The Systemic Dimension of Sustainable Development in Developing Countries

Abstract

It is generally accepted that sustainable development encompasses four distinct perspectives: (a) economic, (b) ecological, (c) social, and (d) institutional, which are highly interrelated and complementary. Their interrelatedness is even more intense in the developing world where the effects of job creation, entrepreneurship, resource-use, networking, and building good governance are all systemically intertwined. This builds a logical nexus between business profits and social good whereby entrepreneurs doing business in developing countries not only can enhance their own productivity, effectiveness, and efficiency to improve their financial position, but also contribute to the wellbeing of their (host) countries. The purpose of this article is to present how a systemic outlook can enhance research and practical implementation of sustainable development in developing countries. In doing this, the article will demonstrate how the systemic approach to sustainable development can be practically applied through multi-stakeholder dialogues.

Keywords:

• sustainable development
• developing countries
• systemic approach
• stakeholder dialogues

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Roland Bardy

Dr Roland Bardy is owner of BardyConsult in Mannheim, Germany, and is Executive Professor of General Management and Leadership at Florida Gulf Coast University. Born in Vienna, Austria, he received his MBA there in 1969, and his PhD (in econometrics) from Heidelberg University, Germany, in 1974. He worked in finance and administration at BASF SE, the German multinational chemicals manufacturer, for about 30 years until 1999. He then took up teaching and consulting. His areas of interest are controlling/management accounting, supply chain management, business ethic, and issues related to sustainable development. He has authored and co-authored numerous papers, articles, and book chapters in German and English, and recently published a book on sustainable development.

Arthur Rubens

Dr Arthur Rubens is a professor of management in Lutgert College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) in FortMyers, Florida. He currently teaches in the BS, MBA, EMBA, and international programs at FGCU, and his primary areas of teaching and research interests are in Business Strategy, Leadership, International Management, Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, Ethics, and Quality Management. Dr Rubens received his doctorate in health administration in 1990 from the University of Pittsburgh and hasMaster Degrees in Public Administration and Health Science, and has over 25 years professional experience in the management field as a manager, educator, researcher, entrepreneur, and consultant. Dr Rubens is an active researcher, keynote speaker and workshop presenter, and has authored and co-authored numerous publications in international business, leadership, economic development, ethics, and health service delivery.

Maurizio Massaro

Dr Maurizio Massaro, is an aggregate professor at Udine University where he has taught and conducted research since 2001. After obtaining the degree of Master in Business Administration at Udine University with a thesis on the measurement of clarity in annual reporting he got a PhD in Economic Science with a thesis on the measurement of relational capital in 2004. His primary areas of teaching and research are in knowledge management, leadership, entrepreneurship, business performance, intangible assets, and sustainable development. Dr Massaro is also an active consultant and executive educator, who has taught and conducted research worldwide. Dr Massaro is a dynamic researcher and has authored and coauthored numerous articles, book chapters, and papers, and with the other two authors of this contribution he co-authored a book on sustainable development.