Wayne Visser

An innovation agenda for tackling our biggest global societal challenges, including the climate emergency Written by a top thinker in sustainability and responsible business, Thriving promotes change through innovation and transformation in nature, society, and the economy. It showcases new approaches in economics, business, and leadership to address a wide range of topics, including ecosystem destruction, species extinction, plastic waste, air pollution, gender equality, social justice, physical health, mental well-being, access to technology, job automation, pandemics, and climate change, among others. Thriving strives to: • Inform about why change is necessary and how it happens in society, as well as counter prevailing despair and pessimism about the state of the world with hope and optimism • Inspire with what change is possible and where it is already happening, showing how we can go from problems of breakdown to breakthrough solutions • Impel by creating a desire to turn information and inspiration into action, adding momentum to the growing regeneration movement ​Thriving is not an exercise in blind optimism in technology or other miracle-cure solutions; rather, it is an accessible approach to systems thinking and an offer of pragmatic hope based on purpose-driven creativity and innovation. Whether you’re a professional in the sustainability field or someone who simply wants to be better informed about ways to take positive action, this thorough guide is for you.

The Breakthrough Movement to Regenerate Nature, Society, and the Economy

Thriving

I Am An African

Purpose Inspired: Reflections on Conscious Living

Corporate Sustainability & Responsibility (CSR) - incorporating corporate responsibility, sustainable development, business ethics and corporate citizenship - has become a widely taught subject in business schools and practiced in companies around the world. Presented here is a comprehensive textbook that introduces students and practitioners to CSR theory and practice, looking at the past, present and future. The text includes 25 case studies and over 60 sets of discussion questions (nearly 200 questions), which allow teachers, students and practitioners to reflect on the presented content and to discuss, debate and dig deeper into the issues. The text itself is written in a highly readable style, without sacrificing academic rigour (there are over 200 references cited). The result is an inexpensive, accessible and searchable introduction to a management discipline that has become critical to the future of business, written by one of the world's leading authorities on the subject.

Corporate Sustainability & Responsibility

Sustainable Frontiers throws down the gauntlet to business to step up and be the catalyst for a sustainable future. It presents eight keys to unlocking transformational change – through leadership, enterprise, innovation, transparency, engagement, responsibility, integration and future-fitness. Far from being another tame review of corporate social responsibility and sustainable business initiatives, the book dispels the myths of sustainability and challenges us to let go of old systems that are failing to deliver economic, social and environmental transformation. Sustainable Frontiers gets to the heart of why the sustainability and CSR movements have failed in the past and offers a new view of how sustainable business practices can shape-shift to make a genuine difference inside and outside organisations. The book gathers together experiences from across the globe and shows to the reader what can be achieved with the right vision and leadership. Expect to be challenged, engaged and inspired to join the revolution on the sustainable frontier.Making a successful transition to a more sustainable future depends on letting go. Sustainable Frontiers shows how we must find ways to let go of an industrial system that has served us well, but is no longer fit for purpose. How we will need to let go of old styles of leadership and out-dated models of business, high-impact lifestyles and selfish values. How we must learn to let go of cherished ideologies that are causing destruction and beliefs about ways to tackle problems that are failing to resolve crises.If we are to reach sustainable frontiers, it must begin with changing our collective minds - and only then will we change our collective behaviour. How we accomplish such a global mind-shift is the subject of Sustainable Frontiers. And it starts by admitting that those of us at the vanguard of the sustainability revolution also have to change. We will also have to let go of cherished beliefs and strategies that are not working - starting with the way we communicate our vital, life-saving mission.

Unlocking Change through Business, Leadership and Innovation

Sustainable Frontiers

There was no denying it any longer. Gulliver was lost - on his way to leadership school. He was a failed leader even before he began. How could he - let alone his proud parents or anyone else - have believed that one day he would lead the flock? He couldn't even lead himself. Join Gulliver as his misadventure of getting lost takes him on an unplanned journey down through Africa. Along the way he faces numerous challenges, meets weird-looking creatures and makes wonderful friends, each of which teach him an unconventional lesson in leadership. And perhaps the most important lesson of all: a leader cannot lead without a flock. This book is a parable for adults and children alike at a time when the world needs a new kinds of leaders.

Follow Me (I'm Lost): The Tale of an Unexpected Leader

The Little Book of Quotations on Sustainable Business

In January 2010, author, academic and social entrepreneur Dr Wayne Visser set off on a nine-month, 20-country "quest" to talk to entrepreneurs, business leaders and innovators and learn about how companies in all parts of the world can and are helping to tackle the world's most pressing social and environmental problems. His aim was to explore the many varieties of global approaches to sustainable business practices first-hand and to share some of the most innovative global examples.The result is this treasure trove of a book, full of stories, ideas, links to more than 100 video interviews, best practices and tools for making sustainable business work in a myriad of different contexts, cultures and settings. Besides sharing insights from his 2010 "CSR Quest World Tour", the author captures his professional experiences and the evolution of sustainable business over the past 20 years.The path begins in Africa and winds its way through Asia, North America, Europe, Australasia and Latin America. The author shares what he has learned in encounters with mega-corporations and small farmers, and conversations with CEOs and social entrepreneurs. There are facts and figures about world trends, and interviews with thought leaders and activists. This is a tale that consciously weaves the personal and the professional, mixing anecdotes and case studies. It looks outwards and reflects inwards, and is both autobiography and the life story of a global movement.

An Epic Journey in Search of Corporate Responsibility

The Quest for Sustainable Business

The book examines the evolution and current state of corporate social responsibility (CSR), using a five-stage maturity model: defensive, charitable, promotional, strategic and transformative CSR. The first four stages are dubbed CSR 1.0 and characterise most current CSR practice, while the fifth stage is named CSR 2.0 (also transformative or systemic CSR) and describes emergent and future CSR practices. Reasons are given why CSR 1.0 approaches have failed to have any significant impact on the most serious global social, environmental and ethical challenges. The emergent CSR 2.0 will then be explored in detail by elaborating on five principles underlying the new approach, including: creativity, scalability, responsiveness, glocality and circularity. A four-part DNA Model is also introduced, covering value creation, good governance, societal contribution and ecological integrity, which provides the basis for defining and measuring CSR 2.0. Finally, a 70-question CSR 2.0 self-assessment diagnostic tool developed by the author is presented, with sample data to show how the tool can be used for future research and practitioner application.

Transforming Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility

CSR 2.0

Guy Lundy

All South Africans at home and abroad face a critical choice. Either we choose to embrace our country with a positive, constructive and engaging spirit, or we choose pessimism, fear and misery.

Reasons to Believe

South Africa

Disrupting the Future: Great Ideas for Creating a Much Better World

The World Guide to Sustainable Enterprise is the first comprehensive global compendium that clearly describes the national approaches to sustainable enterprise. Through a systematic review of each country, this quick-to-access reference guide showcases the similarities and differences in each region. Every country profile includes key information about the relevant history, country-specific issues, trends, research, and the leading organizations operating in the field as well as best-practice case studies. The guide comprises four volumes, each dedicated to a specific region of the world. In a world where organizations are working increasingly across national and regional boundaries and research takes a joined-up and international approach, this book is an essential guide for practitioners and researchers in the disciplines of business sustainability, social enterprise and corporate responsibility. The first of its kind, this reference book provides the reader with a unique insight into what is the current state-of-play in each country. Each edited volume provides expert contributions from around the world; the contributors have been selected on the basis of their knowledge of the country and their clear experience in sustainable enterprise. Each regional/country profile includes the following subsections: Sustainable Enterprise in context; Priority issues; Trends; Government policies; Case studies; Further resources; and References. This unique resource will be an essential acquisition for all organizations who need to benchmark their sustainable enterprise strategies throughout different regions and cultures and want the best possible intelligence on the key issues and concerns relating to sustainable business and social responsibility in all of the markets in which they operate. It provides a useful companion reference collection to the World Guide to CSR, also edited by Wayne Visser. The full Four Volume Set of The World Guide to Sustainable Enterprise is available for purchase as a single item at a 25% discounted rate.

Volume 2: Asia Pacific

The World Guide to Sustainable Enterprise

Manfred Pohl

Dirk Matten

Nick Tolhurst

CSR has now moved beyond the stage of specialist or niche subject to become an integral part of global business and society. This timely edition is destined to become the definitive guide to CSR, Sustainability, Business Ethics and the organizations and standards in the field. The A to Z of Corporate Social Responsibility is a unique publication and is the culmination of over a hundred of the world’s leading thinkers, opinion formers, academic and business people providing an easy-to-use guide to CSR: from general concepts such as sustainability, stakeholder management, business ethics and human rights to more specific topics such as carbon trading, microfinance, biodiversity, the Base of the Pyramid model and globalisation. In addition to definitions of the most important terms across the wide range of CSR associated topics, this book also covers all the most important codes and guidelines, such as the Equator Principles, the UN Global Compact and ISO standards, as well as providing background on organizations such as the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and Transparency International and profiles of CSR in particular industries and regions. This paperback edition includes all the latest developments in CSR as well as incorporating new sections on boardroom pay, the sub-prime market and the financial crisis. Praise for the first edition: "A complete reference guide...offers an invaluable combination of lessons learned and best practice for the future...provides first–hand insights" (Forum CSR International, October 2008) "This is a timely and innovative contribution to the field of Corporate Social Responsibility" (Retail & Leisure International, February 2008) "...a handy reference to have on the shelf behind your desk..." (Ethical Performance, February 2008) “You will not find a wider display of today’s key global players and their action programs than here.” (CSR–News.net, May 2008) “The book contains a great deal of detailed research.” (Supply Management, May 2008)

The A to Z of Corporate Social Responsibility

This landmark book shows how the old model of corporate sustainability and responsibility is being replaced by a second generation movement that goes beyond the outmoded approach of CSR as philanthropy or public relations concern to a more authentic, stakeholder-driven model. The author describes the new concept and mission of the new movement and explains its agenda in a succinct guide that will be useful for CSR professionals, including managers, consultants, academics, and non-governmental organizations.

CSR 2.0 and the New DNA of Business

The Age of Responsibility

The World Guide to Sustainable Enterprise is the first comprehensive global compendium that clearly describes the national approaches to sustainable enterprise. Through a systematic review of each country, this quick-to-access reference guide showcases the similarities and differences in each region. Each profile includes key information about the relevant history, country-specific issues, trends, research, best practice case studies and the leading organizations operating in the field. The Guide comprises of four volumes, each dedicated to a specific region of the world. In a world where organizations are working increasingly across national and regional boundaries and research takes a joined-up and international approach, this book is an essential guide for practitioners and researchers in the disciplines of business sustainability, social enterprise and corporate responsibility. The first of its kind, this reference book provides the reader with a unique insight into what is the current state-of-play in each country. Each edited volume provides expert contributions from around the world; the contributors have been selected on the basis of their knowledge of the country and their clear experience in sustainable enterprise. Each regional/country profile includes the following subsections: Sustainable Enterprise in context; Priority issues; Trends; Government policies; Case studies; Further resources; and References. This unique resource will be an essential acquisition for all organizations who need to benchmark their sustainable enterprise strategies throughout different regions and cultures and want the best possible intelligence on the key issues and concerns relating to sustainable business and social responsibility in all of the markets in which they operate. It provides a useful companion reference collection to The World Guide to CSR, also edited by Wayne Visser. Volume 1: Middle East and North Africa Volume 3: Europe Volume 4: The Americas

Karina Yadav

Ileana Magureanu

In this 550 page Compendium, CSR International has compiled summaries of the best research on corporate sustainability, social responsibility and business ethics since 2009. This first volume on Governance profiles over 450 research publications between 2009 and 2014 - including practitioner reports, market surveys and academic papers - from over 300 authors and more 250 organisations. Specifically, it contains research abstracts on the following governance-related topic areas: Accountability Transparency Ethical Behaviour Responsible Investment Stakeholder Interests Fair Operating Practices We believe this Compendium will serve as an invaluable resource for academics, students, researchers and professionals around the world who share our interest and passion for social responsibility, sustainability, business ethics and corporate accountability."

The CSR International Research Compendium: Volume 1 - Governance

Icarus: Favourite Love Poems

This unique title draws together in one volume some of the best thinking to date on the pressing social and environmental challenges we face as a society. These are the Top 50 Sustainability Books as voted for by the University of Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership's alumni network of over 3,000 senior leaders from around the world. In addition to profiles of all 50 titles, many of the authors share their most recent reflections on the state of the world and the ongoing attempts by business, government and civil society to create a more sustainable future. Many of these authors have become household names in the environmental, social and economic justice movements – from Rachel Carson, Ralph Nader and E.F. Schumacher to Vandana Shiva, Muhammad Yunus and Al Gore. Others, such as Aldo Leopold, Thomas Berry and Manfred Max-Neef, are relatively undiscovered gems, whose work should be much more widely known. By featuring these and other seminal thinkers, The Top 50 Sustainability Books distils a remarkable collective intelligence – one that provides devastating evidence of the problems we face as a global society, yet also inspiring examples of innovative solutions; it explores our deepest fears and our highest hopes for the future. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to tap into the wisdom of our age.

Wayne Visser

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