Ecologically Conscious Organizations

This book investigates the value orientation of ecologically conscious business. It analyzes, in a systematic and comparative way, the value commitments and business models of exemplary ecologically conscious businesses from around the world.

Ecological consciousness is gaining importance in modern business thinking, as the effects of the Anthropocene – acidification of oceans, diminishing potable water, climate change, and decreasing biodiversity – are becoming more evident. Surviving this ecological crisis requires a radical inner transformation of humanity, and an ecological transformation of business and the economy.

This book is valuable reading for masters and Ph.D. students, as well as academics, business practitioners, and policymakers who are working in the field of business ethics, business and the natural environment, business and society, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility. It also serves as general reading for reflective practitioners who are interested in progressive, ecologically conscious businesses, ethical business functioning, and business model innovation.

 

"Grounded in in-depth systematic analyses of a broad array of inspiring case examples of ecologically conscious business organizations, this book is an invaluable treatise on how to achieve the harmonization of economic and deep ecological aims through a fundamental change in the existential mindset and inherent approaches of business enterprises."

—Prof. Eleanor O'Higgins, University College Dublin, London School of Economics and Political Science, editor of the Palgrave book Progressive Business Models

"As we step into the beginning of the third decade of the twenty first century the paradigm of business and management is undergoing a radical transformation that addresses such vital questions as meaning of work and purpose of life. After passing through formidable challenges and turmoils including ethical collapses that have compelled modern business organizations to engage in soul searching, conscientious business leaders worldwide have come to realize that reverence for nature and respect for all life forms is of cardinal importance in shaping the course and culture of business in future that accords primacy to ethics and human values, sustainability and spirituality. In the background of these pathfinding developments both in theory and practice for a more humane and sustainable future for the self, organization, community, society and planet this book on Ecologically Conscious Organizations by András Ócsai is a timely and valuable contribution to the existing body of literature, in this multi-disciplinary and multi-dimensional field of research. A committed academic and thinker of Business Ethics Center, Corvinus University of Budapest and also of the European SPES Forum, Professor Ócsai has not only covered the multiple strands of thought and action in the field of Business and Ecology but also elevated it to a higher level of consciousness beyond intellectual exercise by anchoring the movement on the terra firma of spiritual wisdom and experience. Coming from India, I can see and sense a palpable resonance of his work with the pioneering work of the Nobel Laureate poet and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore towards Nature-inspired education and the signal contribution of Prof. S K Chakraborty, Founder-Convener of Managment Centre for Human Values, Indian Institute of management Calcutta, in the field of Human Values and Indian Ethos in Management. I am sure the book will receive wide acceptance through creation of space for dialogue among those who would be committed to the mission of creating a humanistic, value-based and sustainable business scenario in future."

—Prof. Sanjoy Mukherjee, Indian Institute of Management, Shillong, India.

"In this book Ócsai is challenging the dominating concept of business models and he gives a convincing and relevant presentation of unusual business practices that are based on genuine ecological commitment. Ócsai goes beyond ethical theory to show moral and environmental considerations and challenges in practice. This book is essential and stimulating reading for students, scholars and practitioner’s looking for a guide to an ecological responsible economy."

—Professor Ove Jakobsen, Nord University, Norway

"Bringing together knowledge and insights from a range of disciplines, this book focuses on key areas as spirituality, consciousness, nature and entrepreneurship. The major implications are considered, and the importance are highlighted. It is a beautiful book, and it  will appeal to scholars and students of psychology and business, as well as business leaders wishing to gain valuable insights and inspiration into the range of issues we need to understand and act upon in the current atmosphere of bad practice, uncertainty during a pandemic and a threatening climate change."

—Professor Knut O. J. Ims, Professor in business ethics,  Norwegian School of Economics, Bergen, Norway

András Ócsai is an assistant professor at the Business Ethics Center at Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary. Before joining Corvinus University of Budapest in 2010, he worked for several multinational companies and in the Hungarian public sector. His research interests include business ethics, ecological consciousness, Buddhist economics, and spirituality in business. He is a member of the European SPES Institute (Leuven, Belgium) and serves as the Hungarian national contact for Globethics.net (Geneva, Switzerland)