A “human ecology economics” framework for Eastern Europe

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a “human ecology economics (HEE)” framework for understanding economic growth and development challenges in Eastern Europe.Design/methodology/approachThe HEE approach relies on evolutionary and complex systems processes; it expands the field of ecological economics by incorporating interdisciplinary material from the humanities; and it allows a long‐run perspective with a focus on sustainability of human systems. Using this framework and primary research from Hungary, Estonia, and Azerbaijan, challenges to Eastern European development are identified.FindingsThe main limit to Eastern European sustainable development is not “production capital”, i.e. the availability of natural resources, fixed human‐made capital, and intermediate consumption, but instead shortages of “transaction capital”, i.e. “social capital, informational capital, and financial capital.”Research limitations/implicationsRigorous analytical models of, and precise predictions of, change in the human ecology are at present not possible using evolutionary and complex systems approaches; however, Eastern Europe can be fruitfully studied through the HEE approach, and certain simulation methods and lessons from recent history are suggested.Practical implicationsGreater support for various kinds of transaction capital is recommended, including for social and communication networks, for information exchange between small and medium size businesses, for innovation and creative learning by doing, for financial intermediation, for better inter‐party cooperation at the national level, etc.Social implicationsThe need for greater social cooperation, including a reduction in discrimination exercised by dominant individuals or groups, arises as a more important pre‐condition for sustainable economic growth than is commonly believed.Originality/valueScholars, policymakers, and practitioners might appreciate the more comprehensive interdisciplinary framework for understanding economic growth and development challenges in Eastern Europe, especially the role played by intangible belief systems, social agreements, and levels of cooperation.

Evaluation of social enterprise outcomes and self-efficacy

“…The main implications of this study are that measuring SE efficacy in advance of funding may indicate probability of venture success. Focussing on individual beliefs, such as social entrepreneurship self-efficacy (SESE), is important considering the theoretical and empirical findings which highlight that activating and sustaining the motivations of individuals is pivotal for democracies to build socially desirable equilibria (Allen et al, 2011;Amendola et al, 2011, p. 851). Despite the importance of SE many individuals in emerging economies may have the desire to pursue social initiatives but are not engaging because they are lacking in self-belief and requisite entrepreneurial skills (Luthans et al, 2000;Urban, 2006).…”

Addressing homelessness with the “human ecology economics” framework: the role of the business community in California

“…HEE as developed by Allen (2008) and Allen et al (2011Allen et al ( , 2015, is similar to the field of ecological economics (EE) (Costanza et al, 1997;Daly and Farley, 2004). In HEE, the emphasis on human ecology combined with economics, brings the humanities as well as the physical sciences-based field of ecology to the study of economics, making it broader than EE.…”

“…HEE as developed by Allen (2008) and Allen et al (2011, 2015), is similar to the field of ecological economics (EE) (Costanza et al. , 1997; Daly and Farley, 2004).…”

“…From our secondary research, Figure 1 shows many of the main underlying structural reasons for homelessness in California, organized in the four HEE quadrants and elaborated next under (1) belief systems, (2) social agreements, (3) physical environments and resources and (4) human populations. Belief systems are emphasized and discussed first because they are likely to be the less recognized but more important elements that drive changes in the other quadrantsfor example, Allen et al (2011) find this result to be true in an investigation of economic development challenges in Eastern Europe. Hodgetts et al (2011) found that when faced with seeing the homeless sleeping outside in inclement weather, people experienced sadness, concern, disbelief, awkwardness, confusion, aversion, repulsion and fear.…”

Resource categories and performance in Portuguese non-profit sports clubs

“…and "financial capital" were significant. Since a strategic advantage is associated with a favourable reputation (Davies & Miles, 1998), which is built on the "staff's competence" shoulders, and because organization's must generate cash flows always (Allen, Bedford, & Becht, 2011), the link between these three factors makes all sense. According to Murthy (2011), "staff's competence" as a dimension of human capital is antecedent to organizational capital, which then translates Vitória, BBR, Volume 13 Special Issue, p. 2016 www.bbronline.com.br…”