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Sustainable corporate decision making in complex realities : a general approach and an illustration in the German food vs. fuel conflict

Bilke, Ralf LU (2012) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM01 20121
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
This thesis suggests Comprehensive Understanding as an alternative approach of sustainable corporate decision making. It shows how sustainability becomes the intrinsic rationale of corporate decision making in complex realities. The approach of Comprehensive Understanding is based on a synthesis of different concepts of sustainability science. As methods, a review of academic literature,a dialogue with practitioners and academics as well as own reflections have been applied.

Modern disciplinary understanding can only provide a limited perspective on complex realities through its focus on deep analysis. I argue for a more Comprehensive Understanding that covers the impacts of a corporate decision made within complexity of reality. For... (More)
This thesis suggests Comprehensive Understanding as an alternative approach of sustainable corporate decision making. It shows how sustainability becomes the intrinsic rationale of corporate decision making in complex realities. The approach of Comprehensive Understanding is based on a synthesis of different concepts of sustainability science. As methods, a review of academic literature,a dialogue with practitioners and academics as well as own reflections have been applied.

Modern disciplinary understanding can only provide a limited perspective on complex realities through its focus on deep analysis. I argue for a more Comprehensive Understanding that covers the impacts of a corporate decision made within complexity of reality. For such understanding, the
integration of diverse, rational as well as emotional perspectives is the basic guideline. In contrast to other concept of sustainable decision making, it fulfills two basic requirements to achieve that. First, it is practical for daily corporate decision making practices in complex realities. Second, its application lies in the self‐interest of the decision maker.

The functioning of the approach will be illustrated by an exemplary corporate decision from the German food vs. fuel conflict. Besides other alternatives of mitigation, this thesis will evaluate the option of importing food from a country with a high theoretical potential of production increase; such as Ukraine. It will be shown that a Comprehensive Understanding is necessary to understand the complexity of the issue and to make sustainable decisions within such complex environment. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Bilke, Ralf LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM01 20121
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
sustainability science, sustainability, decision making, bioenergy, agriculture, business, Ukraine
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2012:010
language
English
additional info
In cooperation with: Vattenfall Europe New Energy GmbH, Dr. Jan Grundmann, supervisor
id
2967841
date added to LUP
2012-08-07 15:39:42
date last changed
2012-11-26 10:19:05
@misc{2967841,
  abstract     = {{This thesis suggests Comprehensive Understanding as an alternative approach of sustainable corporate decision making. It shows how sustainability becomes the intrinsic rationale of corporate decision making in complex realities. The approach of Comprehensive Understanding is based on a synthesis of different concepts of sustainability science. As methods, a review of academic literature,a dialogue with practitioners and academics as well as own reflections have been applied.

Modern disciplinary understanding can only provide a limited perspective on complex realities through its focus on deep analysis. I argue for a more Comprehensive Understanding that covers the impacts of a corporate decision made within complexity of reality. For such understanding, the
integration of diverse, rational as well as emotional perspectives is the basic guideline. In contrast to other concept of sustainable decision making, it fulfills two basic requirements to achieve that. First, it is practical for daily corporate decision making practices in complex realities. Second, its application lies in the self‐interest of the decision maker.

The functioning of the approach will be illustrated by an exemplary corporate decision from the German food vs. fuel conflict. Besides other alternatives of mitigation, this thesis will evaluate the option of importing food from a country with a high theoretical potential of production increase; such as Ukraine. It will be shown that a Comprehensive Understanding is necessary to understand the complexity of the issue and to make sustainable decisions within such complex environment.}},
  author       = {{Bilke, Ralf}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Sustainable corporate decision making in complex realities : a general approach and an illustration in the German food vs. fuel conflict}},
  year         = {{2012}},
}