scholarly journals Making technological innovation work for sustainable development

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (35) ◽  
pp. 9682-9690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Diaz Anadon ◽  
Gabriel Chan ◽  
Alicia G. Harley ◽  
Kira Matus ◽  
Suerie Moon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Technological Innovation ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Underserved Populations ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Innovation Systems ◽  
Advocacy Training ◽  
Complex Adaptive ◽  
Innovation Processes

This paper presents insights and action proposals to better harness technological innovation for sustainable development. We begin with three key insights from scholarship and practice. First, technological innovation processes do not follow a set sequence but rather emerge from complex adaptive systems involving many actors and institutions operating simultaneously from local to global scales. Barriers arise at all stages of innovation, from the invention of a technology through its selection, production, adaptation, adoption, and retirement. Second, learning from past efforts to mobilize innovation for sustainable development can be greatly improved through structured cross-sectoral comparisons that recognize the socio-technical nature of innovation systems. Third, current institutions (rules, norms, and incentives) shaping technological innovation are often not aligned toward the goals of sustainable development because impoverished, marginalized, and unborn populations too often lack the economic and political power to shape innovation systems to meet their needs. However, these institutions can be reformed, and many actors have the power to do so through research, advocacy, training, convening, policymaking, and financing. We conclude with three practice-oriented recommendations to further realize the potential of innovation for sustainable development: (i) channels for regularized learning across domains of practice should be established; (ii) measures that systematically take into account the interests of underserved populations throughout the innovation process should be developed; and (iii) institutions should be reformed to reorient innovation systems toward sustainable development and ensure that all innovation stages and scales are considered at the outset.

The Role of Evolutionary Studies in Education for Sustainable Development

2019 ◽  
pp. 249-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dustin Eirdosh ◽  
Susan Hanisch
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Education For Sustainable Development ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Social Ecological Systems ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Evolutionary Studies ◽  
Complex Adaptive

Evolutionary Studies (EvoS) examines the emergence and persistence of complex adaptive systems, including human social-ecological systems. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) aims to empower students with the skills to develop and sustain human social-ecological systems that reflect the shared values of our species. The aims of EvoS and ESD have clear overlaps, and yet these two fields remain as distant islands of thought with few academic bridges between them. This chapter explores the connections between EvoS and ESD from historical, theoretical, and applied perspectives and presents the value of an integrated approach. The authors argue the strengths of this approach include its cumulative evidence base from wide-ranging disciplines, its explanatory power, and its overall simplicity.

The Strategic Execution in VUCA World through the Perspective of Complexity Theory for Malaysian Government Link Companies

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-26
Author(s):  
W. M. A. Wan Md Syukri ◽  
M. Y. Muhamad Roslan ◽  
A. R. Zulhasni
Keyword(s):  
Complexity Theory ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Self Organization ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
Complex Adaptive ◽  
Strategic Execution ◽  
Malaysian Government

Dynamic and rapidly changing nature of world can only be described by the term VUCA. Speed, agility, flexibility and many other words which are initially used only to describe the ability of an athlete has become the frequent terms for reflecting the capability of the leadership and employees in an organization which takes the organizations towards the heights of success. This paper looking at the interconnectivity between VUCA view and Complexity Theory in Malaysian Government Link Companies by exploring latest literature reviews. Complex adaptive systems are explicitly incorporating features in its theoretical paradigm that reflect the dynamic and complex nature of innovation process, and self-organization in the context of business and social organizations.

scholarly journals Enhancing sustainable development through implementing complex adaptive systems and reflection: A proposed framework

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 25-38
Author(s):  
Marita Naude
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Continuous Process ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Traditional Management ◽  
Complex Adaptive ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
Fundamental Shift

Most organizations regard Sustainable Development (SD) as important and within a tridimensional approach (including economic, social and environmental dimensions) SD comprises a range of complex issues. However, traditional management approaches do not capture the variabilities as organizations are complex adaptive systems embedded in a complex adaptive context. Consequently, there must be a fundamental shift towards a complexity theory approach (eg. Complex Adaptive Systems, CAS). When SD is viewed from a CAS approach it becomes a continuous process of co-evolution within a rapidly changing context rather than a once off project. Leaders, managers and practitioners work in this complex and rapidly shifting world need crucial skills such as reflection. This paper proposes a framework combining SD, CAS and reflection. Although a framework does not guarantee success it provides a tool to identify SD, CAS and reflection dimensions, develop an integrated approach, create goals, monitor and evaluate outcomes. Lastly, the paper includes management and research implications.

scholarly journals Regional Innovation Systems as Complex Adaptive Systems: The Case of Lagging European Regions

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 2862 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Ponsiglione ◽  
Ivana Quinto ◽  
Giuseppe Zollo
Keyword(s):  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Innovation System ◽  
Innovation Systems ◽  
Policy Support ◽  
Regional Innovation Systems ◽  
Regional Innovation ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
The Public ◽  
Complex Adaptive

This article proposes an agent-based model to support the development of self-sustaining regional innovation systems (RIS). The model is the base of a computational laboratory, CARIS (Complex Adaptive Regional Innovation System), which aims at evaluating the self-sustainability of RIS and at investigating what are the resources, competencies and mechanisms able to trigger powerful innovation and economic growth processes. Such a topic is particularly interesting for the so-called lagging regions, which, notwithstanding noticeable policy interventions, have been unable to significantly improve their innovation performances. Results of this study show that the exploration capacity, the propensity to cooperation, and the endowed competencies of actors belonging to a region could be considered as key aspects in affecting the regional innovation performance. This means that policy-makers should (i) incentivize investments in research and development activities both at the public and private levels; (ii) support public-private partnerships; (iii) enhance national and regional university systems; and (iv) increase the number of researchers employed both in the public and private sectors. In the next future, the CARIS laboratory could be adopted as policy support instrument to evaluate how much effective are current innovation policies and what are the most effective ones to reassess the current patterns.

scholarly journals Sustainable development and complex adaptive systems

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 535-546
Author(s):  
Marita Naudé
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Theoretical Level ◽  
Traditional Management ◽  
Constant Change ◽  
Complex Adaptive ◽  
Practical Level ◽  
Holistic Manner ◽  
External Environments

The aim and contribution of this paper at a theoretical level is to discuss CAS and the principles thereof as an alternative to traditional management models as an option to enhance SD in an integrated and holistic manner. At a practical level, the author discusses management and leadership suggestions to implement the principles of CAS to enhance SD. A CAS approach is not static and allows for and encourages emergence as a result to the changing internal and external environments. As CAS is a process that allows for constant change and adaptation it could be compatible in the organization’s SD challenge that is also constantly changing and adapting in response to the internal and external environments. Translating an integrated, holistic and CAS approach might require some cognitive, structural and political changes in the thinking about and understanding of how to deal with SD

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