International Journal of Social Ecology and Sustainable Development 

About: International Journal of Social Ecology and Sustainable Development is an academic journal published by IGI Global. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Sustainability & Computer science. It has an ISSN identifier of 1947-8402. Over the lifetime, 423 publications have been published receiving 2158 citations. The journal is also known as: International journal of social ecology & sustainable development & IJSESD.

Triple Helix, Quadruple Helix and Quintuple Helix and How Do Knowledge, Innovation and the Environment Relate To Each Other?: A Proposed Framework for a Trans-disciplinary Analysis of Sustainable Development and Social Ecology

Abstract: This article develops an inter-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary framework of analysis that relates knowledge, innovation and the environment (natural environments) to each other. For that purpose the five-helix structure model of the Quintuple Helix is being introduced. The Triple Helix model, designed by Etzkowitz and Leydesdorff (2000), focuses on the relations of universities, industry and governments. The Quadruple Helix (Carayannis & Campbell, 2009) blends in the perspective of a media-based and culture-based public. The Quintuple Helix finally frames knowledge and innovation in the context of the environment (natural environments). Therefore, the Quintuple Helix can be interpreted as an approach in line with sustainable development and social ecology. “Eco-innovation†and “eco-entrepreneurship†should be processed in such a broader understanding of knowledge and innovation.

Analysis of Solar Farm Site Selection Based on TOPSIS Approach

Abstract: Energy is necessary for industrial activities and social development. Due to environmental effect of fossil fuels and resource limitation, the importance of using renewable energy is growing. One of the most appropriate renewable energies is solar energy. Photovoltaic cells directly convert solar energy to electricity. In addition to PV technology, selecting an appropriate site is a main concern for PV power plant installation. The aim this article is to select suitable site for photovoltaic installation in a case study, Iran. Four different locations are the primary options for utility scale PV plants installation and the best choice is selected based on a MADM method, TOPSIS.

Sustainability Reporting in State Universities: An Investigation of Italian Pioneering Practices

Abstract: Recent years have witnessed an increasing interest towards sustainability reporting from scholars all over the world, especially focusing on large corporations. Research has only recently been carried out regarding sustainability reporting in the public sector; however, very few studies have been published with reference to universities. In Italy, despite the fact that sustainability reporting is not mandatory, two guidelines have been issued to promote it within state universities. To date, only few studies have been published on this topic. To bridge this gap, the current work aims to review and assess the state of sustainability reporting in Italian state universities and therefore it contributes to the international debate about the development of sustainability reporting in the public sector. In doing so, this paper represents one of the first attempts at investigating sustainability reports in universities, and more broadly in the public sector.

Sustainability and Anticipatory Governance in Synthetic Biology

Abstract: A prominent imaginary of synthetic biology is the sustainability of bio-based technologies. In this paper, the authors discuss various reports, papers, and activities in synthetic biology in relation to a core set of principles of sustainability, paying particular attention to the concept of “prudent vigilance†as introduced by the report by the U.S. Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. The authors introduce two additional concepts – anticipatory governance and transformational sustainability science – and outline an approach for systematically incorporating sustainability considerations into the development of synthetic biology that addresses the challenges and opportunities presented by the field in a more robust way than prudent vigilance. The authors conclude that an opportunity exists to shape synthetic biology toward sustainable outcomes and make recommendations for how research funders might seize this opportunity.

The Idea of a Green New Deal in a Quintuple Helix Model of Knowledge, Know-How and Innovation

Abstract: The climate change and the financial and economical crises are posing new challenges to the quality of democracies. This article is about the discussion of a correlation between a potential Green New Deal project and the scientific innovation model of a Quintuple Helix in advanced democracies to demonstrate that the sought for knowledge, sustainability, and green development can imply an excess in quality of democracies. Conclusion of the discussion is that the social and scientific subsystems of a democracy must, as part of a new deal, take over new tasks. At the same time, a new scientific cooperation and exchange system between advanced democracies should be implemented on an international level.