From Viability to Sustainability: The Contribution of the Viable Systems Approach (VSA)

Abstract

The current dynamics of business systems require new ways of conceiving the role of single entities. On this basis, a complex of interactions between the company and the reference context must be activated to guarantee survival dynamics. From these considerations re-emerge the ideas of Peccei ( 2013) and King ( 2013) that recognise in the systemic thought the foundations for a sustainable society. The present study derives from these considerations, and aims at contributing to the advancement of the knowledge necessary to overcome the challenges in the sustainability field. The methodological approach, albeit heuristic, can be traced back to the positive scientific and constructivist method. The results of the study showed the prevalence of qualitative and subjective techniques, accompanied by the so-called inductive method, testifying to the intense interaction between the scholar and the object investigated. With regard to future research, it would be interesting to construct a flexible, scalable and extensible model to recover both a database and an ontology for the theoretical framework.

Corporate Social Responsibility towards the Environment in Lublin Region, Poland: A Comparative Study of 2009 and 2019

“…Presently, the concept of corporate social responsibility associated with care of the environment, justice, and social order, and ethical conduct of enterprises, creates a real chance to implement principles of sustainable development at the lowest level-enterprises and entrepreneurs, employees and local residents [26]. There are works to develop the conceptual framework for the description of the concept of sustainability tailored from the systemic perspective, the perspective of individual entities, and their role in creating the foundations of sustainable society [27]. There are also studies concerning the perception of various CSR initiatives and programs by different groups of stakeholders, in particular employees, the addressees whose voices are important in the process of decision-making and implementing [28].…”

Impact of Logistics Capacity on Economic Sustainability of SMEs

“…Al Tit [27] categorized most important indicators for success of SMEs, by introducing business performance indicators, business characteristics, and business environment. Formisano [28] studies sustainability from a business perspective, identifying financial performance as relevant for comparison between businesses. Berger Douce [29] outlined the financial performance of SMEs, measured through several business performance indicators, such as financial health (solvency, liquidity), quality of delivered products, and the ability to generate enough new income (profitability).…”

The Impact of Sustainability and Leadership on the Innovation Management of Michelin-Starred Chefs

“…Innovation capability has been shown to be essential for organizational viability and serves as a substantial source to gain a competitive advantage [10][11][12]. Globalization, ever-increasing competition, technological advances, the shortening of product life cycles, changing market needs and constrained resources are just a few contributors to the growing Sustainability 2022, 14, 330 2 of 21 pressure on businesses to innovate [4].…”