Sustainability Performance Management in Large Firms: A Qualitative Research Amongst Seven Firms

Scientific conference (2012, May 23)

Sustainability Performance Management in Large Firms: A Qualitative Research amongst Seven Western European Firms

Conference (2011, September 17)

Sustainability, Strategy and Management Control: A Review of the Literature

Conference (2012, September 04)

The purpose of this research is to explore the emerging body of literature on the relationship between sustainability, strategy and management control. Our way to organise and present the literature aims ... [more ▼]

The purpose of this research is to explore the emerging body of literature on the relationship between sustainability, strategy and management control. Our way to organise and present the literature aims to both structure the state of our knowledge in this area and stimulate others to contribute to a shared and better understanding of this field of research. Previous research has underlined that (sustainability) management control systems play a key role in shaping processes of (sustainability/CSR) strategy formulation and implementation (e.g. Simons, 1990; Epstein and Wisner, 2005; Gond et al., 2011). While the relationship between management control systems and strategy has widely been investigated in the traditional accounting and control literature (e.g. Simons, 1990; Langfield-Smith, 1997; Ferreira and Otley, 2009; Tucker et al., 2009), this is much less frequent in the context of research related to the concept of sustainability. Indeed, until recently social and environmental accounting research has predominantly paid attention to external reporting and accountability (e.g. Albelda, 2011; Gray, 2002) or the link between corporate social responsibility/environmental management and economic performance (e.g. Henri and Journeault, 2010). Conscious of this situation, several researchers have stressed the need for research on the interrelation between sustainability, strategy and control (Parker, 2000; Chung and Parker, 2008; Durden, 2008) and a growing body of literature has emerged over the last years. We hope that in reviewing and reflecting on how this emerging body of literature is organised we can contribute to a better understanding of our current knowledge and to the development of new knowledge in the future. The paper thus also aims to suggest future directions for research. Our interest in reviewing and codifying the literature is also driven by a practical need to further embed sustainability into organisations. Until today, it seems that many organisations are still confronted with difficulties in “operationalising” sustainability and translating their strategic aspirations for sustainability into practice in the midst of many other business pressures (Epstein and Roy, 2001; Schaltegger and Wagner, 2006; Taplin et al., 2006; CIMA and Accenture, 2011). [less ▲]

Sustainable and Innovative Solutions for Sewage Sludge Management

in Water (2011), 3(2), 702-717

Sustainable Consumption and Alternative Agrifood Systems, Second Conference on Sustainable Consumption for Social Scientists

Book published by ULg Campus Arlon (2008)

The term “sustainable consumption” is a slogan that arose in the South to counter the phenomenon of “overconsumption” in the North. It assumes that changing consumption patterns can have an impact on ... [more ▼]

The term “sustainable consumption” is a slogan that arose in the South to counter the phenomenon of “overconsumption” in the North. It assumes that changing consumption patterns can have an impact on production patterns and resource utilization. It also assumes that today’s food systems preserve a right to food for everyone. While we do not as yet have a unified corpus on this issue, we can nevertheless identify an area that has been the focus of considerable investigation and findings by social scientists, namely, alternative food consumption-production patterns. Alternative Agri-food Networks (AAFNs) have provided the raw material for massive scientific investigation from various standpoints, ranging from their contributions to rural development strategies via short food supply chains (SSFCs) to the AAFNs’ potential to resist and/or build alternatives to the consumer/producer relations that are imposed on society by conventional agri-food systems. Some of these initiatives have been analyzed from a more territorial perspective. This is the case of Localized Agri-food Systems (LAFSs). However, this admittedly minor trend refers back to the highly controversial notion of “local” that one finds in the English-language literature. Finally, the notion of “(Agri)Food Systems” seems to be mobilized more in conjunction with the issues of food sovereignty and the new issues that are being raised by, for example, that of “agrifuels.” The use of the term “alternative” has prevailed because it makes it possible to distinguish clearly between studies of alternative agri-food networks and conventional agri-food systems. However, it is problematic because it erases the key question of food systems’ resiliency and abilities to change and cope with a changing environment. This capacity for change concerns agri-food systems’ abilities to change their production and consumption patterns in favor of greater sustainability but also the social sciences’ abilities to allow for the complexity, contradictions, and dead ends of such movements (Dupuis, Goodman 2005). The conference’s four strands We want to tackle the question of the contributions that the study of agri-food systems and alternative agri-food networks (S3A-AAFNs) can make to sustainable development by looking at four themes, namely, 1) the initiatives’ trajectories, 2) food citizens, 3) workers in the food chain, and 4) research posture. 1. The initiatives’ trajectories towards greater sustainability: What can these initiatives’ (communities, collectives, AAFNs, etc.) practices and time frames teach us about sustainable development as a social experiment? Sustainable development is a research subject that enables us to set up observation schemes but also empirical practical intervention by players claiming to toe the sustainable development line. Following the distinction made by Thompson (1997) between a normative assessment approach (resource efficiency) and a comprehensive learning approach (functional integrity), we ask the question of sustainable development through that of the abilities of the schemes that the players set up to build awareness and learning procedures. How do these schemes influence the sustainability of production systems in particular? Seen from this perspective, the question of time can be envisioned more specifically. These questions can be grasped in a relatively conventional manner (extension of chains, professionalization of players, continuity, etc.), but one can also take a more radical approach and examine the time frames that are embedded in these networks, in the manner of the slow food movement, for example. How do these trajectories challenge the ecological modernization project, which is allegedly based on scientific rationality (technical innovation) and democratic procedures (roles of pressure groups)? More particularly, don’t these trajectories challenge the role of the food citizen that we tackle in the next strand? 2. The civic consumer’s action theory: The role of the consumer cum citizen, “civic consumer,” or “food citizen” (in the case of food) is often raised, as in Moving from the consumer to food citizen (Wilkins, 2005). However, it seems to be treated more by carving away what it is not. A first perspectives is that of the supply that defines the consume as a chooser, whereby the supply develops an ability to influence the consumer’s behavior based on the products and information that target the consumer. A second perspective, that of a consumer who is “secondarily a citizen”, that is to say, a player in civil society who will influence the public policies that are supposed to influence or “moralize” citizens’ behavior as consumers (Spargaaren, 2003). Do these perspectives allow fully for the diversity of ways in which consumers get involved? How in particular can one develop an action theory that can allow for the paradox of the “value action gap” and envision habits and changing habits? The consumer can be grasped either individually or as belonging to a group. Consequently, collective action can be considered one way in which the food citizen acts. Which forms of collective action strive to organize sustainable consumption and act as a political player? What forms of intervention and negotiation with production and market agents do they take? What are their impacts on the conditions under which products are produced and sold? Are these collectives trying to open up forms of deliberation around the sustainability of agricultural practices? 3. Workers and consumers: The aim of this strand is to allow for the worker in the food chain, the producer’s work, and the forms of solidarity that are forged between workers and consumers. Social science theorization about conventional agri-food systems gradually abandoned the issues of work and workers in the food chain over the past thirty years (Porcher, 2002). Is the study of “alternative agri-food networks” in a better position? This question of social justice is neither the subject of systematic practices in the agri-food initiatives studied in California (Allen 2003) nor the subject of very widespread theorization work, with the exception of some original research. Yet, historically, research on consumer commitment, cooperatives, and workers’ purchasing unions has attached a great deal of importance to social justice. 4. Research posture: As point out, placing the research under the aegis of sustainable consumption can lead to doing the research differently Godard and Hubert (2002). Approaches and practices may be affected by such a positioning, especially in the question formulation and outcome discussion phases. However, the research method itself can be affected. What does the question of sustainability, more specifically that of sustainable consumption, change in the research postures that are adopted and methodologies that are developed? Do the interdisciplinary research designs and finalized research have special roles to play? Specific subtopic: the issue of changes of scale and “governance.” [less ▲]

Sustainable energy conversion through the use of Organic Rankine Cycles for waste heat recovery and solar applications

Doctoral thesis (2011)

This thesis contributes to the knowledge and the characterization of small-scale Organic Rankine Cycles (ORC). It is based on experimental data, thermodynamic models and case studies. The experimental ... [more ▼]

This thesis contributes to the knowledge and the characterization of small-scale Organic Rankine Cycles (ORC). It is based on experimental data, thermodynamic models and case studies. The experimental studies include: 1. A prototype of small-scale waste heat recovery ORC using an open-drive oil-free scroll expander, declined in two successive versions with major improvements. 2. A prototype of hermetic scroll expander tested on vapor test rig designed for that purpose. The achieved performance are promising, with expander overall isentropic effectivenesses higher than 70% and cycle efficiencies comparable or higher than the typical efficiencies reported in the scientific literature for the considered temperature range. New steady-state semi-empirical models of each component are developed and validated with the experimental data. The global model of the ORC prototype allows predicting its performance with a good accuracy and can be exploited to simulate possible improvements or alternative cycle configurations. Dynamic models of the cycle are also developed for the purpose of evaluating the system's reaction to transient conditions. These models are used to define and compare different control strategies. The issues of cycle optimization and fluid selection are treated using the steady-state semi-empirical models. The thermodynamic optimization of such cycles is first demonstrated by practical examples. Furthermore, three different methods for fluid selection are proposed, investigated and compared. Their respective advantages and fields of application are described. Finally, two prospective studies of small-scale ORC systems are proposed. The first one is a solar ORC designed for the rural electrification of remote regions in Africa. This prototype aims at competing with the photovoltaic technology, with the advantage of generating hot water as by-product. The second prospective study deals with the recovery of highly transient heat sources. Advanced regulation strategies are proposed to address the practical issues inherent to such systems. These strategies are compared with the state-of-the-art strategies and show a non-negligible potential of performance improvement. [less ▲]

Sustainable Energy Policy Integrated Assessment; Participative Methodology Evaluation

Report (2010)

The report evaluates the process and outcome of the participative methodology implemented for the SEPIA project.

Sustainable housing in Vietnam: Climate responsive design strategies to optimize thermal comfort

Doctoral thesis (2013)

Housing issue in Vietnam is still a big concern as in 2008, 72.2% of the existing housing was semi-permanent or temporary and 89.2% of the poor did not have a permanent shelter. As a response to ... [more ▼]

Housing issue in Vietnam is still a big concern as in 2008, 72.2% of the existing housing was semi-permanent or temporary and 89.2% of the poor did not have a permanent shelter. As a response to sustainability, the global aim of this thesis is to develop design strategies toward comfortable, energy-efficient housing with acceptable building cost. Occupants’ thermal comfort is the key assessment criterion throughout the research. <br />First of all, the thesis develops a thermal comfort model for Vietnamese people living in naturally ventilated buildings through the data from field surveys around South-East Asia. This comfort model is then validated by survey data in Vietnam in 2012. <br />A new simple climate analysis tool is developed, used to analyze the climate of 3 regions in question and to draw preliminary design guidelines. A comprehensive study on climate responsive design strategies of vernacular housing in Vietnam is also carried out. The results to some extend reveal the remaining values of vernacular architecture and provide valuable lessons for modern applications. <br />Three most common housing prototypes in Vietnam are selected. Afterward a comprehensive framework is implemented to derive thermal performances of 3 typical housing types. Various techniques (in situ monitoring, building thermal simulation, CFD and airflow network model, numerical model calibration, parametric simulation method) are employed to improve the thermal performances and natural ventilation of these houses. <br />The sensitivity of building performance to the design variables is outlined by Monte Carlo-based sensitivity analysis. The thermal performances of the reference cases are optimized using the simulation-based optimization method and the most influential design variables. Optimization results show the best combinations of design strategies for each climatic region. The performances of the optimal solutions are compared with the references, providing an insight of the efficiency of this approach in building design. <br />Finally, the different objectives yielded in this thesis are summarized. The possible future extensions of this research are outlined. [less ▲]

Sustainable pig production in the EU: an example of Erasmus intensive teaching programme

in EAAP (Ed.) Book of Abstracts of the 61st annual meeting of the EAAP (2010, August)

Sustainable social enterprise : model and development strategy

Report (2010)