A cross-country comparison and validation of firms’ stakeholder considerations in sustainable business practices

Karlsson, Niklas; Laurell, Hélène; Lindgren, John; Pehrsson, Tobias; Andersson, Svante; Svensson, Göran

doi:10.1108/cg-07-2017-0131

Cited by 12 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Management of higher education institutions needs to have renovated strategic plans to sustain in this challenging landscape by emphasizing on the legitimacy and reputation of the university (Miotto et al, 2019) by considering extensive adoption of ESG framework in corporate governance. Furthermore, there is a need to create competitive advantage using sustainable business practices (Karlsson et al, 2018) especially in the time of uncertainty. This study measures the impact of COVID-19 on the students' learning behaviour to provide a better understanding of universities and policymakers in bridging the challenges and manage stakeholders' expectations amid the economic shock.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on student learning performance from the perspectives of community of inquiry

Tan

2021

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Purpose This paper aims to investigate the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on university students during the Movement Control Order (MCO) and Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO). MCO was introduced in March 2020, and the learning process switched from face-to-face to online learning in schools and universities. Subsequently, with the reduced number of daily cases and active cases of COVID-19, the Malaysian Government implemented RMCO from 10th June to 31st December 2020, which had more relaxation of restrictions. This study particularly focuses on students studying in higher education institutions by analysing the impacts of the community of inquiry on students learning performance. The construct of the community of inquiry includes social presence, cognitive presence and teaching presence. Design/methodology/approach This paper provides quantitative analysis, independent sample t-tests and multiple linear regression on the students’ learning performance using the framework of community of inquiry. This paper presents the analysis of the online learning preference of 282 university students during MCO and 456 students during RMCO. Findings The results showed that there is a significant difference in students learning process during MCO and RMCO. The findings also indicated that the social presence is the most important factor in affecting learning performance during the MCO period and it changed to teaching presence during RMCO. Students lost motivation and could not perform well using online learning methods during the MCO period but the situation improved during RMCO. Research limitations/implications This research helps to identify the impact of the pandemic on higher education and provides insights into reshaping the future of higher education system. Practical implications Students are isolated from their peers in the learning process and struggle to adapt to the new normal in online learning. The teaching faculties are picking up new skills to deliver online courses and manage the risk as best as they can. This study presented the impact of the pandemic on students learning performance and explored the space for universities as business organizations to provide better infrastructures and platforms for online learning while battling with cash flow and debt level during this challenging time. Social implications Students need peer support and guidance from the faculty team in their learning journey. The study provides a better understanding of how we shall promote a better higher education environment, either blended or online learning. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to examine the impact of the community of inquiry on students learning performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students suffered during the MCO period and the learning experience got better when they were able to adapt to the changes. The higher education system needs a reform and the agency theory in corporate governance plays an important role in the transformation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on student learning performance from the perspectives of community of inquiry

Tan

2021

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“…Much can be learned from this dreadful experience, but much can also be learned from creating opportunities from the student population and how it adapts to a ‘new normal’. As argued by Karlsson et al (2018) that there is a need to use sustainable strategies to gain a competitive advantage.…”

Section: Recommendations and Discussion Pointsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This cross-sectional study used a questionnaire that was distributed via an online survey platform (Google Forms) and accessed by participants using a specified link (Karlsson et al , 2018; Sobczak et al , 2006). Prior to being made available to participants, a pilot exercise was used to pre-test the reliability of the questionnaire, allowing minor changes to be made where necessary.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of COVID-19 on UK higher education students: experiences, observations and suggestions for the way forward

Khan

2021

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Purpose This study aims to examine the experiences of UK higher education students and the impact that emergency-imposed changes had on their learning, teaching and assessment (LTA) during the lockdown. It reflects on the views of students on how these changes impacted their education and personal circumstances. It makes suggestions, based on student observations, on how educators might support students’ LTA learning experiences more effectively. Design/methodology/approach The study uses an anonymous online questionnaire, imposed by lockdown and closure of universities, to gather the views of HE students across the UK on how COVID-19 and lockdown affected their education and personal circumstances. Using a cross-sectional study, participants were asked to complete several questions, providing quantitative and qualitative data which is analysed for the study. A total of 349 participants took part in the questionnaire and data were analysed descriptively. Findings Key findings suggest that the use of online virtual classrooms as a substitute for traditional face-to-face LTA has its positives and its negatives. The most significant positives are the “flexible assessments” and “digital content” and, in contrast, one of the significant drawbacks is the lack of interactions, this being true for both male and female students. However, as compared to females, males found to be missing “the campus life” more during the lockdown. Finally, the majority of student felt that there was a lack of support from the university and teaching staff during the lockdown. Universities’ governance must take control of how this issue is driven forward and learn from the experience of students. Originality/value The study makes three contributions: firstly, using students’ views to open a fresh debate on LTA approaches during the pandemic; secondly, examining the impact on student experiences due to the changes introduced because of lockdown; and finally, suggesting strategies to be implemented by HE management based on the opinions of participating students.

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“…The surfaces of ski bases are relatively hard and resistant to the increased temperature generated by friction, and porous, containing pores of different sizes, depths, and spatial orientations. Each ski structure is designed for a different type of snow [36,37]. When a ski is waxed, the paraffin wax is melted (depending on type at between 120-180 • C) and poured into the pores.…”

Section: Ski Waxingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Corporate Social Responsibility of Companies Producing PFOA Containing Waxes for Cross-Country Skiing

Švermová

Černík

2020

Sustainability

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The chemical industry is a particularly sensitive sector that very often works with toxic, harmful and dangerous substances. This paper offers insight into the corporate socially responsible (CSR) behaviour of a specific segment of the chemical industry—the production of fluorinated ski waxes. Perfluorinated compounds, which excel in water and fat stability and repellency, are nowadays considered as harmful to human health and nature. During 2020, the basic compound, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), will be banned, and finding its replacement will be a difficult task. So far, there are no alternatives in terms of environmentally friendly compounds that can maintain the desired properties of extreme ski glide. Based on a questionnaire distributed to twenty wax producers worldwide, we have concluded that, although the attitudes of companies towards CSR certification was rather negative (87.5%), and companies had not developed or documented any CSR policy/strategy with specific goals, they found CSR activities/instruments beneficial and important. The survey highlighted the fact that companies were aware that their products are dangerous for the environment, and that environmental issues are important for all of the responders, despite them being mostly without certified systems. The size of a company had no significant effect on their attitude. Micro and small producers were involved in raising awareness of environmental policies and responsibilities to the same extent (maybe even more) as medium or large companies. We also found varying behaviours between companies involved in environmental programs and those who were not. The companies involved felt a strong attitude towards all three pillars of CSR, which are the environment, as well as social and economic aspects. Those companies not involved had a strong attitude towards their customers, but not towards their employees, suppliers or the wider community. They also had stronger feelings about the quality of their products and economic profit, but without a strong approach to the related environmental issues. The Norwegian approach and the commitment of the company Swix to CSR are two positive examples leading to a fluorine-free future.

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A cross-country comparison and validation of firms’ stakeholder considerations in sustainable business practices

Cited by 12 publications

References 36 publications

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on student learning performance from the perspectives of community of inquiry

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on student learning performance from the perspectives of community of inquiry

The impact of COVID-19 on UK higher education students: experiences, observations and suggestions for the way forward

Corporate Social Responsibility of Companies Producing PFOA Containing Waxes for Cross-Country Skiing

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