Bringing feedback and resilience of high-latitude ecosystems into the corporate boardroom

Ambio. 2004 Aug;33(6):371-6. doi: 10.1579/0044-7447-33.6.371.

Abstract

This paper discusses the role of companies in high-latitude regions, which are conceptualized as socially and economically mediated ecosystems, and identifies a number of important social actors within the business environment. We present three examples of corporate activity at high latitudes and discuss a variety of common threads. Notably, we argue that business theory and practice needs to move beyond a narrow social or economic concept of organizational resilience and embrace the ecological resilience of high-latitude regions as a business management goal. We also suggest that regional ecosystem resilience needs to become a meaningful measure of sustainable corporate governance, one that corporate boards of directors can review and commit to. The paper concludes with a call for a detailed research agenda on the role of transnational and national companies within high-latitude regions.

MeSH terms

  • Altitude
  • Commerce
  • Conservation of Natural Resources*
  • Ecosystem*
  • Environment*
  • Humans
  • Industry / organization & administration*
  • Organizational Policy
  • Policy Making
  • Social Conditions