Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is a global challenge and the situation is worse in urban areas of developing countries due to ineffective disposal systems. In many industrialised countries, waste minimisation and recycling/reuse policies have been introduced to reduce the amount of waste generated, and increasingly, alternative waste management practices to waste disposal on land have been implemented to reduce the environmental impacts of MSWM. Nevertheless, research and MSWM in most developing countries have largely concentrated on waste collection. This doctoral study investigates how planning and decision-making for MSW disposal in developing countries with similar circumstances and MSW problems to Ghana can be improved, using the Wa Municipality as a case study. It established the baseline scenario of MSW disposal and examined MSW disposal management and operational performances. The methodology and research design for the study was a descriptive and interpretive case study that was analysed through both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The key research findings indicate that the current state of MSW disposal management performance in Ghana does not present an enabling environment for effective MSW disposal. Also, the present MSW disposal practices in the case study area and Ghana in general consist of some waste collection, transportation and open dumping, where the entire amount of waste is open dumped without pre-treatment. Evaluation of MSW disposal operational performance through modelling and scenario analysis showed that open dumping/landfilling of waste creates copious health effects (0.0001519 lbs/year on average), whereas, MSW disposal in an integrated solid waste management (ISWM) system optimises the minimisation of health effects (-0.0005812 lbs/year on average). The study developed and validated a framework for the improvement of planning and decision-making for MSW disposal, which can easily be applied in the context of developing countries. Also, the developed framework provides a theoretical standpoint for the concept of MSW disposal in ISWM. Appropriate MSW disposal treatment technologies based on the developed framework could be applied to ameliorate the impacts of MSW disposal in Ghana and other developing countries.

台灣1970年代以來經濟起飛，人民生活日漸富裕，隨著經濟實力成長，同時也犧牲了環境，為了使人類永續發展，人民開始重視環境保護，要求政府改善以維護生活品質。因此環保投入的效率成為重要的研究課題。 本研究目的以資料包絡分析法建立客觀的「投入-產出」模型，來評估2001年至2010年各縣市環保機關在空氣、噪音、水及廢棄物污染防制的續效表現，再分析各縣市環保機關整體績效，並研究四個環保評估面向影響整體環保績效的比例為何。 實證結果發現，整體績效而言，台北市、高雄市資源雖然多，但技術仍然不足以應付沉重的環境、人口負荷量，使得投入與產出的效率不如其他縣市。並由各環保面向績效的趨勢分析發現，資源回收率的效率進步最多，水污染防制效率最差。 Tobit迴歸模型中，四個環保評估面向對整體環保面向的影響為顯著正相關，而且資源回收率效率值對整體環保效率值的影響最大，符合本研究預期。 / This research aims at assessing environmental protection performance in Taiwan’s local governments about air pollution, noise pollution, water pollution and resource recycling from 2001 to 2010 base on DEA and Tobit regression model to analyze the effect of each part’s CCR on whole Environmental Protection efficiency. The result of DEA are (1)The Taipei city and Kaohsiung are good in input than other cities, but lower than other cities in output, because there are too many population to deal with those pollution. (2)Analyzing the trend of each environmental protection part, the resource recycling make great progress. According to this study, the fore evaluations are significantly positive effect on whole performance evaluation of environmental protection. The most value is resource recycling that meet our expected

Submitted by Nadir Basilio (nadirsb@uninove.br) on 2016-06-21T15:24:00Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Cristiano Silveira Ribeiro.pdf: 2448117 bytes, checksum: 889c675170a8e8da34bd17c348d39bf5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-21T15:24:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cristiano Silveira Ribeiro.pdf: 2448117 bytes, checksum: 889c675170a8e8da34bd17c348d39bf5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-26 / This study aims to investigate the relationship among environmental training in the companies and the performance of the Environmental Management System. It has been investigated whether the Environmental Training based upon planning, implementation and evaluation can be related with the Environmental Performance. Based on the theoretical framework, an analytical model has been developed, in which the relationships among the constructs can be studied. To achieve the objectives of this study, a questionnaire was developed and scales were used to measure the constructs involved in the analysis. the structural equation modeling has been used as the core analysis method. The sample consisted of 105 respondents which perform professionally in ISO 14001 certified companies or in companies that are not certified but that have a minimum structure of an environmental management system. The results of the analysis showed a strong relationship among the environmental training planning, environmental training implementation, environmental training assessment and environmental performance, explaining that the theoretical references pointed at the time of construction of the analysis model. It was found a positive relationship of the Planning with Execution, and the Execution with Performance, and this last relation was enhanced by the mediating action of the Environmental Training Evaluation. It was concluded that the theoretical framework in related disciplines the Environmental Training to study the stages of planning, implementation and evaluation, as in the study of environmental performance, provide resources for the establishment of a model which is able to explain the relationship between environmental training and environmental performance. This study, in addition to contributing to the theories related to the environmental training and environmental performance, shows to companies, environmental managers and human resource professionals, the importance of systemic environmental training programs, starting from planning, according to the implementation and evaluation and confirms that it is a strategic role within the organization, and reinforces the importance of training assessment due to its mediating role in enhancing results in environmental performance coming from environmental training. / O presente trabalho se propõe a investigar a relação dos treinamentos ambientais em empresas com um sistema de gestão ambiental implementado e o desempenho do Sistema de Gestão Ambiental. Investigou-se as etapas de realização do Treinamento Ambiental baseadas no Planejamento, Execução e Avaliação para constatar se essas podem se relacionar com o Desempenho Ambiental. Com base no arcabouço teórico, foi desenvolvido um modelo de análise que estabelece as relações entre os construtos a serem estudados. Para atingir os objetivos, foram desenvolvidos questionários e utilizadas escalas para mensuração dos construtos envolvidos e, como método de análise, utilizou-se a Modelagem de Equações Estruturais. A amostra foi composta por 105 respondentes atuantes em empresas certificadas ISO 14001 ou que não são certificadas mas que possuíam um mínimo de estrutura de um sistema de gestão ambiental. Os resultados obtidos na análise apresentaram uma forte relação entre planejamento do treinamento ambiental, execução do treinamento ambiental, avaliação do treinamento ambiental e o desempenho ambiental, explicando o que as referências teóricas apontavam no momento da elaboração do modelo de análise. Constatou-se uma relação positiva do Planejamento com a Execução e da Execução com o Desempenho, potencializado pela ação mediadora da Avaliação de Treinamento Ambiental. Concluiu-se que o arcabouço teórico forneceu recursos para o estabelecimento de um modelo capaz de explicar a relação entre treinamento ambiental e desempenho ambiental. Tal estudo, além de contribuir com as teorias relacionadas ao treinamento ambiental e desempenho ambiental, apresenta para as empresas, gestores ambientais e profissionais de recursos humanos a importância da aplicação sistêmica dos programas de treinamento ambiental, partindo do planejamento, seguindo para a execução e avaliação do mesmo e confirma o seu papel estratégico dentro da organização e reforça a importância da avaliação do treinamento ambiental pelo seu papel mediador no reforço dos resultados em desempenho ambiental, a partir do treinamento ambiental.

"Umweltaspekte und ihre Wertrelevanz für die Unternehmen: Eine Zusammenfassung existierender empirischer Forschungsergebnisse!" (diese Version ist nicht mehr aktuell! 03.04.2007) The management of the value of a firm requires the identification of important value drivers. The main objective of the paper is to find out whether value based management (e.g. shareholder value oriented management) has to take into account environmental aspects. In order to answer this question, the paper will determine whether there is an empirically proven relationship between the economic and environmental performance of companies. The paper is divided into three main parts: The development of a basic theory, the examination of existing empirical results and the concluding integration of theory with empirical results. Basic Theory: To build a basis, the paper first specifies the theoretical connection between economic and environmental performance of companies. Economic performance (e.g. definable by financial statement and/or capital market data) and environmental performance (e.g. definable by operational and strategic data) are linked in a model. Based on the model the influence of environmental aspects on corporate value is examined resulting in seven hypotheses for the relationship of environmental and economic performance. Empirical Results: In order to test the developed theoretical relation, empirical studies are identified and assessed, with regard to the relationship between economic and environmental performance. The research results in 122 studies from all over the world, which are subject to further investigation. The analyzing process includes different steps. First, the studies are divided and reviewed as far as their empirical method and soundness are concerned. Mainly they can be differentiated in regression, event and portfolio studies. Furthermore the study categorizes the environmental and economic variables used in the analyzed studies. Economic measures are divided into the following categories: market based measures (e.g. stock price), accounting based measures (e.g. RoA), accounting and market based measures (e.g. Tobins q), perceived performance measures (i.e. derived from questionnaires) and miscellaneous measures (e.g. shadow prices). Environmental measures on the other hand are divided into the seven categories: strategic environmental performance, operational environmental performance, questionnaires, rating/ranking, events, environmental disclosure and mutual funds. The next step identifies the empirical result of every study as well as important determinants (e.g. the distinguished environmental and economic categories) of the results. The objective is to show whether general patterns for the existence of different results can be defined. Overall it can be shown that about 40% of all studies report a significant positive relationship between economic and environmental performance, contrary to only 11% reporting significant negative results. Furthermore, in order to assess the special role of environmental aspects as value drivers 23 suitable studies are analyzed on the basis of Rappaport?s shareholder network. Results provide an even stronger evidence for the value creating role of environmental aspects. Conclusion: Finally we can detect statistically proven environmental value drivers combining theoretical and empirical research. At the same time, the empirical methods are also evaluated, especially with regard to there ability to provide useful support for the development and examination of the theoretical research. Overall it seems to the authors that the whole research on the topic runs parallel and is not combined. There are only a few studies who are built on already recognized relations or which try the confirm such relations. Based on these cornerstones, requirements for further empirical research are identified and specified.

The management of the value of a firm requires the identification of important value drivers. The main objective of the paper is to find out whether value based management (e.g. shareholder value oriented management) has to take into account environmental aspects. In order to answer this question, the paper will determine whether there is an empirically proven relationship between the economic and environmental performance of companies. The paper is divided into three main parts: The development of a basic theory, the examination of existing empirical results and the concluding integration of theory with empirical results. Basic Theory: To build a basis, the paper first specifies the theoretical connection between economic and environmental performance of companies. Economic performance (e.g. definable by financial statement and/or capital market data) and environmental performance (e.g. definable by operational and strategic data) are linked in a model. Based on the model the influence of environmental aspects on corporate value is examined resulting in seven hypotheses for the relationship of environmental and economic performance. Empirical Results: In order to test the developed theoretical relation, empirical studies are identified and assessed, with regard to the relationship between economic and environmental performance. The research results in 122 studies from all over the world, which are subject to further investigation. The analyzing process includes different steps. First, the studies are divided and reviewed as far as their empirical method and soundness are concerned. Mainly they can be differentiated in regression, event and portfolio studies. Furthermore the study categorizes the environmental and economic variables used in the analyzed studies. Economic measures are divided into the following categories: market based measures (e.g. stock price), accounting based measures (e.g. RoA), accounting and market based measures (e.g. Tobins q), perceived performance measures (i.e. derived from questionnaires) and miscellaneous measures (e.g. shadow prices). Environmental measures on the other hand are divided into the seven categories: strategic environmental performance, operational environmental performance, questionnaires, rating/ranking, events, environmental disclosure and mutual funds. The next step identifies the empirical result of every study as well as important determinants (e.g. the distinguished environmental and economic categories) of the results. The objective is to show whether general patterns for the existence of different results can be defined. Overall it can be shown that about 40% of all studies report a significant positive relationship between economic and environmental performance, contrary to only 11% reporting significant negative results. Furthermore, in order to assess the special role of environmental aspects as value drivers 23 suitable studies are analyzed on the basis of Rappaport?s shareholder network. Results provide an even stronger evidence for the value creating role of environmental aspects. Conclusion: Finally we can detect statistically proven environmental value drivers combining theoretical and empirical research. At the same time, the empirical methods are also evaluated, especially with regard to there ability to provide useful support for the development and examination of the theoretical research. Overall it seems to the authors that the whole research on the topic runs parallel and is not combined. There are only a few studies who are built on already recognized relations or which try the confirm such relations. Based on these cornerstones, requirements for further empirical research are identified and specified.