Dimitrios A. Georgakellos

The use of the LCA polygon framework in waste management

Purpose – Recycling of non‐renewable resources serves both in reducing the consumption of virgin supplies and the discharge of associated residuals back into the natural environment. On the other hand, recycling has been criticized because of its environmental impacts. The aim of the present paper is to identify and quantify the environmental effect of recycling of a glass bottle.Design/methodology/approach – For this purpose, the life cycle assessment polygon framework is being used. This framework has been developed for evaluating the results of a life cycle inventory analysis using critical volume aggregation and polygon‐based interpretation.Findings – Recycling strategies can, in most cases, reduce the total environmental burden of the glass container examined. However, this reduction may considerably vary in relation to each “ecological parameter” (consumption of energy, consumption of water, air emissions, waterborne waste and solid waste), depending mainly on the “recycling mix” (the percentage of ...

Application of the Semantic Learning Approach in the Feasibility Studies Preparation Training Process

Abstract The present paper is concerned with an ontology-based knowledge network developed for the semantic representation of the feasibility studies preparation procedure. Specifically, a training scenario in feasibility studies and business plan preparing was built, using the CULTOS tools that are based on a self-contained reusable knowledge repository, which combines the ontology constructs with supportive multimedia objects. The proposed approach may have significant impact to enabling users participate actively in the feasibility studies preparing process since they are equipped with an appropriate tool for acquiring a clear and an in depth understanding of this process. Through the present application, it seems that the model could combine any existing multimedia material with ontology constructs, using knowledge-based multimedia authoring tools, in order to build user-training scenarios and satisfy specific training needs.

Investigating the factors affecting companies' attitudes towards CSR and CER during the fiscal crisis in Greece

This paper explores, through a relevant survey, the factors affecting companies’ behaviour towards Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility (CSR and CER) and how the fiscal crisis in Greece may change companies’ perceptions towards them. All responses were appropriately analysed using multivariate statistical techniques, and showed that companies’ attitude towards CSR/CER is mainly associated with the management systems applied. In addition, it is strongly related to financial results, which are influenced by the recession and the bank credit accessibility problems. Moreover, companies believe that issues such as a companys financial results, reputation/image, market-share/sales etc. are considered as significant incentives to implement CSR/CER actions.

External cost of air pollution from thermal power plants: case of Greece

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to quantify the external cost of airborne pollutants (i.e. sulphur and nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, and particulate matters) generated during electricity production in the thermal power plants in Greece.Design/methodology/approach – This paper applies the EcoSenseLE online tool to examine the external cost of air pollution generated in all thermal power stations of 50 MW or higher capacity in Greece. The external cost has been calculated for five damage categories and by fuel types. Data for 2004 has been used and projections up to 2030 have been made.Findings – This research finds that the external cost of the natural gas power plants is €13.87 per MWh which is the lowest for the system while the cost is estimated at €43.89 per MWh for lignite plants. The external cost of air pollution from the power sector in 2004 has been estimated at €1.89 billion and is expected to increase to €2.48 billion in 2025. The marginal external cost at the plant level varies from €8...

Emissions Trading Scheme: Evidence from the European Union Countries

The impacts of the climate change are already visible and, if this change will not be combated they will endanger even the existence of humanity. Thus, the European legislation framework is oriented to the environment protection. This orientation is implemented by numerous ways such as the adoption of biofuels (Kyriakopoulos et al., 2010a; b) and the Emissions Trading Scheme. The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the data concerning the ETS in European Union Countries from 2009 and on in order to imprint and understand the way how ETS works in the EU. The literature review contributed to the understanding of the EU ETS mechanisms and to the results interpretation as well. The results of the study have shown that the ETS is of great strategic importance for the EU battle against climate change and the market that has been created based on them is under a great development.

Ontology-Based Gap Analysis for Technology Selection: A Knowledge Management Framework for the Support of Equipment Purchasing Processes

Technology selection decisions such as equipment purchasing and supplier selection are decisions of strategic importance to companies. The nature of these decisions usually is complex, unstructured and thus, difficult to be captured in a way that will be efficiently reusable. Knowledge reusability is of paramount importance since it enables users participate actively in process design/redesign activities stimulated by the changing technology selection environment. This paper addresses the technology selection problem through an ontology-based approach that captures and makes reusable the equipment purchasing process and assists in identifying (a) the specifications requested by the users’ organization, (b) those offered by various candidate vendors’ organizations and (c) in performing specifications gap analysis as a prerequisite for effective and efficient technology selection. This approach has practical appeal, operational simplicity, and the potential for both immediate and long-term strategic impact. An example from the iron and steel industry is also presented to illustrate the approach.