International Journal of Sustainable Society (10 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Land Use/Cover Change and Urban Sustainability in a Medium-sized City  
  by Kayode Samuel, Remilekun Atobatele 
  Abstract: This study examined the trend in urban growth and vegetation loss and the implication of this on the sustainability of medium-size cities, using Osogbo, south-west Nigeria as a case. Using multi-temporal LandsatTM images that span 30 years (1986 to 2016), the study employed supervised classification to categorize the land cover into the built-up area, vegetation and water bodies. Findings revealed that the city grew axially along major transportation corridors in the early stage but experienced in-filling, densification and radial outward growth subsequently. The built-up areas increased at annual rate of 14.6%, more than the population growth rate of 2.6% while vegetation cover and water bodies recorded an annual change of -2.5% and -3.5% respectively. Rapid city growth and the resultant land use/cover conversion contribute to the depletion of wetlands and vegetation, thereby constituting a threat to sustainable urban development. Controlled urbanization is suggested as a panacea to the unsustainable urban expansion which threatens the citys ecological equilibrium.
  Keywords: Urbanization; Medium-size City; Sustainable Growth; Vegetation; Land use/cover change.
  
  
• Corporate Social Responsibility and Purchase Intentions: Perceptions and Expectations of Young Consumers in Ghana  
  by Emmanuel Neequaye, George Amoako, Mayqueen Attatsitsey 
  Abstract: Despite the growing practice of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) within the telecommunications industry of Ghana, it has received limited research attention. Thus, the primary purpose of this study is to examine perceptions and expectations of consumers regarding Airtel Ghana CSR initiatives, consider their impact on purchase intentions and identify any gap between consumers perceptions and their expectations of Airtel Ghana CSR initiatives. A cross-sectional survey was adopted for this study and the study is quantitative in nature. The results suggest philanthropic and legal CSR were the current main drivers of Airtel Ghana consumers purchase intentions. However, based on their expectations, Airtel Ghana consumers wished their purchase intentions were driven by economic and ethical CSR practices instead. The researchers discuss managerial and theoretical implications of the research results. Future research will adopt the three part model of CSR and findings compared to get a view of CSR from different perspectives.
  Keywords: CSR; Purchase Intentions; Expectations; Perceptions; Ghana.
  
  
• Assessing flow benefits of protected areas of central India: A case study from Maharashtra state of India  
  by Adrija Roy, Vicky Yadav, PRADEEP CHAUDHRY 
  Abstract: It is a common realization that protected areas (PAs) are playing a valuable role in maintaining biological diversity as well as providing immense economic benefits arising out of tourism and other direct uses. They are the cornerstone of most conservation strategies. They protect biodiversity, safe-guard ecosystem health, and provide an array of ecosystem services, such as fresh drinking water, places for recreation and relaxation, storehouses of genetic material, pollination, gas regulation, biological control and providing habitat and refugia for wildlife. In the present article, we have given an account of flow benefits, including employment opportunities to locals and other intangible or non-market benefits, emanating from five protected areas (national parks/tiger reserves and a sanctuary) of Maharashtra state from central India. These benefits have been analysed with the help of collected primary data and available secondary information. We understand that improved governance and appropriate investment in these areas would ultimately lead to maintaining ecological security, food security and finally sustainable development of society in long term basis.
  Keywords: National parks; Tiger reserves; stock and flow benefits; ecosystem services.
  
  
• Solar Energy Expansion and the lesson from India and China  
  by Suppawit Kaewkhunok 
  Abstract: This study focuses on analysing the relations between the solar energy and the development in India and China. The paper concentrate on the role of policy and organisational structure to contribute and push the solar energy into practice. The analysis of those factors is a key main of the study to understand the linkage of the solar energy and the development. In this regard, the study and analysis of Solar Energy Expansion in India and China are based on the primary data such as the government documentary. Secondary sources such as the information from the international organisation, book, journal, etc have also been used. The relation between the solar energy and the development in India and China can be understood in terms of Energy security and the accessibility to electricity. In fact, the policy implementation of both countries reflects the different result in the action. China has made significant progress in the use of solar energy for national development through employment and increased access to electricity. The different outcomes of both countries are due to the goal and R&D investment, policy, and organisational structure factors driving solar energy development.
  Keywords: Development; China; India; Organisation; Solar Energy Policy.
  
  
• The Endangerment of Mendriqs Traditional Knowledge in Malaysia  
  by Amir Zal W. A. 
  Abstract: Traditional knowledge is becoming important to the Orang Asli for survival because they live near the forest and are confronted with changes. However, in changing times, the ownership of traditional knowledge has not been getting any attention from the Orang Asli. Moreover, their ownership of such knowledge is given impetus by the insistence on monetary value. Based on these concerns, this article proposes to explore the ownership of traditional knowledge and its endangerment among the Mendriq. The data on Orang Asli was collected from the Mendriq tribe in Kuala Lah, Gua Musang, Kelantan, Malaysia through focus group discussions (FGD) and in-depth interview methods. The study found five states of traditional knowledge ownership among participants. First, knowing the name and the nourishment; second, knowing the name and confusing the function; third, knowing the nourishment but not the name; fourth, knowing the name and not the physical form; and fifth, not knowing the name or the function. Those states happen as a result of three factors, namely, individual, community and traditional knowledge per se. However, this study found that monetary value is a prominent push factor for traditional knowledge ownership. This reality has had positive and negative effects on traditional knowledge. To counter that, capacity-building activities for traditional knowledge should be promoted.
  Keywords: Orang Asli; Mendriq tribe; traditional knowledge; traditional medicine; endangerment; monetary value.
  
  
• A Meta-analysis of Gender Differences in Volunteers Motivations: Sport vs. non-sport events  
  by Sanghyun Park, Doyeon Won, David Shonk 
  Abstract: The current study meta-analytically examined empirical studies to assess the gender differences in volunteer motivation, using the Volunteer Function Inventory (VFI), and investigated the moderating effect of volunteering context (sport vs. non-sport event) on the relationship between volunteer gender and motivation. A total of 19 studies, published from 2007 to 2017, met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed by two readers. Cohens Kappa was calculated for the reliability between the two coders and all meta-analyses were conducted using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) program. Results from a meta-analysis suggested that women scored higher than men on three of the six subscales of the VFI instrument, particularly social, understanding and value-related motivation. Moderator analyses indicated that type of volunteering context is a meaningful moderator of the relationship between gender and motivation. The results also suggested the volunteering context influenced the magnitude and direction of gender differences in all motivational dimensions, except social motivation.
  Keywords: volunteer management; volunteer function inventory; meta-analysis; volunteer motivation; sport events.
  
  

Special Issue on: ICTH2017-Barcelona Health as the Determining Factor to Sustainable Mobility

• Improving walkability in Catalonia through a participatory and empowerment model.  
  by Albert Junca, Judit Bort-Roig, Joan Carles Martori, Anna Puig-Ribera 
  Abstract: Background: Promoting walking and walkable communities is a priority to reduce the burden of physical inactivity-related ill health. Study Objective: A Participation-Action Project and empowerment model composed by three phases- was used to design and evaluate the impact of tailored strategies to improve paths walkability in three Catalan middle-size towns. Methods: In phases I and II focus groups with stakeholders and citizens identified local needs and weaknesses towards promoting walkability and explored perceptions on how to improve it. In phase III, strategies addressing local walkability were developed, implemented and evaluated. Results: Based on findings from focus groups, low-cost physical and communicative initiatives were implemented: clearing the paths; improving cleaning, the width and greenery of the paths; and doing communication campaigns through signaling the paths. A significant increase in path users (+5.95%) was observed after implementation. Conclusion: This is a valuable model for creating walkable communities tailored to specific contextual and cultural needs.
  Keywords: participatory model; social environment; built environment; active living community; paths; walkability.
  
  
• Associations Between Perceptions of Road Safety and Active Travel for School Children and Their Parents - a Health Needs Assessment  
  by Louise Lester, Rob Howard 
  Abstract: Introduction Active school travel has physical, mental, social and economic benefits. However, uptake is low in the UK. The aim was to understand how road safety perceptions influence school travel choices. Methods An epidemiological review was conducted alongside a literature review to understand evidence for effective interventions to increase active travel. A survey and qualitative focus groups gathered stakeholder views. Results Of 1,646 survey responses (49 schools), 47% reported actively travelling to school during winter, and 58% in summer. Pupils believed greater numbers of serious accidents occur from active school travel than police reports, particularly overestimating cycling accidents. Focus groups with 13 teachers, 48 students and 21 parents identified active travel barriers including distance, weather, attitudes, car speed, congestion, safety, and time. Recommendations Active school travel promotion should include safety perception messages. Planners and developers should consider active travel infrastructure, address structural barriers, and introduce traffic calming zones near school.
  Keywords: Public health; transport; travel; active travel; physical activity; road safety; school; risk; adolescent; injury.
  
  
• How to improve the interaction between cyclists and truck drivers  
  by Birgitta Thorslund, Katja Kircher 
  Abstract: The aim of this focus group study was to increase the understanding of user needs of truck drivers and cyclists with respect to future warning systems designed to decrease incidents and accidents between these groups.rnTo evaluate and describe the attitudes and behavior of bicyclists and truck drivers in urban areas, as well as their suggestions about future warning systems for these road user groups, two focus groups were carried out at VTI in Link
  Keywords: Interaction; cyclist; truck driver; traffic safety; focus group; warning system; detection.
  
  

Special Issue on: SGBED 2018 Achieving Sustainability in the Digital Business Environment

• Multi Ethnicity Residents Perception towards a Country Evidences from United Arab Emirates  
  by Sakkthivel Annamalai Manickam, Shanumghan Jogee 
  Abstract: The study focused on identifying and testing the variables that impact residents perception towards a country i.e. UAE. The study was conducted among the residents who belong to multi-ethnic groups such as America, Europe, Africa, Middle East, South Asia including UAE nationals about the selected variables that influence their perception about UAE as a place of destination at present, and becoming a place of excellence in 2030. 213 respondents from different ethnic groups were interviewed and the results revealed (i) entertainment, tourism, shopping, safety and security, event management, medical tourism etc. elicit a positive perception among residents about present status of UAE (ii) entertainment, tourism, safety and security, investment, business, event management etc. elicit a positive perception among residents about UAE becoming a place of excellence in the year 2030. The implications of the results were discussed.
  Keywords: residents; perception; multi ethnic groups; emerging economies; construct analysis modeling.