Research

Jump to: Review

17 pages, 529 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“Four Joints of Power” Innovation of Community Involvement in Medical Waste Management of Bed-Bound Patients in Thailand

by Sakchai Pattra, Cung Nawl Thawng and Sanhawat Chaiwong

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1669; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021669 - 15 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2448

Abstract

This study aims to encourage innovative participation in the management of medical waste by bedridden patients in the research region of Khon Sawan, Chaiaphum Province, through research and development. The steps were as follows: Phase 1: Study of bedridden patient waste management situations [...] Read more.

This study aims to encourage innovative participation in the management of medical waste by bedridden patients in the research region of Khon Sawan, Chaiaphum Province, through research and development. The steps were as follows: Phase 1: Study of bedridden patient waste management situations using the amount of waste generated through innovation with relatives, non-relatives, village health volunteers (VHVs), and community leaders. Phase 2: Developing creative waste management engagement requires two steps: (1) analyzing the problem or its cause and generating management alternatives through collaborative brainstorming with a community member and (2) gathering the thoughts and suggestions of a number of agency specialists. The outcome is a novel model of participation in waste management by bedridden patients termed “Four Joins of Power,” which includes (1) participatory activities and enhancing community knowledge and attitudes, and (2) providing information on the management of each type of waste. (3) cooperation in waste management (analytical thinking, planning, execution, etc.) and regulation by mutually agreed-upon rules. (4) joint expansion of the waste management network: Phase 3 is the innovation trial, and Phase 4 is the innovation assessment. The paired t-test was used to compare pre-and post-development knowledge and attitudes, and to conduct qualitative data analysis. In Phase 3, after implementing collaborative innovations, the average knowledge (

\bar{X}

= 13.23) and attitudes (

\bar{X}

= 4.14) regarding waste management increased considerably (p < 0.05), and in Phase 4, waste management behavior comprising sorting, storage, and disposal was observed. There were progressively substantial gains (

\bar{X}

= 4.25 and

\bar{X}

= 4.27). Among the most collaborative participants, 93.50% were satisfied. To reduce the amount of waste that must be sorted and collected, it is necessary to emphasize the participation of people and networks from all sectors in the area through joint thinking, planning, and comprehensive analysis, to ensure the sustainability of waste management in the community. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Performance Management System)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1203 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Principles of Management Systems for Positive Impact Factories

by Maximilian Schutzbach, Alicia Kögel, Steffen Kiemel, Robert Miehe and Alexander Sauer

Sustainability 2022, 14(24), 16709; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416709 - 13 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1357

Abstract

The sustainable design of production systems is essential for the industry’s future viability. In this context, the concept of positive impact factories has recently evolved, striving for a completely loss-free factory benefiting positively its surroundings. To establish a holistic view of this approach [...] Read more.

The sustainable design of production systems is essential for the industry’s future viability. In this context, the concept of positive impact factories has recently evolved, striving for a completely loss-free factory benefiting positively its surroundings. To establish a holistic view of this approach in everyday corporate life, it is necessary to develop a management policy with defined process flows in the sense of a dedicated management system. This paper thus reviews the scientific literature on (sustainable) management systems and develops a tailored management system for the example of the ultra-efficiency factory. In doing so, we specifically combine and complement established management systems such as environmental, energy and quality management, as well as compliance, maintenance, and lean management. In order to define an applicable framework, the basic considerations presented here were developed in cooperation with and reviewed by a large German automotive supplier. Thereupon, the results are discussed with regard to the future implementation of the system, and starting points for future research are derived. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Performance Management System)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 2811 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Continuous Motivation of Algorithm Engineers under Multiple Objectives: A Mixed-Methods Study

by Fangqing Zhang, Xiaolong Wu and Shujun Zhang

Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 15371; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142215371 - 18 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1001

Abstract

There is a multi-objective coordination relationship between online platform enterprises and algorithm engineers. Based on principal–agent theory, this study builds a multi-objective coordination incentive model for the two using a mixed-methods approach. Qualitative analysis reveals three main attributes of algorithm items: completion time, [...] Read more.

There is a multi-objective coordination relationship between online platform enterprises and algorithm engineers. Based on principal–agent theory, this study builds a multi-objective coordination incentive model for the two using a mixed-methods approach. Qualitative analysis reveals three main attributes of algorithm items: completion time, difficulty, and quality. The quantitative analysis had two results: first, the level of effort of algorithm engineers on the three indicators—time, difficulty coefficient, and quality—is correlated positively with their own technical competence and negatively with the change rate of their marginal effort costs. Second, the company’s incentive coefficient for algorithm engineers depends on two factors: (1) comprehensive technical level, risk aversion coefficient, and marginal effort cost change rate of each algorithm engineer; and (2) the importance of the project for the company. The research findings suggest that enterprises adopt different incentive methods for different projects and enact hierarchical incentives for algorithm engineers with different levels of technical competence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Performance Management System)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 268 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Nexus between Employee Engagement and Performance Management Processes—Fruška Gora National Park (Serbia) Case Study

by Aleksandra Vujko, Darko Vuković, Dunja Demirović Bajrami, Olgica Zečević Stanojević and Leposava Zečević

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11489; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811489 - 14 Sep 2022

Viewed by 1965

Abstract

This study examines the nexus between employee engagement and the performance management process using the example of Fruška Gora National Park, Serbia. The main scientific problem is to refocus awareness on performance management systems and to investigate methods to upgrade employee engagement. The [...] Read more.

This study examines the nexus between employee engagement and the performance management process using the example of Fruška Gora National Park, Serbia. The main scientific problem is to refocus awareness on performance management systems and to investigate methods to upgrade employee engagement. The paper starts with the main hypothesis that employee engagement is a main factor for increasing employee efficiency. The practical tasks of this study are to define the relationship between employee engagement and performance management processes, and to find out what creates employee engagement. Since national parks have a lot of specifics as an organization, we proposed that their employee engagement is much more pronounced. The research was carried out on 103 employees of the Fruška Gora National Park, Serbia. Our findings indicate that employee engagement is directly proportional to the feeling of belonging to the company; further, if employees feel that a superior appreciates their work and effort, this will also increase employee engagement. Finally, a successful performance management process will positively impact employee engagement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Performance Management System)

21 pages, 1098 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Measurement of Innovation-Driven Development Performance of Large-Scale Environmental Protection Enterprises Investing in Public–Private Partnership Projects Based on the Hybrid Method

by Jiao Feng, Nannan Wang and Guoshuai Sun

Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 5096; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095096 - 23 Apr 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2093

Abstract

Innovation is an important driving force for realizing high-quality economic development, which puts forward higher requirements for environmental protection enterprises to meet the dual goals of economic development and ecological protection. In order to better evaluate the innovation-driven development performance of environmental protection [...] Read more.

Innovation is an important driving force for realizing high-quality economic development, which puts forward higher requirements for environmental protection enterprises to meet the dual goals of economic development and ecological protection. In order to better evaluate the innovation-driven development performance of environmental protection enterprises, a hybrid method is applied in this paper. Based on the sample data of 20 large-scale environmental protection enterprises investing in public–private partnership (PPP) projects from 2018 to 2020, the innovation-driven development performance is measured. The results show that the innovation-driven efficiency of environmental protection enterprises for infrastructure construction is significantly different, and the improvement of pure technical efficiency of environmental protection enterprises is obviously better than scale efficiency. Furthermore, the reasons influencing the innovation efficiency are analyzed and discussed. The results suggest that more attention should be paid to the transformation of labor and capital in environmental protection enterprises, and the use of innovation-driven resources should be optimized. Future studies can apply the hybrid method to measure the innovation-driven performance of environmental protection enterprises in other countries, so as to verify the effectiveness of the hybrid method proposed in this paper and overcome the limitations of the research conclusions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Performance Management System)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 307 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of ESG Performance on Corporate Innovation in China: The Mediating Role of Financial Constraints and Agency Cost

by Hua Tang

Sustainability 2022, 14(7), 3769; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14073769 - 23 Mar 2022

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 11080

Abstract

The effectiveness of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) performance has been widely discussed and is often linked to corporate financial performance or firm value by academics and practitioners. However, a significant research gap remains unexplored; specifically, prior scholars have ignored path research [...] Read more.

The effectiveness of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) performance has been widely discussed and is often linked to corporate financial performance or firm value by academics and practitioners. However, a significant research gap remains unexplored; specifically, prior scholars have ignored path research about the effect of ESG performance on corporate innovation, and they have also ignored the impacts of the heterogeneity of stakeholders. Therefore, taking China’s A-share listed companies as an example, the research applied linear regressions with panel data, using the ESG rating of SynTao Green Finance Agency as a proxy variable of ESG performance. The results show that ESG performance significantly promotes the quantity and quality of corporate innovation and is mediated by alleviating the financial constraints and agency cost. Internal and external governance plays different roles; the higher institutional investors’ attention as an external governance form does not help enterprises improve the quantity and quality of corporate innovation; however, CEO duality as an internal governance form strengthens the effect of ESG performance on corporate innovation. This study provides scientific evidence for the effect and effect path of ESG performance on promoting proactive innovation based on sustainable development in China; furthermore, the study reveals the heterogeneity factors of ESG performance on the innovation effect under stakeholder theory. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Performance Management System)

17 pages, 423 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of COVID-19 on Public/Third-Sector Collaboration in the Italian Context

by Luigi Corvo, Lavinia Pastore, Marco Mastrodascio and Luca Tricarico

Sustainability 2022, 14(4), 2228; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042228 - 16 Feb 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2112

Abstract

The extent of the effects produced by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the collaboration between public administrations and the third sector is currently unclear. Undoubtedly, as in any other organizations, social enterprises and non-profit organizations have been severely affected by the spread of [...] Read more.

The extent of the effects produced by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the collaboration between public administrations and the third sector is currently unclear. Undoubtedly, as in any other organizations, social enterprises and non-profit organizations have been severely affected by the spread of COVID-19, especially regarding their relationship with the public sector. Based on an analysis of 563 Italian third sector entities (ETSs) that responded to an online survey launched in March 2020, this study aims to explore the current state and extent of the potential change in the collaboration between organizations belonging to the third sector and the Italian public administration system in response to the COVID-19 emergency. The results have shown that only approximately one-third of the organizations have been asked to jointly contribute with the public sector to contain the negative effects of the pandemic. In other cases, spontaneous support initiatives have been undertaken to manage the crisis. The findings have also revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the internal operating and functioning mechanisms of the organizations operating in the third sector. The study concludes with a forecast of the potential exacerbation of the difficulties currently faced by the third sector and with the provision of future strategic paths to contain the health, social and economic effects of the pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Performance Management System)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

22 pages, 2091 KiB

Open AccessReview

Risk-Based Approach in the Implementation of Integrated Management Systems: A Systematic Literature Review

by Lucian Ispas, Costel Mironeasa and Alessandro Silvestri

Sustainability 2023, 15(13), 10251; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310251 - 28 Jun 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2391

Abstract

The risk-based approach is one of the keys used in the implementation of management systems using requirements from the management standards. If the management systems are implemented separately, the risks are evaluated from only one perspective, but when two or more systems are [...] Read more.

The risk-based approach is one of the keys used in the implementation of management systems using requirements from the management standards. If the management systems are implemented separately, the risks are evaluated from only one perspective, but when two or more systems are integrated, the approach must take into account the synergetic effects of the risks due to system integration. The paper aims to highlight the specific risks encountered when implementing management systems in organizations, underlining the risks associated with systems management and integrated management systems. In this work, a synthesis was presented including an analysis of the risks that occurred during the implementation of management systems and those that occurred during their integration, the need and opportunity of risk management, the advantages, and barriers in the approach of risk management in the industrial sector. The review of the literature comprises the assessment of 190 papers, 11 books, and 5 standards. The content of the paper highlights a synthesis of risk-based thinking and the risks that can manifest in the implementation of quality, environmental, and occupational safety and health management systems in industrial organizations, as well as those which can manifest in the implementation of integrated management systems. In addition, the benefits and barriers in risk management and risk management strategies, with an emphasis on the presentation of the Deming approach to risk management, were evidenced. Some recommendations and proposals for future research were made. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Performance Management System)

► Show Figures