Complexity Approach To Sustainability, A: Theory And Application (Second Edition)
Complexity Approach To Sustainability, A: Theory And Application (Second Edition)

Author: Angela Espinosa

Publisher: World Scientific

Published: 2017-03-23

Total Pages: 583

ISBN-13: 1786342057

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Business sustainability and sustainable development are of great importance in modern-day socio-economic study. Despite this, the impact of recent contributions from systems and complexity sciences in addressing these issues has not yet filtered down into effective practice. This book argues that there is a need for urgency in the application of analytical tools which embody the principles of complexity management in sustainability research, in particular in the context of the global climate change. The approach presented is based on the concept of clusters of whole systems coming together through collaboration, in order to create larger wholes capable of dealing with the issues facing our socio-economic environmental systems.In this updated second edition, the authors further clarify the viability and sustainability (V&S) approach, and the criteria and framework needed for sustainable governance. It includes a more detailed perspective on the implications of the V&S approach to businesses and networks towards changes in structure, strategy and processes, inspired by specific case studies. Key additions include a criteria for designing more viable and sustainable self-governed organizations, the methodologies and tools to design and implement self-transformations towards sustainability, and how these tools support sustainability management individually and globally, for businesses and society.

A Complexity Approach to Sustainability
A Complexity Approach to Sustainability

Author: Angela Espinosa

Publisher: World Scientific

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 390

ISBN-13: 1848165277

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

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.

Guide To Temporal Networks, A (Second Edition)
Guide To Temporal Networks, A (Second Edition)

Author: Naoki Masuda

Publisher: World Scientific

Published: 2020-10-05

Total Pages: 300

ISBN-13: 1786349175

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Network science offers a powerful language to represent and study complex systems composed of interacting elements — from the Internet to social and biological systems. A Guide to Temporal Networks presents recent theoretical and modelling progress in the emerging field of temporally varying networks and provides connections between the different areas of knowledge required to address this multi-disciplinary subject. After an introduction to key concepts on networks and stochastic dynamics, the authors guide the reader through a coherent selection of mathematical and computational tools for network dynamics. Perfect for students and professionals, this book is a gateway to an active field of research developing between the disciplines of applied mathematics, physics and computer science, with applications in others including social sciences, neuroscience and biology.This second edition extensively expands upon the coverage of the first edition as the authors expertly present recent theoretical and modelling progress in the emerging field of temporal networks, providing the keys to (and connections between) the different areas of knowledge required to address this multi-disciplinary problem.

Sustainable Self-Governance in Businesses and Society
Sustainable Self-Governance in Businesses and Society

Author: Angela Espinosa

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2022-12-19

Total Pages: 248

ISBN-13: 0429956088

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Sustainable Self-Governance in Businesses and Society offers a sound introduction to Stafford Beer’s Viable System Model (VSM) and clarifies its relevance to support organisational sustainability and self-governance. While the VSM has been known since the early 1980s, it hasn’t been always easy to understand and to apply. It explains the self-transformation methodology to analyse the way organisations manage (or not) their complexity and govern themselves. The work is supported by multiple examples of application in organisations of all scales – from small to multi-national corporations and from organised social networks to communities and national organisations. It clarifies the relevance of Beer’s theory to support systemic learning and change in organisations, and to coach them to self-organise and self-govern. Readers interested in further understanding insights from complex systems and cybernetics theories for designing and transforming organisations will benefit from this book, as it works to offer very detailed insights on how to put the VSM theory into practice. It clarifies how it improves adaptive capabilities, agile and self-regulated structures, more capable of fully implementing corporate sustainability strategies and self-governing themselves. The chapters provide key reading for managers, consultants, practitioners, and post-graduate students working in organisational transformation, governance, and sustainability.

A Complexity Approach to Sustainability
A Complexity Approach to Sustainability

Author: Angela Espinosa

Publisher:

Published: 2017

Total Pages: 583

ISBN-13: 9781786342041

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

"Business sustainability and sustainable development are of great importance in modern-day socio-economic study. Despite this, the impact of recent contributions from systems and complexity sciences in addressing these issues has not yet filtered down into effective practice. This book argues that there is a need for urgency in the application of analytical tools which embody the principles of complexity management in sustainability research, in particular in the context of the global climate change. The approach presented is based on the concept of clusters of whole systems coming together through collaboration, in order to create larger wholes capable of dealing with the issues facing our socio-economic environmental systems. In this updated second edition, the authors further clarify the viability and sustainability (V&S) approach, and the criteria and framework needed for sustainable governance. It includes a more detailed perspective on the implications of the V&S approach to businesses and networks towards changes in structure, strategy and processes, inspired by specific case studies. Key additions include a criteria for designing more viable and sustainable self-governed organizations, the methodologies and tools to design and implement self-transformations towards sustainability, and how these tools support sustainability management individually and globally, for businesses and society."--Publisher's website.

Interactive Media for Sustainability
Interactive Media for Sustainability

Author: Roy Bendor

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2018-08-02

Total Pages: 232

ISBN-13: 3319703838

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Interactive Media for Sustainability presents a conceptually rich, critical account of the design and use of interactive technologies to engage the public with sustainability. Treating interactive technologies as forms of mediation, the book argues that these technologies advance multiple understandings of sustainability. At stake are the ways sustainability encodes the complexity of interrelated social and natural systems, and how it conveys the malleability of the future. The book’s argument is anchored in a diverse set of theoretical resources that include contemporary work in human-computer interaction (HCI), social theory, media studies, and the philosophy of technology, and is animated by a variety of examples, including interactive simulations, persuasive apps, digital games, art installations, and decision-support tools.

Systems Approaches to Making Change: A Practical Guide
Systems Approaches to Making Change: A Practical Guide

Author: Martin Reynolds

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2020-02-18

Total Pages: 337

ISBN-13: 1447174720

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The five approaches outlined in this book offers the systems thinking practitioner a range of interchangeable tools for pro-actively making systemic improvements amidst complex situations of change and uncertainty. Practitioners from all professional domains are increasingly confronted with incidences of systemic failure, yet poorly equipped with appropriate tools and know-how for understanding such failure, and the making of systemic improvement. In our fragile Anthropocene world where ‘systems change’ is often invoked as the rallying call for purposeful alternative action, this book provides a toolkit to help constructively make systems that can change situations for the better. Systems Approaches offers an excellent introduction for those seeking to understand systems thinking and to enact systems thinking in practice. The book helps practitioners from all professions to better understand inter-relationships, engage with multiple perspectives, and reflect on boundary judgements that can inhibit or enhance improved purposeful change. After an editorial introduction to these systems thinking in practice capabilities, successive chapters illustrate five systems approaches, each chosen for having a rigorous though adaptable framework, and a robust long pedigree of application in complex situations. Each chapter illustrates what the approach is about, followed by invaluable tips and insights from experience regarding how the tools might be practiced. Amongst updates from originating authors for this 2nd edition, each approach has an accompanying postscript on some developments since the 1st edition.

Sustainable Tourism
Sustainable Tourism

Author: David Weaver

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2007-03-30

Total Pages: 258

ISBN-13: 1136360484

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Sustainable Tourism comprehensively examines the theoretical and applied dimensions of contemporary sustainable tourism from a global perspective. Using international case studies and examples, it provides cutting edge coverage of the latest developments in the area, both theoretically and practically. It takes the reader through all aspects of sustainable tourism from the emergence of the paradigm to sustainability issues in all types of tourism and all components of the industry. Divided into 11 chapters it covers* ?Alternative tourism? (AT), or small-scale tourism and its associated pros and cons * Sustainable tourism within the conventional ?mass? tourism sector: the ?green consumer?, transportation, accommodation, attractions and tour operator considering issues and developments in quality control * Destination sustainability: issues of community empowerment and ideal sustainability models * Conclusions for the future of sustainable tourism The wide variety of international case studies used include: backpacking in Australia and Spain, Volunteer tourism in the US, Six Continents and Marriott hotels, Disney World, the Grand Prix, the Grand Canyon, mountain gorilla parks in Uganda and many more. Specifically written for courses in the specific topic area of sustainable tourism, this textbook considers the needs of both students and lecturers as follows: * Ideal for a semester course (or a 42-hour course) * Global perspective throughout the chapters and in the breadth of illustrative boxed case studies; * Chapters exceptionally well-integrated through frequent cross-references * End-of-chapter questions that prompt deeper integrative thinking on the part of the reader. * Online resources for the lecturer, including PowerPoint presentations and multiple choice exercises

Collaboration and Student Engagement in Design Education
Collaboration and Student Engagement in Design Education

Author: Tucker, Richard

Publisher: IGI Global

Published: 2016-09-12

Total Pages: 438

ISBN-13: 1522507272

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

In order for educational systems not to become stagnant, teaching strategies must be routinely re-evaluated. Not only does this optimize the learning process, but it enhances the overall experience for the students. Collaboration and Student Engagement in Design Education is a pivotal reference source for the latest scholarly research on the implementation of teamwork between architecture students in design courses to enrich knowledge attainment and boost creativity. Highlighting pedagogical insights into team building and relevant case studies, this book is ideally designed for educators, students, administrators, and professionals interested in the development of effective design programs.