Permanent URI for this collection
This collection includes scholarly publications, working papers, and research outputs with a focus on sustainability.
Browse
Recent Submissions
Publication Mainstreaming Indigenous Peoples’ Human Rights in the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage: The Role and Issues Surrounding Relevant Global Governance Actors(2024) Scarpa, SilviaThe aim of this chapter is to demonstrate that a new inclusive strategy is needed to guarantee that the human rights of indigenous peoples are promoted while guaranteeing the protection of cultural and natural heritage to favor coexistence among local communities and relevant endangered species in national parks and other protected areas worldwide. The 2019 allegations against the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) that it promoted anti-poaching activities by national rangers in various national parks, most of which are World Heritage sites located in six Asian and African States, thus contributing to serious human rights violations and abuses against indigenous peoples living in or near these sites, constitute the reason for an analysis of the international framework related to, on the one hand, the human rights of indigenous peoples living in or near protected areas and, on the other hand, the protection of cultural and natural heritage. The conclusions reached and recommendations formulated by the Independent Panel of Experts that reviewed the work of the WWF in 2020 are, in the opinion of this author, very much relevant when promoting a human rights consistent involvement of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in environmental protection efforts. Nonetheless, the example at hand demonstrates that NGOs, as other non-State actors, shall abide to sound human rights regulatory frameworks, whose further development would be considered an important milestone. Only a coordinated strategy involving all relevant actors and stakeholders, including in particular State authorities, relevant international organizations, such as UNESCO, nongovernmental organizations, and indigenous peoples may advance a more balanced approach that equally promotes, on the one hand, fundamental wildlife protection activities and, on the other hand, the rights of indigenous peoples.Publication Modern Slavery and the International Human Rights Regime(2024) Scarpa, SilviaThis chapter considers the intersections between the concepts of modern slavery and human rights. It first considers their conceptual complexity and how this affects their practical implementation. Second, it examines how the two concepts developed throughout history, emphasizing that a system aimed at eliminating the slave trade and, subsequently, slavery, has existed since the eighteenth century. Thus, the abolitionist ideal existed well before the affirmation of the modern concept of human rights, which, notwithstanding its multiple historical roots, certainly developed after the end of World War II. Finally, the chapter considers the present-day efforts of various global governance actors at multiple levels—universal, regional, and subregional—and the ways in which the modern slavery paradigm is advanced within, but on some occasions also outside, the international human rights regime.Publication Market Entry Through Multilateral Networks in Developing Countries: The Case of Public–Private Development Partnership in Zambia(2023) Brockmann-Hosseini, Navid; Jell-Ojobor, Maria; Windsperger, JosefGlobalization and increased market saturation in most developed countries have prompted private sector firms to expand into international markets that offer growth potential. Thus, increasingly, private firms channel foreign direct investments into such markets, which are located in untapped developing countries. At the same time, the local economies in developing countries often lack technology, education, or access to international trade. Furthermore, foreign multinational companies need market-relevant knowledge and skills. Therefore, the format of public–private development partnerships (PPDPs) seems to combine the needs of the private and public sectors. Such partnerships also try to improve the economic prospects and livelihoods of people in developing countries. We explore the case of the Volvo Group forming a PPDP in Zambia to improve our understanding of how MNCs enter the market in developing countries using this format. Based on transaction cost theory, institutional theory, and resource-based theory, we find that PPDPs help reduce transaction costs, mitigate institutional risks, and create unique resources for multinational companies entering less developed countries. Ultimately, our results contribute to the understanding of value creation for PPDP’s stakeholders from developed and developing countries.Publication Strategic CSR and the Competitive Advantage of Franchise Firms(2019) Jell-Ojobor, MariaAlthough corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a widely researched topic, there is a lack of its application in the franchise literature. The integration of CSR into the franchise business model is vital as it affects the franchise firm’s growth and survival. Based on resource-based and organizational capabilities theories, our study explains how CSR strategy impacts the creation of intangible brand name assets as critical source of sustainable competitive advantage and, hence, increased financial performance. We adopt a multi-stakeholder-oriented CSR construct of economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic responsibility dimensions. Using data from Austrian franchise firms, our results show that those CSR dimensions have a positive impact on brand name asset creation. Specifically, philanthropic responsibility strategy has the greatest impact on brand name assets, followed by legal, ethical, and economic responsibility strategies. Overall, this is the first study in franchising which explains the strategic role of CSR.Publication Inclusive value creation in the coffee industry. A framework of blockchain-enabled dynamic capabilities for sustainable international supply chain transformation(2022) Jell-Ojobor, Maria; Kramer, Michael PaulThe components that characterize sustainable business models in the coffee industry – such as fair prices, conducive working conditions, sustainable production, and ecological protection – pose challenges for international coffee manufacturers in maintaining their financial performance. Therefore, sustainable business models must be more competitive than traditional ones. While sustainability strategies are to a large extent public – meaning, they can be imitated by others – when combined with complementary assets, they can yield additional assets, resources, and capabilities, ensuring these firms a long-term competitive advantage. Based on the dynamic capabilities of resource-based theory, our study explains how the use of blockchain technology reinforces critical dynamic capabilities to differentiate the brand as a source of intangible assets and inclusive value creation in sustainable international coffee supply chains. Overall, our study helps balance the distribution of value among the coffee supply chain partners located in industrialized and developing countries.Publication Testing the Effectiveness of an Ecomedia Literacy Environmental Education Lesson(2024) Lo Iacono, Ludovica; López, Antonio; Visintin, Emilio PaoloThe growing environmental crisis requires innovative educational strategies to promote pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors. In this context, ecomedia literacy, which combines ecological education and media to enhance pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors, stimulate sustainable actions, and foster critical thinking, represents a promising approach. In this research, we evaluated the effectiveness of an ecomedia literacy-based lesson. Participants (N = 106) were randomly assigned to either an ecomedia literacy group or a control group. Those in the ecomedia literacy group first attended the lesson and then completed a questionnaire to assess pro-environmental attitudes and behavioral intentions, while those in the control group completed the questionnaire before the lesson. The lesson focused on the use of plastic water bottles, and attitudes and intentions were assessed both in general toward the environment and specifically regarding the consumption of plastic bottles. The intervention was not successful in changing intentions or attitudes toward plastic bottles, but some facets of pro-environmental attitudes were better in the ecomedia literacy group than in the control group. The limited effectiveness of the lesson indicates the need for significant changes in content and future strategies to better achieve sustainability goals.Publication Ecomedia Literacy. A Quickstart Guide(2024) López, AntonioPublication Triggering Change: An SDG2 Challenge Competition Hosted by John Cabot American University in Rome(Emerald Publishing, 2024) Favorite, Michèle; Carnini Pulino, SilviaPublication Motivations for ESG Investment Among Leaders in the MICE Industry(2024) Hieker, Carola; Gannon, Greg; Philips, Emily Nan; Majmudar, SohilThe Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry faces mounting pressure to address environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns over its environmental impact. This research investigates the driving forces behind ESG investment decisions among MICE industry leaders. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study begins with an exploratory expert interview, followed by targeted questions for focus groups involving senior industry figures. Insights from the focus group discussions inform the development of a comprehensive questionnaire, capturing key motivators identified by participants. The survey was subsequently distributed to a broader cohort of MICE industry leaders, resulting in responses from 76 individuals.The findings highlight that leadership responsibility and the desire to inspire others are pivotal motivators for ESG investment, transcending company size and revenue. Simultaneously, external pressures—such as talent attraction and reputation enhancement—also play a significant role. However, the presence of opaque and localized regulations poses a formidable obstacle, hindering genuine commitment from all MICE industry leaders. This research contributes unique insights to this industry, and further investigation is warranted to understand motivators for ESG investment not only in the MICE industry but also in comparable growing sectors.Publication Crowdfunding for sustainability: How environmental activism moderates support for B2B and B2C campaigns(Elsevier, 2024) Maiolini, Riccardo; Nasta, LuigiThis study explores the influence of customer investors' perceptions on their willingness to invest in sustainable crowdfunding campaigns. Specifically, it examines whether emphasizing a product's direct impact on consumers (B2C) or its broader industrial impact (B2B) affects investment decisions. Using a between-subjects experiment with 304 participants, the research investigates how environmental sustainability activism moderates investment behavior. The study found that higher levels of environmental activism decrease support for B2C campaigns compared to B2B campaigns. These results suggest that sustainability-focused backers prefer projects due to perceived greater systemic impact.Publication The role of natural resources, fintech, political stability, and social globalization in environmental sustainability: Evidence from the United Kingdom(Elsevier, 2024) Andlib, Zubaria; Scicchitano, Sergio; Padda, Ihtsham Ul HaqNumerous studies illustrate that natural resources, financial technologies, social globalization, and political stability are essential factors that influence environmental sustainability. Therefore, researchers in developed nations must explore these interconnections further, mainly when these nations focus on achieving net zero emissions targets. The present analysis illuminates the connotations among natural resources, political stability, fintech, social globalization, and CO2 emissions in the UK. The current analysis has taken the time frame, 2000Q1 to 2021Q4, and employed the latest approach, i.e., the bootstrap ARDL technique, for estimation. The empirical results revealed that natural resources and social globalization are escalating CO2 emissions. Nonetheless, political stability and fintech lead to decreased CO2 emissions in the specific case of the selected developed nation. The present analysis confabulates an uni-directional connotation between all the chosen economic indicators and environmental degradation in the UK. As per the observed empirical outcomes, developed nations must initiate policies and programs to utilize natural resources efficiently without compromising environmental sustainability. In addition, governments in developed nations should encourage financial technologies and political stability to promote ecological sustainability.Publication The Routledge Handbook of Ecomedia Studies(Routledge, 2023) López, Antonio; Ivakhiv, Adrian; Rust, Stephen; Tola, Miriam; Chang, Alenda Y.; Chu, Kiu-waiThe Routledge Handbook of Ecomedia Studies gathers leading work by critical scholars in this burgeoning field. Redressing the lack of environmental perspectives in the study of media, ecomedia studies asserts that media are in and about the environment, and environments are socially and materially mediated. The book gives form to this new area of study and brings together diverse scholarly contributions to explore and give definition to the field. The Handbook highlights five critical areas of ecomedia scholarship: ecomedia theory, ecomateriality, political ecology, ecocultures, and eco-affects. Within these areas, authors navigate a range of different topics including infrastructures, supply and manufacturing chains, energy, e-waste, labor, ecofeminism, African and Indigenous ecomedia, environmental justice, environmental media governance, ecopolitical satire, and digital ecologies. The result is a holistic volume that provides an in-depth and comprehensive overview of the current state of the field, as well as future developments. This volume will be an essential resource for students, educators, and scholars of media studies, cultural studies, film, environmental communication, political ecology, science and technology studies, and the environmental humanities. The Open Access version of this book, available at www.taylorfrancis. com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license. Deep gratitude for the generous support of those institutions that provided funding to enable this volume to be available simultaneously in print and open access: University of Oregon Libraries Open Access Publishing Award, Frank J. Guarini School of Busi-ness at John Cabot University, University of Vermont Humanities Center, University of California Santa Barbara, University of Lausanne, and School of Humanities at Nanyang Technological University.Publication Ecomedia Literacy Bringing Ecomedia Studies into the Classroom(Routledge, 2023) López, AntonioThe purpose of this chapter is to introduce the methodology of ecomedia literacy and demonstrate how ecomedia studies can be incorporated into any educational setting. Ecomedia literacy is defined as the ability to evaluate and critically engage how everyday media practice enables us to live regeneratively within Earth’s ecological parameters for the present and future. The primary analytical heuristic for this approach is the “ecomediasphere,” which analyzes “ecomedia objects” (gadgets, texts, platforms, etc.) from four different perspectives: ecoculture, political ecology, ecomaterialism, and lifeworld. An ecomedia object is something that has agreed upon properties, but its meaning and use change according to environmental context.Publication Unleashing the power of innovation and sustainability: Transforming cereal production in the BRICS countries(Elsevier, 2024) Magazzino, Cosimo; Gattone, Tulia; Usman, Muhammad; Valente, DonatellaAmidst escalating food insecurity and climate change threats, which exacerbate food shortages and increase agricultural emissions, this paper explores transformative strategies in cereal production within the BRICS countries from 1990 to 2021. The uncontrolled growth of intensive agriculture, aimed at satisfying the growing global demand for food in a context already threatened by climate change, has led to a uniformity of crops with devastating impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, resulting in a transformation of soil and its capacity to implement ecosystem services, such as food, fiber, and raw material production, nutrient recycling, carbon sequestration, clean water availability, and the regulation of water regimes and local temperatures. These changes have had negative consequences on agricultural production. Thus, sustainable agriculture faces three closely related challenges: reducing environmental impact, in-creasing productivity, and adapting to and mitigating climate change. This analysis utilizes advanced econometric tools such as panel second-generation unit root tests, Westerlund’s cointegration test, second-generation long-run estimators, and the Dumitrescu-Hurlin causality test, together with several machine learning algorithms, to investigate the influence of technological innovations and improved land management on cereal yields. The findings demonstrate a positive correlation between technological advancements, enhanced land management for cereal cultivation, and the food production index with increased cereal output. At the same time, emissions from agriculture significantly reduce yields over time. Furthermore, an interaction analysis reveals that the comprehensive integration of these factors significantly boosts cereal productivity. The study also identifies directional causal relationships between technological and emission factors and cereal production, suggesting a complex interplay with land use. Sustainable land use is one of the key conditions for ensuring the ecological resilience of agricultural practices in terms of providing ecosystem services. Implementing these strategies calls for a collaborative approach among governments, policymakers, farmers, researchers, and other stakeholders, considering each BRICS nation’s unique environmental, socio-economic, and local contexts, and fostering regional cooperation to promote sustainable agricultural practices.Publication Corporate social performance and cost of debt: the relationship(Emerald Publishing, 2017) Magnanelli, Barbara Sveva; Izzo, Maria FedericaPurpose – This paper aims to investigate the link between corporate social performance (CSP) and cost of debt financing. Despite academic debate has focused on the link between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and CSP (expressed through accounting and market measures of profitability), few empirical researches have analysed the relations between CSR, cost of debt and its relation with the risk profile of a firm. The literature on the cost of debt determinants generally documents a negative association between measures of the risk of the firm and its cost of debt. The literature on CSR defines risk reduction as one of the potential benefits related to CSR activities. Thus, the expectation is that high CSP scores are inversely related to cost of debt. Design/methodology/approach – Using a unique data set of 332 firms over a time period of five years antecedent to the global financial crisis, a linear regression model is applied. Findings – The results show a positive relation between CSP and cost of debt, demonstrating that CSR is not a value driver with an impact on the firm’s risk profile. Practical implications – The research has also practical implications as it makes managers aware of the potentiality of CSP to reduce the firm’s cost of debt. Originality/value – These findings enlarge the empirical research on the value of CSP, expanding it towards a quite new area of investigation: the cost of external financing.Publication Marketing sustainable financial products to specific target segments: the case of the Italian market(2019) Signorini, Alessandro; Torosantucci, GaetanaOriginality of the study. Sustainability is generally classified as the balance between economic, social, and environmental factors in the decision making of an organization (Ralph and Strubbs, 2014). In order to fill the criteria of sustainability, the organizational decisions must constantly try to ensure economic stability and growth in the long term, strive to social equity, and preserve the natural environment for the future generations (UNESCO, 2011). This article focuses on one specific aspect of sustainability, sustainable banking, that can be defined as the attempt from commercial and investment banks to include sustainability and social responsibility factors in their operations. In particular, the emphasis is on the offer of banking and financial products and services that have social and environmental sustainable elements along with economic stability and profitability (Boitan, 2015). The inclusion of sustainable elements can be based on a voluntary and independent initiative that banks implement in order to better match the needs of their consumers. Alternatively, banks can adhere to established sustainability frameworks that offer guidelines on how banking and financial products can incorporate sustainable factors (Boitan, 2015). The three most common and well-known frameworks are the Equator Principles, the United Nations Global Compact, and the United Nations Environment Program Financial Initiative (http://www.equator-principles.com, www.unglobalcompact.org, www.unepfi.org).Publication Fake Climate News: How Denying Climate Change is the Ultimate in Fake News(2020) López, Antonio; Share, JeffPublication Bella Gaia and the Pedagogical Power of the Overview Effect: An Interview with Kenji Williams(2020) López, AntonioBella Gaia (Beautiful Earth) is a performance that combines a world-music inspired soundtrack with projected graphics, animations and video to educate about climate change. A hybrid of art and science, the nonlinear performance is an example of an emerging form of ecomedia in which remote sensing media are used to transform audiences to experience Earth as an organic, living organism. Bella Gaia’s creative director and creator, Kenji Williams, discusses this new form of educational experience. The violinist, composer and filmmaker incorporates a neuro-science driven methodology to create “immersive live theater, mixed reality, and interactive data visualization.”