Introduction to the Case Studies (original) (raw)

This chapter provides an introduction and summary of the seven Case Studies in Part III. The reason behind their inclusion is explained here and their relevance to the CapSEM Model highlighted. The emphasis is on continuous and ever evolving research in this area, including a Case Study (Chap. 18) which is deliberately longitudinal in nature. Transition towards sustainability is at the core of these studies, demonstrating that while the starting point may be the need for a remedial solution, the path to resolving such issues differs, is not linear and involves the application of different CapSEM Model Levels. Such problems are of global, not only local, interest. The Case Studies therefore provide a variety of roadmaps, rather than definitive or prescriptive guidance, which should prove of interest to industry and those examining how the CapSEM Model is put into practice. The cases presented in Chaps. 14-20 are hand-picked from an inventory of research conducted by myself and my PhDs and my colleagues and students over many years, including some ongoing projects. In each instance, an initial problematic state within the boundaries of a specified organization, environment, or situation needed a remedial solution. However more often than not, the solution was a starting point for additional activity, in keeping with the concept of continuing improvement and transition toward sustainability. For this reason, each case study is more a roadmap than a prescription, and the problems addressed are global as much as they are local. The cases may revolve around a single, sectoral or regional issue using quantitative evidence from multiple sources, and building, when possible, from the results of previous research. The cases share a number of features. For many in the industrial domain problems arise when customer or regulatory requirements shift toward products that meet stringent sustainability performance criteria (cf. Chaps. 14 and 18). Municipalities are driven by similar challenges to provide services that meet strict requirements imposed by their constituencies for responsible environmental