Fractal Sustainability

Even though the fractal approach to sustainability and organizational change management is not new, no authors so far seem to have truly attempted to use fractals as a mathematical means to map and measure organizational sustainability. Several sustainability maturity models and change management models and frameworks, concepts and computer generated systems came to the fore during the past two decades. They provided a set of useful tools for managers, academics and students to refer to, or on which to base their own actions and plans. However, one issue remains: most of those models and frameworks share a rather similar linear ‘skeleton’; the main difference between them is the quantitative variety of steps within each phase, stage, and parameter and how in depth each of these is presented. The authors' work addresses a clear gap in the literature and in applied research, as it emphasizes the relevance of using a complex mathematically-based but user-friendly fractal approach. Readers are able to better understand, implement, map and measure change management processes leading to a sustainability-focused mindset. Subsequent chapters guide you through the steps towards creating committed sustainability-based strategies, attitudes, actions and practices across all levels in the broad organizational context. This text is essential reading for students researching business and management and who are interested in the Fractal Sustainability concept.

Even though the fractal approach to sustainability and organizational change management is not new, no authors so far seem to have truly attempted to use fractals as a mathematical means to map and measure organizational sustainability. Several sustainability maturity models and change management models and frameworks, concepts and computer generated systems came to the fore during the past two decades. They provided a set of useful tools for managers, academics and students to refer to, or on which to base their own actions and plans. However, one issue remains: most of those models and frameworks share a rather similar linear ‘skeleton’; the main difference between them is the quantitative variety of steps within each phase, stage, and parameter and how in depth each of these is presented. The authors' work addresses a clear gap in the literature and in applied research, as it emphasizes the relevance of using a complex mathematically-based but user-friendly fractal approach. Readers are able to better understand, implement, map and measure change management processes leading to a sustainability-focused mindset. Subsequent chapters guide you through the steps towards creating committed sustainability-based strategies, attitudes, actions and practices across all levels in the broad organizational context. This text is essential reading for students researching business and management and who are interested in the Fractal Sustainability concept.

Seeking Sustainability in an Age of Complexity explains the difficulties of sustainability and why 'collapse' can occur. In the last twenty years the theory of complexity has been developed - complex systems science (CSS) speaks to natural systems and particularly to ecological, social and economic systems and their interaction. Due to the growing concern over the huge changes occurring in the global environment, such as climate change, deforestation, habitat fragmentation and loss of biodiversity, Graham Harris sets out what has been learned in an attempt to understand the implications of these changes and suggests ways to move forward. This book discusses a number of emerging tools for the management of 'unruly' complexity which facilitate stronger regional dialogues about knowledge and values, which will be of interest to ecologists, sociologists, economists, natural resource managers and scientists in State and local governments and those involved in water and landscape management.

This book focuses on the emergence of the “science of sustainability” and the key concepts in making sustainability operational in an organization. The authors discuss the methods, techniques and tools needed to manage the impact of sustainability and how these can be reformulated into business models and solutions for new growth and applications. They then move onto the reformulation of future thinking processes before ending by looking towards an approach for the measurement of sustainability and competitiveness.

Focusing on the business implications of green innovation, this book describes the sheer impact, spread, and opportunities arising every day, and how business leaders can implement green innovative practices today to realize tangible as well as intangible business advantages in the future. Green Innovations for Industrial Development and Business Sustainability: Models and Implementation Strategies works as a guide for green innovation that focuses on enterprise applications for those tasked with leveraging green practice adoption to enhance the productivity of their organization. The book offers the ability to understand the latest developments in green innovations and their business applications along with their implications in various domains from manufacturing to marketing. Front-line decision-makers can use this book as a practical guide for capitalizing on the latest green practices, adoptions, and transformations. Researchers, business leaders, postgraduate, and graduate students will find this book useful with its presentation of state-of-the-art research together with the current and future challenges of building green practice models and applications for organization and business operations.

Innovation and Sustainable Manufacturing: Research and Development addresses the manufacturing sustainability challenge from different points of view, drawing on research from different disciplines to shed light on the latest green technologies, green product design methods, and materials. Addressing the needs of practitioners as well as academics, this book examines a range of important themes such as environmental impacts and how to assess them, how to set boundary conditions to include or exclude downstream supply chains, how to improve sustainability without sacrificing productivity, the cost benefits of sustainability, and how to trace impacts in manufacturing. By providing a thorough review of global research in this field, Innovation and Sustainable Manufacturing acts as an ideal entry point into this discipline for researchers, and a guide to the latest developments for forward-thinking practitioners. Covers how different stages of the manufacturing supply chain can impact on sustainability Combines research from a variety of disciplines to provide a comprehensive coverage of this complex subject Explores the relationship between sustainability and other goals such as productivity, quality, and profitability

In today’s society, environmental concerns are at the forefront of entrepreneurial decision-making and planning. With increased attention on an organization’s environmental impact, researchers and business leaders strive to provide the best methodologies and strategies for effective environmental reporting and accountability. Green Accounting Initiatives and Strategies for Sustainable Development presents the latest scholarly research on the economic, social, and environmental objectives essential to the planning and support of future organizations and communities. This publication is an essential reference source for academicians, researchers, advanced level students, and professionals interested in designing business models and financial plans with consideration for environmental and social liabilities. This publication features timely, research based chapters on economic, social, and environmental policies including, but not limited to, green performance measurement, triple bottom line reporting, sustainable societies, environmental protection, and risk and adaptive management.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the practice of sustainability through a diverse range of case studies spanning across varied fields and areas of expertise. It provides a clear indication as to the contemporary state of sustainability in a time faced by issues such as global climate change, challenges of environmental justice, economic globalization and environmental contamination. The Palgrave Handbook of Sustainability explores three broad themes: Environmental Sustainability, Social Sustainability and Economic Sustainability. The authors critically explore these themes and provide insight into their linkages with one another to demonstrate the substantial efforts currently underway to address the sustainability of our planet. This handbook is an important contribution to the best practises on sustainability, drawn from many different examples across the fields of engineering, geology, anthropology, sociology, biology, chemistry and religion.