Corporate Environmental Management 3 examines the complex yet crucial issues faced when we make a genuine commitment to move towards sustainable development. It tackles the nature of the international economic order and the efficacy of free trade and globalization in response to the growing recognition that businesses and organizations must now effect real change to ensure a sustainable future. It analyses strategies for managers, researchers, academics and students to achieve operations consistent with this goal and provides accounts of best practice, offering substantial references to leading articles in the field.

With welcome clarity of thought and expression, analysis is made of the structural, as well as cultural, adaptations demanded of businesses in changing socioeconomic circumstances. Can an ethic be derived from the concept of sustainable development to be applied to the practice of business? Will the globalization of economic activity have a detrimental and decisive effect on the ability of business to bring about the vital progress needed? What are the implications of postmodern social theory, with its emphasis on the uncertainty of value and commitment, for corporations attempting to effect change?

This third book in the comprehensive and authoritative Corporate Environmental Management series provides an ideal introduction to the main practical and theoretical issues for those new to the subject, whilst those familiar with the series will find it a thoughtful and incisive development of the debate.

Richard Welford is Professor of Corporate Environmental Management at the University of Huddersfield, professor of Sustainable Management at the Norwegian School of Management and a Director of ERP Environment.

Originally published in 2000