Sustainable Business

Helen Kopnina (PhD Cambridge University, 2002) is currently employed at Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK. Helen teaches sustainable business and conducts research within three main areas: sustainability, environmental education, and biological conservation. Helen has (co)-authored over 200 articles and 17 booksRory Padfield is an Associate Professor in the Sustainability Research Institute at the University of Leeds, UK. He is programme leader for the MSc in Sustainability and Business at the University of Leeds, and co-leader for the Business and Organisations for Sustainable Societies (BOSS) research group. A trained development geographer, Rory’s research focuses on the broad themes of supply chain and natural resource governance, communication of sustainability, and sustainability across and between different scales of businesses and organizations.Josephine Mylan is a Senior Lecturer in Sustainability and Innovation at Alliance Manchester Business School. She is affiliated to both the Sustainable Consumption Institute (SCI) and Manchester Institute of Innovation Research (MIoIR). Josephine’s research engages with questions of how societies can transition to less resource-intensive ways of meeting our needs, with interests in sustainable consumption and production and low carbon transitions.

• Table of ContentsList of FiguresList of TablesList of BoxesForeword to new editionAcknowledgementsList of abbreviationsSECTION I. KEY CONCEPTSChapter 1. Introduction: Key concepts in sustainability and businessWhat is this book about?Brief definition of sustainabilityEvolution of sustainability thinkingBusiness sustainabilityWhy do business sustainably? Social and economic sustainability: linking business and societyEnvironmental sustainability: linking business and environmentEco-efficiencyIntroducing Cradle to Cradle and circular economyWhat links business, ethics and sustainability?How to do business ethically and sustainably?Chapter organizationCase study PatagoniaKey termsDiscussion questionsClass Activity: How to save the planet: Degrowth vs Green Growth? End of chapter summaryChapter 2. Business ethics Linking Sustainability and ethicsDifferent types of ethicsCorporate Social Responsibility (CSR)From CSR to corporate citizenshipHuman RightsLabour issues: Poverty, pay and working conditionsFairtradeBusiness & Poverty - ‘bottom of the pyramid’Animal welfareConvention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Corporate governanceCase study: Volkswagen’s response to the ‘emissions scandal’: Was it ethical? Key termsDiscussion questionsEnd of chapter summaryClass Activity: VolkswagenSECTION II CRITICAL EVALUATION: KEY CHALLENGESChapter 3. Environmental challengesWhat is meant by environment?Environmental impactsEnvironmental problemsClimate change Failing goals of reducing emissionsCorporate response to climate changeLoss of biodiversityLimits to growth Pollution and the industrial disasters WasteCauses and ExplanationsHistorical causesTragedy of the commonsPolitical causesCommodification of natureEcological Restoration and Pollution ControlEthical considerationsEnvironmental valuesCase study: Shell and the Sustainable Development GoalsKey termsDiscussion questionsEnd of chapter summaryClass ActivityChapter 4. Social and economic challengesPovertyOrigins of povertyPoverty and sustainabilityEconomic developmentInequality and developmentPost-colonialism and neo-colonialismPopulation growthCauses of population growthDemographic transition theoryWhat is sustainable development?Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)Sustainable development paradoxSustainable development and inequalityBusiness and sustainable developmentThe World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)Managing sustainable development in business Case study: Who is the Victim of Climate Change?QuestionKey termsDiscussion questionsEnd of chapter summaryClass Activity: Debate Economic growth can be decoupled from increase in consumption of natural resourcesChapter 5. Key challenges for making sustainability a reality The changing global business environmentParadoxes of sustainabilityPossibility vs. DreamPractical challengesGlobalization of consumptionDisputing the mainstream sustainable business modelsShort-term and long-term solutionsCritique of the triple bottom lineCritique of "sustainable" consumptionRebound effectTackling oil dependency and climate skepticismEthical challengesIntergenerational JusticeBiospheric EgalitarianismEnvironmental justice vs. ecological justiceCharity paradoxThe question of demographicsThe role of decision-makersCase study: Smart phones at schoolQuestionsKey termsDiscussion questionsEnd of chapter summaryClass Activity No Impact manSECTION III. GLOBALIZATION, TECHNOLOGY, AND NEW TRENDS IN BUSINESS Chapter 6. Globalization and businessWhat is meant by globalization?Schools of globalization thinkers"Risk society"The relationship between globalization and sustainabilityGlobal organizations concerned with sustainabilityGlobalization of sustainability concernsThe greening of global supply chainsGlobalization of technologyHealth: Medical technology Agriculture: The Green RevolutionManufacturing: Fordism and Post-FordismTechnology: EnergyDigital Technology The Internet of Things Globalization of neo-liberal democracy‘Groupthink’ or cultural hegemony: global spreadTheories of development and innovationEcological Kuznets CurveEcological modernization theoryPost-material value theoryCase studies: 3-D printing Key termsDiscussion questionsEnd of chapter summaryClass Activity Imagine you are the CEO of a global companyChapter 7. Strategic Change for Sustainability Sustainability and Competitive advantageKnowledge managementCreativity and innovationCorporate Visioning Green marketing and customer engagementGreen shopping and market segmentationResponsible advertisingBrand value and sustainabilityRole of Consultancies in promoting sustainabilityCase Study: ‘B Corp’ CertificationKey termsDiscussion questionsEnd of chapter summaryClass Activity: Marketing a green enterpriseChapter 8. Human Resource Management, green jobs and a green economy Knowledge and Skills: Human Resource DevelopmentSustainability and HRMWhistleblowingHR and the social ecology of the organizationContinuing Professional Development (CPD)Acquiring Ecological Self KnowledgeUN Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME)Sustainability and LeadershipDecent and Sustainable WorkGreen Jobs in a Green[ing] EconomyEco-entrepreneurshipCase Study: Unilever, Oxfam and Labour Rights in Vietnam Key termsDiscussion questionsEnd of chapter summaryClass Activity Imagine you are head of an HR teamSECTION V SOLUTIONSChapter 9. Creating Sustainable Business PracticeGovernment regulation and policyPolluter Pays PrincipleThe Precautionary PrincipleExtended Producer ResponsibilityThe Participatory PrincipleEnvironmental management systemsEco Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)Sustainable supply chain managementChange managementNatural StepEco-labelsSharing networks Corporate Reporting Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)Green Accounting systems and Investment strategiesCase study: Supply chain innovation within the palm oil industryKey termsDiscussion questionsEnd of chapter summaryClass Activity: Companies meeting SDGsChapter 10. New strategic thinkingStructural and social solutionsCollaboration and stakeholder engagement Communication: ‘Talking the Walk’ initiativesUnderstanding sustainable consumption Consumer choice editingSharing economyRealizing impacts: direct and indirectPrivate and public actionBusiness and NGO cooperationGreen and ethical investmentBusiness and technological solutionsBusiness ecologyIndustrial ecologyLife cycle assessment Sustainable Design BiomimicryThe Blue EconomyCase study: the rise of ‘slow fashion’Key termsDiscussion questionsEnd of chapter summaryClass Activity: Sustainable and ethical investmentChapter 11. Cradle to CradleCradle to Cradle (C2C): the cycle of rebirthCradle-to-grave Being ‘all good’: eco-efficiency versus eco-effectivenessNutrient cyclesKey principles of C2CWaste = foodUse current solar incomeCelebrate diversityC2C Certification schemesMaterial HealthMaterial ReutilizationRenewable Energy and Carbon ManagementWater StewardshipSocial FairnessIncorporating Cradle to Cradle design into productsChallenges to C2C Case studies: Olio: Addressing food waste via an innovative circular business modelKey termsDiscussion questionsEnd of chapter summaryClass Activity: Student assignments Cradle to CradleChapter 12. Towards circular economyFrom optimizing existing models to revolutionary changeBackground of circular economy conceptDrivers of changeEllen MacArthur FoundationProduct-service systems (PSS) The question of designOrganization of processesDisruptive innovationAssessing progress towards circularitySelected similarities between sustainability and the circular economyThe risk of subversionScaling up circular economyClosing the loopSummarizing hopeful sustainability frameworksCase study: The circular economy – business as usual or a necessary change?Key termsDiscussion questionsEnd of chapter summaryClass Activity: Cradle to Cradle and a circular economyGlossaryBibliographyIndex

"Sustainable Business: Key Issues is a solid introductory volume that allows students not only to get familiar with the issues of (un)sustainability in corporate contexts, but learn to recognize global obstacles to sustainability, as well as equip students to find viable solutions from the business perspective. The importance of Cradle to Cradle and circular economy framework is outlined as particularly relevant to strategic management of sustainability."Frans Meijers, Professor Emeritus, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands"This book represents a welcome addition to the burgeoning literature on sustainability and business by offering a refreshingly different perspective from many mainline works in the field. The authors couple an insightful critique of current conventional viewpoints on sustainability with a conceptual menu of reasoned alternatives to move our global economic system closer to true sustainability."Peter N. Nemetz, Professor Emeritus, Strategy and Business Economics, Sauder School of Business, University of BC, Canada"This book cuts through much of the waffle and jargon about both ‘sustainability’ and ‘business’. Unlike many other books in this area, it does not dodge difficult issues such as overpopulation, overconsumption and ethics. It is not in denial of either humanity’s grave predicament, or of the solutions urgently needed – which exist and need to be acted on at all levels in society. I strongly recommend this book in its approach to discussing what business practices can be truly sustainable."Haydn Washington, author of Demystifying Sustainability, and Fellow at the Institute of Environmental Studies at the University of New South Wales, Australia"Sustainable Business: Key Issues is a clear, balanced and important introduction to a subject that needs everyone’s close attention. The authors have done an excellent job in showing how businesses and business schools can help create a fairer and more sustainable world."Nicholas Theodorakopoulos, Professor of Entrepreneurship Development, Head of Department, Work and Organisational Psychology, Director, Aston Centre for People and Organisations, UK"Sustainable Business: Key Issues provides a valuable introductory text into the (un)sustainability issues and challenges facing current business practice. It provides an accessible yet informative insight into both organisational and systemic issues that businesses face and goes so far as to suggest some potential solutions. It should prove of interest to both students and business practitioners."Stuart Cooper, Professor of Accounting and Head of the Department of Accounting and Finance, University of Bristol, UK"The book is an accessible text that addresses the most critical challenges of our time which are now framed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The book tackles a range of subjects and issues using an interdisciplinary approach to provide an understanding of what sustainable business really means for both students (of all disciplines) and business professionals, as well as outlining practical strategies to inspire action."Carole Parkes, Professor of Responsible Management, University of Winchester Business School, UK"This book is a must-read for everyone who is driven to contribute to a better sustainable future. The authors shed light on some profound challenges taking place around the world and breakthrough innovations in sustainable business models. It is definitely an eye-opener."Dianne Potters, Founder of 21Sustainable, The Netherlands"This book is bound to stimulate the reader’s interest in the complex relationship between business and sustainability. With its comprehensive approach, covering a broad range and variety of issues, a critical discussion of traditional approaches and an offer of alternative views, it is certain not only to increase the reader’s awareness of the business role in sustainability but also to engage them in thinking about effective solutions for sustainable business practices."Damir Urem, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands