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Introducing Flexibility to Complex, Resilient Socio-Ecological Systems: A Comparative Analysis of Economics, Flexible Manufacturing Systems, Evolutionary Biology, and Supply Chain Management

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  • Vivek Anand Asokan

    (Graduate Program in Sustainability Science (GPSS), Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Rm 334, Building of Environmental Studies, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa City, Chiba 277-8563, Japan)

  • Masaru Yarime

    (School of Energy and Environment (SEE), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
    Department of Science, Technology, Engineering & Public Policy (STEaPP), University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
    Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP), University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan)

  • Miguel Esteban

    (Graduate Program in Sustainability Science (GPSS), Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Rm 204b, Building of Environmental Studies, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa City, Chiba 277-8563, Japan)

Abstract

In this paper, a framework incorporating flexibility as a characteristic is proposed for designing complex, resilient socio-ecological systems. In an interconnected complex system, flexibility allows prompt deployment of resources where they are needed and is crucial for both innovation and robustness. A comparative analysis of flexible manufacturing systems, economics, evolutionary biology, and supply chain management is conducted to identify the most important characteristics of flexibility. Evolutionary biology emphasises overlapping functions and multi-functionality, which allow a system with structurally different elements to perform the same function, enhancing resilience. In economics, marginal cost and marginal expected profit are factors that are considered to be important in incorporating flexibility while making changes to the system. In flexible manufacturing systems, the size of choice sets is important in creating flexibility, as initial actions preserve more options for future actions that will enhance resilience. Given the dynamic nature of flexibility, identifying the characteristics that can lead to flexibility will introduce a crucial dimension to designing resilient and sustainable socio-ecological systems with a long-term perspective in mind.

Suggested Citation

  • Vivek Anand Asokan & Masaru Yarime & Miguel Esteban, 2017. "Introducing Flexibility to Complex, Resilient Socio-Ecological Systems: A Comparative Analysis of Economics, Flexible Manufacturing Systems, Evolutionary Biology, and Supply Chain Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-17, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:7:p:1091-:d:102221
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Asokan, Vivek Anand & Yarime, Masaru & Onuki, Motoharu, 2019. "Bridging practices, institutions, and landscapes through a scale-based approach for research and practice: A case study of a business association in South India," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 240-250.
    2. Tadeusz A. Grzeszczyk & Małgorzata Waszkiewicz, 2020. "Sustainable Investment Project Evaluation," Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 7(3), pages 2363-2381, March.
    3. Marta Negri & Enrico Cagno & Claudia Colicchia & Joseph Sarkis, 2021. "Integrating sustainability and resilience in the supply chain: A systematic literature review and a research agenda," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(7), pages 2858-2886, November.
    4. Luca Fraccascia & Ilaria Giannoccaro & Vito Albino, 2018. "Resilience of Complex Systems: State of the Art and Directions for Future Research," Complexity, Hindawi, vol. 2018, pages 1-44, August.
    5. Letizia Tebaldi & Barbara Bigliardi & Eleonora Bottani, 2018. "Sustainable Supply Chain and Innovation: A Review of the Recent Literature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-29, October.

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