In order to ensure a reasonable degree of validity and reliability, the several actions are undertaken.
The validity of the environmental assessment framework is increased by discussing the developed framework with the HSEQ department. This should ensure that both the survey study and case study measure what is required to be measured. The expert interviews con- tribute to the internal validity of the research, as their expertise provides insight in the results acquired. The use of triangulation increases the internal validity, and is seen as a precau- tion to eliminate other possible explanations for the results observed [30]. On the one hand, three methods are used in order to answer the main research question (literature study, sur- vey study and case study). On the other hand, three types of data are gathered during the research (articles and documentation, questionnaire and expert interviews). Furthermore, a relation is sought between the use of quantitative and qualitative data during the assessment framework, which also positively influences the validity. The use of both types of data will support each other while determining the performance of a shipyard. The external validity is creased by examining literature of different areas of expertise (i.e. automotive industry) and performing the assessment rather general (limiting details), which makes it able to general- ize the research results. Addressing both repair & conversion yards, as newbuilding yards, increase the external validity of the research.
The reliability is improved by performing a survey study and expert interviews. As theory directly related to shipyards is limited, the definition of a Green Shipyard and approach to measure the environmental performance are both derived from other areas of expertise. The survey study gathers data to determine a baseline performance level, which makes it able to
A.11. VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY 55
and/or shipyards improves the reliability of the research. Possible improvements can be suggested and implemented with the use of their knowledge.
Appendix B
Definition of a Green Shipyard
This section gives theoretical understanding for the formulation of a ”Green Shipyard”. The first research question gives substance to this section.
Research question 1: How to define a ”Green Shipyard”? A: What is the relation between ”Green” and ”Sustainability”?
B: Which types of Shipyards can be distinguished and what are the similarities and differ- ences?
C: When is a shipyard recognized as ”Green”?
The literature discusses a variety of definitions for the term ”Green”, for instance di- mensions as ecological, political, corporate social responsiveness, fair trade, conservation, sustainability and equality are identified. Each of these dimensions are broad oriented and incorporate different aspects, which generates confusion for organisations to become green [34]. Therefore, defining an organisational focus for the use of sustainability is re- quired, which will be considered as green.
B.1 Relation between ”Green” and ”Sustainability”
In order to define a ”Green Shipyard”, insight in the relation between ”Sustainability” and ”Green” is required. The use of different definitions makes it complex to explicitly determine what defines green. For instance, certain products focus on less environmental problems than conventional products, however, these products still have a negative environmental im- pact and are not per definition sustainable [5], [34], [35]. Even though recent trends show that implementing green innovation is becoming mainstream among organisations, there is still much confusion what constitutes a green product or process. Some use green inter- changeable with sustainable, others say that green falls under the overarching umbrella of sustainability [36] or classifies green products into seven categories [37]. Therefore specify- ing a definition for green applicable to all instances is impossible, however, by decomposition of the environmental performance regarding sustainability, characteristics relevant for this re- search objective can be identified. Although some definitions and characteristics of green
B.1. RELATION BETWEEN”GREEN”AND”SUSTAINABILITY” 57
mention the social performance regarding sustainability, in this research the definition of ”Green” only refers to the basis of its environmental performance.
In general, the environmental focus can be classified into three categories, namely ma- terials (inc. water), energy, and pollution (emissions and toxic waste) [5], [34]. A product is distinguished based on their main environmental focus, respectively materials, energy or pollution. For example, a furniture companys environmental focus may be primarily on the forest (material) whereas washing machine manufacturers main environmental focus is on the product usage (energy use, water use, and detergent use) [5]. In order to determine if a product is green, three different types of environmental impact can be considered, namely less negative, null, or positive. A product can be seen as green, in relation of one of these three environmental impact categories, if it has an environmental impact lower than conven- tional products, or if it has null impact, or if it positively contributes to environment, reducing the impact of other products [34]. The environmental impact is evaluated in the different lifecycle phase of the product, therefore important to understand that a product may have a different impact on the environment relative to the different lifecycle phases [5], [34]. The lifecycle phases of a product in general are, production process, product use and disposal. Dangelico and Pujari [5] visualised the interconnection of the three environmental focuses in a conceptual framework for green product innovation (see Figure B.1).
Figure B.1: The conceptual framework for the definition of green [5].
58 APPENDIXB. DEFINITION OF AGREENSHIPYARD environment, however, this is still rather broad interpretable. Dangelico and Pontrandolfo [34] saw the complexity of the variety of definition used for green, and therefore translates the relation between the environmental impact, the environmental focus and the lifecycle phases of a product to specific sectors. The relation of each of these topics with the industry sector can be used to determine the specific characteristics of a green product within this sector, including companies whose businesses are mainly related to the production and distribution of capital good. However, before looking into detail to the shipyard industry, the difference between absolute green and relative green is important. Absolute green contributes to the improvement of the environment, where as relative green reduces the harm the cause to the environment [34]. For this research, a Green Shipyard requires the focus on absolute green, but the relative green will play a role in the development of the assessment framework.