<p> This exploratory work investigates the sustainability performance and reporting practices in 20 semiconductor companies from 2010-2014 using content analysis, survey, and interview methods. The sample consists of companies that are either integrated chip manufacturers (ICMs) or semiconductor foundries with annual net revenue of $0.2 billion to $55.9 billion. A sustainability matrix based on the Global Reporting Initiative guidelines assesses the reporting completeness. Sustainability performance is measured based on two factors, identification of trends in social and environmental data and adoption of 28 sustainability best practices specific to this manufacturing sector. The majority of the resource use and emissions data followed a decreasing trend during 2010-2014. The study found ethical responsibility and concern for society and the environment to be the main motivations for sustainability reporting in this sector. A positive association between reporting completeness and the sustainability performance was observed, but based on the available data the causation could not be established.</p>

<p> The purpose of this research was to explore the state of sustainability in U.S. Parks and Protected Areas (PPAs) as well as to create a tool to help measure and maintain sustainability in PPAs. The primary research question driving this research was &ldquo;What is the current state of sustainability in U.S. PPAs?&rdquo; This guiding question also addressed a sub-question, which asked, &ldquo;Can a tool be developed and validated to measure the state of sustainability in parks?&rdquo; The second research question in this project was &ldquo;Do current park managers believe the use of a sustainable parks certificate would aid ongoing efforts to uphold and maintain sustainability in their parks?&rdquo; Each research question was addressed through the creation of a survey to measure the state of sustainability through five hypothesized domains, with 55 Likert-scale-style questions and six open-ended questions addressing the certificate program. The survey opened in May 2017 and ended in October 2017. It was sent to approximately 2,645 managers across the country and included national parks and state parks in U.S. states and territories. The data showed that participants were in favor of creating a sustainable parks certificate to help them become more sustainable. A chief recommendation was to start an initiative aimed at providing an online platform for sustainability training geared specifically toward PPAs. This research project has begun the steps necessary to advance the state of sustainability in U.S. PPAs.</p>

<p> This research examines the physical operations of a health care sector called long term care facilities. Long term care refers to organizations that provide onsite nursing care for people with long-term illnesses, elderly people who need continuous medical supervision, or for those in long-term rehabilitation programs. Most specifically, this research looks at the performance of the physical buildings (i.e. facilities) and how this performance impacts the external environment. Using secondary data from the organization Practice Greenhealth, this study addresses the following two research questions. </p><p> 1. What is the combined current state of environmental performance at the long term care facilities that have applied for a Practice Greenhealth award? </p><p> 2. What are the proposed environmental key performance indicators for the long term care sector? </p><p> Based on this research, a model is suggested for future researchers interested in the environmental performance of long term care facilities. The model suggests six drivers for improving environmental performance in long term care; (1) maintain compliance with environmental regulations, (2) reduce costs, (3) meet expectations of parent organization, (4) increase market competitiveness, (5) engage stakeholders, and (6) improve patient outcomes. Four environmental improvement categories are then established; (1) waste, (2) energy, (3) water, and (4) engagement initiatives, along with each categories&rsquo; associated indicators. Finally, this study develops a concise environmental performance survey that could be used by any long term care facility looking to make improvements to its environmental performance over time.</p><p>