While individually small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) may have small social, environmental and financial impacts, cumulatively their impact is significant. One of the fundamental questions is how a single economic entity, especially a small-scale enterprise, can be engaged in the uptake of sustainability practices. This question is particularly pertinent to New Zealand, where 98% of enterprises are SMEs. In this paper questions are raised about the conventional models of 'business ethics' and accountability and their relevance to SMEs. The paper reports on actual practices and discusses the possibility of small enterprises having accountability for their social and environmental impacts. Ways of linking individual firm activities to sustainability, such as a communitarian model of accountability, are discussed and illustrated. Copyright
An Indian railway pantry car kitchen is a typical kitchen, where involves various kinds of thermal environment factors. Till now, the research related to pantry car kitchen is rarely reported. Therefore, this pilot study explores the thermal environmental factors and its impact on the chef’s comfort in two different pantry car kitchen (Non-AC and AC) using a subjective and physical measurement technique. The thermal comfort level was quantified by Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) Index and Predicted Percentage Dissatisfied (PPD) Index. The thermal sensation of non-air-conditioned pantry cars was hot with PMV and PPD values are 2.93 and 99% respectively. Whereas, air-conditioned pantry cars was a warm thermal sensation with PMV and PPD values are 2.17 and 84% respectively. Moreover, most of the chef (86%) are perceived thermal discomfort in both pantry car kitchens. The result concluded that both types of pantry car kitchens are having thermal sensation effect of hot and warm. A further detail study is necessary and a possible design intervention may require to enhance thermal comfort of chefs.
Purpose – This study aims to provide an understanding of the nature of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices in a developing country, Sri Lanka. Specifically, it explores the environmental activities and social engagements of a sample from the largest 200 companies listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected through a questionnaire survey posted to 200 listed companies. Fifty-one usable responses were received. The companies were analysed based on size, ownership and geographical scale of business. Kruskal–Wallis one-way ANOVA and Mann–Whitney U tests were used for hypotheses testing. Environmental Activity Percentage Score (EAPS) and Socially related Activity Percentage Score (SAPS) were calculated to measure the extent of companies’ CSR engagement with regard to environmental and social activities, respectively. Findings – Social issues such as unemployment and poverty, the typical issues in developing countries, often override environmental issues. This is more prominent in Sri Lankan-owned companies than those with overseas ownership. The explanation for this may involve historical, cultural and religious elements. Overall, corporate managers in Sri Lanka are concerned with social issues. Practical implications – The findings indicate that environmental practices are not widespread in the Sri Lankan corporate sector. It appears that environmental consequences are not taken into account in formulating business strategies, especially by local companies. This finding may be of interest to the corporate sector, the Sri Lankan environmental authority, non-governmental organisations, the Sri Lankan Government and academics. Originality/value – This paper offers initial insights about CSR practices in Sri Lanka, and provides empirical evidence of concerns for social issues in a developing country.
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