Invisible Patterns: Ecology and Wisdom in Business and Profit

Business and ecology, Hansen and Christensen assert, are bound together in ways few yet recognize. Ecology represents a true megatrend of increasing strength―a megatrend that impacts new products and production methods, new markets and marketing, new legislation, and new business ethics and business structures. In fact, they contend, a whole new focus from business is emerging―and even more: a new world view. This book presents and discusses an ecological world view and applies it to all aspects of business from opportunities for profit to ethics.

Hansen and Christensen present a novel application of ecological reasoning: they show that ecosystems theory lays down premises for a promising theory of change and resistance to change in the area of management and organization. Further, knowledge about ancient man, as he evolved in his ecological niche, is shown to be vital for an understanding and ability to handle interhuman challenges and general problems in modern enterprises. This book challenges the existing contributions from business and industry to the general efforts to solve global environmental problems. The authors point out degrees of greening and discount the blind faith in the benefits of sustainable growth. This book will be of interest to managers on all levels of business, as well as those involved in public/economic policy issues, and to students and scholars of business administration.

JON LUND HANSEN is Director of Consens A/S, Norway. He is a psychologist and management consultant.

PER A. CHRISTENSEN is Chief Executive, ODC Organisational Consultants Limited. He has consulted businesses throughout the world.

The two have published books and articles on management and productivity, organizational change, and ecology.