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Sustainability
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Creating a Brighter Future for Life in the Tropics
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Creating a Brighter Future for Life in the Tropics

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2022) | Viewed by 32125

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Susan Gibson-Kueh

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Tropical Futures Institute, James Cook University, 149 Sims Dr, Singapore
Interests: aquatic animal health; aquaculture; sustainable livelihoods
Prof. Caryn West

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Tropical Futures Institute, James Cook University, 149 Sims Dr, Singapore
2. Nursing and Midwifery, James Cook University, Douglas QLD 4811, Australia
3. WHOCC N&M Education & Research Capacity Building, James Cook University, Douglas QLD 4811, Australia
Interests: health; remote communities
Dr. Jacob Wood

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
JCU Singapore School of Business, James Cook University, 149 Sims Drive, Singapore 387380, Singapore
Interests: economic development; sustainable business development; international trade negotiations
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global population currently sits at 7.7 billion people, and is expected to hit 11.3 billion by the year 2100. The largest population growth is projected to be in the tropics (Gramlich 2019). The age of the general population has long been held as an indication of the development potential in a country, and the world’s youngest population will sit in Africa (World Economic Forum 2019). The recent Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) of 10 Southeast Asian countries, including South Korea, China, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, makes up 29% of the global gross domestic products (BBC, 2020). These present both challenges and opportunities, on “Creating a brighter future for life in the tropics”.

This special issue invites submissions on comprehensive reviews or research articles, and commentaries on promoting Sustainability in the Tropics. As communities, nations and regional partners make choices to work towards a more sustainable world, we’ll like to hear the opinions of people from all disciplines, and at all levels in their chosen fields, to present their case for ‘A Brighter Tropical Future’! The best contributions will be selected to make the collection for this Special Issue. There will be a dedicated student and early career researcher category, in addition to a section for more established scientists.

References:

  1. Gramlich J. (2019) The countries projected to gain and lose the most people by 2100 _ Pew Research Center. Retrieved Nov 15, 2020 from https://pewrsr.ch/30qhPMi
  2. BBC (2020) Retrieved 17 Nov 2020 from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-54949260
  3. World Economic Forum (2019) https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/08/youngest-populations-africa/

Dr. Susan Gibson-Kueh
Prof. Caryn West
Dr. Jacob Wood
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainability in the tropics
  • creating a brighter future
  • eco cities
  • smart farms
  • turning the tide against wastes
  • vibrant remote communities
  • sustainable livelihoods
  • one health
  • inclusive education
  • tourism–the next wave

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 524 KiB  
Article
How Do Corporate Social Responsibility Engagements Drive Consumer–Company Identification in Singapore?
by Adrian T. H. Kuah, Yi Xia and Pengji Wang
Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6080; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106080 - 17 May 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4263
Abstract
Companies expend significant financial resources on corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities to enhance their image. This study had two objectives. By drawing on three fundamental consumer values as moderators, the first aim was to discover how a company’s CSR engagement influences consumer–company identification [...] Read more.
Companies expend significant financial resources on corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities to enhance their image. This study had two objectives. By drawing on three fundamental consumer values as moderators, the first aim was to discover how a company’s CSR engagement influences consumer–company identification (CCI) and consumers’ purchase intention for its products and services. The second was to uncover the type of consumer likely to identify with a company engaging in CSR activities. This study presents an exploratory analysis of social media postings by eight companies. An empirical study is conducted using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) based on survey data from 217 questionnaires collected in Singapore. This study is one of the first to consider what type of consumer would likely identify with a company performing CSR activities. Results show that local-community-focused CSR tends to influence the CCI of egoistic consumers, while environment-focused CSR activities, such as the creation of environmentally-friendly products, drive biospheric consumers’ identification. Broader humanity-focused CSR, such as fair-trade initiatives, significantly influences the CCI of egoistic consumers, but not of altruistic consumers. These findings demonstrate to other economies the significance of local and global companies’ CSR practices and how such activities should be aligned to the CCI of their customer base unique to the region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Creating a Brighter Future for Life in the Tropics)
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19 pages, 781 KiB  
Article
Digital Transformation as a Demographic and Economic Integrated Policy for Southeast Asian Developing Countries
by Taehwan Rhee, Jacob Wood and Jungsuk Kim
Sustainability 2022, 14(5), 2857; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052857 - 1 Mar 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4735
Abstract
The age of Southeast Asian developing countries’ populations is still younger than that of other regions around the world. However, recent statistics show that the tide is now turning in this regard, with many of these populations beginning to age at rates much [...] Read more.
The age of Southeast Asian developing countries’ populations is still younger than that of other regions around the world. However, recent statistics show that the tide is now turning in this regard, with many of these populations beginning to age at rates much faster than many other countries. Such developments require immediate policy action in order to create a sustainable path towards economic growth before demographic changes become less benign in the medium term. In this study, we discuss the economic consequences of population aging, increases in the economic support ratio, and a declining potential growth rate. We argue that it is essential for Southeast Asian developing countries to raise total factor productivity (TFP) growth rates so as to achieve more sustainable economic outcomes. By conducting panel regressions using data from 82 countries across the 1996–2019 study period, our study shows that increasing research and development (R&D) spending and the facilitation of structural changes that transform the digital economy landscape are key policy options that promote TFP growth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Creating a Brighter Future for Life in the Tropics)
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28 pages, 1651 KiB  
Article
Consolidating Unorganised Retail Businesses through Digital Platforms: Implications for Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals
by Malobi Mukherjee and Jacob Wood
Sustainability 2021, 13(21), 12031; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132112031 - 31 Oct 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4776
Abstract
This study explores whether digitalisation of unorganised retail (UR) businesses in emerging markets have a positive socio-economic impact on the lives of the subsistence consumer–merchants who perform the dual role of being, not only consumers providing for themselves and their families, but also [...] Read more.
This study explores whether digitalisation of unorganised retail (UR) businesses in emerging markets have a positive socio-economic impact on the lives of the subsistence consumer–merchants who perform the dual role of being, not only consumers providing for themselves and their families, but also the managers of micro-UR businesses. We develop a framework for sustainable business model innovation at the base of the pyramid by undertaking content analysis of 65 newspaper articles (interviews with senior executives and founders of digital app-based platforms, expert analysis) as well as social media and YouTube testimonials of UR business users of these platforms in Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Using the Gioian coding structure of open and second order comparative coding, we develop a framework for sustainable business model innovation from the base of the pyramid perspective. The framework captures how digitalisation enables the UR businesses to circumvent resource shortages, consolidate procurement and inventory management and diversify product and service offerings, which leads to significant economic and social transformation for both the micro enterprises and their owners. Our framework contributes to the emergent literature on sustainable business model innovation and inclusive innovation in resource-constrained contexts. We conclude that sustainable business model innovations enable socio-economic transformations similar to those experienced by UR businesses in emerging Asian markets. Such developments can create local level pathways for local tropical countries seeking to achieve UN social development goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Creating a Brighter Future for Life in the Tropics)
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Review

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22 pages, 1027 KiB  
Review
Seaweed Aquaculture in Indonesia Contributes to Social and Economic Aspects of Livelihoods and Community Wellbeing
by Michael A. Rimmer, Silva Larson, Imran Lapong, Agus Heri Purnomo, Petrus Rani Pong-Masak, Libby Swanepoel and Nicholas A. Paul
Sustainability 2021, 13(19), 10946; https://doi.org/10.3390/su131910946 - 1 Oct 2021
Cited by 67 | Viewed by 11911
Abstract
Seaweed farming in Indonesia is carried out throughout much of the archipelago and is mainly undertaken by smallholder farmers. Indonesia is the largest global producer of the red seaweeds Kappaphycus and Eucheuma, which are used to produce carrageenan, and is a major [...] Read more.
Seaweed farming in Indonesia is carried out throughout much of the archipelago and is mainly undertaken by smallholder farmers. Indonesia is the largest global producer of the red seaweeds Kappaphycus and Eucheuma, which are used to produce carrageenan, and is a major producer of Gracilaria, which is used to produce agar. Seaweed farming is attractive to farmers in rural coastal communities because capital and operating costs are low, farming techniques are not technically demanding, labour requirements are relatively low (allowing farmers to engage in other livelihoods), and production cycles are short (30–45 days), providing regular income. Using reported values for seaweed-farming income, we conclude that seaweed farming can, but does not always, lift rural households above the Indonesian poverty line. In addition to direct financial benefits, seaweed farming also contributes to human and social capital within seaweed farming households and communities. Achieving continued economic and social benefits from seaweed farming will require additional policy development, as well as research and development to support improved and more consistent seaweed productivity and improved product quality at the farm level, provision of effective extension and technical support services, and diversification of the existing value chains in order to reduce the impacts of price fluctuations that are associated with limited global commodity chains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Creating a Brighter Future for Life in the Tropics)
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Other

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25 pages, 4126 KiB  
Commentary
Aboriginal Community Co-Design and Co-Build—Far More than a House
by Kristian Rodd, Jara Romero, Victor Hunter and Scott Vladimir Martyn
Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 5294; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095294 - 27 Apr 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4634
Abstract
There is urgent need for a new model to address the housing crisis in remote Australian Indigenous communities. Decades of major government expenditure have not significantly improved the endemic problems, which include homelessness, overcrowding, substandard dwellings, and unemployment. Between 2017–2020, Foundation for Indigenous [...] Read more.
There is urgent need for a new model to address the housing crisis in remote Australian Indigenous communities. Decades of major government expenditure have not significantly improved the endemic problems, which include homelessness, overcrowding, substandard dwellings, and unemployment. Between 2017–2020, Foundation for Indigenous Sustainable Health (FISH) worked with the remote Kimberley Aboriginal community, Bawoorrooga, by facilitating the co-design and co-build of a culturally and climatically appropriate home with community members. This housing model incorporates a program of education, health, governance, justice system programs, and land tenure reforms. Build features incorporate sustainable local/recycled materials and earth construction, and ‘Solar Passive Design’. The project faced challenges, including limited funding, extreme climate and remoteness, cultural barriers, and mental health issues. Nevertheless, the program was ultimately successful, producing a house which is culturally designed, climatically/thermally effective, comparatively cheap to build, and efficient to run. The project produced improvements in mental health, schooling outcomes, reduced youth incarceration, and other spheres of community development, including enterprise and community governance. Co-design and co-build projects are slower and more complex than the conventional model of external contracting, but the outcomes can be far superior across broad areas of social and emotional wellbeing, house quality and comfort, energy consumption, long-term maintenance, community physical and mental health, pride, and ownership. These factors are essential in breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty, trauma, and engagement with the justice system. This paper provides a narrative case study of the project and outlines the core principles applied and the lessons learned. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Creating a Brighter Future for Life in the Tropics)
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