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Innovation in Environmental Protection and Public Health: Social, Economic and Ecological Approaches

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Science and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2023) | Viewed by 22637

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Józef Ober

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Guest Editor

Department of Applied Social Sciences, Faculty of Organization and Management, Silesian University of Technology, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
Interests: innovation; social sciences; management and quality; environmental sciences; ecology; sustainability; circular economy; water; wastewater treatment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Piotr Sakiewicz

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Co-Guest Editor

Division of Nanocrystalline and Functional Materials and Sustainable Pro-Ecological Technologies, Institute of Engineering Materials and Biomaterials, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Interests: circular economy; renewable energy sources; materials for sorption and filtration; recycling of engineering materials; management and production engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Krzysztof Piotrowski

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Co-Guest Editor

Department of Chemical Engineering and Process Design, Faculty of Chemistry, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Interests: mixed matrix membranes and nanocomposites in membrane separation; kinetcs of reaction crystallization processes; biogas technology-process kinetics and optimization; combustion products conversion; circular economy and recycling technologies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are organizing a Special Issue regarding the impact of innovation on the environment and public health in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. This is a peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes articles and communications in the interdisciplinary field of environmental and public health sciences. For more information about the journal, please refer to https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph.

Innovation is pervasive in all industries and throughout society. Innovative actions can affect public health and have the potential to reduce environmental pollution, energy, water, and fuel use. Such activities are overwhelmingly consistent with the philosophy of sustainable development and can be considered from social, economic, and environmental perspectives.

Research conducted in both urban and rural areas in developing and developed countries can provide valuable insights into environmental protection and public health in the context of innovation.

This Special Issue is open to all topic areas related to the environmental and public health impacts of innovation. The keywords listed suggest only a few of the many possibilities.

Dr. Józef Ober
Dr. Piotr Sakiewicz
Prof. Dr. Krzysztof Piotrowski
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. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2500 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

innovation
eco-innovation
environmental protection
environmental exposure
ecology
emissions
sustainability
public health
quality of life
social participation

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 5073 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Urban Therapy—Urban Health Path as an Innovative Urban Function to Strengthen the Psycho-Physical Condition of the Elderly

by Anna Szewczenko, Ewa Lach, Natalia Bursiewicz, Iwona Chuchnowska, Sylwia Widzisz-Pronobis, Marta Sanigórska, Klaudia Elsner, Daria Bal, Mateusz Sutor, Jakub Włodarz and Józef Ober

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(12), 6081; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20126081 - 8 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1975

Abstract

The current approach to stimulating elderly physical activity mostly uses medical rehabilitation methods or popular forms of outdoor recreation. In the context of an ageing population, there is a growing demand for innovative rehabilitation methods that use information technology. In this article, we present the Urban Health Path as an innovative form of activation for older people using urban therapy, where the architectural elements, such as details, façade features, and urban furniture, inspire movement and attentiveness in the experience of space. The concept is supported by a mobile application that takes into account the specific preferences of older users. Our concept of the physical and cognitive activation of older people was the result of a user-centred design approach and it was tested as a prototype solution. At the same time, the aim of this article is to identify opportunities and limitations for the implementation of this type of solution in other urban spaces. The article presents the process of developing a solution using the Design Thinking method. The process was focused on the needs and preferences of older people. The results of the research project indicate the main important guidelines for implementing the Urban Health Path as a new form of urban facility in the city space. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in Environmental Protection and Public Health: Social, Economic and Ecological Approaches)

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23 pages, 3679 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Manufacturing Agglomeration on the Green Innovation Efficiency—Spatial Effect Based on China’s Provincial Panel Data

by Shan Xu and Yu Zhang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4238; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054238 - 27 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1311

Abstract

Improving the efficiency of green innovation has become an urgent issue in the transformation of manufacturing industries in most developing countries within the context of increasing resource scarcity and environmental constraints. As an important feature of manufacturing development, agglomeration also plays a substantial role the promotion of technological progress and green transformation. Taking China as an example, this paper investigates the spatial impact of manufacturing agglomeration (MAGG) on green innovation efficiency (GIE). We first measure the level of MAGG and GIE in 30 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) in China during the period from 2010 to 2019, and then we utilize the spatial Durbin model in order to empirically test the spatial effect and heterogeneity based on theoretical analysis. The findings demonstrate that (1) the overall GIE in China has maintained a steady increase, and the level of MAGG slowly decreased from 2010 to 2019 with characteristics of obvious regional non-equilibrium and spatial correlations; (2) MAGG has a significant effect on the improvement of GIE nationally; (3) under the constraints of regional heterogeneity, the impacts of MAGG on GIE show significant differences between eastern, central and western China; (4) in terms of industry heterogeneity, high-tech MAGG can significantly enhance local GIE, while the indirect effect of non-high-tech MAGG is significantly negative. Our findings not only contribute to the advancement of studies pertaining to industry agglomeration and innovation, but also present policy implications for China and the world at large in terms of the development of high-quality and green economy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in Environmental Protection and Public Health: Social, Economic and Ecological Approaches)

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17 pages, 1031 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Patient Treatment and Rehabilitation Processes Using Electromyography Signals and Selected Industry 4.0 Solutions

by Ewa Stawiarska and Maciej Stawiarski

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3754; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043754 - 20 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1319

Abstract

Funding treatment and rehabilitation processes for patients with musculoskeletal conditions is an important part of public health insurance in European Union countries. By 2030, these processes will be planned in national health strategies (sequential process activities will be identified, care packages will be defined, service standards will be described, roles in the implementation of activities will be distinguished). Today, in many countries of the world (including the EU countries), these processes tend not to be very effective and to be expensive for both patients and insurance companies. This article aims to raise awareness of the need for process re-engineering and describes possible tools for assessing patient treatment and rehabilitation processes (using electromyographic signals—EMG and selected Industry 4.0 solutions). This article presents the research methodology prepared for the purpose of process evaluation. The use of this methodology will confirm the hypothesis that the use of EMG signals and selected Industry 4.0 solutions will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of treatment and rehabilitation processes for patients with musculoskeletal injuries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in Environmental Protection and Public Health: Social, Economic and Ecological Approaches)

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20 pages, 2272 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inheritance and Innovation of Pottery Sculpture Technique in Shiwan, China: A Grounded Study from Cultural Ecology

by Liting Zhou, Xiaomei Zou, Yongnan Huang, Yiyong Li, Luyao Guo and Junyu Fu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3344; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043344 - 14 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2095

Abstract

Ceramics play an important role in human daily life and production practice. Pottery sculpture technique is the core of ceramic making. However, the production process of traditional ceramics is accompanied by high pollution, which has a great impact on human health and the ecological environment. Rapid development of industrialization has exacerbated this consequence. As the “Pottery Capital of Southern China”, Foshan has been involved in environmental crises while relying on the ceramic industry to develop. Since the 21st century, Foshan has gradually successfully driven to upgrade the city from industrial to culture-led by carrying out positive innovations in Shiwan pottery sculpture technique. Therefore, based on the theoretical perspective of cultural ecology, this paper selects Shiwan pottery sculpture technique as the object, uses Python (Octopus Collector) to obtain data, and applies grounded theory to generate the ecological evolution model. This study discussed how the Shiwan pottery sculpture technique promotes the harmonious coexistence of human beings, industries, and cities in the new cultural ecological environment of the 21st century by exploring and clarifying the interaction and function of different elements in different stages of evolution. Finally, this study not only makes up for the current lack of research on Shiwan’s cultural ecology, but also provides meaningful reference for environmental reform in other industrialized cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in Environmental Protection and Public Health: Social, Economic and Ecological Approaches)

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23 pages, 1117 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on the Forestry Industry Structure Upgrading: The Moderating Effect on Labor Migration

by Fangmiao Hou, Xiaoyi Li, Chengliang Wu, Yufei Yin and Hui Xiao

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2621; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032621 - 1 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1454

Abstract

This study examines the impact of foreign direct investment in forestry, a prominent phenomenon in China, on forestry industry structure upgrading, using comprehensive economic theory and the panel data of 27 provinces from 2003 to 2019 in China. We used fixed and moderating effect models, and regional heterogeneity tests were conducted. Our results indicate that, at the national level, foreign direct investment in forestry and labor migration promotes forestry industry structural upgrading. In addition, our results indicate that labor migration as a moderating variable weakly promotes forestry industry structural upgrading via foreign direct investment in forestry, and these effects have regional heterogeneity. Finally, different control variables also have influence on forestry industry structural upgrading, such as the number of forestry stations. Based on these empirical results, we provide an explanation and give policy implications, such as developing secondary and tertiary forestry industries, building forestry infrastructure, and improving the efficiency of forestry foreign investment utilization to promote the optimization of the forestry industry structure in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in Environmental Protection and Public Health: Social, Economic and Ecological Approaches)

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19 pages, 703 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Balance between Smog Control and Economic Growth in China: Mechanism Analysis Based on the Effect of Green Technology Innovation

by Kai Yuan, Yabing Qin, Chenlu Wang, Zihao Li and Tingting Bai

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1475; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021475 - 13 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1415

Abstract

The balance between smog pollution (SP) control and economic growth (EG) is currently a major problem facing China’s development. Green technology innovation (GTI) is an effective way to promote ecological civilization and realize green development. Thus, whether GTI can facilitate a win–win situation of SP control and stable EG is an important issue of academic concerns. In this paper, the mechanisms of the role of GTI, SP and EG were systematically demonstrated. The corresponding research hypotheses were proposed. Based on the data book of 278 Chinese cities from 2008 to 2020, the effects of GTI on SP and EG were systematically investigated using the econometric estimation method of dynamic spatial panel simultaneous equations. The results show that GTI can reduce SP directly, or indirectly by promoting EG. Although GTI can promote EG, EG may be inhibited due to GTI-induced SP reduction. Inter-regional SP showed significant spatial agglomeration characteristics. EG had significant spatial correlation effects. GTI in neighboring regions can also facilitate local SP control. Further analysis shows that compared with green utility model innovation (GUMI), green invention and innovation (GII) had a more significant effect on reducing SP and promoting EG. In addition, the analysis of the comprehensive effect of GTI on SP and EG shows that GTI can achieve the overall balanced development of SP prevention and EG regardless of GTI types. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in Environmental Protection and Public Health: Social, Economic and Ecological Approaches)

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12 pages, 1285 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

How Does Sustainable Leadership Affect Environmental Innovation Strategy Adoption? The Mediating Role of Environmental Identity

by Ling Hu, Tai-Wei Chang, Yue-Shi Lee, Show-Jane Yen and Chih-Wen Ting

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 894; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010894 - 3 Jan 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4122

Abstract

This paper uses social identity theory to develop an environmental identity theory and interpret why sustainable leadership can influence environmental identity, which in turn, results in environmental innovation strategy (EIS) adoption. Data were collected from 90 samples of technology manufacturing firms in Taiwan, and a latent growth curve model was employed to analyze the longitudinal data. The research results confirm all hypotheses. Mediating analysis also supports the environmental identity as a mediating role between sustainable leadership and EIS. Indeed, past studies have not explored the mechanism studied in this paper, a novel mechanism which can not only advance the literature on sustainable development but also help companies to realize sustainable development through environmental innovation strategy adoption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in Environmental Protection and Public Health: Social, Economic and Ecological Approaches)

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19 pages, 522 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Influence Mechanism of Management Overconfidence, Corporate Environmental Responsibility and Corporate Value: The Moderating Effect of Government Environmental Governance and Media Attention

by Guiyu Bai and Delin Meng

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 577; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010577 - 29 Dec 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2002

Abstract

China’s economic development has gradually entered a new period of slowing down and changing from quantity to quality, which has put forward higher requirements for environmental quality. How to better fulfill environmental responsibilities and realize a virtuous circle of “environmental protection for development” and a value growth model are essential issues that enterprises should consider and solve. Overconfidence, as one of the significant psychological characteristics of management, has caused more and more attention to its economic consequences. In order to clarify the internal logical relationship between the two and help enterprises optimize their environmental responsibility decisions, the paper is based on upper echelon theory and stakeholder theory. It focuses on the micro-situation of the corporate, empirically testing the influence of management overconfidence on corporate environmental responsibility by using the OLS regression analysis method, taking the manufacturing listed companies in the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchange of China from 2010 to 2017 as the research sample. The study discusses the moderating effect of government environmental governance and media attention on the relationship between management overconfidence and corporate environmental responsibility. The empirical results show a negative correlation between management overconfidence and corporate environmental responsibility. Both government environmental governance and media attention will weaken the negative correlation between management overconfidence and corporate environmental responsibility. Further research finds that management overconfidence has a weakening effect on corporate value, and corporate environmental responsibility plays a partial mediating role between management overconfidence and corporate value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in Environmental Protection and Public Health: Social, Economic and Ecological Approaches)

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23 pages, 7124 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Internet Development, Consumption Upgrading and Carbon Emissions—An Empirical Study from China

by Yingzi Chen, Wanwan Yang and Yaqi Hu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 265; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010265 - 24 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1759

Abstract

Internet development has changed Chinese people’s consumption behavior, gradually expanding from survival consumption (SC) to development and enjoyment consumption (DEC) trends. Consumption is the new engine driving China’s economic growth and the terminal of carbon emissions. Simultaneously, China is undergoing a profound change toward the “double carbon” goal, the space for carbon emission reduction in traditional fields is gradually compressed. Therefore, it is necessary to explore carbon emissions from the perspective of consumption terminals. Based on provincial panel data, we use the fixed effects model and mediating effects model to explore the relationship between Internet development, consumption upgrading, and carbon emissions in a unified research framework. The findings show that: (1) Internet development leads to an increase in carbon emissions. A finding remains significant after using instrumental variables to mitigate endogeneity; (2) Internet development promotes consumption upgrading, reflected in development and enjoyment consumption expenditure; (3) Internet development contributes to increasing carbon emissions through consumption upgrading. Heterogeneity analysis shows that Internet development in eastern China significantly contributes to carbon emissions through consumption upgrading, while it is insignificant in central and western regions. The Internet development leading region contributes to an increase in carbon emissions through consumption upgrading. In comparison, the lagging region is insignificant. This study can provide a reference for policymakers in China or other countries to formulate energy-saving and emission-reduction policies in the Internet industry and provide a scientific basis for advocating people’s low-carbon consumption behavior and achieving carbon emission reduction at the consumption terminal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in Environmental Protection and Public Health: Social, Economic and Ecological Approaches)

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23 pages, 746 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Is There a Missing Link? Exploring the Effects of Institutional Pressures on Environmental Performance in the Chinese Construction Industry

by Dongmei Lee, Yuxia Fu, Daijiao Zhou, Tao Nie and Zhihong Song

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11787; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811787 - 18 Sep 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1818

Abstract

Although institutional pressures have huge strategic implications for organizational activities, this certainly does not mean that organizations under institutional pressures can improve environmental performance automatically. Institutional pressures are critical but not sufficient to affect environmental performance directly. Therefore, additional research is needed to explore the missing link between institutional pressures and environmental performance. Based on the “pressure-response-performance” framework, this study integrates perspectives of institutional theory and organizational learning to argue the mediating role of organizational learning in the relationship between institutional pressures and environmental performance. Data were collected via 268 valid questionnaires from construction firms located in Shanxi Province in central China. Hypotheses in the conceptual model were tested with structural equation modeling. Empirical results reveal that both coercive and mimetic pressures have significantly positive effects on organizational learning, whereas normative pressures have a non-significant effect on organizational learning. Besides that, organizational learning has a significantly positive effect on environmental performance. In addition, organizational learning partially mediates the relationship between coercive pressures and environmental performance and completely mediates the relationship between mimetic pressures and environmental performance. By exploring the mediating role of organizational learning, the article uncovers the missing link in the relationship between institutional pressures and environmental performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in Environmental Protection and Public Health: Social, Economic and Ecological Approaches)

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28 pages, 2347 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Innovative Technological Approach for the Cyclic Nutrients Adsorption by Post-Digestion Sewage Sludge-Based Ash Co-Formed with Some Nanostructural Additives under a Circular Economy Framework

by Piotr Sakiewicz, Krzysztof Piotrowski, Mariola Rajca, Izabella Maj, Sylwester Kalisz, Józef Ober, Janusz Karwot and Krishna R. Pagilla

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(17), 11119; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191711119 - 5 Sep 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1807

Abstract

This paper presents a new, innovative technological approach, in line with Circular Economy principles, to the effective management of sludge generated during municipal wastewater treatment processes and subsequently used for biogas production. This approach allows for optimal, functional, and controlled cascade-type biotechnological thermal conversion of carbon compounds present in sewage sludge, later in solid digestate residues (after biogas production), and finally in the ash structure (after incineration, purposefully dosed nanostructural additives make the production of a useful solid product possible, especially for cyclic adsorption and slow release of nutrients (N, P, K) in the soil). The idea is generally targeted at achieving an innovative conversion cycle under a Circular Economy framework. In particular, it is based on an energy carrier (methane biogas) and direct energy production. The functionalized combustion by-products can be advantageous in agriculture. The use of ashes with nanostructural additives (halloysite, kaolinite) from combustion of sewage sludge after the anaerobic fermentation as an adsorbent of selected nutrients important in agriculture (Na⁺, K⁺, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻, PO₄³⁻, Cl⁻) was verified at laboratory scale. The tests were carried out both for pure ash and for the ash derived from combustion with the purposeful addition of kaolinite or halloysite. The equilibrium conditions for nitrate, potassium, sodium, phosphate(V), sulphate(VI), and chloride ions from aqueous solutions with the use of the three adsorbent structures were determined. The obtained innovative results were interpreted theoretically with adsorption isotherm models (Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, Jovanović). The most spectacular and clearly favorable results related to the influence of nanostructural additives in the process of sludge combustion, and formation of sorption surfaces under high temperature conditions were identified in the case of sorption-based separation of phosphate(V) ions (an increase from 1.13% to 61.24% with the addition of kaolinite, and even up to 76.19% with addition of halloysite). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in Environmental Protection and Public Health: Social, Economic and Ecological Approaches)

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