PhD research: 'Human behaviour crucial for sustainability'

Melting polar caps, rising sea levels, Al Gore’s doom prophecies: all of a sudden environment and sustainability are high on the agenda again. According to Niels Faber, however, insufficient light is being cast on the role of human behaviour. ‘Technology can only solve part of the problem,’ he says. Equally important are the human beings who should be able to apply this technology and acquire knowledge on the basis of which they could change their behaviour. Faber will be awarded a PhD in Business Studies on 16 November 2006.

On the basis of two practical examples Faber investigated the effects of making knowledge and innovation available on human behaviour. Both examples show that human behaviour can improve sustainability.

Potato growers

Agricultural partnership Agrobiokon is trying to initiate sustainable innovation in arable farming and has developed knowledge-based decision support systems to achieve this. Growers, however, are not using them as effectively as they could be. Faber’s research shows that there are four kinds of grower, varying from modern top growers who use all communication channels to keep their knowledge up-to-date, to growers who only make use of a few channels. Knowledge of how to improve growth only reaches a limited number of growers. Therefore, means to encourage sustainability ought to be provided in a much more targeted way.

Adapting behaviour

The second practical study, Optichem Infonet, was an initiative by Big River Innovation of Doetinchem, the Netherlands. In a paper factory, people come into contact with chemicals everywhere, not only the factory's personnel but also the drivers and cleaners. To prevent accidents from happening, these groups must all be aware of the properties of the chemicals. Big River Innovation and the RUG have together created a decision support system that substantially reduces the risk of personal accidents and damage to the environment.

Curriculum Vitae

Niels Faber (Drachten, 1976) conducted his PhD research at the Department of Business Development of the University of Groningen (RUG). Faber is now a lecturer in Product Development at the RUG. The thesis supervisors were Prof. R.J.J.M. Jorna and Prof. J.M.L. van Engelen. The thesis is entitled Knowledge in Sustainable Behaviour. Using knowledge-based decision support systems for the improvement of sustainability (ISBN 90-5335-098-5).