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Learning from the Anthropocene: Adaptive Epistemology and Complexity in Strategic Managerial Thinking

Author

Listed:
  • Andrew S. Mitchell

    (Institute of Energy & Sustainable Development, De Montfort University, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK)

  • Mark Lemon

    (Institute of Energy & Sustainable Development, De Montfort University, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK)

  • Wim Lambrechts

    (Department of Marketing & Supply Chain Management, Open University of the Netherlands, 6401 DL Heerlen, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Turbulence experienced in the business and social realms resonates with turbulence unfolding throughout the biosphere, as a process of accelerating change at the stratigraphic scale termed the Anthropocene. The Anthropocene is understood as a multi-dimensional limit point, one dimension of which concerns the limits to the lineal epistemology prevalent since the Age of the Enlightenment. This paper argues that future conditions necessitate the updating of a lineal epistemology through a transition towards resilience thinking that is both adaptive and ecosystemic. A management paradigm informed by the recognition of multiple equilibria states distinguished by thresholds, and incorporating adaptive and resilience thinking is considered. This paradigm is thought to enhance flexibility and the capacity to absorb influences without crossing thresholds into alternate stable, but less desirable, states. One consequence is that evaluations of success may change, and these changes are considered and explored as likely on-going challenges businesses must grapple with into the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew S. Mitchell & Mark Lemon & Wim Lambrechts, 2020. "Learning from the Anthropocene: Adaptive Epistemology and Complexity in Strategic Managerial Thinking," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-16, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:11:p:4427-:d:364588
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ekhi Atutxa & Imanol Zubero & Iñigo Calvo-Sotomayor, 2020. "Scalability of Low Carbon Energy Communities in Spain: An Empiric Approach from the Renewed Commons Paradigm," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-23, September.
    2. Andrew S. Mitchell, 2020. "Mode-2 Knowledge Production within Community-Based Sustainability Projects: Applying Textual and Thematic Analytics to Action Research Conversations," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-29, November.
    3. Stephan Blaha & Wim Lambrechts & Jelle Mampaey, 2021. "Twalk Your Talk: On the (Non)-Formative Influence of Corporate Social Responsibility Communication on Supply Chain Sustainability Measures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-21, August.

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