Abstract

Geopolitical and economic uncertainties lead to growing volatility by lowering credit flows (allocations and disbursements), resulting in a sharp plunge in industrial and marketing activities. Despite this, studies on how business to business (B2B) marketing disruptions caused by geopolitical tension and economic policy uncertainty impede industrial value creation and sustainable development, are scarce. We examine the influence of geopolitical tension and economic policy uncertainty on sustainable development through the channel of B2B marketing in the case of group of 20 (G20), group of 7 (G7) and Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) nations over 1990–2019. We utilize the Quantiles via Moments approach to analyze panel time series data due to its potential to deal with country- and region-specific heterogeneity and non-linear relationships. Our findings disclose that geopolitical tensions have a monotonic negative effect on industrial value-added triggered by B2B marketing in the BRICS countries. Contrarily, such tensions have no significant influence on industrial value-added and sustainable development in the G20 and G7 nations. Besides, industrial value-addition (foreign and domestic) augmented by B2B marketing positively affects sustainable development. Also, the effect of economic policy uncertainty on industrial value-added and sustainable development is monotonically favorable. In contrast, economic policy uncertainty-augmented industrial value-added adversely affects sustainable development steadily. Briefly, the empirical outcomes unveil significant economic implications, delineating that B2B firms are confronted with many challenges resulting from the vagaries of geopolitical and economic policy uncertainty soliciting disruption in their sustainable marketing operations.

Introduction

The efficacy of Business-to-Business (B2B) marketing transcends beyond the conventional boundaries of profit generation, as it plays a crucial role in promoting the “better marketing for a better world” ideology (Chandy, Johar, Moorman, & Roberts, 2021) that harmonizes with the seemingly elusive issue of sustainable development (Voola, Bandyopadhyay, Voola, Ray, & Carlson, 2022). In embracing accessible and inclusive B2B marketing approaches, firms can forge ahead by fostering sustainable production and consumption of goods and services that ultimately generate job opportunities for people (Voola et al., 2022), establish profit-generating partnership-network marketing (Tsao, Raj, & Yu, 2019), and facilitate responsible service offerings that effectively preserve the earth’s ecosystem (Olsen, Slotegraaf, & Chandukala, 2014). Thus, in consideration of the triple bottom line – prioritizing people, profit, and the planet – the fundamentals of sustainability-based parameters in B2B marketing are indispensable in global industrial development processes.

Moreover, B2B marketing approaches unlock pathways that enrich the scale of industrial value-added, paving the way for enhanced firm-level production and marketing capacity. Essentially, firms can leverage a plethora of B2B resources including marketing knowledge and strategies (Bratti & Felice, 2012), technology transfer and refinement (Pham, Le Monkhouse, & Barnes, 2017), as well as dynamic marketing capabilities (Hoque, Nath, Ahammad, Tzokas, & Yip, 2022). Unfortunately, B2B marketing practices are vulnerable to disruptions triggered by geopolitical and economic policy uncertainties, along with institutional disparities (Ju, Murray, Kotabe and Gao, 2011). This perilous concern further hindered B2C marketing endeavors by influencing the purchasing intentions of both individual consumers and end-users (Wichmann, Uppal, Sharma, & Dekimpe, 2022). This can abruptly halt the supply of materials, goods, and services produced by these enterprises (Craighead, Blackhurst, Rungtusanatham, & Handfield, 2007), leading to ineffective knowledge management processes that are required to stimulate industrial value-added and sustainable development (Martin, Javalgi, & Ciravegna, 2020). In light of this, there is a need for a comprehensive study to explore how disruptions in B2B relationships can affect the value-added of marketing-driven industries and contribute to sustainable development, particularly in global influential blocs such as the G20, G7, and BRICS.

Implications and conclusion

The present study makes a significant contribution to the existing B2B marketing literature, providing empirical evidence on the impact of macro-environmental conditions (specifically, geopolitical risks and economic policy uncertainty) on B2B marketing disruptions and how such disruptions impede industrial value-added and sustainable development. By analyzing panel data spanning from 1990 to 2019, our study sheds light on the macro-environmental context, offering practical insights into how B2B marketing-driven industrial value-added and sustainable development can be influenced proactively for dominant global blocs like G20, G7, and BRICS.

We employ the quantiles via moments to analyze data from these economic blocs, while also accounting for country and region-specific disparities. Our findings indicate that while geopolitical risks have no significant negative impact on industrial value-added resulting from B2B marketing operations in G20 and G7 blocs, the BRICS alliance suffer from the negative consequences of the phenomenon across all quantiles. Furthermore, economic policy uncertainty has a monotonic, positive influence on all quantiles for all three blocs, while B2B marketing-driven industrial value-added (both foreign and domestic) promotes sustainable development. Moreover, our study finds that while geopolitical risks and these risks-augmented industrial value-added have no significant effect, economic policy uncertainty-augmented industrial value-added hampers sustainable development in these economies.

Abstract

     Digital technology has gained growing importance in professional accounting as it serves as a uniquely situated place where departments and disciplines interact around both official and non-official operations. Application of digital technology has the ability for performing a set of standards of work, develop models and generate best quality of digital information and inform to the higher authority. It noticed to various informations related with the organizational function into a standard line of execution with the principles of sustainable development. Digital technology in professional accounting research is increasingly focusing on procedures created by professional accountants with the goal of ensuring a company’s long-term success. The integration of social and environmental data into financial reports has been characterized by some organizations as a way to adapt and enhance international reporting requirements. The study’s primary objective is to increase public awareness of the accounting profession’s contribution to national sustainable development. Because of this, we will depend on a documentary study of national and international laws for attaining organizational business goals in the matter of how digital technology influences the accounting profession for this proposed article. Thus, in order to achieve our organizational business goals, it is also referred different studies of national and international laws pertaining to the use of digital technology in the accounting profession.

Introduction

     Sustainability is a term which has been prominent in the last two decades and which has to be integrated into all aspects of our societal, economic, and environmental existence. It means to live in the present and to honor the history and to preserve the future. The United Nations and other organizations created 17 sustainable development goals in 2015, using digital technologies, replacing the 8 Millennium Goals set in 2000. Sustainability economics, society, and environment may work together in three aspects to accomplish sustainable development goals. Achieving these goals needs skilled accountants and accountants [1]. Fayez Choudhary, International Accountant Federation Executive Director, has emphasized the significance of the accounting profession to help achieve these objectives directly or indirectly. Thus, accountants have a variety of options to address the problems of sustainable development [2] via their talents and expertise. Recently, the accounting profession was emphasized for its critical role in attaining these goals. “Accountants may use their skills and knowledge to help solve issues of sustainable development” [2]. With their unique position at the intersection of all sectors and departments, professional accountants are more and more important for developing sustainable development ideas in an organization’s continuous, coordinated execution. Professional accountants play an increasingly significant role in organizations, since they are uniquely positioned to establish standards, build models, and provide reporting information that determines the company’s consistency and participation in sustainable growth.

Discussion and Conclusion

     To sum up, digital technology has revolutionized the way we live. Professional accountants are actively involved in the business administration of a company where corporate sustainability efforts are promoted. As a consequence, the accounting profession should rethink its role in attaining the SDGs and work to include sustainable development ideas into decision-making at all levels, including commercial operations (management, budgetary projection, evaluation, and reporting). Therefore, accountants are strategic value builders, operational value suppliers, and reporting value maintainers and reporters. This will need a re-evaluation of the longterm development role of professional accountants. Accountants are responsible for sustainable reporting that is essential in order to collect information and promote sustainable development. Sustainability problems will be measured, recorded, and interpreted by accountants from organizations with substantial environmental or social effects. Environmental and social data will be required in future information and control management systems.

Abstract
Innovating manufacturing systems can substantially support a sustainable transformation of value creation across the industry towards higher sustainability maturity levels. The research presents a novel systems engineering approach for innovating manufacturing systems with a focus on sustainability. The systems engineering approach aims at supporting manufacturing companies in realizing sustainable innovations. It allows companies to cope with current and future global challenges while maintaining and improving their competitiveness. The concepts of integrated values and global innovation pathways set the research’s scope and practical relevance. A narrative literature review of the earlier and later phase of the sustainable-oriented innovation process is presented. The systems engineering approach for creating sustainable manufacturing innovations with a defined macro and micro cycle is introduced. The macro cycle determines the important design phases for the life cycle of the innovation while the micro cycle provides a process for finding sustainable solutions. A case study grounded on a start-up that developed an innovative wind turbine tower system is introduced for verifying, validating, and evaluating the proposed systems engineering approach within the application field of manufacturing large-scale products.

Introduction
The reactions of the global community to recent shocks, such as the Corona pandemic, droughts in Europe, or the war in Ukraine, demonstrate that the global community is insufficiently prepared both individually and collectively for disasters on a global scale. Among the most crucial short-term risks are, according to the World Economic Forum, crises in employment and livelihood, widespread youth disillusionment, digital inequality, economic stagnation, human-made environmental degradation, erosion of societal cohesion, and acts of violence (World Economic Forum , The Global Risks Report, 2021). These risks translate into long-term global challenges for the global community.

Against this backdrop of intensifying global challenges, manufacturing companies continue to apply individual business models within globalized value creation networks, i.e., the formation of inter-organizational cooperation to create value, often through technological advancements. Competitiveness in global markets is a major tenet of these networks with a focus on economic objectives, often without considering missed or detrimental environmental or social values. The concept of value must radically change for business activities in early and newly industrialized countries with the potential for establishing more sustainable practices that incorporated profit with social well-being and environmental stewardship (Neace, 1999; Cezarino et al., 2021). Value creation of companies needs to shift towards a modern paradigm with an emphasis on sustainable development and community resilience (Koliou et al., 2020; Neumann et al., 2021).

Conclusions

The research presented a novel systems engineering approach for creating sustainable innovations in manufacturing systems. The approach aims at supporting manufacturing companies in coping with the global challenges while maintaining and improving the competitiveness of the companies’ value creation. Against this backdrop, the research paper first discussed the concept of integrated values and global pathways of innovation for setting the scope and practical relevance of the research. Subsequently, the state-of-the-art based on a literature review for the earlier and later phase of the sustainable-oriented innovation process was described, and the resulting research gap, contribution, and novelty was specified. Then, the novel systems engineering approach for creating sustainable innovations in manufacturing systems, based on a specific macro and micro cycle was explained. The macro cycle determines the important design phases for the life cycle of the innovation while the micro cycle provides a process for finding sustainable solutions during the design process. For this purpose, the micro cycle utilizes specific sustainability principles which have been derived from the idea of integrated values and global pathways of innovation. A case study based on an innovative wind turbine tower system was introduced to verify, validate, and evaluate the proposed systems engineering approach. Eventually, the principal efficacy and limitations of the research were discussed taking into consideration the findings of the case study.

Abstract

     Sustainable development has gained the attention of researchers worldwide and is becoming an important topic, especially in relation to corporate governance principles. This study investigates the influence of corporate governance on sustainable development in a sample of 185 countries over 2005–2020 using a panel linear regression model. Separate analyses are also conducted on subsamples of high- and low-income countries. Our findings highlight the positive influence of corporate governance, as measured by board efficacy, the strength of audits and reports, and digitalisation, on sustainable development, as measured by the Human Development Index, Human Capital Index, and Environmental Performance Index. Moreover, we find a higher positive and marginal effect of the influence of corporate governance on sustainable development for low-income countries than for high-income countries. The robustness checks performed using variables related to the happiness index, women in top management positions, and technology adoption verify our results. Our findings are important for managers and policymakers to consolidate sustainable development through the incentive brought about by high-quality corporate governance.

Introduction

     The well-being of a company should be a common interest of all engaged parties. Although researchers have long emphasised the importance of corporate governance principles (Nedelchev, 2013), Howell and Sorour (2016) raised the importance of implementing good practices to ensure organizational well-being. Hashanah and Mazlina (2005) also underlined the corporate governance elements that directly hamper the healthy development of society. Thus, implementing good corporate governance principles ensures the positive and therefore sustainable development of the business.

     Various studies have analyzed the relationships between corporate governance and corporate social responsibility (CSR) (Achim et al., 2017; Crane & Matten, 2007; Kolk & Pinkse, 2010) as well as between CSR and sustainable development (Kahraman Akdogu, 2017; Truant et al., 2017). However, few studies (e.g., De Luca, 2020; Dienes et al., 2016) have investigated the direct relationship between corporate governance and sustainable development. To bridge this gap in the literature, we analyze the impact of corporate governance on social and environmental performance as well as compare the influence of corporate governance in high- and low-income countries. We use a sample of 185 countries over 2005–2020 and panel linear regressions. To validate our main results, we also check their robustness using variables such as the happiness index, women in top management positions, and technology adoption. The results show that the level of sustainable development increases when the use of corporate governance best practices increases. Moreover, we find that corporate governance has a higher impact on the low-income countries than in the high-income countries than

Conclusions

     This study investigated the influence of corporate governance on sustainable development using a panel linear regression model applied to a sample of 185 countries over 2005–2020. Separate analyses were also conducted for high- and low-income countries. Our findings highlight the positive influence of corporate governance on sustainable development measured by the HDI, HCI, and EPI. In addition, we find a higher positive and marginal effect of the influence of corporate governance on sustainable development for low-income countries than for high-income countries.

     Further, we find that high-quality public governance, a high level of urbanisation, and low unemployment increase sustainable development. Culture impacts the sustainable development of a society markedly for both high- and low-income countries, but this effect is particularly high in the latter. The robustness checks performed using the supplementary variables of the happiness index, women in top management positions, and technology adoption verify our results.

Abstract

     Sustainable development requires concerted effort and persistence on various fronts using available resources and technological tools to improve the quality of life. Global sustainability goals are designed to benefit developments in all walks of life of the present and future generations. To attain global sustainability, every country should make best efforts with the available resources and shared means. This paper analyses the case of Saudi Arabia in achieving sustainability through innovations and Information technology in key areas of national development. The contribution of this research is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the key projects undertaken by Saudi Arabia to transform the nation into modernity and prosperity by means of cutting-edge technologies and tools. This study shows that the innovation, science and technology play critical role towards achieving sustainable development. Conclusions of this study can serve as an example to achieve sustainability in other parts of the world.

Introduction

     There are many definitions and interpretations of sustainability. In simple words, sustainability amounts to meeting needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainability improves the quality of our lives, protects our ecosystem and preserves natural resources for future generations. Global sustainability defines the conditions under which humans and nature, societies and the biosphere, the world and the Earth can coexist in ways that enable productive harmony, stability and resilience to support present and future generations. The sustainable development goals are aimed at achieving a prosperous future for all. They address the challenge and solve the problems we face, like poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice. These are the common global issues although different countries may face additional problems due to the factors associated with their region and society. A critical view of Sustainability developments is presented in [1].

CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORK

     Sustainable development allows every individual, organization and society across the globe to accomplish sustainable goals. Sometimes due to various factors and issues, technologies and inno-vations either do not improve the situation. This may happen due to the absence of an adequate profitable market or lack of adequate infrastructure or coordination among the stakeholders. To overcome these hurdles, in this paper we have argued how successfully the emerging and modern technologies are being used in Saudi Arabia. During the ongoing pandemic, a humanitarian crisis and disaster, use of technological tools have been effectively used. This study shows that the KSA has overcome many obstacles and is marching towards tremendous progress and sustainability in many fields. This has been possible, largely, due to the use of latest technologies. The countries of the regions, especially those in the Middle East and Northern Africa should follow the example of Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

     This research analyzes the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Andorran cultural policy. The article contributes to the academic field of cultural sustainability and cultural policy, applying a mixed method on a country’s case study. A content analysis of the White Paper on Culture, a survey addressed to the main Andorran cultural policymakers and a semi-structured interview with the Andorran Minister of Culture have been performed. A new model of analyzing the extent to which cultural policies comply with SDGs in cultural policies is proposed, with the aim that it might be implemented in other countries. The results show that, despite the fact that SDGs are not yet explicitly mentioned in Andorran cultural policy, experts aim to promote the UN 2030 Sustainable Agenda as a priority nationwide. The novelty of this research rests on the use of Sustainable Development Goals’ indicators as a code of analysis and as a specific perspective and new approach to evaluating the alignment of cultural sustainability and cultural policies to the UN 2030 Sustainable Agenda.

Introduction

     In 2015 the United Nations adopted and promoted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (United Nations 2016). Since then, policymakers from all around the world are committed to work for the implementation of this new and demanding paradigm based on a sustainable and responsible development (Turner 2017). The concept of ‘Sustainable Development’ was defined as ‘development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’ (Brundtland et al. 1987). The UN 2030 Agenda includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (hereinafter SDGs) organized into three pillars: economic, environmental, and social (United Nations 2016).

     Currently, the UNESCO considers that culture is a cross-cutting dimension in relationship with sustainable development (hereinafter SD). Culture is considered a driver and a facilitator for SD (UNESCO 2019; Wiktor-Mach 2020), nevertheless, in the 2030 Agenda, culture has a low profile with a limited impact (Duxbury, Kangas, and De Beukelaer 2017; Erlewein 2017; Throsby 2017; Turner 2017).

Conclusions GIORGIA

     The main goal of this research is to analyze the SDGs implementation degree in the Andorran cultural policy. Furthermore, the paper analyzes the dimension of cultural sustainability in the Andorran cultural policy and identifies future strategies in terms of culture and sustainable development. According to the research’s results, the Andorran government highly support the UN 2030 Sustainable Agenda (D’Andorra 2019) and considers culture sustainability as a key dimension to improve the country’s sustainable development (D’Andorra 2021). Nevertheless, the SDGs are not explicitly mentioned in the Andorran cultural policy, even if experts consider them a relevant roadmap for the cultural sustainability strategy’s definition.

     Despite the lack of direct reference to the UN SDGs, the Andorran cultural policies highlighted several topics included in the UN 2030 Sustainable Agenda. Culture contributes to the sustainable development through the safeguard of the natural heritage. Culture is a driver for social cohesion and education focused on cultural sustainability is a key factor for future generations. Enhance the impact of culture in the improvement of working conditions, specifically for women in the tourism industry, and for the collective and individual economic growth is one of the main challenges for the Andorran policymakers. Besides, culture is considered as a pillar to convert the unsustainable seasonal mass sky tourism practice into a more environmentally and socially sustainable tourism.

Abstract

     To ensure the survival and quality of life of our species, we seek sustainable development to balance the economic, social and environmental spheres in an ethical and equitable manner. The United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs) have become the guiding principles aimed at guaranteeing a safe space for everyone through awareness and clarity of the responsibilities of each individual. This article addresses different views on the topic “sustainable development,” relating them to ethical issues and then associating the discussions with the SDGs. However, in relation to the subject of ethics and concern for planet Earth, several other documents, such as Laudato Si’, Gaia and Gaia 2.0, are of great importance to complement and enrich the discussion. A global perspective is proposed, based on the encyclical Laudato Si’, the Gaia theory of James Lovelock, religious concepts and idea of the good of humanity, along with the vision of Timothy Lenton who talks about Gaia 2.0. It is highlighted that understanding the role of the Church, the government and academic research in combating environmental, social and economic problems is of great relevance. Finally, based on the discussions provided herein it can be observed that although the statements and documents examined present similarities in pointing to an ethical agenda, they need further debate and research.

Introduction

     Initially, it was believed that planet Earth and its elements were available to man to use indiscriminately according to his needs. When men saw the earth from space, it became clear that the planet is limited, existing within a closed system powered by sunlight. Subsequently, with the advancement of science, the interdependence between all beings and natural elements has been increasingly understood (Lovelock, 2000).

     It is now widely accepted that the earth can be considered as a living organism and that one action implies several reactions (Lovelock, 2000; Pillay & Elkadi, 2010). This is a vision of reality based on “awareness of the essential state of interrelation and interdependence of all phenomena—physical, biological, psychological, social and cultural” (Capra, 1984). Consequently, the current understanding of our planet and its environmental conditions is a limiting and determining factor for the maintenance of species (Rockström et al., 2009). It should be noted in this regard that the current geological period is called the Anthropocene, also known as the “Era of Humanity” (Artaxo, 2014).

Results and discussion

Analysis of databases

     For each database, the three groups of search terms were used: (Gaia AND Gaia 2.0); (“Sustainable development goals” AND “Laudato si”); (“Sustainable development goals” AND Ethics). Figure 2 shows the fnal results of the search.

     As shown in Fig. 2, a higher number of documents were identifed in the ScienceDirect database, followed by Web of Science. On applying the frst group of terms (Gaia AND Gaia 2.0), a total of 1,425 articles was identifed. For the second group of terms (“Sustainable development goals” AND “Laudato si”), 18 articles were identifed. The third group of terms (“Sustainable development goals” AND Ethics) collected a total of 1,753 articles. These data show the small number of studies directed mainly at the second group of terms. After the analysis, to discuss the results and discussions in the theoretical scope, 56 documents were used.

Abstract

     Based on the scores and trends of Sustainable Development Goals, Iran, our case study, has been unsuccessful in nearly all the pillars of sustainable development despite the variations in socioeconomic variables related to the SDGs. This implies a comprehensive underdevelopment in Iran, necessitating the improvement of infrastructure which significantly affects all the pillars of sustainable development including environment, health, and economy. This study, takes transportation as an important infrastructure which has various direct and indirect impacts on all pillars of sustainable development, especially in the case study of Iran. To evaluate this, the present study aims to investigate 1) which sustainability perspective dominates in Iran (strong sustainability, weak sustainability, or health-centered sustainability); and 2) the consistency degree of each transportation mode with each pillar of sustainability including environment, health, and economy. We employ VAR and simultaneous equations system to find which perspective of sustainable development dominates Iran; and to rank the transportations modes in accordance with their consistency with sustainable development in Iran during 1979–2016. Overall, the results of this study is found to be significant and support the strong sustainability perspective in Iran. The most compliant transportation modes with the sustainable development in Iran are then ranked as: a) rail, b) air, c) road, and d) maritime transportation. These results suggest the policy-makers to: 1) value the environmental issues at the top of the agenda for the sustainability strategies; and 2) to shift the load of passenger and goods to the rail transportation by investing and developing the rail network.

Introduction

     Starting from the industrial revolution, the vast increase in the production of consumer goods, as well as urbanization has been taking place all around the world. Although such development has had a positive impact on the livelihood of societies, its social reliance and impact on natural resources has increased considerable concerns on this transition. According to the latest data published by the World Bank, the world’s total population has already passed 7.76 billion, and is expected to reach over 9.7 billion by 2050 (World Bank, 2022). Such large population require an ever-increasing dependence on natural resources and the environment [70]. Having foreseen such sustained growth in population, the United Nations (UN) has been one of first intergovernmental entities to organize a series of comprehensive actions over the last few decades to incorporate sustainable means in this socio-technological development. Agenda 21, for instance, has been firstly introduced by the UN in 1992, as a comprehensive plan of actions to enhance the human lives and conserve the environment at the Earth summit in Rio de Janeiro. Later in 2015, the UN published a set of 17 goals, commonly referred to as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs or also agenda 2030) which outline the objectives necessary to end poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, as well as advocating peace and justice [46,66]. Since then, the doctrine of global sustainability has advanced and become a key element of international sustainability studies and developmental agendas [13,56]. Following this, numerous studies have used the 17 set of goals as a playground to incorporate sustainability in various fields and industries.

Conclusion

     Based on the score of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Iran has been unsuccessful in almost all of the sustainable development goals and pillars. This implies a comprehensive underdevelopment in Iran in various dimensions including environment, social, and economic. To evaluate this, the present study focuses on transportation, since it plays a key role in each single sustainable development pillar in Iran.

     This research tries to find the most consistent transportation mode with the sustainable development pillars in Iran. To find a more accurate ranking of transportation modes, we investigate which perspective of sustainable development dominates in Iran by producing and using HEY model with VAR approach based on World Bank data during 1979–2016. The findings point that the strong sustainability perspective is most effective in case of Iran which implies that the environment plays the most important role in sustainable development, before the social and economic pillars.

Abstract

Introduction

Review of literature on the current understanding and ongoing debate of smart cities

Method and data

Results and discussion

Conclusion

Declarations

References

Abstract

     Smart city is one of the fastest growing socio-economic and scientific initiative in the world. Still, it is only in principle and a mere blueprint for many developing countries. This study reviews literature on smart city in Nigeria and developing countries. Our aim is to explore ways to improve the quality of Nigeria’s urban areas, based on recent research on the concept of smart city and its implementation. We summarise key research findings, and gather evidence that shows what composition of urban governance, social, economic, and environmental factors, that would influence actualising a smart city in Nigeria. Although knowledge has grown tremendously in the current literature on the definition, significance, governance, policy, and implementation of a smart city, its significance in Nigeria and other developing countries is supplemental. As an environmentally friendly initiative, a smart city will support urban sustainability and livelihood in Nigeria in a myriad of ways—environmental protection, and mainstream urban services, including public security and safety, access to quality health care, efficient power supply, clean water distribution, assets management, smart transportation, etc. However, despite her unique traditional urban agglomeration trends, Nigeria is unambitious and constrained towards actualising a smart city. Actualising a smart city in Nigeria and other developing countries would require radical and ambitious policies on development of human and infrastructural capacity, as well as institutional reinforcement. This highlights the need for more research, of which we are optimistic that the findings of this research will support with its new insight and clear guidelines.

Introduction

     A smart city is modern architectural philosophy, focusing on the use of information and communication technology (ICT) to solve problems endogenous to the city, and to power vital activities. It represents a major transformation from the traditional urban agglomeration to a twenty-frst-century metropolis, which advances city functions, promotes economic growth, and improves the quality of life for citizens (Bakıcı et al., 2013). One obvious beneft of a smart city is the level of government response to the needs and well-being of citizens through positive interaction between the government and citizens, aided by technology-driven policies and services. When we look at some of the smart cities in the world today for example Singapore, San-Diego, Barcelona, and Hong Kong, we could fnd that smartness of cities creates applications and urban services that combine technology and promotes the development of policies and practices to address the social, economic, and environmental challenges facing today’s urban areas (Su et al., 2011).

Conclusion

     A smart city represents a shift both in mindset and architectural framework from the traditional agglomeration of roads, public utilities, and amenities to a modern system that uses big data and ICT to enhance the livelihood of the citizens and government policy and program of service delivery within the city. This is a major incentive for research and policy towards the sustainable development of cities. There is also an opportunity to tackle urban scenic distortion and to provide a more dynamic and diversifed science to address common issues – such as climate change, increasing frequency, and severity of crimes, social disorders, and disasters – arising from urban agglomerations and the burgeoning human population in cities.

For the developing countries (DCs) such as Nigeria – the focus of this study – a smart city’s conceptualization is slightly skewed because of the vagaries of challenges to its actualization. Thus, the idea of a smart city is still more utopian than realistic. However, the future of the DCs is arguably a smart city because of the complex urbanizations and predictions that places within the DCs will contribute signifcantly to the global urban populations, which is estimated at 90% of the global population by 2050. Therefore, to address the attendant problems that prevail presently in the DCs’ urban areas – which include environmental, economic, and human development issues – a smart city is a potent option.

Abstract

     Most sustainability assessment systems focus on comparing the sustainable progress across cities, and few concentrate on tracking the sustainability progress of cities over time with the consideration of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Tracking the sustainable progress of cities over time can help unveil the potential obstacles and challenges in city governance and provide references for city policy-makers. Hence, the present study built up a framework to evaluate sustainable development progress in Shenzhen from 2005 to 2019. Shenzhen is a young megacity with only 40 years of history, and it is one of the demonstration zones to represent sustainable development in China. Fifty indicators in the dimensions of innovation vitality, public service, and living environments are chosen to consider the focus of both UN SDGs goals and Shenzhen’s sustainable development plans. The potential bottlenecks for city development are identified, and effective policies implemented by Shenzhen policy-makers are highlighted. Results showed that the innovation vitality in Shenzhen had improved continuously since 2005, but public service and living environments both showed a falling trend after a peak in 2014 and 2016. The result revealed that as a megacity, Shenzhen should pay more attention to public service and living environments, especially in the construction of schools at all levels, salvation management centers, and green space, and improve air quality to meet the requirement of higher rank in sustainable urban development. It is suggested that cities build a solid system to monitor their progress towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The experience from Shenzhen can be adapted and implemented by other young megacities worldwide to accelerate their path towards sustainability.

Introduction

     The concept of sustainable development was first mentioned in the United Nations report named “Our Common Future” in 1987, which defined sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” (Brundtland et al., 1987). Various economic development modes, strategies, and policies worldwide were then developed by considering economic, social, and environmental factors simultaneously, so-called in a sustainable way (Wu, 2013; Jepson, 2004; Moe et al., 2006; Strong, 2006). In 2015, the United Nations announced the report “Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” (The, 2030 Agenda), which put forward 17 global sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030, which lead the path towards sustainable development to the new page (UN, 2015b).

Conclusion

     The research focused on evaluating sustainable development progress in the megacity Shenzhen from 2005 to 2019 by constructing an index system covering three dimensions of innovation vitality, public service, and living environment with 15 s-level and 50 tertiary indicators. According to the assessment, overall sustainable development in Shenzhen was much better in recent years. The growth rate of sustainable development score was rapid before 2013 but slower afterward. In terms of the three dimensions of Shenzhen’s sustainable development, innovation vitality kept improving since 2005. Public service improved before 2014 but regressed after that. The living environment improved before 2016 but showed a falling trend afterward. The evaluation indicates that Shenzhen paid great attention to the construction of innovation vitality.

      In terms of future development, it is suggested that the local government build a more solid sustainable assessment system with indicators covering all 17 SDGs to monitor the progress to sustainability. Shenzhen could accelerate the construction of higher education institutions and research institutes by cooperating with top universities and financial and policy support for sustainable urban development. The burden of innovation investment may be relieved by training programs or networking organized by the government. The obstacle of public services is suggested to be taken seriously and could be reduced by urban renewal. The living environment is one of the strengths of sustainable development in Shenzhen and could be maintained by constructing a resource-saving society.

1- Introduction

2- The role of waste materials recycling in sustainable development

3- Materials

4- Experimental work

5- Results and discussion

6- Conclusions

References

Abstract

Recently, researchers have tried to find ways to reduce the negative effects of untreated coal wastes (UCW) on the ecosystem of the region. Recycling untreated coal wastes can however be identified as a practical solution in producing concrete aggregates. The present study investigates the mechanical properties of green concrete having untreated coal wastes. A total of eleven mix designs with different contents of untreated coal waste as aggregates were prepared and the cube, cylinder and prism compressive, tensile and flexural strengths as well as the elastic modulus of specimens were determined. The results revealed that untreated coal waste particles can potentially be reused in manufacturing concrete aggregates. It was also confirmed that selecting an appropriate amount of replacement can contribute to the property improvement of concrete, also suggesting an environmental solution to reducing untreated coal wastes. Therefore, replacing 5% of the aggregate with untreated coal wastes instead of sand and gravel, the mechanical properties increased. On average, in sand and gravel replacement compressive and flexural strength increased about 3–7% and 5–8%, respectively.

Introduction 

As industry and technology are developing and human population is growing, global solid waste generation is accelerating. Generally, there are three methods of disposing such materials, i.e. burial, incinerate and recycling [1]. A number of studies have considered the feasibility of utilizing recycled waste materials in the civil engineering discipline [3–7]. Untreated coal is regarded as a significant source of energy on earth and is widely used in various practices. However, coal extraction results in generation of waste material which is not treated because of its high economic costs. Specific regulations have already been set on the efficient reuse of waste materials and by-products via some of the societies, so as to conserve natural resources [8]. Waste material is any kind of byproducts generated by human or industrial activity without any lasting value [9]. Various types of waste materials have been utilized as secondary construction materials. Due to the high potential of waste materials for producing environmental pollution, issues related to isolation and monitoring measures have been addressed [10]. Several investigations have cited the benefits of coal combustion products in highway construction in the U.S. Nevertheless, findings have not proved that these products may jeopardize human health or significantly pose a risk to the environment [11]. Thanaya [12], studying the consequences of coal ash on the hot and cold mix asphalts, noticed the merits of incorporating coal ash in both cold and hot mix asphalts as a filler material. They asserted that hot and cold blends, mixed with coal ash, can be implemented in districts with low to medium traffic densities and the sidewalks. Verma [13] examined the viability of using waste material byproducts in making ash bricks. They stated that the prism strength of coal ash masonry bricks is higher respecting the conventional ones.

1- Introduction

2- Synergies between renewable energy and rural development as socio-ecological fixes

3- Denmark

4- Scotland

5- Discussion: mismatches and potentials

6- Potentials: bringing the rural into the discussion

7- Conclusion

References

Abstract

Energy transition is increasingly regarded as a promising opportunity for the economic development of rural areas. This possibility is associated with the siting and (co-)ownership of decentralized (small-scale) renewable energy facilities. The underlying productive link, however, has been taken for granted, rather than conceptually and practically cultivated. Thus, while renewable energy-based rural development has been stated as a desired by-product of energy transitions, its potential has remained largely unfulfilled. This review aims to illuminate the ambiguous interplay between renewable energy and rural development in the context of the current trajectories of the energy transition. In doing so, we first examine different ways renewable energy may contribute to rural development and explore how the synergetic conflation of renewable energy and rural development has played out in Denmark and Scotland, as two countries that have forged ahead with renewable energy in rural areas. Second, we draw on the different experiences in the two countries to critically discuss policy-related mismatches that hamper a more efficient contribution of renewable energy to rural development, and sketch out some thoughts about the need to bring rural matters and rural communities into the discussion if the synergies between energy transition and rural development are to be taken seriously.

Introduction

In recent years, rural areas have become significant battlegrounds for the implementation of energy transitions. Not only are they meaningful as the location for the siting of renewable energy (RE) facilities, but they also hold a great potential for the creation of significant synergies for sustainable rural development (RD) (e.g. Benedek et al., 2018). Hence, at the overall policy level, the development of RE has received explicit acknowledgement as a promising means for advancing RD and supporting rural economies (OECD, 2012; ECA, 2018; IEA-RETH, 2016). In particular, the EU policy framework for RE has stated the desire to foster RD through the designation of specific funding programs (ECA, 2018) and focus areas (ENRD, 2014). Policy documents identify potentially positive impacts of RE on RD; the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and its recast RED II include references to the opportunities renewables may have for employment and regional development, “especially in rural and isolated areas” (ECA, 2018, 18). Similarly, several evaluations and supranational policy briefs indicate that RE projects can be developed in a way that benefits local interests and sustainable RD (IEA-RETH, 2016; OECD, 2012; Nordregio, 2017). In order to maximize the economic benefits of RE deployment for rural areas, the evaluations generally underline the need for an approach to RD that is well adapted to local conditions and focuses on the competitiveness of rural areas. However, while policy strategy papers claim and envision positive effects of RE-based rural development, it is less clear as to how these are reasoned and realized, and how they relate to the current politicaleconomic conditions of the energy transition. An overall finding from international evaluations suggests that most countries have not developed strategies for linking RD and RE (OECD, 2012; Pedroli and Langeveld, 2011; EESC, 2016; ECA, 2018). An EU audit straightforwardly concluded that synergies between RE policy and sustainable RD remain mostly unrealized (ECA, 2018). Similarly, other studies raised the observation that RE does not automatically translate into RD (Pedroli and Langeveld, 2011; OECD, 2012, 3; IEA-RETD, 2016; Taylor, 2019). For example, an OECD report concludes that the productive linkage of RE production and RD in terms of economic development, job creation, human capital, infrastructure, and rural empowerment cannot easily be taken for granted and instead requires a complex and flexible policy framework, a long-term strategy, and a realistic appreciation of the potential gains from RE deployment (OECD, 2012).