Effectiveness and Benefits of the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme: Evidence from Polish Organisations

Climate change and environmental pollution are considered to be among the main challenges faced by the modern world. The growth of environmental awareness and the adoption of a pro-environmental approach are considered to be the key megatrends with the greatest impact on the global economy in the upcoming years. According to Eurobarometer, EU citizens are particularly aware of the importance of protecting the environment. Although the negative environmental impact of European industry has improved over the past decades, EU citizens believe that there is further scope in terms of helping companies transition towards adopting more sustainable models. One of the factors contributing to the reduction in negative environmental impact is the participation of enterprises in voluntary programs such as the Environmental Management System (EMS), according to ISO 14001, or the Eco-management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). The whole population of Polish companies registered under the EMAS was included in the study and although the sample size was small, it was a full study, and for that reason allows for the generalisation and conclusion regarding the whole population of EMAS-registered companies in Poland. The results of the study conducted on EMAS-registered organisations in Poland in 2015 suggest that the average effectiveness of the EMAS observed between 2007 and 2014 was 66.4%. The aim of this study was to review the changes in EMAS effectiveness and benefits obtained by participating organisations after five years. The results indicate that the average effectiveness during the period of 2015–2020 increased to 79.1%; nevertheless, registered organisations recognise fewer benefits for participation in the scheme. The study has shown that as EMAS matures in organisations, it becomes more effective. It influences a lot of factors, such as environmental awareness and management commitment, the use of SRDs (including BEMPs), environmental performance indicators for specific sectors, the criteria for the excellence of assessing the level of environmental performance, and the skilful use of indicators in organisations.

Community attitudes towards volunteering programs for community service "Prince Hussein Academy for Civil Protection as a model": اتجاهات الأكاديميين نحو برامج التطوع الموجهة لخدمة المجتمع " أكاديمية الأمير حسين للحماية المدنية أنموذجا "

The present study aimed to identify trends of ’attitudes towards volunteering programs directed at community service, and the study relied on the descriptive approach, and the study population consisted of a sample consisting of (81) academics at the Prince Hussein Academy for Civil Protection, chosen randomly, and the results showed the arithmetic averages of academics’ attitudes toward The volunteering programs directed to community service came with a moderate degree, with a mean (3.62) At the level of the paragraphs, the paragraph that says: "Volunteer work expresses the true values ​​that we believe in" was ranked first, with an arithmetic average (4.10) and a high level, while the paragraph that states: "Free invest time in volunteer work." With an average of (3.16) and a medium degree, the results showed that there are no differences in academics ’attitudes towards volunteer programs directed to community service due to the variable of academic experience, while the results showed the existence of differences attributed to: the faculty variable and in favor of human faculties and in light of the results of the study recommend the need to link enrollment With the voluntary programs in the promotion system to encourage academics to practice volunteer activities in the local community.

Crossing District Lines: The Impact of Urban–Suburban Desegregation Programs on Educational Attainments

Interdistrict desegregation programs, which provide opportunities for urban children of color to attend suburban schools, are a potential means of addressing persistent racial inequalities in educational opportunities and outcomes. These voluntary programs offer a test of whether nonresident students can leverage the resources and social capital available at high-performing suburban schools to improve their educational outcomes. In the first impact study of Boston’s long-running program, I find large differences in the adjusted high-school graduation and college enrollment rates of applicants referred to a suburban district, compared with observably similar applicants who were not referred. The college effect is due to enrollment in 4-year institutions and does not vary by gender. Estimates are robust to adjustments for remaining omitted variables bias.

Control of Pierce’s Disease Through Areawide Management of Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and Roguing of Infected Grapevines

The General Beale Pilot Project serves as a case study for the use of areawide monitoring and treatment programs for glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar), and monitoring and roguing programs for grapevines infected with Xylella fastidiosa, to achieve regional management of Pierce’s disease. The Project is located in southeast Kern County, CA, and contains ~2,800 ha of citrus and grapevines grown within approximately 50 km2. For nearly 20 yr, an average of 470 traps have been used to monitor GWSS populations regionally by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and to inform coordinated, areawide treatments by the USDA-APHIS Areawide Treatment Program to overwintering GWSS in citrus. Grape growers were responsible for treating their own vineyards, and for the roguing of infected grapevines based on surveys provided by the University of California. Herein, we provide a history of the General Beale Pilot Project, broken down into six eras based on levels of Project success, which incorporate data on GWSS captures, pesticide use, and disease incidence. We describe patterns of success related to the regional coordination of effective treatment and roguing programs that can be used by grape and neighboring citrus growers for areawide management of Pierce’s disease. We conclude by describing current and future challenges for Pierce’s disease management, including pesticide availability and resistance, GWSS refuges, the inability to detect and rogue infected vines in the year they become infected, and the sustainability of voluntary programs that rely on public funding.

Attitudes of Saudi young women to participate in and propose volunteer work programs in light of social and cultural obstacles: اتجاهات شابات السعودية للمشاركة في برامج العمل التطوعي واقتراحها في ظل وجود المعوقات الاجتماعية والثقافية

This study aimed to reveal the attitudes of youth in Saudi Arabia towards participating in volunteerism programs, the suggestion programs in their volunteerism and social and cultural barriers to their participation in volunteerism. The sample of the study consisted of (293) female students from Saudi universities who participants in voluntary programs and youth organizations, and the sample of the interview consisted of (20) individuals working in committees with youth in Saudi universities, The study adopted the descriptive approach to its suitability in achieving the objectives of the study. the questionnaire and interview were used to collect data. The results showed that the attitudes of youth Saudi women towards participating in volunteerism programs were high, and the proposed programs in the implementation of volunteerism among Saudi youth women were high, most notable participation in programs that solve social problems. The social and cultural barriers to youth Saudi women participation in volunteerism is high, most notably the pursuit of livelihood and the lack of time to volunteer. The results of the interview are indications that the main programs proposed in the implementation of volunteerism are social programs that deal with groups of society who are not involved in various activities within the Saudi society, especially the elderly or the unemployed. Whereas, the main obstacles to volunteer programs for young people in Saudi universities are the absence of activities and programs that attract youth concerns lack of diversity for different age groups of young participants. The study recommended was the need to encourage university youth to practice volunteerism through the allocation of a project to serve the community within the requirements of Saudi universities.