A Complexity Approach to Sustainability

Theory and Application

Business sustainability and sustainable development are of great importance in modern-day socio-economic study. Despite this, the impact of recent contributions from systems and complexity sciences in addressing these issues has not yet filtered down into effective practice. This book argues that there is a need for urgency in the application of analytical tools which embody the principles of complexity management in sustainability research, in particular in the context of the global climate change. The approach presented is based on the concept of clusters of whole systems coming together through collaboration, in order to create larger wholes capable of dealing with the issues facing our socio-economic environmental systems.

In this updated second edition, the authors further clarify the viability and sustainability (V&S) approach, and the criteria and framework needed for sustainable governance. It includes a more detailed perspective on the implications of the V&S approach to businesses and networks towards changes in structure, strategy and processes, inspired by specific case studies. Key additions include a criteria for designing more viable and sustainable self-governed organizations, the methodologies and tools to design and implement self-transformations towards sustainability, and how these tools support sustainability management individually and globally, for businesses and society.

Contents:

• Introducing Complexity and Sustainability
• Viability through Complexity Management: Revisiting the Viable Systems Model
• Societies as Viable Systems: Self-Governance and Sustainability
• Toward More Sustainable Businesses
• Viable and Sustainable Networks
• Rethinking Sustainable Development
• Envisioning Solutions for the Required Societal Transition
• Conclusions

Readership: Graduate and undergraduate students studying ecology management and corporate social responsibilty, professionals, general public and researchers interested in complexity and sustainability.
Key Features:

• Very few publications on environmental or sustainability research with focus on complexity management
• Includes complexity management theory, methodology and applications in a variety of levels from communities to business and governments
• Innovative, holistic view of sustainability management