Material flow models as a tool for ecological-economic decision making

Challenges Of Integrating Environmental Sustainability Issues Into Business School Curriculum: A Case Study From The University Of Jyväskylä, Finland

This article evaluates the challenges of integrating environmental sustainability issues into business school curricula reflecting the experiences of the University of Jyväskylä in Finland. Lessons learned in Jyväskylä are summarized as central pieces of advice for other business schools planning a program of corporate environmental management.

Corporate responsibility in the food chain: The criteria and indicators

Corporate responsibility (CR) is becoming a key issue in the food chain. In order to make sense of this phenomenon, a seminal aper by Maloni and Brown (2006) called for further empirical investigation on the criteria of responsibility in the food supply chain. The purpose of this paper is to answer the call by identifying the criteria for defining CR and develop indicators for measuring the responsibility performance of the food chain. The study was based on interactive and participatory stakeholder dialogues with diverse experts, corporate representatives and other stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and governmental bodies. Through an iterative research process w…

Yritys tuottaa - sidosryhmät käyttävät? : WINCSR-hankkeen tuloksia yritysvastuutiedon tuottamisesta ja käyttämisestä

Improving eco-efficiency of a swimming hall through customer involvement

Abstract Findings from a project aiming to improve eco-efficiency of a swimming hall in Finland are presented in this article. There are various opportunities for eco-efficiency improvements for a swimming hall, many of which belong to responsibilities of the staff. However, there are aspects where also customers could participate. Consequently, changes in the current behavior of the swimming hall management, staff and customers are required. Results from customer survey and staff interviews suggest that lack of knowledge about the swimming hall-specific environmental impacts and possibilities of the respondent (either staff or customers) to actively engage in pro-environmental work at the …

Towards a broader perspective on the forms of eco-industrial networks

Abstract This paper explores various forms of eco-industrial networks in advancing environmental sustainability. Prior research on environmental sustainability primarily identifies industrial actors as autonomous entities or considers the role of networks in advancing environmental sustainability from a rather narrow perspective. However, the networks of ties in which industrial firms are embedded profoundly impacts not only their own performance, but also the natural environment in which they operate. Based on a systematic literature review, we identify four forms of eco-industrial networks that have the potential to advance environmental sustainability: 1) symbiosis networks, 2) sustainab…

Evaluating the climate SWOT as a tool for defining climate strategies for business

Abstract Climate change is often referred to as the next major force shaping the business environment in which companies operate. This study aims at contributing to the needs of businesses for quicker and cost-efficient ways to strategically plan for the future uncertainty of climate change. When structuring the intertextual field around the underlying study, there are two main fields of contribution: (1) the systematical approach to the complex uncertainty related to climate change and its communication from a strategic perspective; and (2) developing novel approaches to life-cycle-based methodologies. The study includes the life-cycle perspective through a new, simplified method of repres…

From material flows to cash flows : an extension to traditional material flow modelling

Diffusion of forest biorefineries in Scandinavia and North America

Abstract Biomass-based energy has become a major focus of attention from a variety of directions due to the global challenges of meeting our energy needs. Bioenergy and bio-products are also currently being explored intensively in the forest cluster, as many elements that have in the past guaranteed success have largely disappeared. As the bioenergy and biorefining economies are evolving, there is a need for realistic estimates regarding the factors which affect the diffusion of forest biorefineries. This paper outlines global and national drivers for forest biorefineries in Scandinavia and North America. It explores the financial, political, technological, and ecological and raw-material r…

From material flows to cash flows — an extension to traditional material flow modelling

Forest biorefineries – A business opportunity for the Finnish forest cluster

Abstract Bioenergy and biomass-based products offer the greatest new opportunities for diversifying business in the forest cluster. In particular, biorefineries, which can be integrated into the pulp and paper industry, seem to have immense future potential. This article aims to explore the biorefinery concept and related new products and business operations, as well as new business strategies and company models, which are part of the biorefinery value chain. These factors, which contribute to the establishment and success of forest biorefineries, were examined using internet survey responses and compared between Scandinavia, North America and South America. This article looks at the result…

Framework for scenario development in LCA

International Journal of Life Cycle Assess, 5 (1)

Ecological tax reform?a value chain level approach

This study assesses the effects of an ecological tax reform on three value chains. These case studies lead to an analysis of the business strategy options when companies face a shift in the relative prices of their production factors. The results support earlier research findings that the direct effects of an ecological tax reform on the price competitiveness of companies is on average rather small. However, the effects of the reform are shown to vary significantly between the different parts of the value chain. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment