Plastic seems to be getting a universally bad press at the moment with the current opinion being that plastic is incompatible with sustainability. In this chapter the nature of…
Abstract
Plastic seems to be getting a universally bad press at the moment with the current opinion being that plastic is incompatible with sustainability. In this chapter the nature of plastic or sustainability and of social responsibility are examined and redefined. The conclusion is that it is not plastic which is irresponsible but rather people and business which need to change. In doing so a number of seemingly diverse topics are considered and examined to show their relevance to this argument.
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David Crowther and Branka Mraović
In 1972 Ursula Le Guin published her award winning novella, The Word for World is Forest. This describes the world of the Athsheans, a small, green, furry, and peaceful people…
Abstract
In 1972 Ursula Le Guin published her award winning novella, The Word for World is Forest. This describes the world of the Athsheans, a small, green, furry, and peaceful people. Their planet consists of basically two things: water, and forest. Here they live, hunt, love and dream. They slip gently from dreamtime to realtime; their reality is not always as ours. Then the Terrans arrive. They don't particularly care about the natives, but they want the forest. With huge machines, they level the forest for mile wide strips, using the natives as slave labour. But then one of the Athsheans learn something from the conquerors: how to hate — and how to use this hate to fight for freedom. This is a story of how the search for profit, coupled with narrow — mindedness, blend into a mix with horrible consequences. Like all science fiction Le Guin provides not so much a vision of the future but rather a lens with which to view and make sense of the present. And the human exploitation of the world of the Athsheans is very similar to the current corporate exploitation of large parts of the world and its human inhabitants — anything is permissible (including enslavement) if there is a profit to be made. For Le Guin corporate exploitation is not sustainable but in Newtonian fashion will result violent retribution from the oppressed. Many would support this prognosis of the consequences of corporate misbehaviour and would, like Le Guin, be firmly on the side of the oppressed. It is the purpose of this paper however to use the metaphor provided by the work of Le Guin, together with a consideration of current corporate activity, to show that a sustainable future is neither exploitative (and so the corporate leaders have got it wrong) nor confrontational (and so the anti‐globalisation movement is equally wrong). A sustainable future actually requires what could have been described as a third way if the Blairite masters of spin had not arrived previously and made such a term ridiculed into oblivion.
Shahla Seifi and David Crowther
This chapter is concerned with the use of resources in the manufacture of products and services, both at the level of the individual firm and at the level of the market and…
Abstract
This chapter is concerned with the use of resources in the manufacture of products and services, both at the level of the individual firm and at the level of the market and particularly with what happens in an environment of resource depletion and as resources become scarce. The argument is that this is a new environment for the economic systems of the world which has not currently been recognised within economic planning. This new environment needs new approaches and this chapter is concerned with this situation. The aim therefore is to understand this new environment where resources are constrained by their limited availability and to develop strategies and techniques to manage in this environment.
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Asanga Jayawardhana and Sisira Colombage
Blockchain technology is an extension of distributed ledger technology and it is used in cryptocurrencies. Many studies describe blockchain technology and cryptocurrency is an…
Abstract
Blockchain technology is an extension of distributed ledger technology and it is used in cryptocurrencies. Many studies describe blockchain technology and cryptocurrency is an application of it in a very broad sense. Blockchain technology has several applications. Some of these applications could have direct or indirect relevance to either or both pillars of sustainability advocated by Crowther, Seifi, and Wond (2019). Extending to cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, one possible connection to sustainability may be the reduction of the use of paper for printing currency notes, which can save forests. Furthermore, the growing cryptocurrency market attracted the investors to focus on the price fluctuations but making them forget about the terrifying carbon problem associated with cryptocurrencies. However, this possibility has not been demonstrated anywhere so far. The issue examined here is how blockchain technology can be used for solving sustainability problems. We initiate a qualitative study of the blockchain technology/cryptocurrency and sustainability using the twin pillars of sustainability: (1) responsibility, (2) governance. An exploratory review linking blockchain technology/cryptocurrency and sustainability and its two pillars revealed many actual and trial applications by corporates as CSR initiatives and other novel programs by various agencies in various countries. In governance, corporates use the CSR route to address sustainability issues. However, no definition is an available linking cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and sustainability and we developed a definition to fill the gap. This paper stresses that the sustainability perspective has not been used to develop the cryptocurrency definition, but rather technological and legal perspectives have employed.
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David Crowther and Shahla Seifi
In this chapter the operation of governance in a variety of contexts is shown to be both essential and problematic. Reasons involve contextual and cultural differences as well as…
Abstract
In this chapter the operation of governance in a variety of contexts is shown to be both essential and problematic. Reasons involve contextual and cultural differences as well as different understandings. This led to a consideration of the desirability of global governance and the problems in regulating international markets. The relationship of governance with sustainability and with corporate social responsibility is also examined. In doing so this chapter provides an introduction to the volume and sets the scene for the other contributions.
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It is generally considered that the old myths were a way of explaining the origins of the world and of humanity. They also played a vital role in uniting a society. Indeed the…
Abstract
Purpose
It is generally considered that the old myths were a way of explaining the origins of the world and of humanity. They also played a vital role in uniting a society. Indeed the idea of the epic story is one which permeates history to such an extent that it can be considered to be omnipresent.
Design/methodology/approach
It is argued that this cohesive role remains crucial today and so myths remain relevant to us today. The design of the chapter is to show this relevance in business behaviour. This is explored through a consideration of corporate reporting.
Findings
It is demonstrated that these myths continue to be reinvented in modern form. For individuals these myths provide a source of strength and a sense of roots and values; they offer a mirror to reveal the source of our anxieties and the means by which they might be resolved.
Research limitations/implications
In this chapter therefore the modern myths of the hero are explored in the context of managerial behaviour in organisations. In order to explore this there is a need first to consider the psychoanalysis of managerial behaviour before considering the mythic dimension of such reporting.
Practical and social implications
This paper demonstrates that organisational stories have a vitally important role in organisational cohesion and development.
Originality/value
The psychoanalytic approach provides an understanding which is not available through other methodologies.
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David Crowther and Farzana Quoquab
This chapter introduces the subject matter of this book and clearly depicts the dichotomous nature of plastic: it is both problematic because of the pollution caused and…
Abstract
This chapter introduces the subject matter of this book and clearly depicts the dichotomous nature of plastic: it is both problematic because of the pollution caused and beneficial because of the benefits it provides. This is set within the context of sustainability, being probably the key concern of the present. It highlights the volume on plastic in existent and the possible consequences from a lack of biodegradability. In doing so, it sets the context for the contents of the book.
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Ana Maria Davila Gomez and David Crowther
Inequities among people all around the world as well as indifference towards the environment continue to be a constant reality despite the efforts of some organizations worldwide…
Abstract
Inequities among people all around the world as well as indifference towards the environment continue to be a constant reality despite the efforts of some organizations worldwide for a better future. We consider that these efforts need to be amplified by many other organizations, therefore, the role of managers as practitioners who conduct organizations' actions need to be explored in the sense of their contribution for improving our reality. Hence, for a better future, a sustainable world that could be more fair, honest and concerned towards nature. To us, this calls into question the role of management education to this regard. Our research studies indicate that one way to contribute to this aim is by means of introducing in contents and pedagogical practices of our courses, the appropriateness of human values in students, as they are the future managers. In this chapter, we present some of these human values, sometimes considered by many religious traditions as spiritual values, which are: wholeness, forethought, solidarity and compassion. We conceptualize these values, and throughout critical reflections, we show how they are taken into account, or simply disregarded, in various courses and domains of Business Schools. At the end, we present some suggestions for pedagogical practices.