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The concept of value, in a context of higher education institutions (HEIs), simply refers to meeting or exceeding customer requirements and expectations. HEIs have a fundamental role in the dissemination of knowledge, in addition to developing new skills and awareness for future professionals, in relation to local, regional and national issues. The aim of this research is to analyse the academic activities and outcomes influence on value generation perception in a public university students' perspective. A survey, built from a structured questionnaire, was carried out in a Brazilian HEI, the Federal University of Santa Maria, with students who are in their course final stage. Data collection came out with a valid sample of 389 respondents. It was analysed using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor and regression analyses. The findings suggest that among the services and resources that the university may offer to its students, the ones that present the most impact refer to cognitive and social abilities emerging from specific teaching practices and strategies from the professors. This research presents useful insights and applicable elements from which public managers can utilize to enhance engagement, create value and build a more rigorous and relevant practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: As few studies have explored the causal relationship between both the triple bottom line (TBL) of sustainability and the lean practices in higher education institutions (HEIs), the purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationships between lean practices and sustainable practices in Brazilian HEIs. Design/methodology/approach: A survey was conducted with 454 public and private HEIs workers in Brazil. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equations modeling were used for data analysis. Findings: The results support the hypotheses of the study that HEI lean practices are positively related to environmental, economic and social practices in HEIs. Practical implications: HEI managers must evaluate the use of lean practices in the organizational processes, to identify their weaknesses and to improve the aspects that influence a balanced TBL of sustainability practices. Social implications: The findings highlight the importance of leadership as a support for the workers, as a continuous improvement practice on a daily basis and a focus on the student as a basic principle of HEI success. Originality/value: This article provides new measurement and structural models to analyze Lean thinking practices as the predictors of sustainability practices. The work could assist any HEI in prioritizing its strategies and actions and to contribute to excellence in decision-making. This study could contribute as a source of empirical data for transferability in other contexts for HEIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cleaner production methods and environmental management practices are tools that strive for production process efficiency, the use of its input and the generation of industrial waste. These tools can significantly contribute to sustainable product innovation, due to the rational use of natural resources and the minimization of generated wastes. This study aims to measure the relations between the conditions for sustainable product innovation, considering the constructs of cleaner production and environmental management. It also examines the relationship between sustainable conditions and product innovation and financial performance as well as the size of the moderating effect of the companies on the relationship between the constructs. In this context, a Survey in 762 companies of different sizes was carried out in a leading metal-mechanic sector in Brazil. Structural Equation Modeling methods were used for results analysis. The research highlights that both Cleaner production and Environmental Management influence positively the achievement of Sustainable Product Innovation. The surveyed companies developing Sustainable Product Innovation Financial had higher performance in comparison to other companies. Another result of this study shows the strong relationship between the constructs “Cleaner production” and “Environmental Management”. It is recommended that companies combine these constructs to increase the results of sustainable innovation and financial gain. Accordingly, the way for companies to produce new environmentally sustainable products is through the presence of cleaner production and environmental management practices. The scientific value of this research is to provide for the academic community a framework for the analysis of the relations of the categories constitutes the main contribution, as well as providing management information to decide on the implementation of sustainability programs, resulting in higher financial gains through product innovations sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of globalization and industrial development, concerns about pollution and the environment encompass a global level, considering that any environmental degradation can undermine an entire local ecosystem and may generate negative impacts on different biomass. Accordingly, organizations can minimize their environmental impact, by making use of environmental practices such as methodologies on cleaner production. The Automotive Metal-Mechanic Cluster of Serra Gaúcha, Brazil, is known as an important industrial Pole in Brazil, due to its high concentration of spare parts, agricultural machinery and transport vehicles production companies. This Cluster is currently the second largest of its kind in Brazil. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the relationship between the concepts of cleaner production, environmental sustainability and organizational performance in 298 companies of the Serra Gaúcha Cluster. A survey was realized and Structural Equation Modeling was implemented for data analysis. The results show that those Serra Gaúcha companies seek alternative processes to reduce costs and contribute to the company's image for their customers. It was also observed that Cleaner Production practices influence environmental sustainability, as well as organizational performance; showing that cleaner production methodologies contribute to increase production capacity and flexibility and improve aspects of health and safety. Finally, it is worth noting that companies in the Serra Gaúcha tend to become committed to environmental sustainability, to the welfare of their workers, to society and its environment; adapting to such reality either by coercive and normative pressures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some key members of our society have established a goal to reduce the consumption of natural resources. However, there is still a growing consumption of goods, which impacted on the necessity to start reusing products, reducing the use of resources, from which the circular economy precepts are key to sustainable development. In this context, this study aims to analyze the relationship between Consumption Behaviour antecedents (Hedonic Dimension; Utilitarian Dimension; Environmental Awareness) with Sustainable Consumption and Purchase Intention. This research introduces an experiment that was used to simulate situations involving both the traditional and circular economies, by evaluating the possibility of buying a new smartphone or a remanufactured smartphone. This quantitative research, of descriptive scope and characterized as an experiment, was made possible through a survey applied to 2543 Brazilian respondents. Data were analyzed by using multivariate data analysis, with the application of factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The results indicate that Environmental Awareness has a great influence on Sustainable Consumption, and that both the Utilitarian and Hedonic Dimensions are key influencers on Sustainable Consumption. Finally, the context of circular economy's Utilitarian Dimension and Hedonic Dimension are more important for potential consumers. The value of this study is related to the development of a framework that involves different antecedents of the purchase intention of a remanufactured artifact, which allowed the testing of influencing factors in both situations of circular and traditional economies, making the study unique and original for the advancement of science. • Analyze the relationship between Sustainable Consumption and Purchase Intention. • The experiment was made possible through a survey applied to 2543 Brazilian respondents. • Environmental Awareness has a great influence on Sustainable Consumption. • Utilitarian and Hedonic Dimensions are key influencers on Sustainable Consumption. • In context of Circular Economy Utilitarian Dimension and Hedonic Dimension are more important for potential consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on customer retention through the existing relationship of a banking service provider with its customers. A theoretical model was tested with banking service natural person customers taking into account customer satisfaction, value, service provider reputation, and trust as key drivers of customer retention. A multivariate statistical approach with structural equation modeling was used. Results indicate that the theoretical model has acceptable fit, confirming that customer satisfaction positively affects perceived value by customers; perceived value is a key driver of trust through service provider reputation; service provider reputation is important in the studied context; and customer retention is positively affected by trust in the service provider. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]