Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) have deployed various strategies in motivating businesses to source sustainably, such as the co-development and promotion of sustainability certification and direct collaboration in cross-sector partnerships (CSPs). This is an important current-day priority, given the ambitions set out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Increasingly, NPOs have taken up a role as conveners of such CSPs. Research on CSPs has, to date, often considered conveners as a ‘resource’ to the CSP, contributing to its effectiveness. In this study, we shift the focus towards the convener by considering a case of a ‘mission-driven convener’, an NPO that initiates CSPs as a strategy to realize its own sustainability objectives. Our explorative case study—comparing the NPO’s efforts across six countries in setting up national coffee platforms—reviews the concept of a mission-driven convener vis-à-vis established notions on convening and identifies which strategies it applies to realize a CSP. These strategies comprise productively combining certification-driven efforts with CSPs, combining process and outcomes of CSPs, and drawing on cross-level dynamics derived from outsourcing of convening work to local actors. With our study, we contribute to research on CSP conveners by offering an alternative interpretation to the relation between the CSP and the convener, attributing more agency to the convener as a mission-driven organization. Strengthening our understanding of CSPs and conveners is an important means to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
VHL University of Applied Sciences (VHL) is a sustainable University of AppliedSciences that trains students to be ambitious, innovative professionals andcarries out applied research to make a significant contribution to asustainable world. Together with partners from the field, they contribute to innovative and sustainable developments through research and knowledge valorisation. Their focus is on circular agriculture, water, healthy food & nutrition, soil and biodiversity – themes that are developed within research lines in the variousapplied research groups. These themes address the challenges that are part ofthe international sustainability agenda for 2030: the sustainable developmentgoals (SDGs). This booklet contains fascinating and representative examplesof projects – completed or ongoing, from home and abroad – that are linked tothe SDGs. The project results contribute not only to the SDGs but to their teaching as well.
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The SDGs provide an important framework for businesses to address sustainable development and grand challenges (Kolk, Kourula and Pisani, 2017; Montiel et al, 2021) and SMEs, as major contributors to economic and entrepreneurial activity, are key actors in achieving national SDG targets (Sonntag et al, 2022). This study addresses the gap in the literature on SMEs and SDG action and draws on the attention-based view that emphasizes bounded managerial cognition processes and attention patterns that affect firm behavior and attention to issues and opportunities (Joseph and Wilson, 2018; Ocasio, 1997, 2011; Sullivan, 2010). Focusing specifically on attentional structure and coherence, we argue that structural mechanisms facilitate SDG integration in organizational strategy and that the relationship is influenced by attentional coherence, the degree to which attentional perspective of managers (top-down) and attentional engagement of employees (bottom-up) is aligned. Using data from the 2022 Dutch SDG Barometer (van den Berg et al, 2023), we empirically test hypotheses on a sample of 172 Dutch SMEs. The findings show a positive and significant effect on SDG strategic integration from communication and collaborative mechanisms that involve external stakeholders. However, our findings indicate that attentional coherence is not significant in influencing this relationship. We discuss the implications of our findings for academics, policymakers and practitioners.
ALE organised an event with Parktheater Eindhoven and LSA-citizens (the Dutch umbrella organisation for active citizens). Five ALE students from the minor Imagineering and business/social innovation took responsibility for concept and actual organisation. On Jan 18th, they were supported by six other group members of the minor as volunteers. An IMEM-team of 5 students gathered materials for a video that can support the follow-up actions of the organisers. The students planned to deliver their final product on February 9th. The theatre will critically assess the result and compare it to the products often realised by students from different schools or even professional ones, like Veldkamp productions. Time will tell whether future opportunities will come up for IMEM. The collaboration of ALE and IMEM students is possible and adding value to the project.More than 180 visitors showed interest in the efforts of 30 national and local citizen initiatives presenting themselves on the market square in the theatre and the diverse speakers during the plenary session. The students created a great atmosphere using the qualities of the physical space and the hospitality of the theatre. Chair of the day, Roland Kleve, kicked off and invited a diverse group of people to the stage: Giel Pastoor, director of the theatre, used the opportunity to share his thoughts on the shifting role of theatre in our dynamic society. Petra Ligtenberg, senior project manager SDG NL https://www.sdgnederland.nl/sdgs/ gave insights to the objectives and progress of the Netherlands. Elly Rijnierse, city maker and entrepreneur from Den Haag, presented her intriguing efforts in her own neighbourhood in the city to create at once both practical and social impacts on SDG 11 (sustainable city; subgoal 3.2). Then the alderman Marcel Oosterveer informed the visitors about Eindhoven’s efforts on SDGs. The plenary ended with very personal interviews of representatives of two impressive citizen initiatives (Parkinson to beat; Stichting Ik Wil). In the two workshop rounds, ALE took responsibility for two workshops. Firstly the workshop: Beyond SDG cherrypicking: using the Economy for the common good’, in cooperation with citizen initiative Ware winst Brabant en Parktheater (including Social innovation-intern Jasper Box), secondly a panel dialogue on local partnerships (SDG 17) for the sustainable city (SDG 11) addressing inclusion (SDG 10) and the livability (SDG 3) with 11 representatives from local/provincial government, companies, third sector and, of course: citizen initiatives.
The project is a field study for several diverse hotel chains, including individual properties operated under the Marriott brand, Postillion Hotels. Each brand has unique values, missions, and visions. Therefore, this integration will lead to the development of company-specific sustainability strategies and processes. The study will use the model of levers of control to provide such tailor-made solutions and determine if a generic approach can be developed to match a corporate sustainability strategy with a corporate strategy and develop a supporting management control system for operationalizing the sustainability strategy. Research question: How can a hotel brand formulate and implement a sustainability strategy with a supporting management control system that not only complies with the new CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) legislation but also emphasizes the creation of substantial value in financial and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) aspects, based on double materiality, in line with the organization's corporate values and beliefs? Objective The aim is to develop a validated method, including tools, that hotels can use to create a sustainability strategy in line with the CSRD guidelines. This strategy should create value for the organization, the environment, and society, while aligning with the hotel's values and beliefs. Merely being compliant with the CSRD is not enough for hotels. Instead, they should view the implementation of the CSRD as an opportunity to stand out in terms of sustainability. By creating value in areas such as environment, safety, and governance, or through the six capitals (financial, manufactured, intellectual, human, social and relationship, and natural) that align with the UN-SDGs, and explicitly taking both an inside-out and an outside in perspective (double materiality), hotels can significantly enhance their sustainability reputation.
De onderzoeksprogramma’s van de Aeres Hogeschool (Gezond leven in de groen stad [Almere], Duurzaam Ondernemen [Dronten] en Wijsheid [Wageningen]) willen we verder professionaliseren. Veranderingen rondom de Centres of Expertise, de kansen uit de Nationale Wetenschapsagenda en de toenemende samenwerking met Wageningen UR dragen bij aan de doorontwikkeling van deze onderzoeksprogramma’s. We willen opschalen naar meer en betere koppelingen aan (inter)nationale en regionale ontwikkelingen, maatschappelijke trends en wereldvraagstukken. De kwaliteitsborging van onderzoek willen we binnen Aeres Hogeschool en in directe samenwerking met andere hogescholen verder ontwikkelen en implementeren. Hierdoor creëren we een innovatie-ecosysteem met verschillende actoren die het HBO-onderzoek verder doen groeien. Vanuit de hogeschool worden de in impulsgelden gebruikt om een goede infrastructuur te ontwikkelen voor CoE Groen (Aeres, HAS Hogeschool, Inholland en Van Hall Larenstein) en CEW (CoE waar Aeres Hogeschool in wil participeren). Deze impuls aanvraag is bedoeld om de basis te leggen voor de invulling van een meerjarige infrastructuur. Doel is optimale versterking via hao-brede onderzoeksclusters om bij te dragen aan focus en massa op relevante maatschappelijke thema’s in het groene domein. Vanuit faculteit Wageningen wordt onderzoek verricht naar kennisopbouw en –uitwisseling ten aanzien van bekwaamheid van beginnend HBO professionals op het terrein van de Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) en hoe HBO’ers hun rol als docenten, opleiders of adviseurs zouden kunnen invullen om de SDGs bekwaamheid van beginnend HBO professionals zeker te stellen. De onderzoeksinfrastructuur wordt daarin versterkt door verdieping in breder verband en versterking van de samenwerking met zes hogescholen in het Competencies for Sustainable Development (Goals) Consortium verder te verstevigen en te intensiveren. Doel is om dit te vervullen door inzet van Impuls gelden in te zetten voor een NWO-regeling of RAAK Pro aanvraag. Strategisch is het voor Aeres Hogeschool belangrijkrijk om het unieke van onze faculteit in Wageningen verder te ontplooien.
