Environmental management for sustainable development

The article enhances the awareness of the readers about environmental attitudes of the graduates. This aspect reflects the conglomeration of the parameters of people and planet. Likert scale has been used for mapping the behaviour of the graduates towards the environment. Survey questionnaires are the main form of data collection adopted in the article.

Running head: MANAGEMENT
Environmental management for sustainable development
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

1
MANAGEMENT
Source: Rodríguez-Barreiro, L. M., Fernández-Manzanal, R., Serra, L. M., Carrasquer,
J., Murillo, M. B., Morales, M. J., … Valle, J. del. (2013). Approach to a causal model
between attitudes and environmental behaviour. A graduate case study. Journal of
Cleaner Production, 48, 116–125. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.09.029
Summary or description of the work
The article enhances the awareness of the readers about environmental attitudes of the
graduates. This aspect reflects the conglomeration of the parameters of people and planet.
Likert scale has been used for mapping the behaviour of the graduates towards the
environment. Survey questionnaires are the main form of data collection adopted in the
article (Rodríguez-Barreiro et al., 2013). Causal models scans the relationship between the
graduates from the University of Zaragoza. The aspect of pro-environmental behaviour
attains an important position in the article. In this article, education has been considered to be
a connoisseur of enhancing the standards and quality of life for the individuals. Here, the
students represents the part for the whole population, who are the samples.
Main point and context
Higher education attains an important parameter in the assumptions proposed in the
article. This is because higher education enhances the awareness about the reality, which
prevails in the outer surroundings. The parameters selected in this context are that of social,
political and economic. Universities need to be praised for acquiring the vision of the
mapping the environmental impacts. According to Rodríguez-Barreiro et al., (2013), causal
model is a relevant aspect in this context, which assists in projecting the relationship between
the human and the environment. As a matter of specification, the author intends to seek an
insight into the approaches of the graduates towards dealing the environmental problems with

2
MANAGEMENT
conscience. One of an interesting aspect is that of the emotional parameter, which helps the
readers to align themselves with the context.
Environmental approaches also relates with the socio-cultural aspect, comprising of
the values, beliefs and interest towards the environmental issues.
Summary of the evidence
Case study of Zaragoza graduate students have been considered for shedding light on
the approach towards dealing with the environmental problems and their impact. In order to
gain an insight into the beliefs, questionnaires were prepared. This approach has been
considered to be the pro-environmental behaviour for scanning the solutions. In this context,
Rodríguez-Barreiro et al., (2013), the questions pertain to the characteristics of the
environmental attitude, environmental behaviours in daily life and the causal relationship
between environmental attitudes and behaviours.
The method of data collection adopted was primary, where 60 university graduates
were selected. The participants were selected from the departments offering compulsory or
optional courses related to environmental science. The samples selected completed PhD; are
currently working in schools or companies for 2 months to 5 years; free acceptance for
participating in the process of data collection.
For analysing the responses, likert scale has been used. The range of the options
varied from Strongly Agree to Strongly Disagree, which directly reflected the behaviours
towards environmental issues and the ways to deal with them. Through the responses, the
approach of the graduates were reflected. In the data analysis, two types of biases were
considered: exploratory bias and confirmation bias (Rodríguez-Barreiro et al., 2013). In case
of the exploratory bias, multiple linear regression and specific search tool in AMOS was
used. These tools resulted in the formation of a plausible model of Structural Equation

3
MANAGEMENT
Modelling. The methodology adopted for collecting the responses related more towards
confirmative approach instead of a explorative approach. Countering this, the responses
depict the different approaches, beliefs and values about environment. Here, mention can also
be made of the structural equation models, which helps in representing a series of structural
equations, which undergo geographical modulation. Conceptual frameworks are an effective
means for adding theoretical justification to the propositions.
Assessment of the methods and arguments
Analysis of the predictive power of the environmental behaviour has been done
through the consideration of multiple regression. Prediction and explanation has been applied
to the gathered data through broad application of the explorative research designs. In the
predictive aspect, linear combination of the independent variables formed the main activity.
In this context, the factors on the likert scale was considered to expand the scope and arena of
the dependent variable, setting the grounds for its explanation. For selection of the
independent variables, stepwise method was used, which Quist and Tukker, (2013) considers
as assistance for assessing the variables at every stage. This assessment is apt in terms of
measuring the extent to which the assumptions align with the identified objectives. In this
case, the assessment relates to the measurement of inclusion of the variables at every stage
and aspect.
The second phase of the analysis mainly focused on evaluating the structural model
equation. Specification of the model formed the basic activity in this stage, where parameters
were established on a priority basis. This approach seemed beneficial in terms of completing
the tasks, which needed to be completed on a priority basis. In this context, Lozano et al.,
(2013) is of the view that use of maximum likelihood was apt for maximizing the scope of
observation variances, which prevailed in the probability responses.

4
MANAGEMENT
Coefficient factors, regression, standardized weights and squared multiple correlations
were crucial part of the analysis. These components are necessary for establishing crucial
linkages between the dependent and independent variables. The parameters considered were
presented along with the estimated value, which proved to be assistance in terms of
calculating the desired outcomes. At times, the outcomes did not match the expected
outcomes. Critical ratio seemed to be effective, adding to standard error. The size of the
sample played an active role in this context. Structural model seemed to be an integral point
for assessing the impact on the size of the sample. As a matter of specification, Lee et al.,
(2013) opines that behavioural intentions of the samples is perceived in three different forms-
conservation, formation and outreach activities. From this, the plausible model is that of
conservation of the environmental, the thought of which results in the formation of intentions,
which shapes the pro-environment behaviour.
Squared multiple correlations is one of the other sources, which relates the essential
units of measurement. This measurement units represents the variance proportion, which is
explained through the means of prediction and explanation. The scores of the variables in this
context is more for intention as compared to that of behaviour. According to the arguments of
Lambrechts et al., (2013), if the causal model is considered, the behaviours and attitudes
towards environmental studies can be considered. In this, mention can be made of the latent
factors, where estimation was proposed to indicating the outcomes and values.
Statistical representation of the responses was efficient in terms of mapping the
attitudes towards the environmental issues. Saturation point of the model was considered in
terms of equating the parameters to that of the data points. The conjunction point of these
aspects was the causal model.
Linking with the objective

5
MANAGEMENT
The article intended to shed light on the implications of causal model for excavating
the attitudes and behaviour towards the environmental issues. The case study of the
University of Zaragoza is an example, where variation is slightly higher as compared to the
other universities. As a matter of specification, the highest score is provided to the aspects of
Formation and Outreach. On the contrary, Sedlacek, (2013) highlights that the behaviours
towards environment in the daily life differ, as the perceptions are different. This is because
the socio-cultural upbringing is different. This differentiation leads to the formation of
different notions towards the environmental issues and their solutions. Environmental studies
in this context is an outreach activity, aiming to expand the scope and arena of the knowledge
horizons in case of the students (Nejati and Nejati, 2013).
In this context, example can be cited of the intentions and behaviour towards
preserving the environment. If the parents teach the importance of saving trees, the children
would intend to perform the activities, which would be beneficial for conserving the
ecological biodiversity. This approach would give rise to sustainability, which would act
assistance in saving the resources from replenishing. The immediate outcome of this would
be that there would be enough stock for the future generation to fulfil their basic needs of
sustenance. Yuan and Zuo, (2013) thinks that these approaches depict the relationship
between the people and the planet, which attains the connotation of exploitative. Use of the
causal model is an initiative towards the application of explorative approach towards saving
the greenery of the environment. This model broadens the scope and arena of the relationship
between the parameters of social, economic, environment and cultural. The reason behind
this is that the public collaborates with the government in the process of attaining sustainable
development (Zsóka et al., 2013).
The collected data depicts positivity in the attitudes, beliefs and behaviours towards
the environmental issues. In this context, a stimulus is necessary for inducting new insights in

6
MANAGEMENT
the relationship between humans and the environment. In this context, the using causal model
is a planned and reasoned action for adding to the stability in the relationship between the
humans with the environment for achieving effective solutions to sustain the natural
resources. Jones, (2013) argues that behaviour is one of the aspects, which matters the most
for attaining sustainable development.

7
MANAGEMENT
References
Jones, D.R. (2013) ‘The Biophilic University’: A de-familiarizing organizational metaphor
for ecological sustainability? Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 48, pp. 148-165
Lambrechts, W., I. Mulà, K. Ceulemans, I. Molderez, and V. Gaeremynch (2013) The
integration of competences for sustainable development in higher education: An analysis of
bachelor programs in management. Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 48, pp. 65-73.
Lee, K.-H., M. Barker, and A. Mouasher (2013) Is it even espoused? An exploratory study of
commitment to sustainability as evidenced in vision, mission, and graduate attribute
statements in Australian universities. Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 48, pp. 20-28
Lozano, R., R. Lukman, F.J. Lozano, D. Huisingh, and W. Lambrechts (2013) Declarations
for sustainability in higher education: becoming better leaders, through addressing the
university system. Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 48, pp. 10-19
Nejati, M. and M. Nejati (2013) Assessment of sustainable university factors from the
perspective of university students. Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 48, pp. 101-107.
Quist, J., & Tukker, A. (2013). Knowledge collaboration and learning for sustainable
innovation and consumption: introduction to the ERSCP portion of this special volume.
Journal of Cleaner Production, 48, 167-175.
Rodríguez-Barreiro, L. M., Fernández-Manzanal, R., Serra, L. M., Carrasquer, J., Murillo, M.
B., Morales, M. J., … Valle, J. del. (2013). Approach to a causal model between attitudes and
environmental behaviour. A graduate case study. Journal of Cleaner Production, 48, 116–125.
doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.09.029
Sedlacek, S. (2013) The role of universities in fostering sustainable development at the
regional level. Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 48, pp. 74-84.

8
MANAGEMENT
Yuan, X. and J. Zuo (2013) A critical assessment of the Higher Education for Sustainable
Development form students’ perspectives – a Chinese study. Journal of Cleaner Production,
Volume 48, pp. 108-115
Zsóka, Á., Z.M. Szerényi, A. Széchy, and T. Kocsis (2013) Greening due to environmental
education? Environmental knowledge, attitudes, consumer behavior, and everyday pro-
environmental activities of Hungarian high school and university students. Journal of Cleaner
Production, Volume 48, pp. 126-138.

9
MANAGEMENT
Bibliography
Ramos, T. B., Caeiro, S., Van Hoof, B., Lozano, R., Huisingh, D., & Ceulemans, K. (2015).
Experiences from the implementation of sustainable development in higher education
institutions: Environmental Management for Sustainable Universities. Journal of Cleaner
Production, 106, 3-10.
Verhulst, E., & Lambrechts, W. (2015). Fostering the incorporation of sustainable
development in higher education. Lessons learned from a change management perspective.
Journal of Cleaner Production, 106, 189-204.