Search Results (318)

Background: High-performance work systems (HPWSs), while designed to boost corporate performance, can inadvertently create a core organizational paradox, triggering a negative feedback loop. Specifically, their intense focus on performance outcomes can create a climate conducive to unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB), as employees navigate the pressures and perceived obligations, ultimately undermining the organization’s long-term sustainability and viability. While prior research has identified important singular pathways, the mechanisms through which HPWSs simultaneously generate both perceived obligations and performance pressures remain ambiguous. Methods: Drawing on the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model, we propose and test a moderated dual-mediation framework. Using survey data from 473 employees, we examine psychological contract fulfillment and bottom-line mentality as parallel mediators, with moral identity as a moderator, in the HPWS-UPB relationship. Results: The analysis demonstrated that HPWSs influence UPB through two distinct and paradoxical pathways: a pressure-driven path via an increased bottom-line mentality, and a reciprocity-driven path via enhanced psychological contract fulfillment. Moral identity emerged as a crucial, albeit asymmetrical, buffer, with its buffering role being particularly consequential for the pressure-driven pathway, as moral identity also significantly weakened the indirect effect of HPWSs on UPB channeled through bottom-line mentality. Conclusions: These findings offer a holistic, systems-based understanding of the performance-ethics paradox. The validation of a dual-pathway model provides a new blueprint for how a single management system produces contradictory outcomes through competing mechanisms. The identification of key intervention points (e.g., fostering moral identity) offers practical strategies for managers to foster systems that support both high productivity and a sustainable ethical climate. Full article

As cities strive for human-centered and fine-tuned development, Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) has emerged as a powerful tool for simulating pedestrian behavior and optimizing walkable neighborhood design. This study presents a comparative bibliometric analysis of ABM applications in block-scale walkability research from 2015 to 2024, drawing on both Chinese- and English-language literature. Using visualization tools such as VOSviewer, the analysis reveals divergences in national trajectories, methodological approaches, and institutional logics. Chinese research demonstrates a policy-driven growth pattern, particularly following the introduction of the “15-Minute Community Life Circle” initiative, with an emphasis on neighborhood renewal, age-friendly design, and transit-oriented planning. In contrast, international studies show a steady output driven by technological innovation, integrating methods such as deep learning, semantic segmentation, and behavioral simulation to address climate resilience, equity, and mobility complexity. The study also classifies ABM applications into five key application domains, highlighting how Chinese and international studies differ in focus, data inputs, and implementation strategies. Despite these differences, both research streams recognize the value of ABM in transport planning, public health, and low-carbon urbanism. Key challenges identified include data scarcity, algorithmic limitations, and ethical concerns. The study concludes with future research directions, including multimodal data fusion, integration with extended reality, and the development of privacy-aware, cross-cultural modeling standards. These findings reinforce ABM’s potential as a smart urban simulation tool for advancing adaptive, human-centered, and sustainable neighborhood planning. Full article

This paper offers content priorities, justifications, and pedagogical approaches for the integration of climate change education into the training of teachers, and thus into public schooling. To meet urgent imperatives presented by the polycrisis of the Anthropocene, climate change education must be inclusive, comprehensive, flexible, and regionally responsive. Climate change education can be achieved by adapting regional programs for teacher education to meet those requirements. An example is the Climate Education in Teacher Education (CETE) project in northern British Columbia, Canada. Using the Education Design-Based Research methodology, the project addresses critical questions for curricular and pedagogical development of teachers to address the following three questions: (a) what content and outcomes to prioritize, (b) why these elements matter, and (c) how to implement them effectively. Over two years, CETE engaged pre-service and in-service teachers through workshops, reflective practices, and consultations with Indigenous communities. Our tentative answers emphasize the importance of adapting curriculum and pedagogy to foster community resilience, address climate anxiety, and promote an ethical renewal toward sustainability. The iterative development of objectives as “High-Level Conjectures” provides flexibility and reflexivity in the design process in the face of rapid contextual change. CETE developed practical pedagogical tools and workshop strategies that align educational priorities with local and global needs. This study offers a replicable framework to empower educators and communities in diverse locations to navigate the complexities of the climate crisis in their quest for a more secure and sustainable future. Full article

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into bioclimatic building design is reshaping the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry by addressing critical challenges in sustainability and efficiency. By aligning structures with local climates, bioclimatic design addresses global challenges such as energy consumption, urbanization, and climate change. Complementing these principles, AI technologies—including machine learning, digital twins, and generative algorithms—are revolutionizing the sector by optimizing processes across the entire building lifecycle, from design and construction to operation and maintenance. Amid the diverse array of AI-driven innovations, this research highlights digital twin (DT) technologies as a key to AI-driven transformation, enabling real-time monitoring, simulation, and optimization for sustainable design. Applications like façade optimization, energy flow analysis, and predictive maintenance showcase their role in adaptive architecture, while frameworks like Construction 4.0 and 5.0 promote human-centric, data-driven sustainability. By bridging AI with bioclimatic design, the findings contribute to a vision of a built environment that seamlessly aligns environmental sustainability with technological advancement and societal well-being, setting new standards for adaptive and resilient architecture. Despite the immense potential, AI and DTs face challenges like high computational demands, regulatory barriers, interoperability and skill gaps. Overcoming these challenges will be crucial for maximizing the impact on sustainable building, requiring ongoing research to ensure scalability, ethics, and accessibility. Full article

As climate action becomes increasingly urgent, nations and institutions worldwide seek advanced technologies for practical mitigation efforts. This study examines how agentic artificial intelligence systems capable of decision-making and learning from experience drive innovation dynamics in climate change mitigation, with a particular focus on ethical considerations during the net-zero transition. The current urgency of climate action demands advanced technologies, yet organisations struggle to effectively deploy agentic AI for climate mitigation due to unclear implementation pathways and ethical consideration. This study examines the relationships among agentic AI capabilities, innovation dynamics, and net-zero transition performance, using survey data from 340 organisations across the manufacturing, energy, and technology sectors, and analysed using structural equation modelling. Based on dynamic capabilities theory, this research proposes a novel theoretical model that examines how agentic AI drives innovation dynamics in climate change mitigation within governance frameworks that encompass transparency, accountability, and environmental justice. Results reveal significant mediation effects of innovation dynamics, dynamic capabilities, and ethical considerations, while environmental context negatively moderates innovation and ethical pathways. Findings suggest that overly restrictive ethical considerations can lead to implementation delays that undermine the urgency of climate action. This study proposes three solutions: (1) adaptive ethical protocols adjusting governance intensity based on climate risk severity, (2) pre-approved ethical templates reducing approval delays by 60%, and (3) stakeholder co-design processes building consensus during development. The research advances dynamic capabilities theory for AI contexts by demonstrating how AI-enabled sensing, seizing, and reconfiguring capabilities create differentiated pathways to climate performance. This study provides empirical validation of the responsible innovation framework, identifies asymmetric environmental contingencies, and offers evidence-based guidance for organisations implementing agentic AI for climate action. Full article

Honey has a long cultural tradition in Italy, valued for its sensory properties and health benefits. However, in recent years, the beekeeping sector has faced various challenges due to climate change, biodiversity loss, and economic pressures. Therefore, growing consumer awareness of sustainability, traceability, and ethical aspects is influencing food choices and putting niche-market products, such as honey, in the spotlight. This research analysed data from an online survey of Italian consumers to examine their attitudes toward honey. The analysis focused on the primary drivers of consumer behaviour, the state of sustainability efforts, and the importance of certifications and traceability in influencing preferences. The results showed that, beyond taste and health considerations, Italian consumers expressed a strong sensitivity and awareness of the beekeeping sector’s needs and their high engagement in ethical issues, food quality, safety and certification standards, and environmental protection. These findings provide useful insights for producers and policymakers to promote sustainable beekeeping and enhance consumer trust by implementing targeted communication strategies and certification schemes. Full article

In modern organisations, ethical leadership has emerged as a key driver of sustainability, shaping both employee behaviour and long-term organisational performance. This study investigates the mechanisms through which ethical leadership fosters organisational sustainability, with a focus on the mediating role of organisational commitment. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted in mainland Portugal between January 2024 and January 2025 with a sample of 285 employees from medium and large companies (48% male, 52% female). Ethical leadership was measured with the 10-item Ethical Leadership Scale (α = 0.94), organisational commitment with a 7-item validated scale (α = 0.91), and organisational sustainability with a 12-item scale capturing ethical climate and voluntary pro-environmental behaviours (α = 0.93). Data were analysed using structural equation modelling with maximum likelihood estimation and bootstrapping. Results support the hypothesised model, showing that ethical leadership positively predicts organisational commitment (β = 0.62, SE = 0.07, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.48, 0.75]) and organisational sustainability indirectly through commitment (indirect effect β = 0.31, SE = 0.06, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.20, 0.43]). Direct effects of ethical leadership on sustainability were weaker and non-significant once the mediator was included, confirming the centrality of commitment. Model fit indices indicated strong adequacy (CFI = 0.962, TLI = 0.954, RMSEA = 0.048, SRMR = 0.041). Theoretically, the findings reinforce the integration of ethical leadership theory with sustainability research, clarifying the role of commitment as a mediating mechanism. Practically, the study suggests that fostering ethical leadership behaviours—fair decision-making, role modelling, and integrity—can strengthen employee commitment, which in turn drives sustainable organisational practices. This highlights the importance of leadership development programmes centred on ethics as a strategic lever for long-term sustainability. Full article

Historic buildings and urban streetscapes face increasing threats from climate change, development, and aging infrastructure, creating a pressing need for accurate and scalable documentation methods. This review assesses the combined use of photogrammetry and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies in preserving built cultural heritage. We systematically analyze the end-to-end workflow, from the sophisticated processing of imagery into highly detailed and accurate 3D models in photogrammetry software via data acquisition using diverse UAV platforms and sensor payloads. Through case studies, including the mapping of ancient Maya sites in the Yucatán Peninsula and the conservation of the Notre Dame Cathedral, the review highlights the accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility offered by this technological synergy, underscoring its significance for heritage conservation, research, and the development of digital twins. Furthermore, it explores how these advancements foster public engagement and virtual accessibility, enabling immersive experiences and enriched educational opportunities. The paper also critically assesses the inherent technical, ethical, and legal challenges associated with this methodology, offering a balanced perspective on its application. By synthesizing the current knowledge, this review proposes future research trajectories and advocates for best practices, aiming to guide heritage professionals in leveraging photogrammetry and UAVs for the effective documentation and safeguarding of global cultural heritage. Full article

This article explores the converging challenges and opportunities at the intersection of underwater cultural heritage, digital archaeology, and participatory science. In an era of accelerated climate change, data fragmentation, and rapid technological advancement, underwater archaeology is being reshaped by the rise of generative artificial intelligence (GAI), FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data governance, and the growing role of public archaeology. We argue for an ethical and epistemologically inclusive framework that recognizes the importance of co-authorship, data transparency, and multisensory narratives in interpreting submerged sites. Drawing on case studies from Latin America and Europe, this article demonstrates how socio-technical networks, collaborative models, and culturally sensitive ontologies offer a pathway toward a decolonized, accessible, and sustainable archaeology. This paper concludes with recommendations for integrated public policy and citizen-driven heritage protection, highlighting digital archaeology’s transformative potential in the Anthropocene. Full article

Background/Objectives: Healthcare workers in chronic care hospitals are vulnerable to psychosocial risks such as burnout and moral injury due to prolonged patient exposure and limited institutional support. This study assessed the prevalence of burnout and moral injury among staff at the Chronic Diseases Hospital of Sebiș, Romania, and examined their associations with perceived stress and managerial support. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2022 and October 2024, including 62 healthcare workers (physicians, nurses, and auxiliary staff). Participants completed a sociodemographic survey, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the Moral Injury Symptom Scale-Health Professional (MISS-HP), and additional items on perceived stress and institutional support. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, group comparisons, correlation matrices, and logistic regression. Results: High emotional exhaustion (MBI-EE ≥ 27) was reported by 45.2% of participants, with the highest rates among nurses (50%) and auxiliary staff (45.5%). Mean moral injury scores were moderate (mean = 5.3), with elevated levels observed in nurses and auxiliary staff. Pearson correlation analysis revealed no strong linear associations between burnout dimensions and moral injury. Logistic regression did not identify emotional exhaustion, perceived stress, or support as significant predictors of high moral injury. Conclusions: Burnout and moral injury are prevalent but appear to be partially dissociated in this Romanian chronic care setting. Moral injury may arise from contextual ethical pressures beyond general occupational strain. Interventions should focus on ethical climate, institutional responsiveness, and peer-based moral support to enhance staff resilience. Full article

This study examines the relationship between corporate emission reduction policies (ERPs) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with a particular focus on the moderating role of corporate governance (CG). Drawing on a dataset of 18,545 firm-year observations from 28 developed and emerging countries spanning 2013 to 2024, the analysis finds that firms with stronger corporate governance and higher ERP adoption exhibit significantly better emission intensity. These results remain robust across multiple specifications, including alternative GHG performance metrics, corporate governance proxies, and emission-intensity measures. Beyond the cross-sectional analysis, firm-level trend regressions show that improvements in a firm’s ERPs relative to the sector average are associated with reductions in emission intensity over time. The findings highlight the critical role of robust corporate governance in mitigating greenwashing risks and ensuring the credibility of corporate climate commitments. By emphasizing the interplay between corporate governance and ERPs, the study contributes to the literature on climate governance and corporate environmental strategy. It also offers practical implications for investors and regulators, underlining the need to assess not only ERP commitments but also the governance structures that determine their effectiveness. Full article

The aim of this paper is to show that sustainable tourism, the widely accepted benchmark for the present and future responsible tourism industry is, and will continue to be, a myth. The paper takes the form of a review essay and relies on discussions of concepts, comparisons, and examples rather than field research and empirical data to define the problem and draw conclusions. We use the folkloric myth of Plutus, the god of wealth and abundance, to underscore two moral themes. The first is that wealth is blind, and second that seeking wealth and abundance is an entrenched aspect of human nature, with greed (avarice) consistently destabilizing societal improvements. Science shows us what the problems are (e.g., climate change), while ethics tell us how to address these problems. However, it seems that we still cannot find our way to a sustainable tourism future. What is playing out in the theatre of sustainable tourism, therefore, is far from a comedy and much more like a tragedy, as tourism in its current forms has become too much of a good thing, rendering “sustainable” a meaningless term. Overtourism, overdevelopment, disparities, and injustices are now the norm in the maelstrom of global tourism, with no palpable end in sight. Full article

The environmental crisis demands transformative solutions on both technological and societal levels. Bioinspired approaches, which draw from the principles of natural systems, have emerged as a promising interdisciplinary framework to address these challenges. These approaches not only drive technological innovation but also provoke critical philosophical and ethical discourse, particularly in the field of biomimicry. Philosophical and ethical questions include: How can we ethically justify drawing inspiration from nature without exploiting it? How might a shift toward a bioinspired perspective alter our relationship with nature? How could a reorientation toward nature influence ethical frameworks and guide human behavior toward the environment? This narrative review systematically examines key philosophical and ethical perspectives within biomimicry, while focusing on potentials as well as limitations of these approaches to the environmental crisis. In doing so, it explores key perspectives such as “biomimetic ethics”, the “ontology of nature”, “bioinclusivity”, and the “naturalistic fallacy”. Full article

This comprehensive review critically analyzes the multifaceted role of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing global sustainability and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While AI offers powerful solutions for climate action, resource management, and other challenges, its own significant ecological footprint and potential for bias present critical risks that must be proactively managed. This study provides a synthesis of the recent literature (published between 2018 and 2024) to address three primary research questions: (1) What are the main applications of AI for sustainability and their contribution to specific SDGs? (2) What are the primary ecological, socio-economic, and ethical risks of AI adoption? (3) What are the key research gaps and future directions for more sustainable and responsible AI application? A key contribution is a comprehensive, multi-dimensional framework that connects AI applications with an in-depth analysis of their interconnected ecological, algorithmic, and socio-economic risks. This framework, along with a synthesized risk matrix, offers a structured tool for future governance and research, highlighting the need for responsible development to fully leverage AI’s potential for a sustainable future. Full article

Achieving consensus in group decision-making often involves overcoming significant challenges, particularly reconciling diverse perspectives and mitigating biases hindering agreement. Traditional methods relying on human facilitators are usually constrained by scalability and efficiency, especially in large-scale, fast-paced discussions. To address these challenges, this study proposes a novel real-time facilitation framework, employing large language models (LLMs) as automated facilitators within a custom-built multi-user chat system. This framework is distinguished by its real-time adaptive system architecture, which enables dynamic adjustments to facilitation strategies based on ongoing discussion dynamics. Leveraging cosine similarity as a core metric, this approach evaluates the ability of three state-of-the-art LLMs—ChatGPT 4.0, Mistral Large 2, and AI21 Jamba-Instruct—to synthesize consensus proposals that align with participants’ viewpoints. Unlike conventional techniques, the system integrates adaptive facilitation strategies, including clarifying misunderstandings, summarizing discussions, and proposing compromises, enabling the LLMs to refine consensus proposals based on user feedback iteratively. Experimental results indicate that ChatGPT 4.0 achieved the highest alignment with participant opinions and required fewer iterations to reach consensus. A one-way ANOVA confirmed that differences in performance between models were statistically significant. Moreover, descriptive analyses revealed nuanced differences in model behavior across various sustainability-focused discussion topics, including climate action, quality education, good health and well-being, and access to clean water and sanitation. These findings highlight the promise of LLM-driven facilitation for improving collective decision-making processes and underscore the need for further research into robust evaluation metrics, ethical considerations, and cross-cultural adaptability. Full article