ABSTRACT

Sustainable Business: Key Issues is the first comprehensive introductory-level textbook to address the interface between environmental challenges and business solutions to provide an overview of the basic concepts of sustainability, sustainable business, and business ethics. The book introduces students to the background and key issues of sustainability and suggests ways in which these concepts can be applied in business practice. Though the book takes a business perspective, it is interdisciplinary in its nature and draws on knowledge from socio-economic, political, and environmental studies, thereby providing a practical and critical understanding of sustainability in the changing paradigm of global business. It goes beyond the conventional theories of sustainability and addresses critical issues concerned with population, consumption, and economic growth. It discusses realistic ways forward, in particular the circular economy and Cradle to Cradle frameworks.

The book is both a theoretical and practical study guide for undergraduate and postgraduate international students of broad areas of sustainability, teaching ways to recognize opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship at the intersection of environmental, economic, ethical, and social systems. It takes a strategic approach in applying the power of business methods and policy to address issues of global importance such as climate change, poverty, ecosystem degradation, and human rights.

This textbook is essential reading for students of business, management, and sustainability courses. It is written in an engaging and accessible style, with each chapter including case studies, discussion questions, end of chapter summaries, and suggestions for further reading. This new edition is updated throughout, and contains an additional chapter on the circular economy.

part I|45 pages

Key concepts

chapter 1|20 pages

Introduction

Key concepts in sustainability and business

chapter 2|23 pages

Business ethics

part II|68 pages

Critical evaluation: key challenges

chapter 3|24 pages

Environmental challenges

chapter 4|23 pages

Social and economic challenges

part III|64 pages

Globalization, technology, and new trends in business

chapter 6|22 pages

Globalization and business

chapter 7|18 pages

Strategic change for sustainability

part IV|82 pages

Solutions

chapter 9|20 pages

Creating a sustainable business practice

chapter 10|21 pages

New strategic thinking

chapter 11|18 pages

Cradle to Cradle (C2C)

chapter 12|21 pages

Towards a circular economy