Scale
Scale

Author: Geoffrey West

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 2018-05-15

Total Pages: 498

ISBN-13: 014311090X

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"This is science writing as wonder and as inspiration." —The Wall Street Journal Wall Street Journal From one of the most influential scientists of our time, a dazzling exploration of the hidden laws that govern the life cycle of everything from plants and animals to the cities we live in. Visionary physicist Geoffrey West is a pioneer in the field of complexity science, the science of emergent systems and networks. The term “complexity” can be misleading, however, because what makes West’s discoveries so beautiful is that he has found an underlying simplicity that unites the seemingly complex and diverse phenomena of living systems, including our bodies, our cities and our businesses. Fascinated by aging and mortality, West applied the rigor of a physicist to the biological question of why we live as long as we do and no longer. The result was astonishing, and changed science: West found that despite the riotous diversity in mammals, they are all, to a large degree, scaled versions of each other. If you know the size of a mammal, you can use scaling laws to learn everything from how much food it eats per day, what its heart-rate is, how long it will take to mature, its lifespan, and so on. Furthermore, the efficiency of the mammal’s circulatory systems scales up precisely based on weight: if you compare a mouse, a human and an elephant on a logarithmic graph, you find with every doubling of average weight, a species gets 25% more efficient—and lives 25% longer. Fundamentally, he has proven, the issue has to do with the fractal geometry of the networks that supply energy and remove waste from the organism’s body. West’s work has been game-changing for biologists, but then he made the even bolder move of exploring his work’s applicability. Cities, too, are constellations of networks and laws of scalability relate with eerie precision to them. Recently, West has applied his revolutionary work to the business world. This investigation has led to powerful insights into why some companies thrive while others fail. The implications of these discoveries are far-reaching, and are just beginning to be explored. Scale is a thrilling scientific adventure story about the elemental natural laws that bind us together in simple but profound ways. Through the brilliant mind of Geoffrey West, we can envision how cities, companies and biological life alike are dancing to the same simple, powerful tune.

Cases on Innovation and Sustainability in Tourism
Cases on Innovation and Sustainability in Tourism

Author: Dias, Alvaro Lopes

Publisher: IGI Global

Published: 2024-05-30

Total Pages: 341

ISBN-13:

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The tourism industry faces a critical challenge: balancing its economic benefits with the growing environmental and social impacts it generates. This delicate equilibrium calls for innovative solutions that drive sustainability while maintaining financial viability. Cases on Innovation and Sustainability in Tourism presents a compelling response to this challenge, offering insightful case studies showcasing successful innovations in sustainable tourism practices. By highlighting these innovative solutions, the book provides a roadmap for industry stakeholders to adopt sustainable practices without compromising profitability. Through a diverse range of cases, this book demonstrates how emerging technologies, innovative business models, and destination management strategies can contribute to a more sustainable tourism industry. Academics, practitioners, and policymakers will find valuable insights and inspiration within these pages, encouraging them to implement similar initiatives in their organizations and regions.

Issues of Sustainability in AI and New-Age Thematic Investing
Issues of Sustainability in AI and New-Age Thematic Investing

Author: Irfan, Mohammad

Publisher: IGI Global

Published: 2024-03-18

Total Pages: 314

ISBN-13:

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In the face of an evolving global landscape characterized by climate change and a pressing need for sustainable development, the finance sector remains at a critical juncture. Traditional financial models struggle to address the challenges posed by the transition to a low-carbon economy, and unlocking private investments for sustainable initiatives remains an uphill battle. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into financial systems presents both promise and peril, with the potential to reshape the industry while posing unprecedented challenges. Issues of Sustainability in AI and New-Age Thematic Investing is a beacon of insight and solutions in the realm of green finance and AI/ML integration. Geared toward academic scholars, policymakers, and industry experts, this book serves as a comprehensive guide to navigating the intricacies of sustainable development and energy transition. By highlighting the pivotal role of AI/ML in green finance, the publication bridges the gap between theoretical understanding and practical implementation, offering actionable solutions for unlocking private investments.

Governance of Innovation Systems: Volume 3 Case Studies in Cross-Sectoral Policy
Governance of Innovation Systems: Volume 3 Case Studies in Cross-Sectoral Policy

Author: OECD

Publisher: OECD Publishing

Published: 2005-11-28

Total Pages: 317

ISBN-13: 9264035729

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This OECD book provides lessons from case studies in policy governance for the information society and sustainable development. It highlights important lessons from these policy areas and illustrates mechanisms and practices for better co-ordination and integration across policy areas.

Responsible Innovation
Responsible Innovation

Author: Katharina Jarmai

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2019-12-03

Total Pages: 101

ISBN-13: 9402417206

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This Open Access book, Responsible innovation provides benefits for society, for instance more sustainable products, more engagement with consumers and less anxiety about emerging technologies. As a governance tool it is mostly driven by research funders, including the European Commission, under the term “responsible research and innovation” (RRI). To achieve uptake in private industry is a challenge. This book provides successful case studies for the implementation of responsible innovation in businesses. The importance of social innovations is emphasized as a link between benefits for society and profits for businesses, especially SMEs. For corporate industry it is shown how responsible innovation can offer a competitive advantage to adopters. The book is based on the latest insights from theory and practice and combines conceptual work with first-hand experience. It is of interest to innovation managers, entrepreneurs and academics. For academics, the book will provide a combination of analysis and discussion, and present recent learnings from first-hand interaction with entrepreneurs. For innovation managers and entrepreneurs, it will provide inspiration and better ideas about what responsible innovation can look like in practice, why others have “done it” and what the potential benefits might be. The book will thus serve the purposes of spreading the word about the responsible innovation concept among different audiences whilst making it more accessible to innovation managers and entrepreneurs.

Technological Innovation Driving Sustainable Entrepreneurial Growth in Developing Nations
Technological Innovation Driving Sustainable Entrepreneurial Growth in Developing Nations

Author: Asabere, Nana Yaw

Publisher: IGI Global

Published: 2023-09-11

Total Pages: 476

ISBN-13: 1668498456

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Developing nations in Africa need access to advanced technology, innovation, and entrepreneurial skills for sustainable development as they address challenges that face the world at large in the 21st century. Since Ghana’s development indices (high or low) remain deeply rooted in the measure of education provided to its citizens, the nation must seriously and continuously invest in university education and technological and entrepreneurial skills to enhance sustainable development. The strategy for sustainable development in Ghana appears to be well planned for global and regional agendas, with higher education serving as a panacea. Education 2030 Framework for Action (EFA) and the African Union Agenda 2063 provide foundations for the transition to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the promise of technological and entrepreneurial innovation, as well as education for all. Technological Innovation Driving Sustainable Entrepreneurial Growth in Developing Nations builds a bridge of communication between the worlds of education and business through the exploration of critical research on the fight against poverty, hunger, malnutrition, and disease. This book also examines the interplay between entrepreneurial education and sustainable economic development in developing countries. Covering topics such as engineering technologies, entrepreneurship, and communication technologies, this book is ideal for researchers, educators, business administrators, students, and more.

Achieving Sustainable Transformation in Tourism and Hospitality Sectors
Achieving Sustainable Transformation in Tourism and Hospitality Sectors

Author: Kumar, Pankaj

Publisher: IGI Global

Published: 2024-04-22

Total Pages: 483

ISBN-13:

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In the sector of global tourism, a critical challenge has taken center stage — the imperative for sustainable transformation. The World Tourism Organization has declared the theme for World Tourism Day 2025 as "Tourism and Sustainable Transformation," shedding light on the urgency to address multifaceted challenges that transcend conventional paradigms. The discourse has evolved beyond the traditional bounds of environmental sustainability, extending its reach to encompass social equality, cultural preservation, and economic viability. The tourism sector's pivotal role in achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 underscores the intricate interplay between tourism and pressing global issues such as poverty, gender inequality, and environmental degradation. Against this backdrop of urgency and complexity, the book titled Achieving Sustainable Transformation in Tourism and Hospitality Sectors offers a comprehensive exploration into viable practices necessary for inclusive, equitable, and responsible tourism. This book serves as a vital contribution to the ongoing dialogue surrounding sustainable tourism. With a focus on inclusivity, equity, and responsibility, it delves into the intricate relationship between tourism and sustainable transformation. It goes beyond mere rhetoric, providing a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie at the intersection of tourism and global sustainability goals. As the global community grapples with disparities, this book becomes a timely and indispensable resource. Policymakers, academicians, researchers, and industry practitioners are invited to contribute to this collective effort, laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and responsible future within the realms of tourism and hospitality. With a diverse array of recommended topics spanning community-based tourism, ecotourism, inclusive development, sustainable employment, and aviation, this book positions itself as an essential guide for those committed to addressing the challenges of our time. By presenting case studies, policy research, and insights into responsible tourism practices, it equips readers with the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of sustainable transformation. As the global community strives for a more equitable future, this book offers a roadmap for shaping responsible and inclusive growth within the tourism and hospitality sectors.

Sustainable Innovation
Sustainable Innovation

Author: Cosmina L. Voinea

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2021-04-13

Total Pages: 305

ISBN-13: 1000337804

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The most important theme of the discourse on sustainable development and sustainability challenges concerns the relationship between innovation and sustainability. This book represents a realistic critical overview of the state of affairs of sustainable innovations, offering an accessible and comprehensive diagnostic point of reference for both the academic and practitioner worlds. In order for sustainable innovation to truly become mainstream practice in business it is necessary to find out how organizations can strategically and efficiently accommodate sustainability and innovation in such a manner that they accomplish value capturing (for firms, stakeholders, and for society), not merely creating a return on the social responsibility agenda. Addressing this challenge, the book draws together research from a range of perspectives in order to understand the potential shifts and barriers, benefits, and outcomes from all angles: inception, strategic process, and impact for companies and society. The book also delivers insights of (open) innovation in public sector organizations, which is not so much a process of invention as it is one of adoption and diffusion. It examines how the environmental pillar of the triple bottom line in private firms is often a by-product of thinking about the economic pillar, where cost reductions may be achieved through process innovation in terms of eliminating waste and reducing energy consumption. The impact of open innovation on process innovation, and sustainable process innovation in particular, is an underexplored area but is examined in this book. It also considers the role of the individual entrepreneur in bringing about sustainable innovation; entrepreneurs, their small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as the innovation ecosystems they build play a significant role in generating sustainable innovations where these smaller organizations are much more flexible than large organizations in targeting societal needs and challenges. The readership will incorporate PhD students and postgraduate researchers, as well as practitioners from organizational advisory fields.