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E-commerce is a continuously growing sector significantly affected by sustainability issues during the last few years. To deal with economic, environmental and social sustainability aspects, e-commerce platforms consolidate orders to pick-up several requests from the same location, defining the so-called Few-to-Many Pick-up and Delivery Vehicle Routing Problem (F-M VRPPD). The proposed contribution addresses the optimisation of this problem by developing a multi-objective simulated annealing algorithm distinguished by four tailored Local Search (LS) operators specifically developed to increase the probability to identify feasible solutions and decrease the computational time. This algorithm is validated with several instances of a case study e-commerce platform based in an European mountain region. Firstly, the original LS operators are compared to benchmark literature ones to solve identical problems, reporting better performance in 84% of these instances. Furthermore, for the most relevant scenarios significant results are presented and discussed concerning the economic, environmental and social performance of the defined solutions according to the characteristics of the instances, as the routes height profile and the drivers' metabolic energy consumption. The tri-dimensional Pareto frontiers suggest how through a slight worsening in the economic objective function it is possible to improve the social one by up to 18.3% on average. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In practice, without clear evidence of the positive impacts of maintenance on sustainability, organisations/ companies are not encouraged to look at (or invest in) maintenance as an effective tool to enhance sustainability. Therefore, it is essential to show them that such evidence exists, which is the aim of this paper. The paper reviews and analyses evidence from the literature about maintenance's social, environmental, and economic impacts. It identifies the required sustainability-related indicators associated with these impacts and provides aggregate quantified percentages for them (positively or negatively), as shown in the reviewed papers. An evidence-based research is conducted in this paper to achieve this purpose. The search process results in a research sample of 58 publications that have been surveyed and analysed. Based on the conducted analysis, the results show that maintenance positively impacts economic, environmental, and social sustainability. Many reviewed cases appear in manufacturing and buildings (both residential and commercial) and primarily consider environmental and economic sustainability indicators. The cases with social sustainability indicators are limited. Regardless, these results bring adequate evidence to encourage researchers and practitioners to view maintenance as a practical approach to improve sustainability and to investigate more in this domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic farmers’ markets have rapidly expanded in major Chinese cities as a response to food safety concerns, with the concept of “organic” serving as the driving force behind this movement. This study examines the Beijing Farmers’ Market, the first organic farmers’ market in mainland China, to explore its role in reconfiguring foodways and promoting social sustainability. The development of the Beijing Farmers’ Market is driven by the changing values, attitudes, and ideologies of both producers and consumers, that set them apart from the mainstream food system. While this study is situated within the broader context of food safety concerns that contribute to the emergence of such markets, it primarily focuses on how the market fosters trust and proactive relationships between health-conscious consumers and new farmers committed to safe food production. These dynamic connections are shaped by shifting lifestyles among both producers and consumers. This research highlights how food serves as a socio-spatial space for reconnecting people with nature and cultivating food communities, engagement and resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thanks to the pervasive adoption of digital technologies across different industries, "digital-born companies" nowadays play a pivotal role in the current techno-economic scenario. The concurrent sustainability imperative has generated constraints and entrepreneurial opportunities for new ventures. A narrow part of the entrepreneurship literature has analyzed the relationship between the emerging digital phenomenon and the transformative capacity of ICT start-ups as a potential key driver to tackle grand societal challenges due to their ability to alter business models and/or optimize existing resources. Following this line of reasoning, we analyze how strategic orientation and boundary-spanning activities of ICT start-ups relate to their socio-environmental sustainability. Poisson family estimations (negative binomial and zero-inflated negative binomial) of 172 innovative ICT start-ups based in Italy reveal different driving factors of their socio-environmental sustainability. Our work provides novel insights into the sustainability drivers of digital start-ups, suggesting differentiated strategies for entrepreneurs aimed at fostering socio-environmental sustainability as one of their primary goals. Market strategic orientation is more associated with social sustainability, while technological strategic orientation is more associated with environmental sustainability. The development of a wide portfolio of partnerships seems beneficial only for social sustainability, with no effect on environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study, which mainly emphasizes Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, examines the sustainability of the tourism industry in Carmen, Cebu, Philippines, from 2020 to 2023. The analysis uses quantitative and qualitative methods to address sustainability's ecological, social, cultural, safety, and economic aspects. Fifteen local owners of tourism-related businesses participated in the study, which gave a thorough understanding of the industry's sustainability initiatives. The findings reveal significant ecological and economic sustainability advancements driven by initiatives such as environmental preservation strategies and economic development programs. However, social aspects, particularly community involvement, employee training, and the protection of cultural heritage were identified as needing improvement. Recommendations include enhancing cultural heritage protection, prioritizing employee training and development, establishing robust environmental preservation strategies, encouraging greater stakeholder cooperation, and actively involving local communities in tourism activities. By implementing these recommendations, Carmen's tourism industry can enhance its sustainability credentials, creating a more resilient, inclusive tourism ecosystem that benefits current and future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creating a socially sustainable city will often encompass strategies to ensure that the different communities are “cohesive” and that the many neighbourhoods are diverse to prevent residential segregation. However, the literature on diverse communities and urban diversity has detailed processes of avoidance, exclusion, and friction as well as addressed the coping mechanisms that some residents develop. In this paper, we analyse ethnographic data from Oslo, Norway, with the aim to contribute to the research on neighbourhood social sustainability and residential preferences. It is claimed that to understand such preferences, the concepts of cultural security and cultural insecurity are useful. People’s interest in “culture” may pose a challenge to policy makers’ visions for socially sustainable urban development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore the nexus between the green and demographic transitions in the European Union (EU) through the analysis of the challenges and opportunities that agroecology offers for the settlement and socioeconomic participation of Italian city‐dwellers‐turned agroecological farmers and non‐EU agroecological farmworkers in ageing and marginalised rural areas in Italy. Many such areas in Italy have recently experienced an influx of newcomers, including non‐EU labour migrants, refugees and asylum seekers and Italian city‐dwellers looking for a different lifestyle. Municipalities and NGOs have developed initiatives, like agroecology, for newcomers to participate in local societies while simultaneously contributing to sustainable rural (re)development in the context of the EU Green Deal. We discuss the potential of agroecology for the ‘emplacement’ of diverse groups of newcomers in these unlikely places through the analysis of the interpersonal, cultural, economic and institutional relations between newcomers and long‐time residents, and across different groups of newcomers, in two Italian villages. Our findings suggest that everyday interactions among long‐time residents and newcomers contribute to the emplacement of the latter. The analysed agroecological initiatives show potential for the emplacement of newcomers through their strong ethical stance and aspirations for environmental sustainability and improved life quality. However, short‐term contracts for the non‐EU farmworkers combined with tight economic returns for the Italian agroecological farmers may lead to distributional and procedural injustices, including the hyper‐exploitation of migrant farmworkers in the name of environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability certification is one means to address environmental and social issues present in fashion supply chains, whilst bridging the knowledge gap between brands and consumers. However, despite increased urgency to improve social, ethical and environmental practices in this industry, little is understood about how ethical fashion brands currently utilise sustainability certification, in an increasingly saturated, and often unregulated, labelling environment. This study examines choice of sustainability certifications, certification process, and use of labelling, by a range of Australasian fashion brands who promote sustainability as a core part of their customer-facing image. The research identifies a five-stage framework for sustainability certification, as well as indicating failures of current systems relative to user needs. The study develops and offers a proposal for a standardised taxonomy of fashion sustainability labelling that could be adapted, irrespective of firm size, sales revenue of garment and textile types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving sustainability performance seems to increasingly occupy the strategic agendas of organisations. Are organisations investing in their strategic agendas in Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability? The research aims to analyze the innovative, dynamic capabilities effect on Sustainability performance (Environmental, Social and Economic). The hypothesis adopted is that sensing, seising and transforming favour Sustainability performance over time. We have used a longitudinal multiple linear regression analysis of Brazilian Innovation Research (BIR) data, for 16 years, a sample of 41 manufacturing sectors. The findings suggest that transforming favours environmental sustainability, sensing and seising favour economic sustainability and seising favours social sustainability. This study answers how and to what extent the micro foundations of dynamic capabilities affect sustainability performance in the three dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Pakistan, adult literacy programs are offered to enable learners to function effectively to attain individual, family, and social sustainability, but these programs are continuously reporting low participation. This study aimed to explore the reasons behind low participation, employing a descriptive phenomenological design to examine the challenges experienced by adult learners, literacy teachers, and administrators. Forty-five participants (30 learners, 10 teachers, and 5 administrators) were selected by using a purposive sampling technique. Data were gathered through focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews, and a thematic analysis was conducted. Numerous challenges were found, including less attractive, non-relevant literacy content, inappropriate presentation methods, lack of proper mechanisms for teachers' training, and learners' evaluation. Based on the evidence, practical implications were proposed, with a particular emphasis on adult learners and literacy teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National identity in Korea has undergone significant changes in recent years, reflecting broader shifts in social and political landscapes. Traditionally rooted in ethnocultural and ethnic frameworks, the concept of national identity is increasingly influenced by civic and pluralistic values, reflecting Korea's growing diversity and globalization. This study aims to explore the transformation of national identity in Korea between 2012 and 2021 and its implications for social sustainability, with particular attention paid to Sustainable Development Goal 16. Using latent class analysis, this research examines survey data collected from Korean adults over the specified period. The analysis reveals a decline in ethnocultural and ethnic identities, with a corresponding rise in civic-oriented and flexible identity groups, such as Non-Territorial Ethnocultural Civic, Pluralistic, and Territorial-Cultural groups. These new categories illustrate a more complex understanding of national belonging, shaped by multiple dimensions. The results suggest that this evolving identity landscape promotes greater inclusivity and adaptability, crucial for fostering long-term social cohesion in a diverse society. The study highlights the need for policies, educational reforms, and media narratives that embrace this dynamic understanding of national identity. The findings offer important insights for policymakers and educators as Korea continues to navigate the challenges of diversity and globalization, ensuring a sustainable social future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agri-food systems (AFS) and their value chains are currently under pressure to minimize environmental degradation and secure a more sustainable future. Sustainability transitions are needed to shift from well-established, yet vulnerable systems to more sustainable systems. Agent-based modeling (ABM) as a method to study complex systems is now widely used in transition modeling. We performed a systematic review to analyze the potential of ABM to yield insights into sustainability transitions in AFS. Specifically, we investigated the understanding that agent-based models can support better understanding of sustainability transitions in AFS. We identified potential in participatory modeling methods as well as combining agent-based models with complementary methods. The assessment of the sustainability dimensions was quite balanced between economic and environmental dimensions, but the social dimension was underrepresented. Here, we identify the main features to further advance ABM of sustainability transitions in AFS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the consumer decision-making process related to the disposal of goods. To achieve this, we developed an integrative model that combines theoretical approaches to consumer decision-making, a taxonomy of disposal decisions, and studies on the disposal behavior of goods with utilitarian, hedonic, and emotional value. Data for this study were collected through interviews using semi-structured scripts and the administration of forms. Subsequently, the collected data underwent content analysis, employing predefined and emergent categories, as well as descriptive statistics. The main outcome of this research is the proposed model of the consumer decision-making process for the disposal of goods. Specifically, the study emphasizes the importance of assigning residual value to goods as an intermediate step before selecting an alternative disposal method. Additionally, it identifies the post-discard evaluation, where individuals reflect on their decision and assess whether the outcome was satisfactory, leading to positive or negative feelings and emotions. Furthermore, this research sheds light on novel factors that influence the decision to discard goods. These factors encompass both environmental and individual influencers, as well as attributes associated with the goods themselves, such as altruism, visual discomfort, and the desire for a cleaner space. This article contributes to the field with its scientific value and originality, as it adopts an integrative approach to understanding consumer behavior regarding the disposal of goods. Notably, this study is the first of its kind conducted within public universities in a developing country. It specifically addresses the promotion of conscious consumption and responsible disposal of obsolete goods in the marketplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dialogic openness suggests that organizations should employ an agonistic approach to conversation, discussion, and listening when communicating with activist groups. This study applies this theoretical premise to corporate social responsibility communication in motorsport, specifically Formula 1, which has been increasingly communicating about sustainable initiatives on social media. Through quantitative content analysis, we analyzed 820 responses to 10 CSR-related tweets during the 2021 season. We found that reactions to the messages were mostly critical, from both the left and right political perspectives. More liberal viewpoints indicated that Formula 1 should do more to address sustainability, while more conservative viewpoints complained that Formula 1 should "stick to sports" and stop engaging in social issues. Both sides showed high levels of skepticism for the intentions behind the messages. Based on our findings, we suggest that sport organizations should use principles of dialogic openness foster deliberative communication around sustainability in sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability is becoming increasingly critical in the port business, which generates economic, environmental, and social impacts in and around port areas. This study, focusing on social sustainability, intends to investigate the potential creation of multi‐functional social health and well‐being facilities to benefit the staff of the port community. Qualitative research was performed in port areas in Italy. A thematic analysis of textual data obtained from interviews and secondary data was also administered. The original contribution of this study, which proposes a framework with different potential interventional areas, comes from the suggestion for an economic‐financial analysis with the social return on investment. This method permits consideration of valuable aspects for evaluating the potential social value of the multi‐functional social health and well‐being facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed whether the audit committee moderates the relationship between gender diversity and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosures among Chinese listed firms. Data on energy sector companies from 2012 to 2022 were taken from the Chinese Stock Market and Accounting Research database to test the moderation model. Gender diversity was measured as the percentage of females on boards using the Blau and Shannon indices. Board gender diversity directly and positively affected both the overall and individual dimensions of ESG disclosures. Furthermore, the audit committee moderated the relationship between gender diversity and ESG disclosure. This study provides valuable insights for managers and investors to evaluate the role of gender diversity and audit committees in ESG disclosures and facilitates them in making better decisions. Furthermore, regulators can revise corporate governance codes to promote more female inclusion not only on corporate boards but also on subcommittees to protect the rights of stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper explores the intersection between sustainability and social media activity by studying how user-generated content (UGC) creation enacted and communicated social sustainability in times of restricted social interaction. The context is Wuhan in China, a city that implemented a 76-day lockdown in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on a sample of 187 short videos created and posted by Wuhan residents on Douyin (TikTok) during the lockdown, this paper answers this question – how did UGC creators produce short videos on social media to facilitate social connections with others? UGC creators' video-making practices are conceptualised in the typology of Evoking, Performing, Collaborating, and Narrating, and each practice enabled creators to connect and socialise virtually with others, thus contributing to all participants' social sustainability in a pandemic. This study contributes to media management scholarship by adding knowledge to the understanding of two areas: the productive role of media audiences, especially their content production practices and logics; the nature of short videos as media products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper presents a transparent and rigorous methodological approach to conducting a case study of social performance (SP) within the conventional life cycle of Canadian beef. The objective was to explore the potential benefits and risks (or hotspots) of practices on Canadian beef farm businesses (BFBs) and slaughter operations (BSOs) to establish valid benchmarks and a social sustainability roadmap for decision-makers to improve SP. Methods: This study undertook a novel and participatory approach to social life cycle assessment (S-LCA). Respondents from both within and at-arms-length to the beef value chain were engaged to identify SP practices and perceptions and develop the life cycle inventory. The goal and scope, inventory, assessment, and interpretation were conducted in a three-phased approach: (i) scoping; (ii) practice-based assessment; and (iii) deep-dive assessment. Data collected through mixed methods, including Q method, interviews, surveys, and literature review, were assessed using a type I (reference scale) approach and interpreted through critical interpretive synthesis. Organizational SP was explored at BFBs and BSOs, considering the following stakeholders: value chain actors, farmers, employees, and cattle. Results and discussion: Outcomes from the applied approach explore the interrelations between organizations and stakeholders along the value chain. Impact categories concerning labour management, people's health and safety, and animal care were prioritized for deep-dive assessment. Subcategories included novel topics, like recruitment and retention and access to mental health resources. A range of potential benefits and areas for improving SP were identified at BFBs and BSOs. Potential risks from SP were identified for stakeholders from working hours, communication and dispute resolution, animal transport, and personal protective equipment practice areas. Results informed strategic activities for the National Beef Sustainability Strategy. Conclusion: This study contributes to the social sustainability discourse in livestock systems by demonstrating a qualitative approach to S-LCA that can be replicated by practitioners to explore valid and locally specific social dimensions of sustainability. Practitioners may consider the approach and results in future studies to better capture and manage the complex and dynamic nature of livestock systems, leading to more effective social sustainability decisions that incorporate diverse stakeholder perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmed freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) and black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) comprise a significant portion of Bangladesh's seafood exports, raising concerns about their environmental impacts. Freshwater prawn farms, which require a relatively high amount of feed supply, release 1.0 MT CO2-equivalents/year, equating to 18.8 kg CO2e/MT prawn, contributing significantly to global warming and climate change risks. Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) offers an alternative farming method to conventional prawn farming systems, as it minimizes greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change impacts. Systematically reviewing 112 scientific articles on IMTA, this article offers recommendations for adopting IMTA to promote sustainable freshwater prawn farming in Bangladesh. IMTA is undergoing extensive experimentation and practice in many parts of the world, offering economic benefits, social acceptability, and environmental sustainability. In addition to native prawn species, various indigenous organic extractive freshwater mollusks, and inorganic extractive plants are available which can seamlessly be used to tailor the IMTA system. Extractive organisms, including aquatic mollusks and plants within prawn farms, can capture blue carbon effectively lowering GHG emissions and helping mitigate climate change impacts. Aquatic mollusks offer feed for fish and livestock, while aquatic plants serve as a dual food source and contribute to compost manure production for crop fields. Research on IMTA in Bangladesh was primarily experimented on finfish in freshwater ponds, with the absence of studies on IMTA in prawn farms. This necessitates conducting research at the prawn farmer level to understand the production of extractive aquatic mollusk and plants alongside prawn in the prawn-producing regions of southwestern Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Price competition in the tomato market may lead Italian processing companies to adopt product differentiation strategies to attract consumers and raise revenues. Exploring consumers' preferences for processed tomato products' attributes can support companies in implementing product differentiation strategies and succeed in the market. Methods: This study used a convenience sample of 602 Italian consumers to identify consumers' preferences for processed tomato products' attributes selected through a literature review and tested by the Best Worst Scaling (BWS) method. Also, a two-step cluster analysis was used to identify and size consumer groups with common preferences for tested product's attributes. Results: Overall, our results showed that Italian consumers of processed tomato products strongly preferred attributes such as Country of origin, Organic, and Social and economic sustainability labels. In addition, the analysis shows the existence of three distinct consumer segments such as "traditional," "pricesensitive," and "sustainable" consumers. The largest one was price-sensitive consumers followed by sustainable and traditional ones. Discussion: Our findings have practical implications for producers and policymakers. Producers may use claims about the product's origin jointly with an organic production logo and ethical label to differentiate their products and raise revenues. Likewise, policymakers should enhance monitoring and control measures to ensure with environmental, social, and economic sustainable standards compliance. This will support building consumer trust for those credence attributes. Overall, this study adds valuable insights to the existing literature on consumer preferences for processed tomato products, providing results with high external validity using a large convenience sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) are farmers' collectives or farmer-led business entities seeking to empower small and marginal farmers in India. Some farmer's collectives successfully achieve their goals and some often fail to meet the increasing demands in the agribusiness ecosystem. However, the academic literature glorifies the success studies of farmers' collectives. There are mentions of sustainability issues of farmers' collectives. However, not enough studies point to the factors that influence the organisational sustainability of farmers' collectives. Therefore, in this paper, the researchers aim to explore both the enabling and inhibiting factors of sustainability of farmer's collectives. A thematic synthesis process was applied to compile information from published literature. The study compiles enabling and inhibiting sustainability factors from 22 studies of FPOs. A qualitative approach using focused group discussion with farmers in FPO was completed to validate the findings from secondary data sources and collect empirical evidence directly from the farmers. The methodology guarantees inclusivity by collecting the voices of farmers through focused group discussion. Key enabling and inhibiting factors of sustainability of FPOs were categorized into economic, social, and environmental dimensions of organisational sustainability. In the economic dimension, improved agricultural income of farmers was reported as an enabling factor for sustainability, while some FPOs report capital shortage as a main hindrance for organisational sustainability in FPOs. The social dimension claims the collective bargaining power of members and effective capacity-building and collaboration opportunities as enabling factors. However, farmers highlight without good leadership strategies, and upskilling of farmers attaining sustainability is a mirage. Effective organisational activities like branding, marketing of products, access and awareness about capacity building were derived as the enabling factors in the environmental dimension of organisational sustainability, whereas, poor infrastructure lack of robust organisational structure, and climate change were termed as inhibiting factors. Understanding these sustainability factors can help policymakers to develop farmer-friendly collectives which enhance agriculture and food systems that will help achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1—Zero Poverty and SDG 2—End hunger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discourses on rural areas and their development concurrently encompass both negative narratives of them dying out and discussions on how to constitute future visions for a ‘living’, ‘good’ and ‘sustainable’ countryside to work towards. As a solution, ‘social innovation’ has been proposed to counter the economic, demographic and sociocultural challenges disadvantaged rural regions are facing. Accordingly, this article contributes to the growing literature on the dynamics of social innovation initiatives by investigating how rural areas and their communities are communicatively re‐constructed, as part of socio‐spatial processes emerging from the work of rural development initiatives, fostering potential social change towards more sustainable societies. Building on fieldwork from the rural Austrian region of Mühlviertel, it is shown how social innovation aiming at instigating positive territorial developments is linked to intertwined processes of the re‐figuration of social bonds and re‐figuration of space, which is centred around the propagation of regional ‘community of values’ founded on ideas about changing values and social sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores orientations in the study of sustainability strategy in agribusinesses using quantitative and qualitative research methods. The quantitative aspect involved a bibliometric analysis of scientific publications in the Scopus and Web of Science databases on publications in the area of business and management, while the qualitative approach involved a systematic analysis to determine strategic orientations. The research methodology used was the Constructivist and Knowledge Development Process (Proknow-C), which includes four stages: (1) portfolio selection, (2) bibliometric analysis of the portfolio using bibliometric software, (3) systematic analysis and (4) identification of future research. The results revealed four strategic directions for sustainability: Corporate Social Responsibility, Standards and Traceability, Innovation and Environmental Performance, and Governance and Food Safety. In addition, two areas for future research were identified: corporate sustainability policies and management practices. Although there is a considerable amount of literature on sustainability, research in agribusiness is still in its infancy and there is a need to deepen the interactions between the economic, environmental and social dimensions in order to promote business strategies in agribusiness that foster sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. Herd size expansion, combined with the reduced availability of people to work on farms, has led to an increased focus on techniques that can improve dairy farm social sustainability. Effective work organization is one such entity, which could influence farm social sustainability, and focuses on having a productive, flexible, and standardized farm workload. The objective of this study was to examine the factors that contribute to better workplaces for the farmer using a survey of representative pasture-based dairy farms in Ireland. Potential contributing factors to better workplaces for farmers were identified, namely farm and farmer characteristics, working day structure, farmer attitudes, farm facilities, labor-efficient practices, and human resource management practices. A survey was completed by 313 Irish dairy farmers between November 20 and January 3, 2019, to capture relevant information. One proxy indicator was selected to represent productivity, flexibility, and standardization within the workplace, and each of the 313 farms were categorized into quartiles based on their ranking for these 3 indicators (1 = most effective quartile to 4 = least effective quartile). The average farmer that completed the survey was 51 yr old, milked 125 cows, reported to work 69.6 h/wk, took 10.3 d of holidays per year, and had a finish time of 19:52 (h:min) in the spring. The quartile of farms with the most effective farmer workplace reported reduced hours worked per week (58.6 vs. 82.6 h/wk), more holiday days (16.6 vs. 5.1 d) and weekends off (8.3 vs. 2.4) per year, and earlier finish times (18:41 vs. 21:14 [h:min] in the spring) compared with the least effective quartile. Similarly, the most effective farms reported better facilities and greater implementation of labor-efficient and human resource management practices compared with the least effective farms. The most effective quartile for farmer workplace effectiveness was more positive about the industry's potential to offer an effective work-life balance, would be more likely to encourage young people to pursue careers in dairy, and had more positive attitudes toward attracting and retaining workers compared with the least effective quartile. This study highlighted the range of factors contributing to more effective workplaces for farmers, indicating scope for improvement on many farms and challenges across all farms when compared with other industries in the case of some indicators (e.g., time off). The results can support the continued extension of concepts regarding work organization to assist farms in alleviating social sustainability challenges, highlighting the differentiating factors between the most and least effective farmer workplaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern slavery is an illegal and unethical phenomenon affecting more than 40 million victims worldwide, with many of them employed in construction. This article aims to investigate why modern slavery continues to exist on construction sites managed by companies that have pledged to fight it. Primary data were collected using semistructured interviews with 22 experts working in construction companies in three organization for economic co-operation and development (OECD) countries (UK, Australia, and Switzerland) and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. The construction companies were the unit of analysis, and their managers were the primary source of information. The results present the mechanisms that explain the difference between the official antimodern slavery statements of construction companies and the empirical observations on construction sites. The primary mechanisms are a lack of awareness, training, response, and responsibility, as well as alternative priorities. The results further show the role and importance of reporting cases of modern slavery in addressing it. The risk areas of modern slavery in construction projects, which include the lower tiers of subcontracting and the supply chains of construction materials, are identified. Furthermore, the article discusses the reasons behind the trivialization of modern slavery in construction companies: the presence of alternative priorities, the fear of reputational damage, blame-shifting, and minimizing the problem. Finally, we propose recommendations for construction companies and managers to help address modern slavery and offer areas for future research. This article presents two key novel contributions. First, we discovered a disconnection between construction companies' official antimodern slavery statements and the reality on construction sites. Second, we identified the reasons behind this disconnection. Practical Applications: Due to its low profit margins and project time constraints, the construction sector is plagued by unethical and illegal practices, including modern slavery. Modern slavery can result in reputational damage, financial repercussions from legal penalties, and loss of trust and opportunities among stakeholders. Therefore, construction companies and employees must be better informed about the ethical, legal, and economic implications of modern slavery, and construction companies must implement stricter regulations to address modern slavery. They should provide continuous and mandatory training to all employees, conduct regular site audits for laborers, raise awareness through posters and social media, and educate employees about reporting. Modern slavery should be addressed not only for ethical reasons but also for the quality and sustainability of construction projects. Finally, addressing modern slavery protects the reputation of construction companies and professionals and, most importantly, safeguards laborers' dignity, health, safety, and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document "Volume 29 Subject and Author Index" from Tourism Analysis provides an extensive list of subjects and authors related to tourism research. Topics covered include adventure sports, Airbnb, COVID-19, sustainable tourism, and tourism stakeholders. Authors listed in the document include scholars from various countries such as Greece, Vietnam, and the United States. This index serves as a valuable resource for researchers interested in a wide range of tourism-related subjects and authors. [Extracted from the article]

This critical commentary focuses on the development of research in Event Management on social sustainability in the context of events. Findings suggest that while there has been a plethora of articles published in the journal that touch on elements of what we understand to relate to social sustainability (e.g., resident impacts; sense of community, place, belonging, etc.) there are very few that have explicitly situated their work in the sustainability field. This means that it is somewhat difficult to pull together the various threads of disparate studies to comment on the evolution of research on events and social sustainability as a whole. There is considerable scope for articles published in Event Management to build on these growing efforts to think systematically and comprehensively about festivals and events through the lens of social sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The current booming development of smart cities poses new requirements and challenges for their internal infrastructure development. This article aims to explore the questions of: What is the level of social sustainability of smart city infrastructure today? and What are the core contents and paths to improve this level? Design/methodology/approach: With the theme of public participation in the social sustainability evaluation of smart city infrastructure in the context of big data, this study mainly makes a systematic literature review of the Web of Science's Science Citation Index Expanded and Social Sciences Citation Index databases. After collection and screening, 199 documents were finally obtained. Findings: It is found that the level of social sustainability of smart city infrastructure is still low, and public participation can provide solutions to the difficulties and challenges involved in its development, while big data technology can broaden the channels for public participation and promote the development of smart city-related components in the process, including smart city infrastructure. Originality/value: This article summarizes the internal mechanisms of smart cities at the theoretical level and analyzes the social sustainable development of smart city infrastructure. In practice, the shortcomings in this field are identified and suggestions are provided on how to carry out digital public participation, which has practical reference value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food production's environmental, economic, and social challenges should be demystified through quantitative data. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to investigate the ecoregional sustainability of the Amazon biome from the perspective of the environmental life cycle, economic feasibility, and social life cycle analysis, emphasizing the pillars of sustainability in the production of three commodities: soybean, beef cattle, and Brazil nuts. Carbon footprint, net present value, and worker endpoint were the metrics evaluated. According to the results found in this study, the livestock presented greater environmental burdens in terms of carbon balance when compared to the production of Brazil nuts and soybean production with carbon balances in the order of 4.75 tCO2eq/ha, −0.02 tCO2eq/ha, and −1.20 tCO2eq/ha, respectively. From an economic viewpoint, the extractive production of Brazil nuts presented the highest net profit per hectare/year (USD 559.21), followed by the agricultural system (USD 533.94) and livestock (USD 146.19). Finally, in relation to the social aspect of the production systems analyzed, the negative impacts linked to beef cattle production are related to the subcategories of forced labor and equal opportunities, and the positive impacts linked to soybean production are related to the subcategories of salary and benefits. The results highlight a genuine and sustainable balance in Brazil nuts extraction, presenting it as an investment for a sustainable future while demystifying the multifaceted information related to food production as a whole, in order to assist in decision-making and the formulation of public policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional agricultural land consolidation and ecological restoration measures can address the challenges faced by agricultural land in the short term, but they often overlook the ecological benefits of the land and human well-being. Here, while emphasizing foreseeable project outcomes, we define a conceptual framework of Agricultural Land Consolidation and Ecological Restoration through Nature-based Solutions (ALC&ER-NbS) from three dimensions: ecological sustainability, economic viability, and human well-being, integrating the NbS concept with engineering project evaluation. Our study establishes 8 guidelines and 27 indicators, including scientific restoration, ecological connectivity, biodiversity enrichment, economic feasibility, public participation, benefit coordination, dynamic monitoring, and the promotion of successful cases. This results in an evaluation checklist covering 63 engineering and management details throughout the entire project design life cycle. By using a self-assessment tool for quantifying compatibility, the aim is to quickly verify the project's degree of adaptation. This study is significant as it introduces a comprehensive evaluation system that not only addresses ecological and economic challenges but also prioritizes human well-being, distinguishing it from previous research. The innovative integration of NbS into agricultural land consolidation ensures sustainable development and offers a new approach for enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review examines corporate sustainability research in marketing, using a perspective that encompasses the environmental and social, as well as economic, aspects of firm performance (i.e., the "Triple Bottom Line"). The authors describe major trends in the strategy-level corporate sustainability literature over several generations. Prior research has mostly focused on the organizational level, noting how firms have engaged with sustainability, while largely ignoring markets and the global economic system. Trends in economic, environmental, and social focus are highlighted, with environmental issues being of relatively greater importance in the nascent stages of corporate sustainability research. However, a growing preference for economic and social issues is observed over time. More recent research examines the tension between sustainability and profitability, examining potential trade-offs between bottom line financial results and achieving the sustainability goals of social and environmental progress. The paper concludes with an agenda for future research in strategic marketing sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resource-poor organizations serve a significant portion of emerging markets' healthcare industries. Such organizations engage in transformative services. However, given emerging markets' ever-changing dynamics, it is unclear whether transformative services suffice for such organizations to move towards economic and social sustainability. We present two studies undertaken in the context of missionary hospitals in India. Study 1 identifies that hospitals rely on innovations in transformative services, driven by the co-creation of knowledge by various stakeholders, to remain socially and economically sustainable. Study 2 develops and tests hypotheses using data from 183 hospitals, showing that employee voice, community engagement, and diversity of organizational expertise increase innovation in transformative services at a decreasing rate, while resource munificence and commercialization emphasis moderate the antecedents' effects. Post hoc analyses show that innovation in transformative services positively affect economic and social sustainability, and that awareness creating efforts moderate these relationships. More broadly, innovations in transformative services are critical for emerging markets' resource-poor organizations' economic and social sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Spanish Urban Agenda (SUA) intends to promote sustainable development through the implementation of the 2030 Agenda at the local level. Since all world stakeholders are called to participate in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, diverse instruments adopting a collaborative approach between social actors have gained importance. Among them, urban living labs (ULLs) involve distinct participants to handle urban issues by proposing and testing solutions. This research determines the role of ULLs conducted in Madrid since 2000 as drivers of the SUA. A two‐tier methodology was adopted to develop a framework after first conducting an in‐depth literature review to identify key features of ULLs. Second, the connection between the SUA and ULLs was defined. Findings revealed a limited impact of the analyzed labs in reaching the SUA. The under‐representation of social agents undermines the effectiveness of ULLs. A higher engagement of public institutions is recommended to overcome this shortcoming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Supply chain management is grounded on the assumption that endless economic growth is compatible with environmental and social sustainability. Yet scholars from ecological economics question this assumption due to ever increasing evidence showing how hard it is to decouple growth from negative environmental and social externalities. In response, pressure from social movements is mounting, and the agendas of several countries already consider alternatives to growth. Therefore, this article presents a critical thought experiment for the supply chain management discipline: What are the implications of moving from the current endless growth paradigm to a post‐growth paradigm for businesses and their supply chains? Using the umbrella term "post‐growth," this article identifies three key post‐growth principles—(i) socio‐ecological wellbeing, (ii) selective downscaling, and (iii) systems thinking—and then examines their implications for supply chain management research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to address the issue of the conservation and management of rural cultural heritage, with the aim being to gain an understanding of current problems and needs through a participatory approach, in recognition of the uniqueness of the relationship between nature, humankind and the built environment as an area of study. To this end, a comprehensive case study – Kemer Village in Turkey – focusing on the social sustainability and participatory approaches for the sustainable development of rural settlements is given. Accordingly, possible conservation, management and sustainability strategies are put forward considering the priorities and perspectives of different stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach: This paper approaches the subject of rural heritage conservation and management from a social sustainability standpoint, involving an on-site investigation to understand the physical and social context of Kemer Village in Turkey, which has links to different periods in history, and contains significant examples of vernacular architecture and that has maintained its cultural characteristics. Tools and criteria for participatory planning approach were applied ensuring the involvement of the local community and stakeholders. Findings: The findings of the present study reveal rural settlements to be important factors in the cultural heritage conservation and indicate the importance of prescient management and the adoption of a sustainable development model. Achieving the desired level of sustainability in historical villages through conservation of the built environment with the involvement of the local community is possible, as can be seen in the case of Kemer Village in Turkey, where the villagers and the local authorities worked in cooperation to ensure the preservation of the village's integrity. Originality/value: This study will describe possible long-term strategies and actions aimed at involving the local community in the sustainable conservation of the rural cultural heritage while also embracing change. It is important that the concept of sustainability is realized with participatory planning methods. In addition to that, rural heritage and social sustainability together incorporate a widespread but rarely considered set of issues addressing local needs in conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, a plethora of research has been published investigating the value of using Digital Twin (DT) technology in the construction industry. However, the contribution of DT technology to promoting social sustainability in the industry has largely been unexplored. Therefore, the current paper aims to address this gap by exploring the untapped potential of DT technology in advancing social sustainability within the construction industry. To this end, a comprehensive systematic literature review was conducted, which identified 298 relevant studies. These studies were subsequently analysed with respect to their use of DT technology in supporting social sustainability. The findings indicated that the studies contributed to 8 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a strong focus on SDG11 (77 publications), followed by SDG3 and SDG9, with 58 and 48 studies, respectively, focusing on promoting health and well-being and fostering resilient infrastructure and innovation. Other contributions were identified for SDG13 (30 studies), SDG7 (27 studies), SDG12 (26 studies), SDG4 (21 studies), and SDG6 (11 studies), covering areas such as climate action, responsible consumption, affordable energy, quality education, and clean water and sanitation. This paper also proposes future research directions for advancing DT technology to further enhance social sustainability in the construction industry. These include (i) enhancing inclusivity and diversity, (ii) workforce safety and well-being, (iii) training and skill development, (iv) policy and regulatory support, and (v) cross-disciplinary collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This critical review presents a comprehensive examination of the prevailing working conditions within the global hospitality industry. It highlights pervasive issues such as inequitable pay structures, widespread underemployment, skills underutilisation, heightened work pressures, income instability, and constrained social mobility. These adverse conditions not only have significant societal ramifications but also exert detrimental effects on employee well-being and mental health, leading to a dearth of talent retention and recruitment challenges. Against this backdrop, the study advocates for the adoption of a Fair and Decent Work Agenda (FDWA) as a pivotal strategy to improve the lives of hospitality workers. Despite governmental efforts, such as the implementation of the FDWA on the global, regional and country level, meaningful change remains elusive. To address this gap, a comprehensive and targeted set of actions for successful FDWA implementation is proposed. Furthermore, the paper offers valuable insights for industry practitioners, policymakers, and researchers alike, aiming to trigger concerted action towards realising equitable and dignified working conditions within the hospitality sector. By embracing the principles of fairness and decency, stakeholders can foster a more sustainable and inclusive industry ecosystem, ultimately improving the lives of hospitality workers while fortifying the sector's resilience and competitiveness in the global marketplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The best workplaces have been left out from the literature of social sustainability. These companies may cause a significant impact on society given their excellent human resources practices and the employer brand reputation derived from them. This study aims to fill this gap by analysing the social sustainability for the best organisations to work for in Spain. Design/methodology/approach: Using data from an annual ranking for the best workplaces in Spain during 2013–2021, it is proposed to analyse critical social sustainability indicators, comparing organisations within and outside the ranking. Therefore, the authors ask whether companies from the ranking have greater female presence in CEO positions, generate more employment, pay higher salaries and contribute more to the public sector. Methodology comprehends descriptive, exploratory and inference techniques. Findings: Although companies within the ranking achieve a higher score on it when the CEO is female, it does not translate into a greater female CEO presence with respect to companies outside the ranking. On the other hand, best workplaces achieve higher employment rates and pay higher salaries, almost all the time. Also, these excellent companies to work for generate more contributions to the public sector. Originality/value: This research covers the relation between best human resources practices and social sustainability development, because the former is a great opportunity for pursuing the innovative and long-term policies necessary for the latter. Therefore, findings are valuable for managers and policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the balance between social and financial sustainability goals in the European microfinance sector using an original dataset obtained from a survey conducted in 2016–2017 on 159 microfinance institutions (MFIs) operating in 38 European countries. Overall, our results show that MFIs that are more likely to comply with their social sustainability objectives are also doing well financially. The only aspect on which social sustainability does not seem to have a positive effect on financial sustainability is the financing of the poorest through the provision of small-scale loans. A phenomenon that seems peculiar to the European context is that larger MFIs operating in countries with stringent financial regulation tend to show a comparative advantage and better withstand competition from the traditional banking sector. However, a separate issue that deserves attention is the specific regulation on interest rates, which seems to penalize the MFIs operating in countries imposing interest rate caps due to the impossibility to pass on the high unit costs of microlending to borrowers. Our results are robust to alternative measures of financial sustainability and to the use of the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) and Instrumental Variable (IV) estimation techniques to overcome the problem of endogeneity. Plain English Summary: European Microfinance Institutions that more tightly pursue social objectives are also more likely to be financially sustainable but are penalized by regulatory restrictions on interest rates. The microfinance sector underwent a significant global expansion in recent years, creating chances for underprivileged and vulnerable groups, particularly women entrepreneurs, to start their businesses. The balance between social and financial sustainability is one of the most hotly debated themes in a growing number of studies, although there is little empirical evidence on the European microfinance sector. In this paper, we provide one of the first pieces of evidence of this relationship in the European context. Our findings have important implications for researchers, policymakers, and society as a whole. The research reveals that European Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) that more tightly pursue social objectives are also more likely to be financially sustainable. Furthermore, smaller MFIs appear to achieve a double bottom line more easily, especially targeting higher shares of women borrowers. The critical aspect of European MFIs appears to be their greater reliance on subsidies, as well as a regulation that is ill-suited to the microfinance sector, especially regarding interest rate caps. Thus, a more structured regulatory framework focused on social sustainability variables could improve microfinance effectiveness in the coming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]