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Session Title: Corporate Sustainability: A Systems Approach to Evaluating the Triple Bottom Line
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Panel Session 779 to be held in Wekiwa 7 on Saturday, Nov 14, 10:55 AM to 11:40 AM
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Sponsored by the Business and Industry TIG
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| Chair(s): |
| Mallary Tytel, Healthy Workplaces, mtytel@healthyworkplaces.com
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| Discussant(s):
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| Mallary Tytel, Healthy Workplaces, mtytel@healthyworkplaces.com
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| Abstract:
The field of human systems dynamics represents new methods and opportunities for mapping and evaluating complex change. One such opportunity within business and industry is Corporate Sustainability (CS). CS is an approach that creates long-term shareholder value, improves performance, decreases waste and manages risk. Referred to as the Triple Bottom Line, CS considers the interrelationship of economic, environmental and social issues. As triple bottom line (TBL) reporting emerges as a critical part of an organization's persona and value, we need a clear and consistent understanding of the process of TBL, organizational learning, capacity and relationship building, and the overall impact on sustainability. The presenters will examine the dynamic connections between the three bottom lines, offer insights gained and discuss the challenges, opportunities and implications for business and industry for integrating expanded human systems dynamics thinking and approaches into the evaluation of TBL.
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System Networks as Part of the Triple Bottom Line
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| Enrico Wensing, Ecosphere Net, ejwensing@ecosphere.net
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An understanding of the connections between the big picture and little picture of the Triple Bottom Line system networks and human systems dynamics is necessary to generate a sustainable future. This presentation provides a broad overview. For example, cross-cultural supply chains represent both local networks and, ultimately, multinational global networks engaged in the TBL. How relationships along the various networks evolve is of key importance. One critical tool, the global sustainability inventory (GSI) is introduced as a measure we are developing to help calibrate the necessary individual human input toward human systems dynamics that are more equitable with CS and the needed transition to global sustainable development.
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The Potential of Human Systems Dynamics in Corporate Sustainability
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| Mallary Tytel, Healthy Workplaces, mtytel@healthyworkplaces.com
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Three organizations, representing diverse business sectors, implemented corporate sustainability programs as part of broad culture change initiatives. For each there was a focus on internal objectives (e.g. using recycled materials) and external objectives (e.g. producing "green" products to sell). Summative and formative evaluations were put in place to track (1) corporate-wide understanding of sustainability; (2) definitions and indicators of success; (3) major obstacles; and (4) the effect of having an identified champion for the effort. To investigate the role of systems factors in shaping the outcomes of the project, I used an adaptation of the Eoyang CDE Model (Container, Difference, and Exchange) from the Human Systems Dynamics Institute to identify new patterns of learning, interactions and relationships within the organizations.
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