The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview and summary of selected sustainability-related academic programs and certificates delivered by universities and colleges located in the same geographic area (Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.).   Holistic and practical dimensions of creating and sustaining educational programs are evaluated, and emerging outcomes from universities with a history of prosperous sustainability studies programs are provided as models of applicability.  The possible effects of the level of formalizing sustainability in higher education and different aspects of academic-level sustainability programming at universities and colleges in a single geographic region were studied in a comparative perspective.  The study focused on the role of internal and external leadership, political and appointed officials, networking factors of various stakeholders, demand for sustainability in education, and the resources commitment in staffing.  We evaluated each element in the context of sustainability in education and longevity and self-support.  These findings and the concept of successfully developing and sustaining sustainability‑related academic programs in Grand Rapids (MI) are examined within a broad and holistic context encompassing educational, programmatic, socioeconomic, organizational, and leadership dimensions.  While further research is warranted, predictably, all elements performed well and added value to the conceptual framework of developing and sustaining sustainability-related academic programming with potential lessons applicable to the programmatic approaches to education domestically and abroad.

Embedding sustainability in an organization is often linked to effective leadership. By design, changes in leadership within the organization may lead to changes in commitment or perceived importance of sustainability in organizations.  While some leaders in organizations are interested in embedding sustainability within an organizational structure, other leaders believe in putting their own stamp on sustainability efforts. Using a mixed methodology approach to interviews and literature review, to confirm or dispel the underscored notion of the importance of leadership play in embedding sustainability within city organization. The research inquiry includes in-person interviews with top city staff and elected officials in a large Midwestern city, and a review of the internal documents and reports from the past 5 years, to examine the role that elected and appointed officials have in embedding sustainability within cities, and whether a change in leadership may have an impact on continuity of sustainability implementation and long term viability of such policies. The paper focuses on the implementation of sustainable energy policies within a municipal organizational structure as a mean of constructing a better understanding of leadership on sustainability implementation and embedment.  While the further inquiry is needed, the research points out that an active partnership between city managers, administrators, and elected officials must be in place to support integrating sustainability from within and that sustainability thrives where exhaustive leadership support such initiatives and efforts.  

This paper analyzes several foundational concepts and questions regarding corporate social responsibility (CSR).  Its primary contribution is a statistical examination of fundamental correlations between CSR and Newsweek's 2012 Green Rankings using forensic-based financial and accounting measures.  It slightly replicates a previous study and further introduces new variables in looking at CSR from an economic perspective.  The paper is interdisciplinary in that it synthesizes preceding studies' conceptions of CSR through finance, consumer behavior, branding, and ethics — a mix which has so far been regularly neglected — in an attempt to better characterize and measure corporate social responsibility.

A local government’s approach to climate action planning varies based on the type of municipal leadership, financial resources available for resilience planning, and a community-level commitment to addressing the threats of climate change. Two cities in Michigan deployed climate change plans in their operations and at a community scale. While using different approaches, the intended outcomes of climate change plans in those cities are similar. The article reviews programs and policies to implementing climate resilience measures and how cities in Michigan approach climate change, either indirectly, by specific targets embedded in sustainability planning, or directly, through funding climate action planning in a city’s operations. The key outcomes related to climate change action and resilience planning are transparency, accountability, measurements, reporting requirements, annual review, and progress report-related adjustments. The article reviews various approaches to implementing climate resilience measures and how cities approach climate change through specific targets embedded in sustainability planning or directly through funding climate action planning. The concepts of integrating resilience planning into sustainability plans are reviewed in part to provide a better appreciation of policies that lead to practical outcomes in resilience planning. Moreover, the review will provide insight as to how various types of governments may provide for continuity in planning in response to changes in elected and appointed leadership.