Curtin University Homepage
  • Library
  • Help
    • Admin

    espace - Curtin’s institutional repository

    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
    View Item 
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Research Publications
    • View Item
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Research Publications
    • View Item

    Using industrial ecology and strategic management concepts to pursue the Sustainable Development Goals

    Access Status
    Fulltext not available
    Authors
    Sullivan, K.
    Thomas, S.
    Rosano, Michele
    Date
    2018
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    Sullivan, K. and Thomas, S. and Rosano, M. 2018. Using industrial ecology and strategic management concepts to pursue the Sustainable Development Goals. Journal of Cleaner Production. 174: pp. 237-246.
    Source Title
    Journal of Cleaner Production
    DOI
    10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.10.201
    ISSN
    0959-6526
    School
    Sustainable Engineering Group
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/61259
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    The subjectivity, complexity, and often competing interests of sustainable development have limited the effectiveness of integrating these important ideas into mainstream business strategy. With the adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in January 2016, there are now global sustainability benchmarks that apply across diverse sectors and national contexts, allowing public and private organizations to orient and evaluate their activities, strategies, and business outcomes. However, it is not directly apparent where the advantage for business lies in pursuit of these actions within the prevailing economic paradigm, highlighting the need for new analytical frameworks and tools. Industrial ecology (IE) has been successfully used in engineering practice for decades and has been suggested as a method that can provide the concepts and methods necessary to bridge the gap between traditional busine ss practice and sustainable development. To test this, literature bridging the fields of industrial ecology, business strategy, and sustainable development was collected and analyzed using the textual analysis software Leximancer™. The analysis showed that while the SDGs are primarily aimed at the national level, they also hold relevance for business through innovation, partnerships, and strategic positioning, inter alia. The analysis found that the integration of IE and business strategy is highly relevant for three of the SDGs, but captures elements of all 17 to varying degrees. IE has a strong focus on innovation and its potential in new markets, products, and business models. IE is also consciously aimed at the efficient use of energy and resources, ideas that are relevant to mitigating, adapting, and building resilience in a changing future, but are also relevant to traditional concepts of business strategy and competitive advantage. This paper shows that through the combination of IE and strategic management theory, commercial organizations can positively contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals while building competitive advantage.

    Related items

    Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.

    • An exploration of the global development of emerging country multinationals : a study of strategic ambitions and talent management in China and India
      Liu, Yi (2012)
      Since Jim O’Neill, the Goldman Sachs economist, coined the acronym of the BRIC countries in 2001 the concept has attracted an infectious logic. The growth of the four BRIC countries, Brazil, Russia, India, and China, is ...
    • The dynamics of Guanxi in the business context under China's economic transition
      Nie, Katherine Su (2007)
      Numerous popular business publications and academic literature have highlighted that the Chinese cultural phenomenon of guanxi has made noticeable impacts on the economic efficiency in China’s economic transition. Despite ...
    • Modelling Governance Indicators and Managing e-Business Information Systems
      Nimmagadda, Shastri ; Mani, Neel; Reiners, Torsten; Wood, Lincoln (2020)
      Information Systems are in growing demand in various business and government organizations. Despite increased competition, business growth and technology innovation, at times, we overlook the governance, transparency, ...
    Advanced search

    Browse

    Communities & CollectionsIssue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDocument TypeThis CollectionIssue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDocument Type

    My Account

    Admin

    Statistics

    Most Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors

    Follow Curtin

    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 

    CRICOS Provider Code: 00301JABN: 99 143 842 569TEQSA: PRV12158

    Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy statement | Accessibility

    Curtin would like to pay respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of our community by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which the Perth campus is located, the Whadjuk people of the Nyungar Nation; and on our Kalgoorlie campus, the Wongutha people of the North-Eastern Goldfields.