• Title/Summary/Keyword: Environmental Sustainability Performance

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Impact of future climate change on UK building performance

  • Amoako-Attah, Joseph;B-Jahromi, Ali
    • Advances in environmental research
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    • v.2 no.3
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    • pp.203-227
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    • 2013
  • Global demand for dwelling energy and implications of changing climatic conditions on buildings confront the built environment to build sustainable dwellings. This study investigates the variability of future climatic conditions on newly built detached dwellings in the UK. Series of energy modelling and simulations are performed on ten detached houses to evaluate and predict the impact of varying future climatic patterns on five building performance indicators. The study identifies and quantifies a consistent declining trend of building performance which is in consonance with current scientific knowledge of annual temperature change prediction in relations to long term climatic variation. The average percentage decrease for the annual energy consumption was predicted to be 2.80, 6.60 and 10.56 for 2020s, 2050s and 2080s time lines respectively. A similar declining trend in the case of annual natural gas consumption was 4.24, 9.98 and 16.1, and that for building emission rate and heating demand were 2.27, 5.49 and 8.72 and 7.82, 18.43 and 29.46 respectively. The study further analyse future heating and cooling demands of the three warmest months of the year and ascertain future variance in relative humidity and indoor temperature which might necessitate the use of room cooling systems to provide thermal comfort.

Analysis of Sustaining Growth Factors in a Turbulent Business Environment : Case of US Companies Facing the Global Financial Crisis (변화무쌍한 환경에서의 지속성장성 결정요인분석 : 세계 금융위기 시 미국 기업을 중심으로)

  • Lee, Ho Rim;Chang, Suk-Gwon
    • Journal of the Korean Operations Research and Management Science Society
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    • v.41 no.1
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    • pp.55-69
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    • 2016
  • In response to drastic environmental changes, companies have been continuously rebalancing their resources and capabilities to sustain their competitive status or to survive difficult times. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of sudden environmental changes on the competitive status of a firm and to identify the internal factors that differentiate sustainer and non-sustainer groups. To achieve this goal, we selected 85 representative IT and non-IT companies from the S&P 500 companies and investigated them with respect to the change in their five-year competitive status since the 2008 global financial crisis. As a concrete performance measure, the concept of perceived competitive status (PCS) was introduced, and four distinct PCS categories were identified by using the stock price changes during the selected period. The four distinct PCS categories are "sustaining," "drifting," "deep sunken," and "bouncing back." Discriminant analysis was performed on these four distinct PCS categories. The empirical study conducted showed that revenue and cost efficiency are the most discriminating factors, especially in the economic recovery period. In particular, stronger financial liquidity was observed in high-performing "bouncing back" companies than in the other category companies.

Fuzzy inference systems based prediction of engineering properties of two-stage concrete

  • Najjar, Manal F.;Nehdi, Moncef L.;Azabi, Tareq M.;Soliman, Ahmed M.
    • Computers and Concrete
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    • v.19 no.2
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    • pp.133-142
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    • 2017
  • Two-stage concrete (TSC), also known as pre-placed aggregate concrete, is characterized by its unique placement technique, whereby the coarse aggregate is first placed in the formwork, then injected with a special grout. Despite its superior sustainability and technical features, TSC has remained a basic concrete technology without much use of modern chemical admixtures, new binders, fiber reinforcement or other emerging additions. In the present study, an experimental database for TSC was built. Different types of cementitious binders (single, binary, and ternary) comprising ordinary portland cement, fly ash, silica fume, and metakaolin were used to produce the various TSC mixtures. Different dosages of steel fibres having different lengths were also incorporated to enhance the mechanical properties of TSC. The database thus created was used to develop fuzzy logic models as predictive tools for the grout flowability and mechanical properties of TSC mixtures. The performance of the developed models was evaluated using statistical parameters and error analyses. The results indicate that the fuzzy logic models thus developed can be powerful tools for predicting the TSC grout flowability and mechanical properties and a useful aid for the design of TSC mixtures.

A Study on the Environmental Assessment Criteria for Designation of Conservation Zones in Urban Area (환경성 평가시 도시보전용도지역 확보기준에 관한 연구)

  • Lee, Sang-Moon;Jeon, Young-Ok
    • Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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    • v.14 no.6
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    • pp.403-413
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    • 2005
  • The environmental conservation-targeted zoning in urban planning process has been functioned as securing a ecological core in urban green spaces management. Hence, the designation of conservation zones in land use planning is considered as a key task to achieve the sustainability of urban planning. The recently introduced pre-environmental review system for the proposed urban plan, by which the conservative measures for urban ecosystem and landscape are suggested in aspect of environmental impact mitigation, has played an active role in enhancing the environmental performance degraded by wide range of development pressure. This study is aimed at drawing out of objective criteria for designation of environmental conservation zones, which can be applied to urban planning establishment and also to environmental assessment process. To achieve this goal, the study adopted the following methods; pre-study review, analysis of existing official opinion statements released by the Ministry of Environment, contents analysis of related laws, and experts' panel discussions on the finally arranged criteria. The results of this research can be summarized as follows: First, the total criteria of 48 are drown out with categorizing into environment-ecological and socio-cultural sectosr. Second, the environment-ecological part is composed of 33 criteria such as vegetation, animal, geomorphology, watershed, environmental land suitability, and etc. Here, the Degree of Ecological Function, Degree of Environmental Land Suitability, and Vegetation Map are mainly utilized. Third, the 15 socio-cultural criteria relating to the history, social ecology and landscape have such components as forest around relics, Seo-won(school), castle, tomb, landmark, skyline, natural landscape, and etc. Forth, these individual criteria can be applied to designation of each conservation zones among total of 11 conservation areas(or districts).

Design Verification of Environmental Control System by Flow Balance Test (유량평형시험을 통한 환경제어계통 설계 검증)

  • Park, Dong-Myung;Joung, Yong-In;Moon, Woo-Yong;Park, Sung-Sun
    • Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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    • v.40 no.7
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    • pp.608-615
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    • 2012
  • In this study, we analyzed the system impedance of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle avionics bay and Environmental Control System(ECS), and estimated the proper air flow rate to be supplied avionics equipments. As the result of estimation, we evaluated the performance of ECS after analysing the flow balance rate and the air flow rate about each outlet port, and simultaneously decided the flow balance rate after evaluating the thermal substantiality by the thermal analysis of avionics bay. In order to verify the property of analysis result, we conducted the flow balance test using the actual avionics equipments and finally deduced the flow rate to be met system requirements of avionics equipments. Also, as the analysis results, we verified the satisfaction of system requirements at midium altitude condition and proved the performance characteristics of an Environmental Control System(ECS).

Performance Analysis of Ink for Digital Textile Printing Using Natural Indigo (천연 인디고를 활용한 Digital Textile Printing용 잉크의 성능 분석)

  • Lee, Won Kyoung;Sung, Eun Ji;Moon, Joung Ryul;Ahn, In Yong;Yoon, Kwang Ho;Park, Yoon Cheol;Kim, Jong Hoon
    • Textile Coloration and Finishing
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    • v.33 no.4
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    • pp.202-209
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    • 2021
  • Natural dyes are more expensive than synthetic dyes and the dyeing process, which is mainly immersion of dye, is complicated. For this reason, relatively small-scale production methods were predominant. However, awareness and interest in environmental sustainability is rising globally, and the use of synthetic dyes causes various environmental problems such as wastewater and CO2 emission, so the consumption of natural dyes is increasing. In addition, interest in digital textile printing, an eco-friendly dyeing method that can produce products of various designs and uses less water, is growing. In this study, natural indigo dye (Indigofera tinctoria) was used as a raw material for Digital Textile Printing ink, and 14C (Biocarbon) present in it was measured to confirm whether it was derived from natural ingredients. The performance was confirmed by testing the pH, viscosity, electrical conductivity, surface tension, and particle size analysis of natural indigo ink. In addition, the performance of natural indigo DTP ink and printing fabric was evaluated by inspecting the change in color fastness and corresponding index substances before and after digital printing with natural indigo DTP ink on textiles. Through this, the possibility of commercialization of DTP ink and printing fabric using natural indigo was confirmed.

A Study on the Effect of Internal and External Pressures on ESG Activities and Business Performance (내외부 압력이 ESG 활동과 경영성과에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구)

  • TaeYang Park;Jong Dae Kim
    • Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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    • v.46 no.1
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    • pp.1-14
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    • 2023
  • This study is a leading case of empirical analysis of whether, when corporate stakeholders (government, investors, customers, managers, employees) put pressure on companies for ESG management, it affects the introduction and implementation of ESG activities (environmental, social, governance) and affects business performance. As for the research method, a sustainability report was published, and a web survey of Korea Research Inc. was conducted from May 10 to May 20, 2022 targeting ESG management managers of 192 companies, and analyzed through the PLS structural equation model. As a result of the study, it was found that the introduction and execution of ESG is closely influenced by the pressure from the government, investors, managers, and employees, and in particular, the internal pressure of current managers and executives and employees has a great impact on the introduction and implementation of environmental, social, and governance activities. In particular, although external pressure also has some influence, it is practical to suggest that strong internal pressure is necessary for continuous activities and performance. And, methodologically, the main activity indicators of the GRI Reporting Guidelines, which are the most representative ESG management indicators, were developed as a questionnaire, and reliability, validity, and model fit were secured through comparison with indicators of multiple systems and expert reviews. The limitations of this study are that more in-depth analysis by industry or size is possible when ESG management is mature and sufficient samples are secured, and complex ESG pressure factor modeling is possible when more diverse stakeholders are added.

Evaluation of the ODA Forest Cooperation Projects in Korea through Stakeholder and Visitor Survey - A Case Study of the Rumpin Seed Source and Nursery Center Projects in Indonesia - (이해관계자와 이용객 설문 조사를 통한 국내 ODA 산림협력사업 평가 연구 - 인도네시아 룸핀양묘장 사업을 대상으로 -)

  • Lee, Hyun-Jung;Kim, Whee-Moon;Kim, Kyeong-Tae;Kim, Young;Choi, Jae-Yong;Song, Won-Kyong
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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    • v.24 no.2
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    • pp.19-37
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    • 2021
  • It is essential that the evaluation of official development assistance (ODA) projects is conducted based on empirical research for the performance and improvement of the project. This study intended to quantitatively figure out the actual status and performance of ODA projects. The performance of the Rumpin Seed Source and Nursery Center project implemented by the KOICA was evaluated in items of relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact, sustainability, which are OECD Development Assistance Committee(DAC) evaluation criteria. From August 26, 2019 to August 29, 2019, a survey was conducted on 50 visitors and 54 stakeholders of the Rumpin Seed Source and Nursery Center. Through on-site survey, problems in the donation project and operation in Indonesia were identified and measures for improvement was grasped. As a result of the study, the value scored by OECD DAC evaluation criteria of the Rumpin Seed Source and Nursery Center project based on the Economic Development Cooperation Fund(EDCF) evaluation grade was evaluated as a very successful class in all items. The average score of the recognition question was 4.08 points for visitors and 4.08 points for stakeholders, and the average score for the satisfaction question was 4.37 points for visitors and 4.11 points for stakeholders, which were high overall in both groups. The main factor that affects the project awareness of the visitors was the fact that the Rumpin Seed Source and Nursery Center was created based on Korean technology, and it was confirmed that Indonesia's own items related to similar projects had a great influence on the project satisfaction. In the case of stakeholders, project support in Korea affected their recognition, and it was found that relevance, efficiency, effectiveness items had the greatest impact on the level of project satisfaction of stakeholders derived from the DAC individual evaluation results. Efforts are required to increase the main factors by reflecting the results of each item and to preserve and maintain the project. This study is significant in determining the performance of the ODA project based on empirical data, and it is believed that it can be used as basic data for supplementing and strengthening the project in the future.

A Study of the Effects on a Healthy Dietary Life and Purchase of Environmental-Friendly Food Materials According to Mother's LOHAS Lifestyle Attitudes (모(母)의 로하스 라이프스타일 태도가 친환경식자재 구매 및 건강식생활에 미치는 영향 연구)

  • Lee, Yeon-Jung
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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    • v.25 no.6
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    • pp.708-718
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    • 2010
  • This study was conducted to examine the effects of a healthy dietary life and purchase of environmental-friendly food materials according to a mother's lifestyles of health and sustainability (LOHAS) attitudes. The subjects consisted of 295 mothers. The findings are summarized as follows. The mother's LOHAS attitude index averaged 3.39 points out of 5 points. High LOHAS attitude items were "I participate actively in separating the trash collection" (4.16 points), and "I recycle dresses that I do not wear by taking them to the recycling center" (4.08 points). In contrast, LOHAS attitude items for "I do community service activity on the weekend" (2.57 points), and "I try to serve in the local community" (2.63 points) scored very low. A high LOHAS behavior index occurred for mothers who were "resource saving", whereas "social welfare" scored low. Mother's intention to purchase environmental-friendly food materials averaged 3.61 points. Mother's health dietary life attitude score averaged 3.52 points. When age, monthly income, and the environmental-friendly food materials purchase ratio of the mother was high, the health dietary life performance was high. The LOHAS attitude index of mothers had an impact on the purchase intention of environmental-friendly food materials in resource saving and environmental-friendly oriented propensity groups. The LOHAS attitude index of mothers impacted healthy dietary life in environmental-friendly, family and health oriented propensity groups.

Experimental investigation on hardened properties of recycled coarse aggregate concrete

  • Shohana, Shanjida A.;Hoque, Md. I.;Sobuz, Md. H.R.
    • Advances in concrete construction
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    • v.10 no.5
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    • pp.369-379
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    • 2020
  • Reduction of disposal of waste materials due to construction demolition has become a great concern in recent decades. The research work presents the hardened properties of concrete where the partial substitution of recycled coarse aggregate with natural aggregate in amount of 0%, 10%, 30% and 50%. By using different mixed proportions, fresh and hardened properties of concrete were conducted for this investigation. These properties were compared with control concrete. It can be seen that all of the hardened properties of concrete were decreased with the increasing percentage of recycled aggregate in concrete mixes. It was noticed that up to 30% recycled aggregate replacement can be yielded the optimum strength when it used in normal concrete. Finally, it can be said that disposed recycled concrete utilizing as a partial replacement in natural aggregate is a great way to reuse and reduce environmental hazards which achieve sustainability approach in the construction industry.