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The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers
to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is
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Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
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Showing 101 to 108 of 108 (0.011 seconds)| 101 |
Reshaped ESG Reporting Challenges of Scandinavian Organizations : The Transformation from the NFRD to the CSRDSaam, Janna-Sophie, Rosenstein, Amelie January 2024 (has links)
This research investigates the challenges Scandinavian organizations face in adapting their ESG reporting practices to comply with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), introduced in January 2024. The CSRD aims to enhance Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting by implementing double materiality assessment (DMA) and expanding the scope of value chain reporting. Given its novelty and the limited academic literature on this topic, this research provides critical insights into these transformations. Three research questions guide this study: (1) How do Scandinavian organizations conduct the DMA of their ESG reporting under the CSRD? (2) How do Scandinavian organizations address challenges in ESG reporting along the entire value chain after adopting the CSRD? (3) How is the CSRD reshaping the ESG reporting challenges faced by Scandinavian organizations? The research employs a qualitative, exploratory approach, including expert interviews and textual analysis. Grounded in Stakeholder Theory and Value Chain Theory, the study provides perspectives for understanding stakeholder engagement and value chain dynamics in ESG reporting. The findings reveal that organizations exhibit varying approaches to DMA, influenced by conflicting definitions of materiality, differing stakeholder engagement practices and subjectivity. Despite ESRS guidance, this creates challenges in comparability and implementation. In terms of value chain reporting, organizations face significant challenges in data gathering and transparency. The CSRD reshapes ESG reporting by standardizing requirements and addressing previous inconsistencies of its predecessor, the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD). However, the CSRD introduces both opportunities and challenges for Scandinavian organizations. By integrating Stakeholder and Value Chain Theory, this study highlights the importance of comprehensive stakeholder engagement and robust data systems. The findings underscore the need for ongoing adjustments and improvements of the reporting standards as organizations navigate the evolving ESG landscape under the CSRD. Ultimately, the CSRD is contributing to more sustainable and transparent business practices.
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Effective Cross-Sectoral Collaboration for Strategic Sustainable DevelopmentAliyeva, Aysel, Balciunaite, Ugne, Kamau, Simon, Völler, Caroline January 2024 (has links)
Cross-sector collaborations (CSCs) are crucial for addressing complex environmental, social, and economic challenges. Sustainability issues are multifaceted and require holistic solutions that leverage multiple stakeholders’ expertise, perspectives, resources, and networks. This research explores the effectiveness of CSCs for strategic sustainable development (SSD). It identifies conditions for effective sustainability-oriented CSCs, assesses the applicability of these findings to various contexts, and provides key considerations for newly forming CSCs and SSD practitioners. The research study was undertaken in two phases. Phase 1 examined cross-sector initiatives within the sustainable development field in Sweden and other parts of Europe. It explored how these CSCs operate effectively by examining their formation conditions, processes and structures, endemic tensions and conflicts, and accountabilities and outcomes using a conceptual framework. Data collection involved nine semi-structured interviews, which were analysed deductively to identify patterns based on these conditions. In phase 2, the findings from phase 1 were summarised and presented to SSD practitioners working with CSCs. This phase refined the nuances CSCs need to effectively apply a strategic sustainable development approach. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews, and the findings were analysed inductively to pinpoint common themes. The research identified eight key considerations for SSD practitioners when working with CSCs toward sustainable development.
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Water sustainability : measurement, management, engagement, and disclosure of selected water-intensive companies on the Johannesburg Stock ExchangeAskham, Theresa 01 1900 (has links)
Many parts of the world, but South Africa specifically, are facing a water crisis, not only because of the scarcity of water, but also the quality of the water that is available. Companies are the primary users of water and can therefore have the most significant impact on saving water. It is thus imperative to determine how companies are measuring, managing, engaging with their stakeholders and disclosing water-related risks in their businesses. This study was conducted on the premise that South African companies have not as yet grasped the seriousness of the water crisis. Thirty JSE-listed companies classified as being water intensive were selected for the study. Their sustainability/integrated/annual reports for 2011 and 2013 were downloaded from the internet and analysed to determine if and how they were mitigating their water-related risks. The Ceres Aqua Gauge™ was used as the framework for this study. It was established during the analysis of the selected companies’ reports that, with the exception of food producers and food retailers, the companies had grasped the seriousness of the water crisis. One area of particular concern that was evident in all the companies was the lack of attention directed towards supply chain water management. Companies need to address water risks in their supply chain, and to also turn the water crisis from a threat into an opportunity. Investors need to engage with and put pressure on companies to improve their water management practices. / Business Management / M. Ph. Accounting Sciences (Management Accounting)
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Maturity modelling of corporate responsibility: New Zealand case studiesNichols, E. January 2005 (has links)
Corporations are increasingly being expected to be responsible to not only shareholders, but also to employees, society and for the environment. This expectation increases as business crises, such the Exxon Valdez oil spill and the Enron collapse, continue to occur. In New Zealand several umbrella organisations were established to aid organisations in the quest to become sustainable or corporately responsible, such as New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development, New Zealand Businesses for Social Responsibility, and the Sustainable Business Network. A number of high profile companies such as Hubbard Foods Ltd, Landcare Research, Fonterra and Telecom belong to these umbrella organisations and have produced reports that reflect not only economic prosperity but also environmental quality and social equity. The aim of this research is to identify how organisations are implementing corporate responsibility issues into the operations, and using this information to construct a maturity model. The value of a maturity model is as an analytic tool, where an organisation can be benchmarked against the best in the field. Developing a maturity model for integrating corporate responsibility into an organisation enables managers to identify at which stage the organisation is currently situated and then provides an action plan of where to progress in the future. A preliminary maturity model is developed based on previous models from the fields of corporate responsibility, environmental management and sustainability. This exploratory study used the case study method to analyse six organisations that are members of the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development and are producing annual sustainability reports. Using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines for sustainability reporting, 10 years of annual reports from each case company were analysed and compared against these guidelines. The results were used to identify what corporate responsibility areas businesses are currently reporting on and therefore implementing within the organisation, and identifying if there is an evolutionary pattern applicable to all organisations thereby enabling the construction of a maturity model. The findings show that although there was an increase in the GRI indicators included the reporting is poorly developed. The major areas of change have been in the reporting of governance and management structures, the development and inclusion of vision statements and changes in management policies. There was increased reporting in some environmental and social indicators, but no clear patterns of change emerged. Using the data and analysis a refinement of the proposed maturity model was made.
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Role of knowledge management enablers in facilitating knowledge management practices in selected private higher education institutions in BotswanaMakambe, Ushe 02 1900 (has links)
This research was set out to investigate the role of knowledge management as a coping strategy for PHE institutions in Botswana, especially given that they operate in a highly regulated environment. One of the major drivers of volatility in the educational sector is
intensely volatile regulatory environment in which the institutions operate. Further, a large portion of the stakeholder community of these institutions hold a strong believe that these institutions offer poor quality education to maximise profit. The primary objective of this
study is therefore to determine the role of knowledge management (KM) enablers in facilitating KM practices in selected PHE institutions in Botswana that operate in this highly regulated environment and to develop a model for effective KM in these institutions. The study adopted a survey research design and collected quantitative data through a structured self-administered questionnaire and document reviews. The subjects comprised all five degree-awarding PHE institutions, which were strictly regulated by the Tertiary
Education Council (TEC). The population surveyed came to 670 and sample size was 350. Data was analysed through various statistical measures such as Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) in the form of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), multiple regression analysis, and Chi-square test. The results of the study revealed that KM enablers were playing an insignificant role in facilitating KM practices in selected PHE institutions in Botswana. Results of the study can be generalised to similar institutions elsewhere operating in similar environments. In order to enhance KM practices in PHE institutions, it is recommended that the institutions adopt a systematic approach to KM, establish an organisational culture and structure that promote KM practices, and enhance the quality of their human capital including leadership. It should be noted that the state of KM in organisations operating in an uncertain environment can be enhanced if the leadership carefully controls the family-owned setting and organisational culture as these factors can detract from the organisation’s effective practising of KM. However, strategic leadership, organisational structure, and the role played by stakeholders played positive deterministic factors in ensuring an enhanced KM drive. / Business Management / D.Admin. (Business Management)
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Water sustainability : measurement, management, engagement, and disclosure of selected water-intensive companies on the Johannesburg Stock ExchangeAskham, Theresa 01 1900 (has links)
Many parts of the world, but South Africa specifically, are facing a water crisis, not only because of the scarcity of water, but also the quality of the water that is available. Companies are the primary users of water and can therefore have the most significant impact on saving water. It is thus imperative to determine how companies are measuring, managing, engaging with their stakeholders and disclosing water-related risks in their businesses. This study was conducted on the premise that South African companies have not as yet grasped the seriousness of the water crisis. Thirty JSE-listed companies classified as being water intensive were selected for the study. Their sustainability/integrated/annual reports for 2011 and 2013 were downloaded from the internet and analysed to determine if and how they were mitigating their water-related risks. The Ceres Aqua Gauge™ was used as the framework for this study. It was established during the analysis of the selected companies’ reports that, with the exception of food producers and food retailers, the companies had grasped the seriousness of the water crisis. One area of particular concern that was evident in all the companies was the lack of attention directed towards supply chain water management. Companies need to address water risks in their supply chain, and to also turn the water crisis from a threat into an opportunity. Investors need to engage with and put pressure on companies to improve their water management practices. / Business Management / M. Ph. Accounting Sciences (Management Accounting)
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Cost Modelling and Decision Making Model Generation for Urban Rail Transport Systems : MSc. thesis in collaboration with TrafikförvaltningenGökmen Dursun, Zekeriya January 2024 (has links)
Urban rail transport systems play a vital role in providing efficient and sustainable mobility solutions for growing metropolitan areas. This thesis focuses on the case of Stockholm's urban rail transport, managed by Region Stockholm, which serves nearly 900,000 daily passengers amid rapid population growth. However, the aging power supply system poses challenges to the system's efficiency and capacity expansion. To address these issues, this study develops cost modeling and decision-making tools aimed at evaluating future energy-saving business cases within the urban rail transport system. These tools, though preliminary, provide decision-makers with a techno-economic perspective to compare the cost-effectiveness of various measures and inform future interventions. The research methodology involves a system engineering approach, with continuous collaboration between the academic institution (KTH), transport authority (TF), and industrial partner (MTR). Weekly meetings facilitated the understanding of the urban rail transport system and the development of a decision-making algorithm. The study identifies stakeholders, primarily TF and passengers, and outlines a decision-making framework to assess proposed business cases. The tools generated undergo validation through expert feedback, laying the foundation for future empirical testing. Key findings highlight two main methods for energy-saving measures: technological modifications (e.g., Energy Storage Systems - ESS) and operational adjustments. Both On board and Wayside ESS installations demonstrate significant energy-saving potential, while operational adjustments such as HVAC modifications present challenges in automation. Qualitative reviews were made on these measures. The thesis proposes a preliminary Decision Making Tool to quantify Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and facilitate informed decision making. Future work includes expanding stakeholder inclusion, refining cost models, and integrating additional business cases into the decision-making framework. In conclusion, this thesis contributes to the understanding of cost-effective measures for enhancing energy efficiency within urban rail transport systems. The developed tools offer an initial approach for decision-makers to navigate complex trade-offs and prioritize interventions, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and resilience of urban mobility infrastructure. / Järnvägstransportsystem i städerna spelar en viktig roll för att tillhandahålla effektiva och hållbara mobilitetslösningar för växande storstadsområden. Detta examensarbete fokuserar på fallet med Stockholms stadstrafik, som drivs av Region Stockholm, som servar nästan 900 000 dagliga passagerare i en snabb befolkningstillväxt. De åldrande strömförsörjningssystemen innebär dock utmaningar för systemets effektivitet och kapacitetsutbyggnad. För att ta itu med dessa frågor, utvecklar denna studiekostnadsmodellering och beslutsfattande verktyg som syftar till att utvärdera framtida energibesparande affärscases inom det urbana järnvägstransportsystemet. Dessa verktyg, även om de är preliminära, ger beslutsfattare ett tekniskt-ekonomiskt perspektiv för att jämföra kostnadseffektiviteten för olika åtgärder och informera framtida insatser. Forskningsmetodiken innebär ett systemtekniskt tillvägagångssätt, med kontinuerligt samarbete mellan den akademiska institutionen (KTH), transportmyndigheten (TF) och industriell partner (MTR). Veckomöten underlättade förståelsen av det urbana järnvägstransportsystemet och utvecklingen av en beslutsalgoritm. Studien identifierar intressenter, främst TF och passagerare, och skisserar en ram för beslutsfattande för att bedöma föreslagna affärsfall. Verktygen som genereras genomgår validering genom expertfeedback, vilket lägger grunden för framtida empiriska tester. Nyckelresultat belyser två huvudmetoder för energibesparande åtgärder: tekniska modifieringar (t.ex. Energy Storage Systems - ESS) och driftsanpassningar. Både ESS-installationer ombord och längs vägen uppvisar betydande energibesparingspotential, medan operativa justeringar som HVAC-modifieringar innebär utmaningar inom automatisering. Kvalitativa granskningar gjordes av dessa åtgärder. Avhandlingen föreslår ett preliminärt beslutsfattande verktyg för att kvantifiera Key Performance Indicators (KPI:er) och underlätta välgrundat beslutsfattande. Framtida arbete inkluderar att utöka inkluderingen av intressenter, förfina kostnadsmodeller och integrera ytterligare affärscase i beslutsfattandet. Sammanfattningsvis bidrar detta examensarbete till förståelsen av kostnadseffektiva åtgärder för att förbättra energieffektiviteten inom stadstrafiksystem. De utvecklade verktygen erbjuder ett första tillvägagångssätt för beslutsfattare att navigera i komplexa avvägningar och prioritera insatser, vilket i slutändan bidrar till hållbarheten och motståndskraften hos mobilitetsinfrastrukturen i städerna.
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Factors Influencing Indiana Residents' Level of Interest in Engaging with Purdue UniversityAshley E Rice (6615803) 15 May 2019 (has links)
The land-grant university system was founded in the 19th century as a public means to help improve people’s everyday lives. A century and a half later, the challenges that the public faces to live a quality life are constantly changing, creating a need for the land-grant system to respond and adapt to continue to fulfill its mission. While the literature contains a wealth of conceptual papers addressing the role and mission of land-grant universities, relatively few papers could be found that reported empirical data or proposed and tested metrics for public engagement constructs. The current study sought to address this void in the literature through the investigation of factors influencing Indiana residents’ level of interest in engaging with Purdue University. Mail survey methods were used in which up to three contacts were made with adult members of 4,500 Indiana households identified through address-based sampling. Stratified random sampling was employed to ensure adequate rural household participation for other project purposes. Usable responses were received from 1,003 households representing 87 Indiana counties for a total response rate of 26%. <br><div><br> </div><div> A theoretical perspective was developed from Public Sphere Theory and the social science writings of Jurgen Habermas and Alexis de Tocqueville. Descriptive findings revealed some to moderate concerns about community and social issues such as affordable health care, violent crime, pollution and prescription drug abuse. Moderate levels of anomie, or perceived social disconnectedness, were also reported by respondents. Several items tapped respondents’ past levels of interaction with and current perceptions of Purdue University. Nearly a fifth of respondents reported interacting with Purdue University by having visited a website for news or information, followed by interacting with a Purdue University Extension professional. Regarding perceptions of Purdue University, the results of this study revealed relative consensus among respondents that Purdue University makes a positive contribution to the state of Indiana through its educational, research and outreach programs. For a majority of the perceptual items regarding Purdue University, more than one-third of the respondents neither agreed nor disagreed with the statement, suggesting some areas in which the university might improve its reputational standing with Indiana residents in the future. Nearly one-quarter to about half of the respondents indicated interest in topical areas addressed by Purdue Extension programs as well as an interest in engaging with the university. Respondents reported the highest levels of interest in free Extension programs in their local area, followed by the topics of science and technology, health and well-being, and gardening.</div><div><br> </div><div> A predictive model of respondent interest in engaging with Purdue University was developed and tested using binary logistic regression procedures. The model was shown to be of modest utility in accounting for variance in respondent interest in engaging with Purdue University, explaining 12% to 16% of total variance. Past interaction with Purdue University, perceived level of concern for social and community issues, and highest level of education were the strongest predictors in the model.</div><div><br> </div><div> The current research was completed in 2019 as Purdue University celebrated its 150th anniversary. Results and implications of this study provide important insight into current engagement levels, concerns and perceptions of residents within the state of Indiana, whom the university is mandated to serve. One of the study’s primary contributions is the establishment of baseline engagement data on current levels of Indiana residents’ interest in engaging with Purdue University on selected topics. Findings from this study could be of benefit to university administrators, faculty, staff and Extension professionals in assessing and improving future programming and setting strategic priorities. This study also adds to the conceptual and empirical body of literature, which may help inform future public engagement efforts at other land-grant universities. Periodic social science and public opinion research is needed to keep pace with the changing needs and perceptions of Indiana residents. Different data collection modes should be utilized to reach more audience segments and add to the growing knowledge base of public engagement.</div>
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