Search

Although recognizing its importance for the global economy, and despite the positive examples within the textile and clothing industry, fashion's environmental and social impact is indeed highly negative. Even so, technological innovations in materials, processes, design, production, and distribution of fashion products, combined with changing in consumption habits are slowly transforming the sector, with designers and brands adopting more sustainable, environmental and ethical practices, and opposing the planned obsolescence principle, formerly associated with it. However, these changes concentrate in highly developed regions, where influential fashion companies have the resources and knowledge to investigate and implement sustainable innovations. Furthermore, these changes take too long to be disseminated worldwide, especially in those regions where the fashion sector contributes to economic development and represents a way to participate in the global economy. This paper analyzes sustainable initiatives in fashion design sector that are already in place and presents the relation between fashion and sustainability in fashion design higher education programs and courses, delivered online by fashion design higher education in Europe. The results demonstrated that sustainability is nearly absent in the accredited online offer, but indicated it was present in non-traditional, open models of education. This paper considers that, without geographical limitations, online learning presents a huge opportunity to educate about current and future issues on fashion and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the rationale for using the Data Envelopment Analysis method for assessing innovation sustainability at the regional level. The theoretical basis for the paper is based on results of the study of foreign experience gained and the current Russian practice on evaluation of innovative development at the federal and regional levels. Focusing on the examined approaches, the authors propose an algorithm of regional innovative resistance estimation using the method of comparative analysis of the data with set thresholds values as well as Data Envelopment Analysis method. The results of the study can be used by regional government bodies to monitor the state of the regional innovation sphere, as well as to adjust the existing instruments of the implemented innovation policy. The proposed approach to assessing the level of innovation sustainability can be transmitted to the so-called innovation ecosystems of various types (regional, local, corporate) taking into account the determination of an appropriate system of criteria and indicators, their differentiation to input and output, as well as the formation of threshold values, if necessary, to ensure that the parameters comply with the basic principles of the methods proposed for use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper suggests and tests the methodology for quantitative evaluation of sustainability of a regional socio-economic system development. More precise attention is paid to the role that ICT and innovation dynamic factors play in the process of regional development. The research hypothesis: there is a significant probability of the Russian regional economic systems' shift to the knowledge-based economy mode, that stands on several social development determinants, mainly human capital and innovation. The task of quantitative valuation of sustainability is proposed to be resolved using the calculation of generalized integral index entailing the following components: 1) economic relations; 2) social situation; 3) institutional environment; 4) potential for innovation. The index structure was adopted from UNDP HDI calculation frameworks. Basic indicators' selection procedure, subject to integration within the generalized sustainability index, employed internationally recognized practices and multifactor regression analysis techniques that allow to determine correlations between factors that influence HDI as well as to derive quantitative measures of their interrelation density. The methodology was applied to the Russian regions' sustainability valuation and key factors identification in terms of regional development in Russia. The analysis of sustainability indices indicates that the majority of Russian regions cannot be recognized as sustainable. Calculations prove the conclusion about low interrelation between innovation dynamics and economic development in Russia, thus indicating the misbalance between demand and supply-side factors of innovation in favor of the latter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the comparison of selected elements of a single-family building in light clay and traditional technology. The advantages and disadvantages of the properties of several materials used in both technologies are described. Moreover, the history of building using clay and its modern construction application, as well as an overall view of the qualities and varieties of the use of clay as a building material in combination with straw and other elements were showed. The selected object was one of the cottages in ecological agritourism venue located in Roztocze region of Poland. Based on the cost estimates of wall construction of selected building investment, the cost analysis of two technologies were conducted. The results of analysis performed in this work show that, alternative technology can be a good substitute for traditional technology, not only due to environmental friendly, natural materials but also by virtue of lower costs. The use of ecological, available materials and the execution of construction works without qualified employees reduced the total costs of the analyzed investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green innovations are now very often inflected term. The company is aware of the necessity of their implementation, customers are calling for greener products, and companies are trying to implement environmentally friendly activities. Enterprises uphold the principles of environmentally suitable behavior, some of them are trying to use these approaches in production, others in most of their activities. Concept of innovation raises in many of us the idea of technological inventions that are the result of long efforts, activities and research work of scientists. However, innovation can be the result of operations of any enterprise, which was implemented in order to succeed in the market. These innovations can be oriented to products or business processes, or procedures, as well as marketing practices. The area of innovation is developed quite extensive, whether in Slovakia or abroad. The reason is the need for innovation in today's industry, and in all spheres of human activity, as well as customer requirements. The cooperation between enterprises of different industries is important in developing eco-innovations and may produce new, interesting and creative solutions. The partnership between companies from different industries allows access to new knowledge and its transmission creates fertile ground for innovation. Green innovations can take different forms; the main idea is, however, according to most authors, positive change for the environment. This change, whether in terms of products, processes or different business processes is now sorely needed. The paper deals with the innovation process and the implementation of innovative projects that focusing on eco-innovative products should meet certain criteria specific to green products. Whether it is the innovation of products, services or methods or processes, there is a need for the inclusion of specific requirements in the form of environmental benefits but implementation must be profitable for the companies to undertake this eco-innovation. Various approaches of eco-innovative projects can yield different results. The research carried out in Slovakia showed us a positive approach of Slovak SMEs to green innovations but the results show a relatively small percentage of the implementation of these innovations, despite many efforts. The reasons are mostly financial, personnel, legislative or resulting from the factors of the external environment that in Slovakia negatively affect businesses. Innovation as a stimulus of current economy and positive change in our society is that the economy needs, but conditions for SMEs are not appropriate and sufficient in order the innovative processes to be implemented in necessary and sufficient way. Another barrier in the development and implementation of innovations or green innovations is the lack of cooperation of subjects such as scientific and research institutions, universities with the business sector. Contribution seeks to outline possible solutions to these problems, which would strengthen the implementation success of eco-innovation processes in Slovakia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to discuss contemporary issues regarding the notion of cultural sustainability, as an important aspect of aesthetic experience of build environment in constant transformation. This notion is essentially linked to the ethical function of sustainability as a new vision of aesthetic aspects regarding build environment, establishing new categories of its aesthetic evaluation. In a sense, the ecological issues in architecture can be essential for our new understanding of cultural and intercultural concepts of build environment and their ethical component as a constant aesthetic value. Diversity of factors regarding sustainable build environment, which have been suggested by many scholars, are indicating the idea of particularly dynamic processes of transformation of the architectural and urban fabric, according to the social, political and cultural needs of the communities. This process is also reflecting the impact of the build environment on our natural environment, on its preservation and ecological improvement. In a sense, these factors have universal ethical value, and therefore they can be used as new creative and perceptual aspects in the aesthetic evaluation of contemporary architectural and urban environment. By this, constant development of social and technological needs in a complex intercultural exchange can be discussed trough ethical principles as new culturally and aesthetically sustainable value [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]