A Complexity Approach to Sustainability:Theory and Application

Angela Espinosa and Jon Walker
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Angela Espinosa: Hull University Business School, UK
Jon Walker: Independent Researcher, UK

in World Scientific Books from World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.

Abstract: A major challenge of our times is to understand and manage the increasing complexity of socio-economic reality. This has immediate relevance for sustainable development. The impact of recent contributions from systems and complexity sciences in addressing this issue has not filtered down into effective practice — notably, there remain problems caused by the legacy of competing paradigms and the application of their associated methodologies. This book argues the urgency for the application of analytical tools that embody the principles of complexity management. The authors describe a theoretical framework based on complexity science with a focus on organisational and second order cybernetics, one that presents a powerful new insight into the concept of sustainability. The book also describes actual applications of the ideas in the area of organisational, societal and environmental management, and reflects upon the impact of such an approach on current practice.

Keywords: Complexity; Sustainability; Viable Systems; Environmental Management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
ISBN: 9781848165274
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (13)

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https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/p699 (text/html)
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Chapters in this book:

Ch 1 Introducing Complexity and Sustainability , pp 1-26

Angela Espinosa and Jon Walker

Ch 2 Viability through Complexity Management: Revisiting the Viable Systems Model , pp 27-73

Angela Espinosa and Jon Walker

Ch 3 Societies as Viable Systems: Complexity Management and Sustainability , pp 75-129

Angela Espinosa and Jon Walker

Ch 4 Complexity and Environmental Management , pp 131-185

Angela Espinosa and Jon Walker

Ch 5 Rethinking Sustainable Development , pp 187-247

Angela Espinosa and Jon Walker

Ch 6 Envisioning Solutions for the Required Societal Transition , pp 249-297

Angela Espinosa and Jon Walker

Ch 7 Conclusions , pp 299-311

Angela Espinosa and Jon Walker

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