The influence of quality of work-life on job satisfaction is critical for sustaining high-level skilled workers and enhancing productivity in the oil and gas industry. This study examined the influence of quality of work-life on job satisfaction among workers in a gas processing plant. A descriptive analytical design and a census approach were used to assess 200 staff. The analysis established a positive relationship between employee job satisfaction and the four constructs of quality of work life; safe working environments, Work-life balance, personal development, and emotional well-being at significant levels. With the latter construct registering the highest correlation with job satisfaction, the study recommends the management of a functional early guidance support system for workers who may exhibit early symptoms of emotional well-being distress. It is imperative for management to consolidate and significantly improve on established measures for employees to maximise both work output and avoid work-family conflicts. Management should maintain robust safety protocols and an emergency response unit to ensure employees work in a relaxed environment that promotes workplace well-being. These are envisaged to sustain employee workplace assistance programs that can confidently discuss and address workers' stress, anxiety, and other related concerns at the workplace.

Thermal power generation is the main source of power in the energy mix of the country. Erratic rainfall patterns, the high cost of fossil fuel for thermal generation, and increase electricity demand have contributed to rampant power outages in the recent past. This paper examined energy conservation and efficiency awareness practices of households in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana. It assessed the level and variability in energy conservation practices and the level of energy-savings awareness education among households. Three hundred and ninety-six households were randomly selected from nine communities using stratified sampling techniques. Five stakeholders from the electricity sector were purposively sampled for in-depth interviews. The data sets were modeled using the utility maximization framework to econometrically estimate socioeconomic factors influencing the energy conservation behaviour of households. The findings reveal that years spent in school by household heads, income levels, expenditure, age of households, and the number of times electricity power triples off daily were among the key factors influencing individual households’ choice of energy-efficient appliances. There was significant variability between existing social strata in terms of income and use of electrical appliances among households that warrants policy direction. Based on the findings, this study recommends a robust energy literacy program to improve households’ energy efficiency practices awareness, and to ensure energy cost savings, environmental protection, and climate change mitigation that will enhance the drive towards achieving sustainable development goals seven.

The objective of this study is to provide empirical evidence from the perspective of prudent corporate social responsibility practices by oil and gas multinationals in emerging economies on how investments in and disclosure of the practices could enhance financial sustainability. Accounting-based measures on investments, financial performance, disclosures of activities and panel data set on company size (total assets) over a 10-year period (t) were analysed. Findings show that multinationals with interests in emerging economies take key aspects of their corporate social responsibility practices seriously. There was a significant positive relationship (p=0.0035 < 0.05) between investments in corporate social responsibility practices and sustainability of financial performance. No significant relationship (p=0.4409 > 0.05) was established between disclosure and financial performance. The paper concludes, by supporting the preposition with scientific data, that functional corporate social responsibility practices yield sustained dividend by presenting a stronger financial outlook for multinational oil and gas companies who engage in it. This is prudent for poverty alleviation initiatives and key to achieving the sustainable development goals and targets in emerging economies where they operate.

This article establishes principles conveyed by criteria and indicators as a useful tool for measuring progress made toward sustainable forest management (SFM). Pedagogically, the conceptual construction raises questions on the following topics: (a) the various management practices and policies that exist in the high forest zone, (b) how criteria and indicators for assessments are selected, and (c) how progress made toward SFM is measured. Performance scores are established for indicators identified within the three sectors (forest ecosystems, forest communities, and the economy) for sustainability assessment. Measuring progress toward SFM operations are quantitatively performed with estimated maximum and minimum thresholds levels at which resource-use would be sustained using the Measure of Forest Resource-Use Sustainability Scale (MoFRUSS). The outcome of the measurement operations, as depicted by MoFRUSS, reveals the actual extent to which stakeholder’s initiatives toward sustainable forest management has progressed and in which direction it is moving. It also offers optional policy baskets for resource management interventions from which the socio-eco economic bundle is recommended if the forestry sector of Ghana’s Vision 2020 (sustainable development) is to be achieved with improved societal well-being, improved environmental health and vitality, and improved economic growth and development.