A Scottish approach to training for the unemployed: work‐start Ltd., Dundee

This article discusses the structure and performance of Work‐Start Ltd., a company located in Dundee and providing training for the unemployed. The company has attracted national and international attention by its innovative approach. Set up to meet the specific problems of peripheral housing estates, it is now responding to rapid changes in the local labour market.     

Finding green in clean: Progressive pollution prevention at hyde tools

Hyde Tools, Inc., of Southbridge, Massachusetts, is a medium-sized firm employing about three hundred persons. In 1988, it learned of a company that eliminated its wastewater discharge after being threatened with massive Clean Water Act fines resulting from a suit brought by a Massachusetts environmental group. Hyde decided to devise a similar program to attain zero water discharge and do it within five years. More than 75 percent toward its goal, Hyde'S environmental success, detailed in this article, still relies heavily on the company'S Total Quality Management system and the efforts of a dedicated environmental staff. Hyde'S success typifies TQEM in action—showing how small continuous improvements can lead to significant financial paybacks.     

Toward effective environmental auditing at the TVA: Management audits versus compliance audits

Companies that incorporate Total Quality Management into their operations are placing increased emphasis on identifying the root causes of deficiencies and problems. This is in keeping with the TQM principles identified by Deming in Out of the Crisis. Deming states that quality comes not from inspection or from management by objectives or results, but from improvements made in the process and products in order to meet customer needs. Deming's approach demands a shift in focus from addressing symptoms to addressing causes. In this article, environmental management audits are presented as the best means to assure that adequate management controls are in place to protect the company, its managers and its employees from penalties associated with civil and criminal enforcement actions.     

Implementation of failure modes and effects analysis in detergent production companies: A case study

Failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) is the most important method used by production companies to identify potential risks regarding occupational and health hazards and environmental hazards. This method is also useful in defining preventive actions to reduce the effects of these risks. Detergent production companies continually encounter many occupational and health hazards and environmental hazards, the management and reduction of which requires complex assessment in real‐world applications. This paper presents a framework for application of FMEA for managing and ranking identified risks in detergent production companies. A case study is presented to show the application of an FMEA to investigate the results of its application and the outcomes from the analysis. A risk priority number (RPN) is proposed for each distinct risk. The application of FMEA in the detergent production company resulted in grouping the RPN of the identified risks into four different categories. The main corrective actions, which are determined to reduce the RPNs, are presented in this paper. Improving the RPN of the main risks is observed after executing the corrective actions.     

Application of fluvial relationships to planning and design of channel modifications

Many of the environmental problems associated with channel modifications can be anticipated if known fluvial relationships are considered early in the planning process. Plan modifications or corrective measures can be employed to prevent environmental degradation and improve project performance. The fluvial system is reviewed from a geomorphic perspective. Functional fluvial relationships are described and their use in planning and design of flood channels is demonstrated.     

Environmental performance benchmarking for electric utilities

Electric utility companies in the United States and Canada are participating in a unique environmental benchmarking program (EBP) designed to comparatively assess environmental performance. Each company annually provides data on emissionslwastes, compliance, and other environmental aspects to an independent consultant, Research Triangle Institute (RTI), whose staff compiles the data and computes approximately 80 discrete environmental performance metrics for each company. RTI provides a confidential report for each participant presenting the results of the assessment. In addition, RTI conducts a follow-up assessment to determine “best-practices” of each of the top performers for each metric. The EBP provides each participant with useful information on its strengths and weaknesses relative to the other companies in the program as well as ideas on how to improve its environmental performance. Annual participation in the program allows a company to measure improvement in performance on an annual basis. This article summarizes the evolution of the EBP and describes the study methods and reporting approach. Our goal in sharing this information is to demonstrate the usefulness of the program and encourage further participation by all major North American electric utilities.     

Government and voluntary policymaking for sustainability in mining towns: A longitudinal analysis of Itabira,Brazil

The socio‐economic fabric of single‐company mining towns needs to be carefully considered by both Government and companies in sustainability policymaking. Policy design and effectiveness in such towns are significantly impacted by the city's economic dependence on a single company. This paper explores the perceived effectiveness of government and voluntary private sector mining policies for pursuing sustainability in the historic mining town of Itabira, Brazil over a period of 20 years. Itabira serves as a worthwhile case study because it allows for an in‐depth and longitudinal analysis that can reveal valuable lessons to policymakers of different sectors and jurisdictions located elsewhere. Based on extensive face‐to‐face interviews and literature reviews, study results indicate that changes to the state environmental licensing policies in the 1990s led to significant socio‐environmental improvements in the area. The globalization of the mining company also contributed to an increase in the quantity and quality of voluntary industry policies. Recent technological improvements in the beneficiation processes of the mining company promises to extend the life of the mine to 2050. Although there are significant incremental socio‐environmental policies and programmes, sustainability remains an elusive vision in Itabira, with no clear objectives or monitoring and accountability mechanisms. The paper concludes by recommending a more formal integrated policymaking framework.     

基于价值创造视角的公司水风险管理研究

随着全球水资源供应不确定性与需求竞争性的加剧,水资源问题已从单纯的环境问题转化为经济问题,水风险逐渐与商业风险挂钩,公司面临的水风险不断上升。公司面临着物理风险、监管风险和声誉风险等水风险,公司水价值体现在业务连续性、经营牌照、声誉与品牌价值和创新价值等无形资产中。水风险与水价值二者相互联系又相互影响,通过公司水价值与水风险评估框架,了解区分水价值的不同方法,明确风险和不确定性如何影响水的价值,并利用水工具评估和管理公司所面临的水风险以及水对公司价值的影响,帮助公司化解其所面临的水风险,实现从公司水风险管理到价值创造的转变。     

EVALUATION OF A LARGE SCALE IRRIGATION SYSTEM – DAIMCHEH,IRAN1

ABSTRACT: A study was conducted to evaluate the existing furrow irrigation system of Karun Agro Industry, a sugar cane plant in Daimcheh, Iran. Although the system is only eight years old, design and operational problems have reduced its efficiency by 50 percent. Lack of skilled irrigation workers, inadequate control of irrigation water, and problems with night irrigation have resulted in substantial revenue losses for the plant. This study evaluates the existing irrigation system, and recommends modifications and improvements to increase its efficiency. Final recommendations include the use of various irrigation methods, improvements to the existing system, and cancellation of night irrigation.     

Using triple bottom line metrics and multi-criteria methodology in corporate settings

With the growing importance of environmental sustainability in the corporate sector, businesses are compelled to progress from assessing and benchmarking their environmental impact to making decisions on how to prioritize impact reduction alternatives. Most often, business decisions are driven by financial metrics, but with sustainability improvements becoming a business goal, it is also important to assess metrics from environmental and social spheres; nevertheless, practically and systematically performing such an assessment is challenging. We present an application of a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) method that addresses the aforementioned challenges in a corporate setting. Our case study company – one of the largest inland marine freight carriers in the United States – promotes a business culture focused on financially viable, yet socially and environmentally responsible solutions. Thus, we combine life cycle analysis (LCA), financial calculation methods, and corporate surveys to quantify environmental, economic, and social performance measures, respectively. Multiattribute utility theory is integrated with analytic hierarchy processes (AHPs) and fuzzy analysis to create a carefully designed framework for corporations with diverse groups of stakeholders. With company leadership, implementation is feasible and successful at prioritizing alternatives among diverse stakeholders. The process provides a platform for negotiation and promotes discussions on decision drivers. The use of MCDA methodologies promoted the inclusion of a suite of metrics that aligned with the company's sense of social and environmental responsibility, generating an in-depth analysis of the alternatives that factored in other things besides economics. Return-on-investments (ROI) calculations, the typical approach used in the corporate setting, would have required significantly less time and effort from the company, but the results of our MCDA application indicated that inclusion of triple bottom line metrics delve deeper into stakeholder preferences. Thus, our case study company gained a holistic view of the candidate alternatives, in addition to creating a platform for structured discussions about company goals and priorities.     

An Eco-balance of a Recycling Plant for Spent Lead–Acid Batteries

This study applies Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology to present an eco-balance of a recycling plant that treats spent lead–acid batteries. The recycling plant uses pyrometallurgical treatment to obtain lead from spent batteries. The application of LCA methodology (ISO 14040 series) enabled us to assess the potential environmental impacts arising from the recycling plants operations. Thus, net emissions of greenhouse gases as well as other major environmental consequences were examined and hot spots inside the recycling plant were identified. A sensitivity analysis was also performed on certain variables to evaluate their effect on the LCA study. The LCA of a recycling plant for spent lead–acid batteries presented shows that this methodology allows all of the major environmental consequences associated with lead recycling using the pyrometallurgical process to be examined. The study highlights areas in which environmental improvements are easily achievable by a business, providing a basis for suggestions to minimize the environmental impact of its production phases, improving process and company performance in environmental terms.     

Packaging waste measurement—A key element in digital's total quality program

Measurement of packaging waste is a key element of the Total Quality Management program at Digital Equipment Corporation. This case study shows how the company uses measurement techniques to set priorities for which areas of packaging waste should be addressed first and to track improvements over time. To date, an 1,800-ton annual reduction in packaging waste has been achieved, with associated annual savings of $2.7 million.     

DECLINING POTENTIOMETRIC LEVELS IN FORT WALTON BEACH AREA,FLORIDA1

ABSTRACT: The Fort Walton Beach area is presently faced with an excessive drawdown of the potentiometric level in the upper Floridan aquifer. Based on available data, the potentiometric level in the Floridan aquifer has dropped 162 feet since 1936. This declining potentiometric level can lead to problems and possible loss of the natural resource on a long-term basis. However, if corrective measures or programs for proper management of groundwater resources are undertaken at this time, the potential problems may be averted.     

跨国公司对东道国的环境法律责任问题研究

随着经济全球化的发展,跨国公司的经济影响力剧增,成为众多发展中国家外资的主要来源,然而与之伴随的＂三高＂产业的转移给主要东道国的发展中国家造成了巨大的环境问题,再加上发展中国家地方政府政绩观的错位、公众环保意识的欠缺,这一问题更加凸显,而有限责任的原则使得各跨国公司母公司避开了责任的承担。对此,必须借助＂公司法人格否认＂制度,＂揭开公司面纱＂,将公司是否滥用控制权的举证责任赋予母公司,并考虑环境侵权的特殊性,以无过错责任原则和因果关系推定为基础完善对跨国公司环境法律责任的追究机制。     

目前国有企业人力资源管理存在的问题与改进对策

目前国有企业在从传统人事管理向现代人力资源管理模式转变过程中遇到了改革受阻、效果不佳、观念落后、定位不高等问题,这些问题的产生主要是由于传统思想认识、落后的工作开发定位等根本性原因.因此,国有企业应采取树立新型大人力资源观念,加强人力资源管理部门自身建设,运用现代人力资源管理手段切实处理好培训开发、激励、评估等关键问题的改进对策.     

Kodak's safety performance indexing—a tool for environmental improvement

Safety performance has a direct effect on employees' productivity and quality of work life, and on company profits and image in the community. Enormous human and financial losses can result from poor safety performance, and all such losses are preventable. To prevent these potential losses, safety performance must be continually improved across all levels of the organization. Effective safety programs are the key to improved safety performance. But how do we know when a safety program is effective? How can we measure safety performance and set goals for improvements? How can we track progress toward these goals? This article demonstrates how a powerful performance management tool —performance indexing— can be used to help improve safety performance throughout your company. This tool can also be used to measure, track, and improve environmental and occupational health performance.     

Environmental accounts for households: A method for improving public awareness and participation

Recently the European Council agreed on a CO₂ reduction target of 10% by the year 2010. In accordance with this, Denmark decided to reduce its CO₂ emissions by 25% over the same time period. One important element of both the European and Danish agreements is energy saving in industries and in private households. Typically industries and private households are also expected to participate in other kinds of environmental improvements, e.g. waste treatment. Such improvements in environmental performances are normally accounted for. In industry, for example, green accounting or environmental auditing are techniques used to measure progress in environmental performance. But when it comes to the environmental performance of people or households very few book-keeping principles have been developed. This paper describes a Danish share-housing project's efforts to formulate an environmental policy and outline an environmental accounting system which can keep track of a household environmental record. It describes the environmental accounting methods, the results and experiences from its first five years.     

Perspectives of the Scientific Community on the Status of Ecological Risk Assessment

/ Views from a wide variety of practicing environmental professionals on the current status of ecological risk assessment (ERA) indicate consensus and divergence of opinion on the utility and practice of risk assessment. Central to the debate were the issues of whether ERA appropriately incorporates ecological and scientific principle into its conceptual paradigm. Advocates argue that ERA effectively does both, noting that much of the fault detractors find with the process has more to do with its practice than its purpose. Critics argue that failure to validate ERA predictions and the tendency to over-simplify ecological principles compromise the integrity of ERA and may lead to misleading advice on the appropriate responses to environmental problems. All authors felt that many improvements could be made, including validation, better definition of the ecological questions and boundaries of ERA, improved harmonization of selected methods, and improvements in the knowledge base. Despite identified deficiencies, most authors felt that ERA was a useful process undergoing evolutionary changes that will inevitably determine the range of environmental problems to which it can be appropriately applied. The views expressed give ERA a cautious vote of approval and highlight many of the critical strengths and weaknesses in one of our most important environmental assessment tools.KEY WORDS: Ecological risk assessment; Ecology; Probability