Business Ecology: Giving Your Organization the Natural Edge [Paperback]

Joseph M Abe (Author), David A. Bassett (Author), Patricia E. Dempsey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 18, 1998

Business ecology is a new field that synthesizes centuries of cultural wisdom, a close observation of natural systems, and proven business success strategies, such as strategic planning and total quality management. It emulates nature's systems design to provide a harmonious, relationship-oriented approach that reveals how your organization really works. This book applies these principles to help you integrate profitability, stakeholder relations, and environmental performance ¦ giving your organization the natural edge in emerging ecological economy.

Business ecology measures not just financial but overall viability by revealing vital flows and relationships that sustain your business. It is a lens for seeing those intangible elements of your organization's design -- such as core values, value-creation cycles, and innovative thinking ¦ that are essential factors shaping its success.

The Business Ecology Network (BEN), founded in 1995, is a catalyst for life-sustaining enterprise. BEN is a learning community for leaders and managers who want to apply a new way of thinking ¦ business ecology ¦ to create new, sustainable opportunities for their businesses and non profit organizations. Visit the BEN web page at http://naturaledge.org.


· Applies nature's organizing elegance to everyday business situations
· Offers the reader profit AND environmental integrity
· Unique and valuable blend of traditional business concepts with cutting-edge field of ecology

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann (May 18, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750699558
• ISBN-13: 978-0750699556
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #223,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #92 in Books > Science & Math > Environment > Environmentalism

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a MUST for any business or organization leader!, January 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Business Ecology: Giving Your Organization the Natural Edge (Paperback)

Business Ecology is about the direction all businesses will have to go if we are to preserve a good quality of life on this planet. One of the most important messages for me was that people need to realize that money is not the only way that we pay for things! We pay for things by giving up clean air, clean water, and clean soil. In this light, things like "cheap" gasoline are not so cheap after all. This book has helped my life, and I think that it will help everyone's life.