This study focuses on environmental commitment in the tourist accommodation industry, with particular emphasis on a case study of Sanya, Hainan, China. Both the beneficial and detrimental attributes of tourism accommodations are discussed in this thesis. On a worldwide basis, negative environmental and social impacts associated with the accommodation industry have spurred the formation of many non-regulatory initiatives aimed at improving the sustainability of accommodations and their related activities. Furthermore, as China is a country that is relatively new to tourism and is affected by burgeoning growth, it is imperative to determine the level of environmental commitment in the industry. Through this analysis, potential methods can be assessed that can be imperative in moving the tourism accommodation industry in Sanya, and subsequently worldwide, towards sustainable action. In order for the latter to occur, a study was conducted in 2004-05 to identify the motivating, organizational and impeding factors that affect the level of environmental commitment in the Sanya accommodation industry. These factors were assessed using qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis in an attempt to provide insight into the gap between attitude and action in relation to sustainability in the tourist accommodation industry. This thesis discusses the major conclusions derived from this study and provides insight as well as recommendations as to what affects the level of environmental commitment in an accommodation facility and how this information can be utilized to motivate sustainability.

This study focuses on environmental commitment in the tourist accommodation industry, with particular emphasis on a case study of Sanya, Hainan, China. Both the beneficial and detrimental attributes of tourism accommodations are discussed in this thesis. On a worldwide basis, negative environmental and social impacts associated with the accommodation industry have spurred the formation of many non-regulatory initiatives aimed at improving the sustainability of accommodations and their related activities. Furthermore, as China is a country that is relatively new to tourism and is affected by burgeoning growth, it is imperative to determine the level of environmental commitment in the industry. Through this analysis, potential methods can be assessed that can be imperative in moving the tourism accommodation industry in Sanya, and subsequently worldwide, towards sustainable action. In order for the latter to occur, a study was conducted in 2004-05 to identify the motivating, organizational and impeding factors that affect the level of environmental commitment in the Sanya accommodation industry. These factors were assessed using qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis in an attempt to provide insight into the gap between attitude and action in relation to sustainability in the tourist accommodation industry. This thesis discusses the major conclusions derived from this study and provides insight as well as recommendations as to what affects the level of environmental commitment in an accommodation facility and how this information can be utilized to motivate sustainability.

Background: Pressures from stakeholders drive manufacturers to be more environmental committed. The demand and supply integration (DSI) aims at balancing the demand and supply in order to stay competitive and reduce costs which can help manufacturers decreasing production costs for environmental-friendly products. When a company is integrating and disseminating information, trust is expected to play an important role between the supply chain partners. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate, theoretically and empirically, of how environmental commitment and trust can influence DSI within the German textile manufacturing industry. Methodology: The primary data, in this thesis, was conducted using a structured web survey sent out to 982 German textile manufacturers via email, based on the database Orbis. The response rate was 5.6 per cent. The simple linear regression analysis was used in order to investigate the relation of environmental commitment and trust on the extent of DSI. Findings, conclusions: In the German textile manufacturing industry, on the one hand, the results indicated that there is a positive linear relation of environmental commitment on the extent of DSI. Due to the low response rate and the lack of previous studies, further research should be conducted to confirm this relation. On the other hand, trust somewhat influences the extent of DSI, however, no linear relationship is found between them. The result is not in coherence with previous research. Hence, further studies are needed to clarify this relation.

Business enterprise produces goods and services through the orchestration of factors of production defined in essence by human consumption behaviour. The production and consumption of goods and services are also associated with environmental problems. These socially constructed problems, regardless of the implied incontrovertibility of their dangers, have drawn attention to the importance of sustainable development models as a means of minimising ecological risk. As a consequence of the ecological aspects of business enterprise and its interrelations between the social and physical environment the firm and corporate management have become focus points of attempts to ameliorate environmental change. The ecological orientation of companies can be defined through their internal, social and economic characteristics as well as psychological factors, which are germane to corporate objectives. The development of corporate ecological orientations is on one hand dependent upon actual or anticipated external changes acting upon the operating frameworks of a firm and on the other hand the existence of relevant management values and intentions expressed through their strategic planning process. In this research key features of the notion of environmental consciousness are identified and employed to investigate the corporate environmental consciousness of small and medium-sized enterprises in the United Kingdom and Germany. Environmental consciousness comprises cognitive, affective and conative aspects. Accordingly, the research involves an empirical examination of corporate values, attitudes towards environmental commitments and environmental action within firms. The examination is contextualised by socio-economic factors in which business enterprise is conducted in selected industry sectors within the United Kingdom and Germany. The study concludes with a synthesis of the research findings on environmental management practice and experiences of SMEs in each country.

The Green factory mark system validated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs will be officially launched in 2012. The assessment of green plants covers not only in the prohibition of harmful substances during the manufacturing process, reduction of unnecessary waste and promotion of environmental protection policies, but also extends to the whole supply chain from raw materials, parts suppliers to proceed with the environmental protection policies, and ultimately helps to achieve the objective of the green supply chain. However, there are no related laws to require part suppliers to adhere to green production plant objective currently in car industry. This study focuses on how customers affect and influence suppliers¡¦ environmental commitment based on its own environmental strategies and environmental performance requirements. The study is mainly from the constructs of customer¡¦s environmental strategy and customer¡¦s environmental performance requirements which includes moderators of contract, evaluation, and encouragement to investgae the relationship with suppliers environmental commitment. The study takes 246 suppliers of Honda Taiwan Motor Co., Ltd as sampling and utilizes Likert five-level scaling method from 1 to 5, from ¡uStrongly disagree¡v¡B¡uDisagree¡v¡B¡uNeither agree nor disagree¡v¡B¡uAgree¡v¡B¡uStrongly agree¡vto confirm hypothesises of the study. According to the results of this study, the predictive factors for improving suppliers¡¦s environmental commitment are customer environmental performance requirements; customer environmental strategy and contract in order. The statistical results are significant. In other words, suppliers will raise its environmental commitment according to its major customers¡¦ environmental performance requirements and environmental strategies. Suppliers also agree that contract restrictions signed with major customers would enhance and raise its environmental commitment. The study takes Honda Taiwan Motor Co., Ltd. as an example trying to see how to raise suppliers¡¦ environmental commitment without any laws reinforcement and expects to set the standard for other companies in Taiwan.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-11T13:54:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao-Sonia Maria Lemos.pdf: 695519 bytes, checksum: bb2fa6ad04591a080c83bb6ae077b805 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-07-15 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The complexity of the individual-environment relation has brought about uneasiness and a search for strategies in order to minimize or avoid the negative impact of human actions upon the environment. The quest for some understanding on this complexity makes it possible to widen knowledge upon these two facts, stimulating the discussion about a proposition that one will be able to establish healthier and less aggressive ways of living as far as environmental issues are concerned based on environmental-related conceptions and their effects upon the environment .Therefore, it all starting out from a conception that environmental commitment demands engagement, be it in the production of such knowledge or in the rational use of the natural resources. That information is relatively available does not mean that people in general may feel compelled to making use of it or applying it. It is understood that the problem behind environmental issues is complex and interdependent on the social problematic issues arising from population growth, poor income division, allocation of people in big city centers being the spaces smaller and smaller and social inequity larger and larger each day. The various technical-scientific transformations have triggered ecological unbalances and a progressive deterioration on both single and collective ways of living. These changes and the population growth have led to changes in the way people feel or perceive reality. The objective of this study was to analyze people´s environmental forms of commitment at moments of vulnerability and, how these constitute the socio environmental ethos of this population. The issues on vulnerability to which the poorer classes are exposed have represented a challenge in the search for strategies after risk reduction and applicable ways that people can actively develop. The methodological strategy adopted was of a filed research of the descriptive exploratory qualitative type, carried out in an urbanized city zone in the vicinities of the Ouro Verde residential area, Coroado III, Zona Leste in Manaus. The environment is muddy, located in a flooding area and several water streams run across it and wind up in a creek that gets polluted with tossed waste and trash, causing major environmental problems and bringing about a great deal of difficulty to the dwellers. The techniques for the collection of information were the participative observation and semistructured interview, being Content the method of the analysis. A set of ethical phenomena was identified in the current study in order to justify the proposed commitment and three categories emerged from the socio-environmental reality were named after active passivity ; supportive passivity and controlled passivity , which, after all constitute the socioenvironmental ethos built by this population and browses through the environmental-related issues, their understanding and engagement. The questions arisen do not only contribute to the discussion of these people´s engagement to sharing the possibilities of facing their own problematic, but also to giving greater visibility on this process so there can be more effective and efficient interventions. / A complexidade da relação pessoa-ambiente tem produzido inquietação e busca de estratégias para minimizar ou evitar o impacto negativo da ação humana sobre o meio. A busca de entendimento desta complexidade possibilita ampliar o conhecimento sobre estes dois aspectos, estimulando a discussão de uma proposta, onde a partir da compreensão das concepções sobre o meio e dos efeitos sobre ele é possível estabelecer modos de vida mais saudáveis e menos agressivos em termos ambientais. Portanto, partiu-se de uma concepção de que o compromisso ambiental exige envolvimento, seja na produção do conhecimento ou no uso racional dos recursos naturais. O fato das informações estarem relativamente disponíveis não significa que as pessoas em geral se sintam comprometidas em sua apropriação e aplicação. Entende-se que a problemática ambiental é complexa e interdependente da problemática social decorrente do crescimento populacional, má distribuição de renda, alocação das populações em grandes cidades - com espaços cada vez mais restritos, e do alargamento das desigualdades. As diversas transformações técnico-científicas ocasionaram desequilíbrios ecológicos e progressiva deterioração nos modos de existência individuais e coletivas. Essas mudanças e o crescimento demográfico levaram a transformações no modo de viver e perceber a realidade. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as formas de compromisso ambiental de pessoas em situação de vulnerabilidade e como estas constituem o ethos socioambiental dessa população. As questões de vulnerabilidade a que estão expostas especialmente as populações menos favorecidas têm representado um desafio na busca das estratégias para diminuição dos riscos e envolvimento para uma participação mais ativa das pessoas no estabelecimento de meios para a sua aplicabilidade. A estratégia metodológica adotada foi de pesquisa de campo do tipo qualitativa exploratória descritiva, que foi desenvolvida em uma ocupação urbana localizada nas adjacências do conjunto Ouro Verde, Bairro Coroado III, Zona Leste na cidade de Manaus. O ambiente é alagadiço, situado em área de charco e entrecortado por vários córregos que deságuam no igarapé onde são jogados os dejetos e o lixo, causando problemas ambientais importantes e trazendo inúmeras dificuldades aos moradores. As técnicas para a coleta de informações foram a observação participante e entrevista semi-estruturada, sendo que o método de análise foi o de conteúdo. Foram identificados neste estudo um conjunto de fenômenos éticos para explicar o compromisso e propusemos três categorias que emergiram da realidade socioambiental que foram denominadas passividade ativa ; passividade suportiva e passividade cerceada que por fim constituem o ethos socioambiental construído por esta população e perpassa o seu entendimento e envolvimento com as questões mbientais. O levantamento dessas questões contribui não apenas com a discussão acerca do envolvimento das pessoas compartilhando possibilidades de enfrentamento das problemáticas vividas por elas, mas também dar maior visibilidade desse processo para intervenções mais eficazes e eficientes.

Faith-based environmentalism involves caring for the earth through a reflection of one's morals, values, and faith. In this study, religious leaders that are actively involved in faith-based environmental groups were interviewed and congregational members surveyed to explore belief systems and attitudes with the goal of understanding how to increase program participation and make faith-based environmental groups more effective. Twenty environmental religious action leaders were interviewed. Survey questions were also administered to 10 church/synagogue congregations within the study region. Interview results showed that action leaders were interested in secular and religious partnerships, although they felt that some partnerships may be more appropriate than others. Leaders felt that clergy support was essential to program success. The extent to which faith contributes to one's identity could be a factor for participation for some congregants. Leaders thought that a combination of hands-on, scripture-based, and sermon-based approaches, as well as integration throughout church or synagogue practices and activities would increase efficacy. Political perceptions were cited as a reason for non-participation. Congregational survey results showed that environmental commitment positively predicted program participation, whereas political conservatism was an inverse predictor. Faith identity, secular and faith partnership attitudes, religiosity, church attendance, and attitudes about support from church leadership did not impact whether or not congregational members participated in faith-based environmental programs. Program preferences and environmental views were analyzed to determine any differences. Preferred learning methods included hands-on activities and expert guest speakers. Congregants most viewed environmental problems as being a moral, social justice, and economic issue. / Master of Science

Yes / This article investigates the impact of environmental collaboration on sustainable innovation and its impact on firm growth. The hypotheses are tested using data from 455 small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana. The findings from the study show that environmental collaboration positively relates to sustainable innovation and this relationship is moderated by environmental commitment. The results also show that sustainable innovation is positively associated with SME growth. Finally, the results suggest that sustainable innovation mediates the environmental collaboration‐SME growth relationship. The theoretical and practical implications of the study are discussed.

A Região Metropolitana de São Paulo representa o maior aglomerado urbano do país, conduzindo a uma gestão complexa no que diz respeito ao fornecimento de água em quantidade e qualidade suficientes para atender a demanda ai inserida. O reservatório de Biritiba-Mirim representa um dos sistemas produtores no provimento desse recurso. Inserido no Sistema Produtor Alto Tietê, o mesmo foi objeto de análise nessa Tese quanto a qualidade da água e as possíveis alterações nos ciclos biogeoquímicos diante da pressão causada por ações antrópicas na região. Foram analisados dois sistemas, a água e os sedimentos em suspensão nos quais se coletaram diversas amostras em dois setores do ambiente lacunar, uma em que atividades agrícolas encontravam-se próximas do corpo de água e outra onde havia a proteção de mata ciliar, comparando essas áreas. Determinaram-se parâmetros físico-químicos (pH, oxigênio dissolvido, potencial de oxirredução, condutividade elétrica e turbidez). Os sedimentos em suspensão foram quimicamente analisados de forma qualitativa e semi-quantitativa com utilização de microscópio eletrônico de varredura (MEV). O mapeamento do reservatório quanto ao seu atual uso e ocupação, considerando as características regionais, sociais, geológicas, hidrológicas, pedológicas, geomorfológicas foram levantadas através de imagens de sensoriamento remoto e por revisão e atualização bibliográfica. Os resultados obtidos indicaram diferenças estatísticas significativas entre essas duas áreas quanto aos parâmetros físico-quimícos analisados. Presença de P, K, Mn, Mg, Cr, Mo, Cu e Zn na área com atividade agrícola indicando intervenção antrópica provenientes de aditivos agrícolas ou ligados a fertilizantes, defensivos agrícolas, ou dejetos da criação granjeira da região. Na área protegida por mata ciliar foi detectado elementos químicos não esperados, podendo-se atribuir ao fluxo das águas causadas pelos ventos ou ao transporte e decomposição das macrófitas existentes dentro dessa microbacia. A metodologia e ferramentas empregadas podem representar um método rápido e pouco custoso como ação preventiva a um processo de degradação de um reservatório quanto a qualidade de suas águas. / The metropolitan region of Sao Paulo represents the largest urbanized area agglomeration of the country, leading to a complex management with regard to the supply of water in sufficient quantity and quality to meet the inserted demand. The Biritiba-Mirim reservoir is part of the watershed responsible for providing this feature. Inserted in the Alto Tiete Producer System, the same has been the object of analysis in this Thesis about water quality and the possible changes in biogeochemical cycles under the pressure caused by human activities in the region. Two systems were analyzed, the water and sediments in suspension in which several samples were colleted in two sectors of the lacustrine environment, one in which agricultural activities were close to the body of water and another where there was the protection of riparian vegetation by comparing these areas. It was determined physical and chemical parameters pH, dissolved oxygen, oxidation-reduction potential, electric conductivity and turbidity). The suspended sediments were chemically analyzed qualitatively and semi quantitatively using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mapping of the reservoir as for its current use and occupation, considering the regional, social, hydrological, geological, pedological and geomorphological features were raised through remote sensing images and bibliographical review and update. The results showed statistically significant differences between these two areas as physical and chemical parameters analyzed. Presence of P, K, Mn, Mg, Cr, Mo, Cu and Zn in the area with agricultural activity indicating human intervention from agricultural or additives linked to fertilizer, pesticide, or wastes of poultry breeding in the region. Unexpected chemical elements were detected in the area protected by ciliary wood, and can be attributed to the flow of water caused by the winds or the transport and decay of macrophytes that exist within this watershed. The methodology and tools employed may represent a quick and little expensive method as a preventive action to a process of degradation of a reservoir as the quality of its waters.

A Região Metropolitana de São Paulo representa o maior aglomerado urbano do país, conduzindo a uma gestão complexa no que diz respeito ao fornecimento de água em quantidade e qualidade suficientes para atender a demanda ai inserida. O reservatório de Biritiba-Mirim representa um dos sistemas produtores no provimento desse recurso. Inserido no Sistema Produtor Alto Tietê, o mesmo foi objeto de análise nessa Tese quanto a qualidade da água e as possíveis alterações nos ciclos biogeoquímicos diante da pressão causada por ações antrópicas na região. Foram analisados dois sistemas, a água e os sedimentos em suspensão nos quais se coletaram diversas amostras em dois setores do ambiente lacunar, uma em que atividades agrícolas encontravam-se próximas do corpo de água e outra onde havia a proteção de mata ciliar, comparando essas áreas. Determinaram-se parâmetros físico-químicos (pH, oxigênio dissolvido, potencial de oxirredução, condutividade elétrica e turbidez). Os sedimentos em suspensão foram quimicamente analisados de forma qualitativa e semi-quantitativa com utilização de microscópio eletrônico de varredura (MEV). O mapeamento do reservatório quanto ao seu atual uso e ocupação, considerando as características regionais, sociais, geológicas, hidrológicas, pedológicas, geomorfológicas foram levantadas através de imagens de sensoriamento remoto e por revisão e atualização bibliográfica. Os resultados obtidos indicaram diferenças estatísticas significativas entre essas duas áreas quanto aos parâmetros físico-quimícos analisados. Presença de P, K, Mn, Mg, Cr, Mo, Cu e Zn na área com atividade agrícola indicando intervenção antrópica provenientes de aditivos agrícolas ou ligados a fertilizantes, defensivos agrícolas, ou dejetos da criação granjeira da região. Na área protegida por mata ciliar foi detectado elementos químicos não esperados, podendo-se atribuir ao fluxo das águas causadas pelos ventos ou ao transporte e decomposição das macrófitas existentes dentro dessa microbacia. A metodologia e ferramentas empregadas podem representar um método rápido e pouco custoso como ação preventiva a um processo de degradação de um reservatório quanto a qualidade de suas águas. / The metropolitan region of Sao Paulo represents the largest urbanized area agglomeration of the country, leading to a complex management with regard to the supply of water in sufficient quantity and quality to meet the inserted demand. The Biritiba-Mirim reservoir is part of the watershed responsible for providing this feature. Inserted in the Alto Tiete Producer System, the same has been the object of analysis in this Thesis about water quality and the possible changes in biogeochemical cycles under the pressure caused by human activities in the region. Two systems were analyzed, the water and sediments in suspension in which several samples were colleted in two sectors of the lacustrine environment, one in which agricultural activities were close to the body of water and another where there was the protection of riparian vegetation by comparing these areas. It was determined physical and chemical parameters pH, dissolved oxygen, oxidation-reduction potential, electric conductivity and turbidity). The suspended sediments were chemically analyzed qualitatively and semi quantitatively using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mapping of the reservoir as for its current use and occupation, considering the regional, social, hydrological, geological, pedological and geomorphological features were raised through remote sensing images and bibliographical review and update. The results showed statistically significant differences between these two areas as physical and chemical parameters analyzed. Presence of P, K, Mn, Mg, Cr, Mo, Cu and Zn in the area with agricultural activity indicating human intervention from agricultural or additives linked to fertilizer, pesticide, or wastes of poultry breeding in the region. Unexpected chemical elements were detected in the area protected by ciliary wood, and can be attributed to the flow of water caused by the winds or the transport and decay of macrophytes that exist within this watershed. The methodology and tools employed may represent a quick and little expensive method as a preventive action to a process of degradation of a reservoir as the quality of its waters.