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Abstract Various surveys reveal that many stakeholders deem current sustainability performance measurement and assessment approaches insufficient for their needs. In light of the large and growing number of publications, this exposes a major practice-research gap. To explore the gap between the flourishing number of publications and the disappointment of stakeholders, this paper analyzes how current literature on sustainability performance measurement and assessment addresses stakeholder expectations. Based on a systematic literature review, the paper distinguishes stakeholders and their expectations on different roles in the sustainability performance measurement and assessment process: standard setters, process enablers, information providers, impacted stakeholder, decision makers, and addressees. The analysis of individual roles reveals that stakeholder expectations are rarely specifically considered; in particular, expectations of decision makers have received little attention in the literature, so far. This paper systematically categorizes the expectations expressed in the academic literature and critically discusses current gaps. The literature review shows that stakeholder expectations have not been considered in depth, which is a possible explanation for the dissatisfaction of stakeholders with current sustainability performance measurement and assessment approaches. Implications for bridging the gap are drawn, including the need for empirical analyses of expectations relating to different stakeholder roles in sustainability measurement and assessment processes. Highlights • Stakeholders are dissatisfied with current sustainability performance measurement & assessment (SPMA) methods. • So far, stakeholder expectations are not adequately considered in the SPMA process. • This paper analyses stakeholder expectations for the SPMA process phases • ... develops a framework distinguishing stakeholder roles and stakeholder expectations for SPMA process phases. • ... shows a need for empirical analyzing expectations of stakeholders in different SPMA roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The business environment undergoes constant and dynamic changes. The current social, legal and economic contexts where firms operate enable them to meet their stakeholders' needs. Accordingly, efficient management more oriented to meet customers' requirements regarding firm's corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices has been increasingly credited for the achievement of new firm managerial goals such as sustainability. Thus, the aim of this paper is to address the influence of the structure of human values and cultural differences by country on customers' CSR perception taking into consideration a firm's customers as one of its main stakeholders. Unlike the majority of earlier papers focusing on the relationship between customers' CSR perception and firm performance, this paper provides insights under the umbrella of social sustainability according to recent trends based on societal needs and firm commitments. The cross-cultural analysis has been conducted in a Latin American-European context by comparing two different cultural environments, Spain and Brazil, scarcely analysed in the managerial literature. The findings reveal that human values such as self-transcendence, conservation and openness to change exert a significant influence on the CSR's customer perception. Furthermore, cross-cultural differences by country moderate the relationship between these human values and CSR perception. The results allow for an adequate understanding of the drivers influencing customer perception of CSR social and environmental practices, and these drivers in turn are fundamental to firms' sustainability and, thus, firms' sustainable competitive advantage, as well as to academia to advance knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sharing economy platforms hold a promise of more sustainable uses of resources. However, their legitimacy remains "debated" as various ecosystem stakeholders hold different opinions, challenging platform's values and activities. One key contested aspect is their capacity to contribute to sustainability beyond a search for economic performance. Despite these criticisms, sharing economy platforms have managed to grow and spread worldwide. Nevertheless, little is known about how a sudden market crisis affects an online platform characterized by a debated legitimacy. Studying the relationships between Airbnb and its main stakeholders during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in New York City, our paper identifies three relational strategies - identity, professionalization, and selection - implemented by the platform to reinforce its legitimacy within its local ecosystem. Based on secondary and primary data analyses, we identify and describe the arbitrations and opportunistic choices made by Airbnb to manage various stakeholder groups, to maintain its legitimacy during the COVID-19 crisis, and their impact on sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Established supply chain management paradigms such as leanness, agility, and sustainability have received increased attention in the literature, but mainly as separate topics. However, while the importance of sustainability as a competitive priority has grown significantly in recent years, companies still try to reconcile the pressures of enhancing their supply chain efficiency and effectiveness. Thus, understanding what is the best way for companies to design and implement a system of practices that meets, on the one hand, the environmental and social requirements of a wide set of stakeholders and, on the other hand, the need to be lean (efficient and waste free) and/or agile (fast and flexible to the needs of the market place) is critical. Our paper develops a systematic literature review addressing the integration of lean, agile and sustainable supply chain management paradigms. 73 papers are analysed, deriving 6 types of integration between lean & sustainable and agile & sustainable supply chain paradigms. To achieve each type of integration, a set of practices are highlighted. Interestingly, the same practices can support different integration types. The paper discusses possible reasons behind these differences and provides future research directions. We suggest further studies should be devoted to investigating the agile – sustainable paradigms integration more in depth as well as the effect of including social dimension when considering the integration between established and sustainable supply chain paradigms. Moreover, we address the lack of empirical studies and the need to take an evolutionary perspective when looking at the integration. Finally, we suggest developing conceptual and empirical studies on whether and how integration between paradigms is contingent upon the strategic relevance of sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During technology adoption, assessment of its sustainable character is a difficult task due to limited insight and the various dimensions of sustainability, as well as its complicated application at the operational level. A proper decision-making framework and method may be conducive to bridging generic and macro-level sustainability with local-site and task-oriented technology selection, improving the application of sustainable technology. For this reason, a framework is explored to highlight the sustainable nature of relevant components during an operational decision-making process within the supply chain. With an eye to the triple bottom of sustainability, the product chain, value-added activities of supply chain and stakeholders are analyzed and embedded into the technology selection method. The dynamic relationships among these components (product chain, value-added activities and stakeholders) as carriers of technology are also discussed so as to investigate their sustainable features. Furthermore, to figure out the whole technology decision-making logic map, a modified strategic balanced scorecard is established and applied to evaluate technology candidates in terms of their features of sustainability. Next, a computing method is designed to produce a sustainable technology choice. The multilateral mechanisms among the three groups, as well as within each group, during the technology selection process are identified and elaborated completely. The framework of analysis and method presented in the paper add insight to sustainability theoretically, and guide its application in technology adoption. Managerial implications, as well as limitations of this work, are concluded at the end of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a context of growing complexity of supply chains and pressure from multiple stakeholders for more transparency, there is a trend in research and practice towards building methods for supply chain sustainability assessment. This trend represents a core issue in research but rarely takes a multiple stakeholder perspective. Based on a literature review, a qualitative and quantitative content analysis of sustainability reports, a survey, and interviews with various stakeholders, this paper suggests a set of sustainability aspects to exchange data to support the sustainability assessment of supply chains. The focus is set on the inter-related automotive and electronics industries which are representative sectors of this growing need for transparency and assessment and reflect the complexity of the issue. The outcome and main differences between companies and other stakeholders (e.g., Non-Governmental Organisations, researchers) is highlighted as well as the overall result of this work: a suggestion for 36 sustainability aspects to exchange sustainability data along the supply chain. By integrating empirical information, this paper emphasises the need to define precisely which sustainability aspects can be found in the different dimensions of sustainability and shows the importance of the governance dimension in sustainability research. It also aims at encouraging a standardised data exchange by taking into account company demographics and data exchange accessibility to allow comparability between companies and supply chains and support decision-makers. The results are meant for companies to improve and monitor the sustainability performance of their organisation and supply chain, improve communication through corporate sustainability reports, and provide more transparent information to customers and final consumers. The results also aim at supporting researchers in the field in developing indicators for a supply chain-wide sustainability assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric vehicles seem to offer a great potential for sustainable transport development. The Swedish pioneer project GreenCharge Southeast is designed as a cooperative action research approach that aims to explore a roadmap for a fossil-free transport system by 2030 with a focus on electric vehicles. In the first paper of this tandem publication, the authors propose a new generic process model embedding the Framework of Strategic Sustainable Development. The purpose of applying it in an action-research mode as described in this paper was twofold: (i) to develop a vision for sustainable regional transport and a coarse roadmap towards that vision, and, while doing so, (ii) get additional empirical experiences to inform the development of the new generic process model. Experts from many sectors and organizations involved in the GreenCharge project provided vital information and reviewed all planning perspectives presented in Paper 1 in two sequential multi-stakeholder seminars. The results include a sustainable vision for electric vehicle systems in southeast Sweden within a sustainable regional transport system within a sustainable global society, as well as an initial development plan towards such a vision for the transport sector. The vision is framed by the universal sustainability principles, and the development plan is informed by the strategic guidelines, of the above-mentioned framework. Among other things, the vision and plan imply a shift to renewable energy and a more optimized use of areas and thus a new type of spatial planning. For example, the vision and plan implies a lower built-in demand for transport, more integrated traffic modes, and more multi-functional use of areas for energy and transport infrastructures, for example. Some inherent benefits of electric vehicles are highlighted in the vision and plan, including near-zero local emissions and flexibility as regards primary energy sources. The vision and plan also imply improved governance for more effective cross-sector collaboration to ensure coordinated development within the transport sector and between the transportation sector and other relevant sectors. Meanwhile, the new generic process model was refined and is ready to be applied and further tested in the GreenCharge project and in other projects within the transport sector as well as other sectors. The study confirmed that the new generic process model suggested in support of sustainable transport system and community development is helpful for giving diverse stakeholders, with various specialties and perspectives, a way of working that is goal-oriented and builds on effective, iterative learning loops and co-creation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

System Dynamics can be a powerful tool for understanding dynamics, especially feedback behaviours, in many social-ecological systems where sustainable pathways are sought. Along with quantitative simulations and optimization packages, System Dynamics offers qualitative tools (e.g. system archetypes, Causal Loop Diagrams, and Stock and Flow Diagrams) for further enhancing understanding. Like all methods, System Dynamics can be applied effectively and successfully for specific objectives in specific contexts by some analysts and modellers, but can also be used poorly and potentially unethically by others. This paper investigates the potential of System Dynamics to support Sustainability and the role played by modellers, including their practices and assumptions, in developing this potential. This is achieved by reviewing the application of System Dynamics within the context of the sustainability literature and how there are multiple levels of boundary judgements to be made by System Dynamics modellers, their commissioners and stakeholders: specifically around the sustainability principles that provide the criteria by which policy options from the modelling are evaluated; definitions of problem scope; and around the extent of dynamic processes explicitly considered in both the qualitative and quantitative System Dynamics thinking and modelling practice. To illustrate how boundary judgements matter for sustainability modelling, we draw on three examples, and discuss the potential risks and challenges these raise. The paper also discusses how and why System Dynamics needs to be used by analysts in a more complete manner (i.e. engaging qualitative, quantitative, and participatory approaches) to ensure that in any given applied case, the models, and the judgements underpinning their development, are effectively embedded in societal and political contexts that allow their use for supporting sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing legislative and public pressure for the design and build of road infrastructure schemes to achieve better sustainability performance. Roadside noise barriers (RNBs) form a major part of the growing road infrastructure system in mitigating undesirable road noise to impacted communities. However, the relative sustainability of common RNBs is little understood in the research and industry literature. This makes it difficult for stakeholders to make informed decisions with regards to the sustainable design and procurement of RNBs. This paper presents nowel research carried out to assess and rank the relative sustainability of 13 RNB types using three multi criteria analysis (MCA) techniques, i.e. Simple Additive Weighting (SAW), Preference Ranking Organisation MeTHod for Enrichment Evaluations (PROMETHEE), and Elimination et Choice Translating Reality (ELECTRE III). The paper concludes that the presented sustainability rankings of the main RNB types from least sustainable to most sustainable will support the relevant stakeholders, involved in the planning, design, and procurement stages, to evaluate the sustainability of RNB options as either part of a large highways scheme or standalone project. The presented results will save significant analysis time and costs in cases whereby it is unfeasible to conduct MCAs. The presented sustainability asssessment methodology may also provide the basis for an industry sustainability certification sceheme and in turn support advancing the sustainability transport agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing environmental problems, the rapid urbanization, and the disappearance of the demographic dividend in China has brought unprecedented opportunities to the development of prefabricated housing (PH). However, many barriers are hindering the promotion of PH, for instance, cost, lack of regulations, and the shortage of knowledge, among which cost is identified as one of the most critical barriers. Unlike previous studies focused only on production costs, this research aims to investigate transaction costs (TCs), e.g., searching costs, negotiation costs, and enforcement costs. First, this paper develops a theoretical TCs framework of the PH supply chain, based on an extensive literature review. Secondly, an empirical study was conducted on two cases in Chongqing to validate the TCs framework. Key stakeholders are identified by Social Network Analysis (SNA). Subsequently, 25 semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders, both to verify the new TCs framework and to explore stakeholder concerns about TCs. The centrality metrics by SNA identified six key stakeholders who have a significant influence on TCs. It is found from the interviews that both the conceptual phase and the construction phase are stages where the majority of TCs occur. Both the developer and the general contractor are paying for more TCs compared to the other stakeholders. This study contributes to theory by initially introducing the concepts of TCs to the PH field, and the findings bring implications on the governance of PH supply chain to both private stakeholders and the government. • Transaction costs in the prefabricated housing supply chain cause low economic efficiency. • Critical stakeholders include developers, general contractors, architects, local governments, supervisors and component suppliers. • Developers and general contractors are recognized as bearing more Transaction Costs compared with the other stakeholders. • The conceptual phase and the construction phase are where the majority of transaction costs occur. • To improve the governance of projects, both public and private stakeholders can take actions to reduce transaction costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In recent years, the search for innovative pathways towards sustainability has been brought to the forefront of international agenda settings. While international organisations and institutions, such as the United Nations and the European Union (EU), mobilised around the grand challenge of sustainability, on both a local and a global scale, eco-innovation as a key concept (or buzzword) started emerging and consolidating in policy documents and funding schemes. By focusing on the European context, this paper aims to explore how the discourse of eco-innovation has been framed by the EU research funding programmes Horizon 2020 since the introduction of the 2011 Eco-Innovation Action Plan. The review was conducted by using content analysis methods designed to disclose the framing of eco-innovation in the EU programmes. The article presents three main findings: the eco-innovation discourse in the EU programmes has mostly become constructed around the notion of eco-efficiency; eco-innovation is overwhelmingly framed as a dialectic between the state vs private actors whereas stakeholders in the third sector such as cooperatives, non-governmental organisations, social enterprises, and community-based initiatives are largely neglected; eco-innovation as a buzzword has been losing relevance through the years in favour of the new rising discourse of the 'circular economy'. The article concludes by suggesting that the construction of a new discourse on circular economy may provide opportunities to embrace more eco-centric and inclusive approaches to economics, towards stronger sustainability and the more systematic inclusion of not-for-profit organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper analyses the opinion of Management undergraduate students of a Brazilian university regarding their notion of sustainability and corporate social responsibility. As to theory, this research was anchored in the stakeholder theory in order to approach the concepts of sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Two surveys were carried out with data collected through triangulation (questionnaire application and documentary research). A total of 474 valid questionnaires were obtained, and this is the size of the sample. Data analysis was carried out through the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software and the use of descriptive statistics as well as non-parametric tests. Results for students' notion of sustainability indicate that its economic dimension predominates over the others, revealing that the equitable treatment of the economic, social-cultural and environmental dimensions exists only in the abstract realm. As to the notion of corporate social responsibility, evidence indicates that the most important dimensions are, in hierarchical order: the philanthropic, the ethical, the legal, and the economic. Thus, in the concrete realm, the notions of sustainability and corporate social responsibility come closer because of the hierarchy of their dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many tools have been developed to support the Front End of Eco-Innovation (FEEI) to design more radical product/service concepts. Although it is widely recognised that designers need to extend the consideration of key stakeholders in the value chain, few studies analyse the impact of the integration of the 'stakeholder' notion into eco-innovation practices. This paper aims at understanding how the 'stakeholder' perspective can usefully be integrated into eco-innovation sessions. In addition to an extended literature review of existing eco-innovation tools with a stakeholder perspective, this paper adopts an original “research scenario” perspective through a collection of case studies, with various participants, cultural backgrounds, and industrial or academic contexts. Through a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) framework, the paper analyses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the integration of the stakeholder notion into eco-innovation tasks. This research highlights the different ways to consider stakeholders at the FEEI stage, from stakeholder identification to the analysis of the different types of stakeholder value. Moreover, the need to adapt the stakeholder approach according to the type of FEEI tool user is emphasised. Stakeholder typologies can be reduced to a few key unfamiliar stakeholders during the ideation process with industrialists, while the number of stakeholders can be more exhaustive in an educational approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the status of green buildings, their drivers and barriers have received significant attention, however little has been done to develop an integrated strategy that will lead to the development of green buildings. The present study is a conscious effort in that direction. On the basis of exhaustive literature review a ‘Green Building Sustainability Model’ has been developed and structural equation modelling is employed to verify the research framework. The study clearly state that the intentions to maintain green performance levels and adopt green practices has to come from all levels of society. The conceptual model establishes hypothesized relationship amongst nine constructs: issues, challenges, government, corporate, developers, buyers, private bodies, strategic-mix and sustainable development and develop twelve hypotheses. The data is collected by means of questionnaire survey method. The empirical results reveal that collaborative efforts of government and other stakeholders (corporate, developers, buyers, and private bodies) play a significant role in developing a strategic-mix that would lead to sustainable development however government as a regulatory body plays the most important role in developing the strategic-mix that will lead to resource efficient future. The contributions of the paper lies in developing an original Green Building Sustainability Model’ and fill the research gap. Though model has been developed and empirically tested in India, it can be further tested on green buildings in other developing or developed countries. The model is generic and can be further tested for commercial and residential green building. The research results are of great relevance to the academicians, environmentalist, practitioners, policy makers and helpful to future research as reference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a pragmatic framework to inform stakeholders about the sustainability of canteen meals. The framework consists of four parts: (1) an ecological scoring system, based on life cycle assessment results, to score the ecological impact of meals or their components, from which the customer can select to compose a meal; (2) a nutritional scoring of meals based on meeting nutritional criteria; (3) a scoring system to assess the efforts undertaken by the canteen suppliers with regard to sustainable production and management and (4) collected information on relevant topics in food sustainability not covered in previous parts. The framework has furthermore been customized for and applied to the canteen of Ghent University. In light of part 1, several methods to characterize the environmental impact of food products were benchmarked, pinpointing the ecological footprint, the amount of land needed for production and to sequester CO 2 , as most appropriate one. Moreover, the ecological footprint of harvested fish was newly characterized as amount of land indirectly needed for their growth in nature. This highlighted the much lower (2–15 times) ecological footprint of aquaculture than caught fish products, according to this method. The ecological scoring system was consequently based on the ecological footprint but also the carbon footprint due to its relevance, covering the discrepancy between meat, with relatively higher carbon footprint, and caught fish products, with relatively higher ecological footprint. Besides a promotion of more sustainable meals, following guidelines and conclusions were derived: (1) the ecological impact depends on more than just the main component, e.g. frying oil contributes the most to the ecological footprint of fries, and type of food, e.g. a portion ‘pangasius orientale’ (fish), has an about 30% lower ecological footprint than a portion ‘ratatouille vegetables’ (vegetarian); (2) lower salt content, which can mount up to >80% for a meal, to improve nutritional value and (3) provide a variety of portion sizes because nutritional demand varies. Although further improvement is needed, the framework is prominent because of the better characterization of environmental impact, its pragmatic coverage of various sustainability aspects through its four parts, feedback to all stakeholders and its easiness of application for a manifold of meals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production and use of transportation fuels can lead to sustainability impacts. Assessing them simultaneously in a holistic way is a challenge. This paper examines methodology for assessing the sustainability performance of products in a more integrated way, including a broad range of social impacts. Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) methodology is applied for this assessment. LSCA often constitutes of the integration of results from social LCA (S-LCA), environmental life cycle assessment (E-LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC). In this study, an S-LCA from an earlier project is extended with a positive social aspect, as well as refined and detailed. E-LCA and LCC results are built from LCA database and literature. Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methodology is applied to integrate the results from the three different assessments into an LCSA. The weighting of key sustainability dimensions in the MCDA is performed in different ways, where the sustainability dimensions are prioritized differently priority based on the assumed values of different stakeholder profiles (Egalitarian, Hierarchist, and Individualist). The developed methodology is tested on selected biomass based and fossil transportation fuels - ethanol produced from Brazilian sugarcane and US corn/maize, and petrol produced from Russian and Nigerian crude oils, where it delineates differences in sustainability performance between products assessed. The outcome in terms of relative ranking of the transportation fuel chains based on sustainability performance differs when applying different decision-maker profiles. This result highlights and supports views that there is no one single answer regarding which of the alternatives that is most sustainable. Rather, it depends strongly upon the worldview and values held by the decision maker. A key conclusion is that sustainability assessments should pay more attention to potential differences in underlying values held by key stakeholders in relevant societal contexts. The LCSA methodology still faces challenges regarding results integration but MCDA in combination with stakeholder profiles appears to be a useful approach to build on further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diverse national resource bases, infrastructure, regulatory environments and markets call for the development of diverse national bioeconomies in the quest towards cleaner production and a more sustainable future. The bioeconomy promises both economic growth and environmental gain through the conversion of renewable biological resources into the food, feed, fuel, chemicals and fibre of the future. It has been the topic of intense political discussion internationally of late, including in Ireland. Radical innovation is required to achieve these aims, not just in technological terms, but in the policies, practices, collaborations and behaviours guiding this transition. Effective, objective and impartial governance of the bioeconomy is required; a process that must engage multiple stakeholder groups in deciphering the most appropriate development pathways with the aim of creating evidence-based and diverse national bioeconomy strategies. Showcasing a potential fora to achieve such stakeholder inclusion and interaction, this paper presents the results of an online Delphi study conducted with 75 bioeconomy experts in Ireland to assesses and prioritise value chain opportunities for the Irish bioeconomy. Results nevertheless hold relevance for the development and governance of bioeconomies worldwide, highlighting a number of areas of consensus, caveats and conditions for bioeconomy, and associated strategy, development. This includes consideration of factors from supply to demand, including the scale and fragmentation of feedstock, the capital investment required at the transformation technology stage and consumer acceptance of the biobased output. The need for robust environmental sustainability assessments, clear support frameworks, adherence to cascading and circular principles and integrated value web approaches are also highlighted through this analysis. The bioeconomy can be successful economically, environmentally and socially if developed under certain conditions, and there is potential for nations to learn from one another as to what these conditions might encompass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to assess, theoretically and empirically, the governance approach associated with the formation of the circular value ecosystem (CVES) within the Sustainable Wealth creation based on Innovation and enabling Technologies (SWIT) framework. The SWIT framework is designed to interlink economic models, policies and strategies so as to introduce and convert residue, waste and by-product chains into multiple increasing returns cycles. Unlike regional circular economy cases in Germany, Japan and China where governments or industry have taken the lead on such initiatives - a top-down governance approach, the SWIT framework was developed for regions where government support for eco-initiatives is weak and where the participation of community stakeholders is critical – a bottom-up governance approach. The ecological, social and economic dimensions of the system are explored so as to ascertain the key stakeholders critical to the governance of the circular value ecosystem (CVES). We seek to answer: What stakeholders must be incorporated in a bottom-up CVES governance approach for the SWIT framework to be able to restore environmental resilience while creating economic returns and social benefits in rural communities? We report the results of an action research case – both successes and challenges – which sought to test this community-driven bottom-up governance approach on a rural community in Mexico. Our findings suggest that a bottom-up governance approach requires a deep understanding of the social, political, environmental and economic characteristics of the community as well as civic collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promotion of reuse and recycling practices at the household level can have a considerable influence in reducing generation of waste as well. This study has examined the existing waste generation patterns, and has identified the green practices adopted at the household level. This study documents and analyzes the possible practices that help in reducing the generation of waste. Waste practices associated with generation, reuse, and recycle, have been documented and investigated for nine material categories of waste such as: paper, plastic, glass, metal, textile, kitchen waste, garden waste, e-waste, and appliances. Field realities from Bhopal, a city in the central part of India having a population of less than two million people, have been captured through detailed stakeholder surveys and focused group discussions with experts. The primary survey was conducted to cover four income groups' categories spanning across ‘formal’ and ‘informal’ housing typologies, to understand and examine the linkages between waste generation and life style. Reuse/recycle practices adopted by the households, and the extent of the usage of such practices was examined. The study revealed innovative, smart and frugal reuse practices adopted by households, and informed that extent of reusability differs across various income groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable construction projects affect various stakeholders with different social, environmental and economic interests. It is essential that the decision makers maintain effective communication with relevant groups to avoid project failures. Although citizen participation offers a means of better addressing and meeting stakeholder concerns and expectations, the decision/evaluations of contemporary sustainable projects are becoming ever more complicated, with an increasing number of stakeholders involved to actively defend their own interests. In response, this paper provides a thorough and comprehensive analysis of the stakeholders of sustainable construction in China and quantifies their influence in decision/evaluations by semi-structured interviews (in research stage I) and a three-round Delphi survey (in research stage II). Follow-up interviews (in research stage III) are carried out to collect more in-depth views concerning the characteristics and the respective importance of each stakeholder group involved. The findings indicate that the government is the most influential entity and the extent to which its intervention is needed in balancing the interests of other stakeholders presents a major challenge. The high potential influence of end-users is also identified, suggesting the need for a more transparent and inclusive participatory decision/evaluation process in the country. An enhanced future role for NGOs is further identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Higher Education Institutions play an important role in the promotion of sustainability and an increasing number of stakeholders expect them to be sustainable organizations. However, this can only be achieved when barriers are faced and challenges overcome. This exploratory study aims to investigate how the main stakeholders (leaders, faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders) of Portuguese Public Higher Education Institutions perceive: the concepts of sustainability and sustainable higher education institutions, the role of higher education for sustainable development, and the barriers, challenges and obstacles to implementing sustainable initiatives in Portuguese Public Higher Education Institutions. Through a qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews and content analysis procedures, this article explore the perspectives of twenty stakeholders from four Portuguese Public Higher Education Institutions. The results suggest that, although aware of the concept of sustainability, the different stakeholders are not familiar with the concept of sustainable higher education institutions. The lack of financial resources due to the decline in funding for higher education and falling numbers of Portuguese university students is perceived as the main barrier to sustainable development in higher education (i.e. practices are still associated with spending financial resources). This research highlights the importance of a conceptual and organizational change in higher education institutions, notably through identifying new sources of financing, more flexible organizational forms, more comprehensive mission statements, more tailored educational offers, life-long learning and commitment to internationalization, and more strategic human resource management. The paper contributes to the literature by reflecting on how higher education institutions can promote sustainability, how higher education for sustainable development is understood and can be improved in Portuguese Higher Education Institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concepts of sustainability and sustainable development (SD) are often used by policy-makers, stakeholders and the private sector, as a ‘selling point’ for their agendas and goals. Thanks to the wide, but also self-interpretive definition, the concepts allow various actors to make related pledges without necessarily undertaking any significant changes to their existing policies, strategies and actions. The purpose of this paper is to critically analyse the meaning of and approaches to sustainability and SD, which are being adopted and/or reformulated in the newly emerging bioeconomy policy debate of the European Union (EU). Understanding these concepts is crucially important given the growing importance of and adherence to bioeconomy-based policies and strategies by both individual EU Member States and the EU as a whole. The way bioeconomy policies perceive sustainability and SD as concepts will have profound implications not only on a practical level for policy implementation, but also on a conceptual level and for theoretical discourses surrounding sustainability and SD. The policy and narrative analyses illustrate that the current EU bioeconomy policy leans strongly towards prudentially conservationist, utilitarian and instrumental approaches to SD, as well as towards weak sustainability. We argue that a balance between environmental, social and economic dimensions – as introduced in the Brundtland report – is missing within the EU bioeconomy policy framework, since economic dimensions and concerns prevail over environmental and social dimensions. In the light of possible negative consequences of biomass production, we foresee an urgent need to define and broaden the scope of bioeconomy, as well as to include environmental and social concerns and safeguards. To tackle the shared challenges and constraints modern societies face today, a broader definition of sustainability needs to be adopted within the EU bioeconomy policy framework. Issues such as social justice, fairness and equity, social and environmental safeguards and local traditional knowledge in various concerned sectors should be taken into consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The previous researches on sustainability evaluation for the mining sector indicate that the tailor-made integrated frameworks should have the capabilities of integrating the stakeholder-focused information as effectively as operational information into the evaluation and reporting process. In this regard, this paper proposes an indicator-based quantitative evaluation framework for integrating the concerns and priorities of the local stakeholders into the evaluation of sustainability in the mining sector operations and/or plans. The proposed framework allows one for assessing how the sustainability evaluation outcomes may differ if the project specific concerns and priorities are determined by the local stakeholders or by the operational reporting party, like the mining company or the planning authority. The proposed framework is implemented with the case study of Afşin-Elbistan Coal Basin (AECB) in Turkey. The future mine plan alternatives and current operations in AECB are evaluated and compared in terms of locals' and decision-makers’ sustainability criteria. The results of the study show that the level of sustainability in the AECB, in other words, the contribution of the mining sector operations to sustainable development in the AECB diverse considerably based on the used sustainability criteria for the analysis. Therefore, consideration of the local sustainability criteria is necessary in order to prevent the unsound actions in terms of sustainability and contribute the sustainable development at the local-level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization poses a significant challenge of accommodating the poor, particularly in developing countries such as China where affordable housing has only been initiated a few years ago and will continue to be developed in the coming years. Two major considerations in affordable housing programs are cost and time, as the ability to meet the needs of low-income households is the main target of these programs. However, it is not a common strategy to address affordable housing shortage by means of incorporating sustainability features. One of critical issues is the lack of sustainability framework to integrate sustainability in affordable housing. This paper aims to identify the key sustainability performance indicators (KSPIs) which are useful to guide the development of affordable housing. A preliminary list of 42 key sustainability performance indicators of affordable housing was identified through an extensive literature review. This was followed by a questionnaire survey to solicit the professional views from three stakeholder groups, namely government, developers and academics in the Chinese construction industry. Via the fuzzy set theory and variance analysis, 24 KSPIs were finally highlighted. These findings provide useful references for policy makers as well as industry practitioners to develop affordable housing programs in a sustainable manner. This helps to achieve the sustainable development at the regional scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity conservation is increasingly integrated into the environmental management practices of organizations. Nevertheless, the literature has overlooked the analysis of the general motivations for and the organizational implications underlying corporate commitment to biodiversity. In order to fulfil this gap, the objective of this article is to contribute to this under-researched issue by shedding light on the drivers for biodiversity conservation of mining and forestry companies whose operations pose high risks to biodiversity. For this purpose, a systematic analysis was carried out on more than 4650 passages on biodiversity management extracted from 430 sustainability reports using the framework of the Global Reporting Initiative. Drawing on theories of self-regulation and social exchange, the paper shows that initiatives for biodiversity management are motivated by the quest for social legitimacy and the external recognition of organizations with high environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Product-Service System (PSS) approaches and resulting benefits have been viewed mainly from a business world standpoint and in terms of economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability. This paper seeks to extend the application of PSS for community social-economic transformation and links it with Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), especially the Customer-Actor-Transformation-Worldview-Owner-Environment (CATWOE) method, to propose a model for synergistically sustainable community development. This approach recognises the diverse views and transformation goals of multiple stakeholders, fosters value co-creation in achieving desirable outcomes and uncovers synergies between system entities and various PSS elements. By analysing two examples of disadvantaged regional communities, the paper indicates how systems thinking and PSS can facilitate service innovation and opportunities for synergistic sustainability by transforming the local economy and improving services and social livelihoods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Contaminated sites have caused worldwide attention and been dealt with through a variety of policies and practices both nationally and regionally. Unlike the US, Canada, Japan, and Europe, which have accumulated rich experiences in contaminated site management, China, facing serious contaminated site issues, still lacks effective strategies on issues such as remediation standards, funding resources, accountability, and stakeholders coordination. This paper collected policies for contaminated site management from 31 regions in China. A comprehensive analysis was conducted of current policies, including policy framework, number of policies and instruments, policy types, and spatial and temporal variation. We find that most regions in China, such as Beijing and Chongqing, have taken positive measures to manage contaminated sites, and that there are similarities as well as differences in policy responses and mechanisms in different regions. A multi-level objective system, combined with diverse instruments, cooperation between different stakeholders, and a multi-sectoral joint supervision mechanism emphasized by all 31 regions, are extremely important to promote sustainable site management. Specialized policies, site-specific standards, information disclosure, public participation, remediation priority and groundwater protection are urgently needed to strengthen the local framework of contaminated site management and to promote remediation projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to increased customer knowledge and ecological pressures from markets and various stakeholders, business organizations have emphasized the importance of greening and sustainability in their supply chain through supplier selection. Therefore, a systematic and sustainability-focused evaluation system for supplier selection is needed from an organizational supply chain perspective. This work proposes a framework to evaluate sustainable supplier selection by using an integrated Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), ViseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR), a multi-criteria optimization and compromise solution approach. Initially, 22 sustainable supplier selection criteria and three dimensions of criteria (economic, environmental, and social) have been identified through literature and experts' opinions. A real world example of an automobile company in India is discussed to demonstrate the proposed framework applicability. According to the findings, ‘Environmental costs,’ ‘Quality of product,’ ‘Price of product,’ ‘Occupational health and safety systems,’ and ‘Environmental competencies’ have been ranked as the top five sustainable supplier selection criteria. In addition, out of the five sustainable supplier's alternatives, supplier number ‘three’ got the highest rank. The work presented in this paper may help managers and business professionals not only to distinguish the important supplier selection criteria but also to evaluate the most efficient supplier for sustainability in supply chain, while remaining competitive in the market. Sensitivity analysis is also conducted to test the proposed framework robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term sustainable tourism emerged in the late 1980s and has become firmly established in both tourism policies and strategies and tourism research (Hall, 2011). After more than 25 years of attention it is timely to consider the state of research and practice in sustainable tourism. This special volume was established with exactly that goal in mind and this introduction seeks to set the context for this critical examination and reflection on sustainable tourism. Another objective of this introduction was to briefly describe the range of contributions selected for this SV. The articles are organised into four thematic areas of research: community stakeholders' perspectives and business approaches to sustainability in tourism, cultural responses, and methodological challenges related to sustainability. The articles shine a light on issues of importance within sustainable tourism, and in so doing, it is hoped that researchers from other disciplines and backgrounds are encouraged to consider investigating the inter-relationships between societal sustainability and tourism more broadly. The authors of this SV also sought to do something different from the majority of previous papers, which is to bring these issues to readers primarily concerned with sustainability rather than only with tourism. Before briefly discussing the contributions that make up the SV, this introduction provides a discussion of the inter-relationships between tourism and sustainability, a consideration of the ongoing challenges inherent in tackling sustainability and tourism, and a brief overview of the potential for tourism to contribute to the transformative changes required to move to truly sustainable societies. The introduction is concluded with an optimistic look into the future of sustainability-driven work in tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many universities have started to measure sustainability, and many tools have been developed to assist them in this process. For universities at an early stage of sustainability implementation, choosing a tool that fits their specific context is an important step in their assessment process. The goal of this paper is to introduce an Adaptable Model for Assessing Sustainability into higher education institutions that enable the assessment of sustainability within different implementation stages and data availability scenarios. The model's design was based on previous experiences in the field of sustainability in higher education, and takes into account international declarations and other assessment models. The result is a model based on a four tiered hierarchy, with three main criteria: institutional commitment, example setting, and advancing sustainability. In order to establish the weight assigned to each tier of the proposed hierarchy, the analytic hierarchy process was applied. The results of this process showed a preference for institutional commitment and example setting/leadership criteria, with weights of 36.1% and 38.2% respectively, and less preference for the advancing sustainability criterion, with a weight of 25.7% . The resulting model enables the assessment of sustainability within different contexts while maintaining a universal methodological approach; this allows for comparison within a cluster of institutions with similar contexts. The assessment model could be used to improve other assessment tools by following the same process used to build the model, facilitating the participation of stakeholders and experts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability issues in higher educational institutions have attracted increasing levels of attention from both the public and policy makers in recent decades. A number of previous studies have called for a more comprehensive integration of sustainable development into mainstream university operations and curricula. However, there is a lack of sufficient studies that investigate sustainable development in higher education in Spain. Therefore, the present paper has two goals: First, the study analyses the extent to which Spanish universities have implemented sustainability practices in their institutions. To accomplish this task, data were collected using a survey distributed to rectors and senior management at Spanish higher education institutions. The second goal is to examine the main factors that might explain the implementation of sustainability practices in Spanish universities. For this purpose, Pearson chi-square tests were used to analyse the data collected in the survey. Key findings show the slow rate of progress of many Spanish universities with regard to implementing sustainability practices, a fact which could indicate that there are clearly a number of obstacles to overcome. Additionally, there were no factors influencing the implementation of sustainability practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores rigorous methods to transparently incorporate values in sustainability decision-making. Empirical, normative and other decision-making methods are discussed using a conceptual architecture borrowed from the Aristotelian ideas of Episteme, Techne and Phronesis. The application and limits to positivist reasoning for decision-making is explored through discussions of wicked and tame problems (where the introduction of values is discussed), the analytic-deliberative framework (that characterizes most assessment methods), and post–normal science. An example examining air quality regulation and enforcement is used to explore concepts. Recognizing the continuum of quantitative to qualitative decision-making calculus, and how to apply it constructively to decision-making is an area of needed inquiry for scientists, policy-makers, consultants and corporate leaders concerned about helping to effect the transition to more sustainable societal patterns. This necessitates researchers and decision makers acknowledge that sustainability preferences are driven by values. This author concludes that decision-making methods that provide a transparent means to value outcomes and to integrate disparate information and perceptions (and values) have been demonstrated to be the most useful in settings with a variety of stakeholders that value different outcomes. Such conditions are typical in natural resource and sustainability problems where trade-offs are often necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benefiting from a performance measurement system is an inevitable necessity for any supply chain management to direct the business operations towards the maximal efficiency. In particular, there has been an increasing interest in incorporating sustainability practices evaluation in supply chain operations in the last years due to various stakeholders' requirements. The sustainability paradigm calls for balancing economic, environmental, and social needs. This paper focuses on the evaluation of supply chain operations that maximize economic returns, minimize environment impacts, and meet social expectations. In order to design a supervisory framework to measure the performance of these operations, this study develops a multi-stage data envelopment analysis model that is apt to evaluate the sustainability of a chain of business partners. In addition, the proposed mathematical model is applied to two case studies; one in the manufacturing sector and the other in the banking sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental sustainability is an everlasting concern of our modern society and has been gaining importance in practice and academia over the last decades. For being a major contributor to global environmental pollution, stakeholder pressure on manufacturing companies is increasing to reduce their environmental impacts, while simultaneously delivering high value goods and services at competitive prices, understood as increasing their eco-efficiency. However, complex interrelations between the economic and environmental performance dimensions in production systems create a non-transparency to decision makers, hindering them to translate this strategic target into improvement measures on a shop-floor level. Discrete-event simulation has been established as a promising method to solve this problem, although current approaches are insufficient for focusing only on energy aspects and being too complex in their application. This paper proposes a decision support consisting of two elements: 1) A novel discrete-event simulation approach that seamlessly integrates LCA with common economic evaluations by embedding the Ecoinvent LCI database, while considering all relevant eco-efficiency drivers within a production system; and 2) a system analysis and modelling procedure supporting its application and the identification of appropriate improvement measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability assessment is an important approach for decision-support in waste management systems. Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) is the most promising tool for this purpose, but it still lacks a formal methodological framework. One requirement for establishing an effective LCSA methodology is the necessary involvement of stakeholders in decisions on LCSA models, which still constitutes a gap in current assessments. In this paper we develop and apply a methodology for stakeholder consultation regarding the selection of LCSA impact categories (focussing, in this case, only on social and economic issues). The methodology is based on decision science concepts and tools with an emphasis on the elicitation of stakeholders' perspectives depicted in cognitive causal maps. Results from a case study illustrate a useful contribution from the methodology, revealing both well-established and innovative impact categories with very positive feedback from stakeholders. A methodological issue is the sensitiveness in defining endpoint and midpoint levels of impact categories. The method revealed straightforward and effective, with no necessity for quantitative ratings and minor influence of the analysts' perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing social concern about the protection and improvement of the environment has transformed environmental commitment into a new strategic via channel through which to achieve competitiveness in firms. Nevertheless, to date, limited research on this subject has focused on small and medium enterprises. This study addresses this gap by shedding light on the relationship between environmental commitment and business performance as well as their relationship with two other strategic variables: relational marketing and image. From a sample of 481 small and medium firms in Southern Spain and using structural equation modelling, different cause–effect relations were analysed. The results suggest that environmental performance has a positive, direct and significant influence on competitive performance as well as the mediating effects of image and relational marketing. In this regard, this paper offers new empirical evidence of how firms that improve their environmental engagement generate a positive interaction with their stakeholders. An improved environmental performance encourages the appearance of positive reactions for any company's image and its competitiveness. Some of these environmental practices are provided according to their strategic relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contaminated land remediation has traditionally been viewed as sustainable practice because it reduces urban sprawl and mitigates risks to human being and the environment. However, in an emerging green and sustainable remediation (GSR) movement, remediation practitioners have increasingly recognized that remediation operations have their own environmental footprint. The GSR calls for sustainable behaviour in the remediation industry, for which a series of white papers and guidance documents have been published by various government agencies and professional organizations. However, the relationship between the adoption of such sustainable behaviour and its underlying driving forces has not been studied. This study aims to contribute to sustainability science by rendering a better understanding of what drives organizational behaviour in adopting sustainable practices. Factor analysis (FA) and structural equation modelling (SEM) were used to investigate the relationship between sustainable practices and key factors driving these behaviour changes in the remediation field. A conceptual model on sustainability in the environmental remediation industry was developed on the basis of stakeholder and institutional theories. The FA classified sustainability considerations, institutional promoting and impeding forces, and stakeholder's influence. Subsequently the SEM showed that institutional promoting forces had significant positive effects on adopting sustainability measures, and institutional impeding forces had significant negative effects. Stakeholder influences were found to have only marginal direct effect on the adoption of sustainability; however, they exert significant influence on institutional promoting forces, thus rendering high total effect (i.e. direct effect plus indirect effect) on the adoption of sustainability. This study suggests that sustainable remediation represents an advanced sustainable practice, which may only be fully endorsed by both internal and external stakeholders after its regulatory, normative and cognitive components are institutionalized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Wide Web can enhance the communication of social and environmental issues, commonly referred to as sustainability communication. This paper explored the factors that influence the use of the web for sustainability communication. Previous literature identified economic factors, internal organisational factors and external stakeholder influences as particularly influential. This case study, in the context of three Australian mining companies, and through the use of interviews and website monitoring, expands upon the literature by confirming these factors and by identifying two additional factors that impact the corporate use of the web for sustainability communications. These are referred to as the “double-edged sword” and organisational restructuring. This study, through a focus on a particular communication medium, the web, and a socially and environmentally sensitive industry, the Australian minerals industry, highlighted that the impact of the medium used for sustainability communication requires conceptual insights that extend beyond the current understanding of sustainability accounting and reporting. In addition to this theoretical contribution, this study contributes to the emerging web-based sustainability communication literature, and provides insights to companies and their stakeholders into future use of the web for communication of social and environmental issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International organisations such as the EU, the OECD and the WBG have recommended that governments provide information to citizens about the sustainability of their public policies. Furthermore, previous studies have concluded that while stakeholders are demanding greater transparency from public entities about the sustainability of their actions, little research has been conducted into governmental information disclosure concerning sustainability. Accordingly, the aim of the present paper is to contribute to our understanding of sustainability practices and information transparency in this respect in governmental institutions, and thus enable improvements to be made in this field. In the view that e-government, based on information and communication technologies, is a key element in good governance aimed at achieving sustainable development, we identify factors that may promote the disclosure of information on the sustainability of public entities, by analysing the information content of regional governments' websites and its relationship with certain variables. Our main findings are that socio-economic factors such as education, population density and access to internet, and e-government factors such as the provision of public information online, the percentage of procedures completed after online start, the level of online services provided and broadband availability, are all relevant to the disclosure of sustainability information by regional governments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biogas presents an increasing energy production form in municipalities and rural locations, and it is also a feasible waste management option. In terms of environmental life cycle assessments (LCA), biogas production seems to offer a unique opportunity to combine nutrient recycling with energy production using various underutilised resources such as municipal biowastes or manure. LCAs of biogas production suggest benefits related to CO2 emission savings and the replacement of chemical fertilisers, for example. Existing biogas plants have varying practices related to biogas production and actualisation of the life cycle benefits is influenced by policies, local contexts, and the purposes of the biogas production activity. This paper identifies and explores critical points related to biogas production by reviewing LCA studies and comparing them to actual choices made at Finnish biogas plants based on stakeholder interviews. The most critical points related to biogas production involve the end use of the biogas and the end use of the digestate. The practical implementation and site-specific conditions of biogas plants can lead to significant differences between life cycle impacts. Therefore, we emphasise the importance of site-specific LCA studies for reliable impact assessments. In addition, we suggest the incorporation of stakeholder interviews to support LCA at different phases and better implementation of life cycle thinking in policy design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Achieving food system sustainability is a global priority but there are different views on how it might be achieved. Broadly three perspectives are emerging, defined here as: efficiency oriented, demand restraint and food system transformation. These reflect different conceptualisations on what is practically achievable, and what is desirable, underpinned by different values and ideologies about the role of technology, our relationship with nature and fundamentally what is meant by a ‘good life.’ This paper describes these emerging perspectives and explores their underlying values; highlights LCA's role in shaping these perspectives; and considers how LCA could be oriented to clarify thinking and advance policy-relevant knowledge. It argues that more work is needed to understand the values underlying different approaches to the food sustainability problem. This can shed light on why stakeholders disagree, where there are genuine misunderstandings, and where common ground is possible and ways forward agreed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The paper explains and discusses the challenges confronted during the application of the Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) methodology defined by UNEP/SETAC S-LCA guidelines in a case study under the framework of Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA). The environmental, economic and social aspects related to two mineral fertilizers and one industrial compost were assessed. The system boundaries of the LCSA study included fertilizer production and transportation and certain stages of cultivation. Regarding S-LCA, background and foreground processes were taken into account. The Social Hotspots Database (SHDB) was used to include social aspects related to background processes. Following the approach of Life Cycle Attribute Assessment – proposed, e.g., in the S-LCA Guidelines – the amount of working time that had been spent on each unit process was used to aggregate the social aspects over the life cycle. This work is one of the first examples for applying the S-LCA Guidelines within the LCSA framework, as well as for using SHDB in a real case study. The comparability and reliability of the S-LCA results were highly challenged by the definition of the functional unit and the system boundaries, the choice of stakeholders and indicators, the use of working time for aggregating social aspects and the data availability among others. Regarding the latter, it is necessary to find a balance between the use of site-specific primary data and generic data to include the entire life cycle. In addition, for many social indicators, no definition of the social targets to achieve is currently agreed upon in the international community. Thus, a complete and robust interpretation of the S-LCA results is not yet possible because of the many methodological obstacles faced. However, because the social dimension plays a major role in sustainability assessment, and as there is no commonly agreed methodology, every effort to advance the application for S-LCA is highly recommended. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Despite the potential opportunities, there remain widespread concerns about bioenergy and biofuel feedstock sustainability, assessment and policy. This paper illustrates the value of the Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) for transparently presenting evidence and judgements relating to four biomass options that are potentially suitable for supplying heat to a university-sized facility. The RIAM approach provides comparable scores for: soybean biodiesel, waste cooking oil biodiesel, anaerobically co-digested food waste and manure; and timber pellets made from sawmill by-product. The high-level nature of the RIAM allows the user to structure a broader range of considerations and contingencies than the life-cycle approach embodied in EU biofuel legislation. We advocate the RIAM not as a substitute for LCA or any other form of assessment in a bioenergy context, but as a means of synthesising the results of different types of impact assessment and for making broader debates and uncertainties explicit, such that non-specialist knowledge users are both guided and made aware of differing scientific and stakeholder opinion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Effectively integrating sustainability into firms requires action that exceeds organizational boundaries. These boundary-spanning activities are increasingly being taken up by corporate action and are spurred, accompanied, and reflected in a growing body of academic literature. This special volume of the Journal of Cleaner Production significantly expands our understanding of sustainable supply chain management, both on the theoretical and the practical side. In this way, the special issue is another bit of fuel that drives the dynamic evolution of this research field. This editorial amplifies on how the different papers contribute to the new developments of sustainable supply chain management. One key development in this respect is the rising debate about the performance implications triggered by the integration of sustainability and supply chain management. This ranges from stakeholder integration and the implementation of standards to supplier partnerships and the development of appropriate performance measures. Among future research needs supply chains in low-income countries stand out, which are still hardly addressed. Therefore, we call for further empirical research that sharpens supply chain management theory and critically evaluates real-world sustainability effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze the published definitions of green supply chain management (GSCM) and sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). A total of 22 definitions for GSCM and 12 definitions for SSCM were identified. In order to analyze the identified definitions, two different sets of key characteristics for business sustainability (i.e., economic, environmental, social, stakeholder, volunteer, resilience, and long-term focuses) and SCM (i.e., flow, coordination, stakeholder, relationship, value, efficiency, and performance focuses) were proposed. The identified definitions were analyzed against each other and the two sets of proposed key characteristics. The analysis shows that definitions for GSCM were generally more narrowly focused than those for SSCM and had an emphasis on the characteristics of environmental, flow, and coordination focuses. Though some definitions of SSCM show considerable overlap with definitions of GSCM, it is argued that SSCM is essentially an extension of GSCM. Several identified definitions addressed at least half of the proposed key business sustainability and SCM characteristics. However, no complete definition of GSCM or SSCM was identified. To address this issue, a new definition for SSCM is proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

While global demand for eggs is increasing, concerns are being raised about the environmental, economic and social impact of egg production. Efforts to address these sustainability concerns can, however, result in trade-offs. To enhance a transparent debate about future options and limitations in the egg sector, insight is needed in environmental, economic and social sustainability challenges as well as in potential trade-offs involved in addressing these challenges. Based on interviews with 24 stakeholders and supported by scientific literature, this paper presents an overview of current sustainability challenges and trade-offs in the Dutch egg sector. Moreover, the paper provides an overview of innovations suggested by stakeholders that can help to address the identified sustainability challenges, and describes current limitations for the implementation of these innovations. Innovations identified were related to animal health and welfare (n = 13), housing systems (n = 7), economy (n = 8), environment (n = 9), and organisation (n = 6). Stakeholders considered innovations to reduce particulate matter emissions as one with priority. In addition, controlling poultry red mite, approaches to translate costs for environmental investments to consumers, closing manure-feed cycles and improved collaboration in the chain were considered as important steps to address current sustainability challenges. Our results reveal the complex interactions between sustainability challenges in the egg sector and give insight in the different perspectives and considerations stakeholders have. Steps towards sustainable egg production therefore require multi-stakeholder dialogue to find consensus and jointly identify so-called small wins, i.e. meaningful and feasible steps that can contribute to a more sustainable food system. • Sustainability challenges and innovations for Dutch egg production are presented. • Interviews with 24 stakeholders revealed complex interactions between challenges. • Innovations focus on animal health, housing, economy, environment and organisation. • Sustainable egg production requires sharing experiences and identifying small wins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper reviews and compares two mainstream business theories, namely market and stakeholder orientations, as contending strategies of corporate responsibility for sustainable development. We argue that even though stakeholder orientation offers a broader inclusion of values and expectations than market orientation, they share considerable similarities in terms of sustainability assumptions and how the role of the corporation becomes perceived in the quest for sustainable development. Both strategies leave responsibility outside the firm by emphasising the role of either customers or stakeholders as the basis of strategizing. Both strategies are also based on assumptions consistent with weak sustainability (at best), which is argued to be insufficient in order to achieve sustainability over time and space. Therefore, this article suggests that a new orientation is needed if corporations are to contribute to sustainable development, namely sustainable development orientation. We call for further research in outlining a business strategy that admits corporations'' responsibility for sustainable development and departs from the strong sustainability assumption. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: There is a global and growing sustainability agenda for surface transport yet there are no specific means of assessing the relative sustainability of infrastructure equipment. Transport noise reduction devices are a significant part of the surface transport infrastructure: they specifically address environmental and social needs, have a high economic impact, and involve a wide range of raw materials raising multiple technical issues. The paper presents an account of the bespoke tool developed for assessing the sustainability of transport noise reduction devices. Regulatory standards for noise reduction devices and the relevant sustainability assessment tools and procedures adopted worldwide were reviewed in order to produce a set of pertinent sustainability criteria and indicators for NRDs projects, which were reviewed and edited during a stakeholder engagement process. A decision making process for assessing the relative sustainability of noise reduction devices was formulated following the review of the literature. Two key stages were identified: (1) collection of data for criteria fulfillment evaluation and (2) multi-criteria analysis for assessing the sustainability of noise reduction devices. Appropriate tools and methods for achieving both objectives are recommended. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Much debate has taken place within the mineral policy community about whether or not meaningful progress has been made towards more sustainable practices. This paper investigates the changing approaches towards sustainable development undertaken by the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) over a period of approximately 20 years. The analysis begins in the early 1990s when MAC initiated the Whitehorse Mining Initiative (WMI) and concludes in 2010 when the association was operating under a strategy entitled Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM). The goal is to consider the nature of the learning that has taken place towards sustainability within the mineral industry using the case of a leading national mining association. The investigation was undertaken through a literature review as well as key informant interviews with stakeholders affected by the Canadian Mining Industry. Findings suggest that MAC’s approach to sustainable development has shifted from an ambitious and holistic partnership involving a range of stakeholders to a focused, member-specific agenda that addresses a few performance issues. The transition to TSM was based on lessons learned through working with the WMI and subsequent efforts. It reflects broader corporate tendencies to address social and ecological issues through corporate social responsibility initiatives. The implications of these trends suggest that voluntary initiatives in and of themselves should not be expected to replace the comprehensive regulatory responsibilities historically provided by government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper describes a method for assessing the degree of sustainability of a business operation, in terms of indicators related to the sustainability impacts of its particular activities. The Process Analysis Method considers the impact on the capital residing in the three domains: the environment, the economy and the domain of human/social capital. It is found, using the Brundtland definition of sustainability, that these impacts can be related to two business perspectives: (1) Resource efficiency, which measures the effectiveness of conversion of natural, financial, human and social capital; (2) Fairness in benefit which describes how fairly the benefits and disbenefits of changes in the three domains are distributed amongst stakeholders. The method requires a complete review of the activities of the business within an appropriately defined system boundary, in order to make an inventory of activities which affect the capital stores of value; those effects are found to relate to the business perspectives. The effects of these activities on stakeholders are identified, and those which are deemed to be significant are characterised by issues: these determine the selection of indicators whose values are given by metrics. The methodology thus enables the development of a comprehensive set of sustainability indicators and metrics for the particular business operation. The set of indicators will be similar for businesses with similar activities, so the methodology facilitates comparison and benchmarking. Further, the value of a particular indicator can be traced back through the analysis to a particular business process, which is especially helpful in guiding remedial action, since cause is linked to effect by the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]