on many indicators. Many indicators on which no information was available were considered to be irrelevant, being an example of the principle “what we do not see, does not count.”  Originality / value of the article: The article provides critical feedback on an innovative approach towards research on campus sustainability.


Author(s):  
Melanie SARANTOU ◽  
Satu MIETTINEN

This paper addresses the fields of social and service design in development contexts, practice-based and constructive design research. A framework for social design for services will be explored through the survey of existing literature, specifically by drawing on eight doctoral theses that were produced by the World Design research group. The work of World Design researcher-designers was guided by a strong ethos of social and service design for development in marginalised communities. The paper also draws on a case study in Namibia and South Africa titled ‘My Dream World’. This case study presents a good example of how the social design for services framework functions in practice during experimentation and research in the field. The social design for services framework transfers the World Design group’s research results into practical action, providing a tool for the facilitation of design and research processes for sustainable development in marginal contexts.


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