http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/168 2026-04-26T21:19:47Z 2026-04-26T21:19:47Z Du, Guangjie http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33225 2026-04-26T19:43:58Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Technology Adoption and Sustainable Development: Evaluating the Impact of Robotics on Unemployment and SO₂ Emissions Authors: Du, Guangjie Abstract: This doctoral thesis explores the impact of robotics adoption on two dimensions of sustainability, unemployment and SO₂ emissions. The adoption of robotics has brought about profound changes in the global community, transforming employment and the air quality. Two seemingly distinct issues are connected through the broader theoretical framework and its practical applications. Existing research provides limited cross-country evidence on the effects of robotics adoption on unemployment and environmental outcomes, and little is known about the roles of culture and spatial spillovers in shaping these effects. Based on a relevant theoretical framework, the thesis addresses the gaps by proposing research questions in two consecutive empirical chapters, as explained in the next section. Secondary databases are employed to examine the research questions. In the thesis, the results are drawn from performing multiple regressions on the cross-country empirical data gathered. Briefly, the thesis analyses the impact of the adoption of robotics on unemployment and SO₂ emissions, focusing on revealing the interdependency between economic characteristics and sustainability. Accordingly, it is organised into two empirical chapters. The first empirical chapter investigates the effects of robotics adoption on unemployment across multiple national contexts, utilising panel data from 33 countries over the period 2010–2019. This analysis employs theoretical frameworks of innovation diffusion and absorptive capacity to explore how the adoption of robotics influences international unemployment disparities. Additionally, this chapter examines the employment effects of robotics through a cross-cultural lens. The empirical results indicate that robotics adoption reduces unemployment; however, this effect differs substantially across countries when cultural dimensions are included as moderating factors. The chapter thereby extends the existing body of research on robotics adoption and unemployment by integrating insights from innovation diffusion and absorptive capacity theories. Moreover, the findings offer policymakers deeper insights into the nuanced role of cultural contexts in shaping employment-related policies related to the adoption of robotics. The second empirical chapter focuses on examining the impact of robotic adoption on sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emission intensity (per unit of GDP) and total SO₂ emissions. The analysis applies a comprehensive panel dataset from 50 countries spanning the period from 2000 to 2019. The application of advanced econometric methodologies, with the Spatial Durbin Model (SDM) being a notable example, is situated within the theoretical frameworks of spatial spillover and absorptive capacity. This approach differentiates between domestic and cross-border impacts of robotics on air quality indicators. The empirical evidence suggests that the adoption of robotics is conducive to the reduction of SO₂ intensity and total SO₂ emissions to both domestic and neighbouring countries, thereby demonstrating significant direct and spillover effects that transcend national boundaries. The spatial econometric analysis presented in this chapter makes a significant contribution to the existing literature on technological advancements and environmental outcomes. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that integrating robotics can enhance understanding of the intricate consequences that arise from this intersection in global environmental governance and policy-making processes. The structure of this thesis deviates from the conventional single, continuous narrative structure, adopting instead two independent empirical research chapters. These chapters have the potential to be published separately in academic journals. This format aligns with emerging trends in interdisciplinary research, which often involve multiple authors across various dimensions of broader research topics. This structure facilitates the rapid dissemination and interaction of academic outcomes within the academic community. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that this approach can facilitate the timely production of research findings, thereby making an academic contribution to their field. Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Peivand, Fahimeh http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/32936 2026-03-10T12:20:31Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The role of government initiatives in sustainability practice and performance in the UK hotel sector Authors: Peivand, Fahimeh Abstract: Sustainability has become increasingly important in today’s business world, with companies recognising the need to integrate ethical, social and environmental considerations into their operations. The hotel sector is no exception, and interest in promoting sustainable practices within the industry continues to grow. Although the UK government has introduced several initiatives to advance sustainability in hotels, a comprehensive understanding of their effectiveness as well as the challenges and opportunities that accompany their implementation remains limited. The main objectives and contributions of this research are to assess the impact of government initiatives on sustainability practices and performances in the UK hotel industry and to identify effective strategies and mechanisms to encourage sustainable practices. There is a lack of a holistic framework that not only explains how government initiatives drive sustainability practices and performance, but also how the various elements of government initiatives, sustainability practices, and performance influence one another, including the interrelationships among these elements. This study adopts institutional theory to examine how external drivers and pressures, i.e. government sustainability initiatives, shape sustainability practices and performance in organisations. Semi-structured interviews with hospitality managers and employees provide a fresh empirical perspective and add a new dimension to the existing body of knowledge. The findings of this research demonstrate that there are four key government initiatives that encourage sustainability practices in the hotel industry in the UK i.e. norms and culture, set of rules, decision-making process and innovative initiative entrepreneurship. The research outcome was the development of the new holistic framework based on empirical results, institutional theory and the previous literature discussion, which resulted in the final research framework, as being a significant theoretical contribution of this research. Policymakers, hotel‐industry stakeholders, and researchers can apply this framework to devise government strategies that advance sustainability practices and performance across the hospitality sector and the wider service economy. Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Aljukhaydib, Ahmed Nasser http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/32534 2025-12-20T03:00:20Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Investigating socio-cultural influences on Saudi shoppers’ perspectives towards sustainability and ethical practices Authors: Aljukhaydib, Ahmed Nasser Abstract: This thesis investigates how cultural, religious, and institutional factors shape the way Saudi consumers understand and practice sustainable consumption. Most of existing literature on sustainable consumption is based on Western, individualist models that focus on environmental concern, and personal responsibility. However, these models do not fully reflect non-Western contexts such as Saudi Arabia, where social norms, religious beliefs, and government influence are deeply connected to consumers’ everyday choices. The research adopts a qualitative, interpretivist approach based on social constructivism. In total, 40 participants took part in this study — 30 semi-structured interviews and a separate group of 10 shop-along interviews were conducted, all with Saudi citizen-consumers. Data were analyzed thematically using Lochmiller’s five-step method. Two main theoretical perspectives guided the study: Practice Theory, which focuses on the role of social routines and shared behaviors, and Multiple Modernities Theory, which emphasizes that different societies modernize in culturally specific ways. Findings show that Saudi consumers prioritize affordability, need, and product quality over environmental concern. Many participants linked sustainability to Islamic teachings such as avoiding waste and practicing moderation. Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan, emerged as a key driver of sustainability efforts, highlighting a strong reliance on state-led transformation rather than the individual or community efforts that were often the focus in earlier research. This study contributes to sustainable consumption studies by offering a culturally grounded understanding of non-Western consumers’ perceptions on the role and responsibilities of various stakeholders for sustainability. I make a novel theoretical contribution in combining Practice Theory with a Multiple Modernities perspective to analyse non-Western consumers’ shopping practices in relation to sustainability concepts. The thesis argues for a more inclusive, context sensitive approach to sustainability research and policy that considers culture, religion, and structure not just individual attitudes. Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Buresova, Petra http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/32525 2025-12-19T14:57:21Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Leadership through lived experience: How remote work shapes leadership practices in non-profit organisations – a grounded theory approach Authors: Buresova, Petra Abstract: This study examines how remote work impacts the understanding and practices of non-profit leadership, it does so through the lens of lived experiences. Using a Constructivist Grounded Theory approach, the research investigates how non-profit leaders understand their roles and adapt to challenges in remote settings. Through 34 in-depth interviews with non-profit leaders, team members, and other key stakeholders, in the UK, the study proposes a practice framework for remote leadership in charitable organisations. This framework highlights four interconnected dimensions of leadership: building relational connections, maintaining connection with organisational culture and mission, adapting to individual needs and promoting empowerment, and applying continuous reflection. The model builds upon our understanding of leadership as an interpersonal and relational process. These findings show that remote non-profit leadership is not build on operational oversight, but it is relational and adaptive in its core. The study offers a framework that considers the complexities of remote work in missiondriven non-profit organisations. The findings also offer practical insights for non-profit leaders. They highlight the importance of visibility in the digital space, trust-building, personalised leadership approaches, and continuous reflection, to keep the remote nonprofit teams engaged. This study brings an updated perspective for our understanding of non-profit leadership in remote settings, as it frames it as a relational and adaptive experience. The study offers theoretical contributions, as well as practical applications for leaders engaging with a dispersed workforce. This study also aims to provide contribution to the knowledge of the non-profit sector, and through the shared knowledge, support the organisations to continue to provide invaluable services to those in need. Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z