Eco-environmental mutualism as an alternative to eco-efficiency in systemic models. (1st January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Munck, Luciano; Galleli, Bárbara
• Is Part Of: Latin American journal of management for sustainable development. Volume 1:Number 4(2014)
• Page Start: 290
• Page End: 306
• Publication Date: 2014-01-01
• Subjects: eco-environmental mutualism -- eco-efficiency -- EE -- sustainable management -- organisational sustainability -- OS -- systemic models -- integrative models -- conceptual analysis -- sustainability principles; 338.9807
• DOI: 10.1504/LAJMSD.2014.067386
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2052-0336

Abstract

Seeking improved understanding of systemic and integrative models focused on organisational sustainable management, this article proposes a revision of the 'eco-efficiency' concept. This concept has essentially been ideologically reductionist when dealing with sustainability, and primarily concentrates on technical and procedural elements. In this context, based upon the conceptual analysis technique, we developed the 'eco-environmental mutualism' concept. This proposal is not just a semantic refinement, but rather practical-conceptual. Eco-environmental mutualism premises stress the need for mutual cooperation in activities that require collective action and extensive benefits, which makes it more aligned and compatible with sustainability principles in an organisational context.