The Challenges of Sustainable Business Development in the Post-Industrial Society in the First Half of the 21st Century

Author(s):  
Vasja Roblek ◽  
Ivan Erenda ◽  
Maja Meško

The purpose of the chapter is to find out the meaning of the sustainable development in the post-industrial society in the first half of the 21st century. The financial crisis that started in 2008 is an indicator of how short-term profitability mindsets and related strategies, policies and actions of individuals and individual organizations can cause global economic, ecological and ethical crises. These events have contributed to the judgement that most organizations operate on business models that are not sustainable. The conceptual content contributes to the ongoing discussion about the increasingly important role of sustainable development as a major concern for the profit and non-profit sector that wish to develop the policies that will enable low but sustainable growth of society.

Author(s):  
Vasyl Zelenko ◽  
Yaryna Ferenchak ◽  
Nataliya Zelenko

The paper outlines major preconditions of development of energy efficiency programs and the process of their introduction from the perspective of sustainable development concept. Energy saving measures of European Union are examined, its experience and results, like green books and Thermie programs, etc are analyzed. The paper also specifies relevant activities and responsibilities undertaken by Member States by 2030 and the rates planned to be achieved. The experience of neighboring Poland in energy efficiency promotion is analyzed, as far as the country most closely resembles Ukraine by the initial rates in 1990. We calculated conditional losses of Ukraine in 2017 as the gap between the rates of energy efficiency of Ukraine and Poland (similarity of climate conditions and the state of housing funds allowed us to assume that the comparison will be the most correct regarding Ukraine). The results of calculations make us conclude that the funds are used most efficiently if the money designated, for example, for subsidizing of population are directed at strengthening of energy efficiency (at least up to the level of neighboring country). It will result in saving of about 40 billion. This is the amount defined as Ukrainian capacity in terms of improvement of energy saving and possible results of its realization. The paper determines the stage Ukraine is at in introduction of energy efficiency measures and programs: “warm loans” program; conditions regarding energy saving in Ukraine enshrined in the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement; creation of legal basis, namely the Law of Ukraine “On Energy Efficiency Fund” as of 8 June 2017. The role of newly created Energy Efficiency Fund is analyzed. Special attention is paid to the fact that energy efficient construction is one of international liabilities undertaken by Ukraine. The presence of The Active House Alliance at Ukrainian market is an important achievement in this sphere as it is the non-profit association aiming at creation of housing concept corresponding to the sustainable development principles.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-119
Author(s):  
PHAN THI THANH QUYEN ◽  

The role of internal audit in ensuring sustainable development of economic entities is indisputable. How-ever, the biggest challenge faced by internal auditors is how the level of their contribution can truly be weighed against the ability and role recognized by society, especially as most economic actors move from a traditional business model to a sustainable business model. The article highlights the main approaches to the transfor-mation of internal audit in order to make it an integral part of the corporate governance structure and make a significant contribution to sustainable development.


Author(s):  
Job Taminiau ◽  
Joseph Nyangon ◽  
Ariella Shez Lewis ◽  
John Byrne

Establishing a sustainable energy future can justifiably be considered the next frontier in global sustainable development under the agenda laid out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The newly adopted Paris Agreement which seeks to hold global average temperature increase to “well below 2°C” above pre-industrial levels inserts additional urgency into this agenda. To realize the commitments outlined in the agreement, implementation of innovative sustainable business models capable of producing strong mitigation and adaptation outcomes is required ‘on the ground' and needs to be available for subsequent diffusion across different countries, contexts and domains. This chapter explores the value of polycentric climate change governance through an investigation of sustainable business model innovation. An example of a sustainable business model, called the Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU), is evaluated and an assessment of United Nations-based programming to aid future diffusion of such business models is conducted.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 772-785
Author(s):  
Unai Tamayo ◽  
Gustavo Vargas

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of biomimicry to inspire sustainable development in economic systems. The research purpose is to explore the link between ecological systems and economic systems to highlight applied environmental solutions. The goal is to propose some driver to develop sustainable business practices inspired on the principles of biomimicry. Design/methodology/approach This paper provides a theoretical approach that builds the basis for a better understanding of the relationship between nature and sustainable economic decisions. The premise is that in the field of sustainable development, strategies based on “learning from nature” are useful. Furthermore, the concept of biomimicry provides principles and tools specifically aimed at design practice. Findings The complexity of economic systems has shown that high levels of abstraction are required when conceptualising problems and explanations related with nature-inspired solutions. Stakeholder engagement and transdisciplinary collaboration are required to face long-term environmental challenges. Moreover, the exploratory analysis applied in this paper appeared suitable to compile existing literature. Practical implications The study provides some general guidelines and empirical approach through case studies that could help decision makers convert nature-inspired alternatives into valuable strategic business opportunities. Although presented practical cases are framed in the local sphere (i.e. the Basque Country), they can serve as references in other international contexts. Social implications New business models should recognize the positive synchronization between well-managed social, environmental and economic systems. Originality/value The proposed ideas deepen the understanding on the sustainable development and the link between ecological and economic systems. In fact, the concept of biomimetic economy has not been dealt with or developed in depth in previous academic works, nor has it been published thoroughly in the field of research.


Author(s):  
Fiorina Mugione ◽  
Fulvia Farinelli

Recognizing the role of entrepreneurship as a catalyst for development and a means to address sustainable development challenges, this chapter illustrates UNCTAD’s approach to promoting entrepreneurship from a policy perspective. It draws lessons from the implementation of UNCTAD’s Entrepreneurship Policy Framework (EPF) and reiterates the need for holistic entrepreneurship policies according to the six priority areas identified by the EPF. It also highlights how policymakers can create an enabling entrepreneurial environment which also takes into account inclusive and sustainable business models, thereby expanding opportunities for all and addressing the needs of socially disadvantaged groups. For aspiring entrepreneurs from such groups, who tend to have lower levels of entrepreneurship skills and greater difficulty in navigating the business and regulatory environment, governments need to tailor policy measures to help them manage and grow their businesses. In this way, entrepreneurship policies can contribute to the achievement of the UNGA’s 2015 sustainable development goals.


Author(s):  
Marcia Juliana d'Angelo ◽  
Janette Brunstein ◽  
Emerson Wagner Mainardes

Meeting the sustainable development complex requirements in a scenario, which involves multiple social actors, relationships, contexts, and interests, has demanded new business models. Thus, this chapter discusses how one of the largest companies in Latin America's chemical segment formed a network with 23 social actors and has built a Corporate Social Entrepreneurship model to deal with the dialectic between return on investments for its shareholders and benefits for its stakeholders. Research was conducted based on Boje's narrative analysis. The data was built through interviews, informal conversations, textual and audiovisual documents, and non-participant observation. The chapter describes the Corporate Social Entrepreneurship model's elements and in this manner contributes to the discussion of the role of Academia, Industry, and Government in entrepreneurship.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Diana Panța

Abstract Today’s society faces major challenges in meeting future global food demands and solving biodiversity loss, and it quickly needs to find ways in addressing these issues. The places to look for solutions come from the economic sectors that employ the most powerful pressure on these issues such as agriculture. Apiculture, as a branch of agriculture is being more and more recognized as sustaining human life and contributing to sustainability. However, the sector records a progressive decline of honey bees. Therefore, a rapid restructuring needs to take place in agricultural markets, in general, as well as in apiary agribusinesses. Although important, technological progress is insufficient in providing the necessary changes to achieve long-term economic, social and environmental sustainability, which should be considered both within and between generations. Consequently, sustainable business models encourage sustainable development through a triple bottom line approach and provide an analytical tool for firms into assessing the different aspects that are combined in order to create value. Since literature has paid little attention to the sustainable development in the apiary agribusiness, the present paper aims to link the two using a business model perspective and bring arguments in favor of moving to a sustainable business model.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-207
Author(s):  
Purnima Lenka ◽  
◽  
Sarita Kar

Sustainable development is one of the major concerns of present time mainly because of the rapid proliferation of business organizations. In order to develop economically, business organizations excessively use and misuse natural resources that directly causes harm to environment and society. Besides, there are some other causes also responsible for the environmental deterioration these include population explosion, enormous industrialization and lots of anthropogenic activities. The present paper tries to bring in the cognizant how business organization unknowingly leads to environmental problems and juxtaposes economic development and environmental issues. On saying this, it precisely indicates that both economic growth and sustainable environment are equally required for our society but not at the cost of one another. At this point, it is argued that only by contemplating and by engaging ethical leaders the business organisations could be able to maintain the balance between plant, people and profit. In continuation with this, the present research would engage two significant questions: firstly, what does sustainable development mean and why it is predominantly needed for the present society? Secondly, what are the expected roles of ethical leaders in maintaining the sustainable development in an organisation?


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 784-794
Author(s):  
Eleonora Boffa ◽  
Antonio Maffei

Sustainable Business Models (SBM) have been seen as a suitable vehicle for organizations to convey sustainability. The SBM requires a company's business strategy to be shaped around sustainability goals. These goals can be integrated into the business strategy by creating an internal commitment focused on sustainability. Enablers play a crucial role in this integration process. The 2030 Agenda issued by the United Nations set clear goals on sustainable development, i.e. the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Firms are encouraged to design SBM to fulfil these goals. Yet, an extensive investigation of the effect of the SBM applications on the SDGs is lacking. This paper is based on a semantic analysis of the relevant literature. The results show the internal enablers that support the integration process of sustainability into the organization's strategy. In addition to that, the underlying classification process highlights the clusters of applications for the SBM. These are, in turn, mapped over the SDGs to show the impact of each cluster on each SDG.


Author(s):  
Julia Dobreva

This chapter aims to focus on the role of innovations for achieving sustainable development of Bulgarian enterprises. Following an analysis of the Bulgarian economy, the chapter explores a model for transforming businesses towards sustainability through innovations in production processes. The socioeconomic and environmental implications are considered in terms of defining the major outcomes of implementing sustainable business practices in Bulgaria. A comparison is made with the sustainable development levels in some EU countries to serve as a basis for identifying and further elaborating the main political and economic targets for Bulgaria.


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