Ecological modernization as a paradigm of corporate sustainability

Pataki, György

doi:10.1002/sd.403

Cited by 37 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 47 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…EM theory has been criticized for building on the idea of sustainable growth, which can be considered a theoretical paradox (Mol & Sonnenfeld, 2009). EM theory has also been criticized for its disregard for social justice (Fisher & Freudenburg, 2001;Jensen & Gram-Hanssen, 2008;Pataki, 2009). Langhelle (2000) argues that EM and sustainability should not be conflated at a conceptual level.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

The transformative effect of the introduction of water volumetric billing in a disadvantaged housing area in Sweden

Mangold¹,

Morrison²,

Harder³

et al. 2014

Water Policy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Domestic water payment schemes are often a product of their time, place and what is perceived to be customary. Aspects that payment schemes can take into account include resource conservation, equity, maintainability, and profitability. In contemporary Sweden profitable environmentally sustainable solutions are promoted, such as the introduction of volumetric billing of water in rental apartments. This paper describes the detailed consequences of this change in the payment structure for domestic water in terms of reduced resource consumption, direct impact on household economies and perceptions of the system's change process. By combining high-resolution quantitative data on water usage and socio-economic household characteristics with qualitative data from semistandardized interviews with residents, it is possible to identify the different impacts of the system's change and how the process was experienced. It was shown that while water usage decreased by 30%, 63% of the households had increased monthly costs, and unemployed residents were further disadvantaged and closer to social exclusion. Focusing on making environmental sustainability profitable, as posited in ecological modernization theory, may shadow negative impacts on social sustainability.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

The transformative effect of the introduction of water volumetric billing in a disadvantaged housing area in Sweden

Mangold¹,

Morrison²,

Harder³

et al. 2014

Water Policy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Obviously there is great inertia, a disinclination to enact necessary change, in unsustainable activities (e.g., Wittneben et al, 2012). While there is much in the literature to explain inertia at the individual level (e.g., Kollmuss & Agyeman, 2002;Padel & Foster, 2005), at the organizational level (e.g., Pataki, 2009;Post & Altman, 1994) or at the societal level (Daly, 2013;Hopwood et al, 2005;Mol & Sonnenfeld, 2000), explanations that focus on the industrial level are lacking. For instance, some explanations of climate change inertia view it as a "tragedy of the commons" (Dietz et al, 2003;Pfeiffer & Nowak, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inertia and change related to sustainability – An institutional approach

Stål

2015

Journal of Cleaner Production

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

PostprintThis is the accepted version of a paper published in Journal of Cleaner Production. This paper has been peer-reviewed but does not include the final publisher proof-corrections or journal pagination.Citation for the original published paper (version of record): Stål, H. (2015)Inertia and change related to sustainability: an institutional approach. Journal of Cleaner Production INERTIA AND CHANGE RELATED TO SUSTAINABILITY -AN INSTITUTIONAL APPROACH ABSTRACTDespite increased awareness of environmental crisis and social inequity the world is becoming more, not less, unsustainable. Obviously there is great inertia, a disinclination to enact change, in for instance environmentally detrimental practices. While there is much in the literature to explain inertia at the individual, organizational and societal level, there is a gap concerning approaches that focus upon the industrial level. This paper addresses this gap by developing an analytical approach based upon institutional theory brought together with the ontological principles of strong sustainability. Two interrelated case studies, concerning greenhouse gas reduction in the Swedish agri-field, are used to develop the approach. The empirical results show that greenhouse gas reduction is used in support for convergent changes within the industry, for instance to motivate increased efficiency and yields. Hence, the paper contributes to the sustainable development-literature by providing an analytical approach that can be utilized to increase the understanding of change processes at the industrial level. This approach is then discussed and further developed to accommodate for the case results.

show abstract

“…2 EM has developed into a broad range of dimensions in a relatively short period of time. As Pataki (2009) summarises, theorists have approached it as a distinct social theory (Cohen 1997, Buttel 2000, as a dominant public policy discourse (Hajer 1995, Bulkeley 2001 and as a framework for environmental policy change from local to international level (Gibbs 2000, Lundqvist 2000. At its core, however, is the contention that economic development and environmental protection are not such deep adversaries as previous ecological theory implied.…”

Section: Business-ngo Engagement and The Links To Social Movement Theorymentioning

confidence: 95%

“…2. For more detailed summaries of ecological modernisation theory, see Christoff (1996), Mol and Spaargaren (2000), Milanez and Bu¨hrs (2007), Pataki (2009). 3.…”

Section: Changing Relationships: Stakeholder Dialogue and The Challenmentioning

confidence: 99%

Banging on open doors? Stakeholder dialogue and the challenge of business engagement for UK NGOs

Burchell

Cook

2011

Environmental Politics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Ecological modernization as a paradigm of corporate sustainability

Cited by 37 publications

References 47 publications

The transformative effect of the introduction of water volumetric billing in a disadvantaged housing area in Sweden

The transformative effect of the introduction of water volumetric billing in a disadvantaged housing area in Sweden

Inertia and change related to sustainability – An institutional approach

Banging on open doors? Stakeholder dialogue and the challenge of business engagement for UK NGOs

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About