Holonomics: Business Where People and Planet Matter

by Simon Robinson, Maria Moraes Robinson, Satish Kumar (Foreword by)

Overview

Businesses around the world are facing rapidly changing economic and social situations. Business leaders and managers must be ready to respond and adapt in new, innovative ways.

The authors of this groundbreaking book argue that people in business must adopt a 'holonomic' way of thinking, a dynamic and authentic understanding of the relationships within a business system, and an appreciation of the whole. Complexity and chaos are not to be feared, but rather are the foundation of successful business structures and economics.

Holonomics presents a new world view where economics and ecology are in harmony. Using real-world case studies and practical exercises, the authors guide the reader in a new, holistic approach to business, towards a more sustainable future where both people and planet matter.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781782500612
Publisher:	Floris Books
Publication date:	06/15/2014
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Simon Robinson is a consultant in innovation, strategy and complexity. He was one of the founders of Genie Internet, the world's first mobile internet portal and is a member of BCI (Biomimicry for Creative Innovation). He has a Masters degree in Holistic Science from Schumacher College, UK. Maria Moraes Robinson is an economist and consultant in strategy, change management and the Balanced Scorecard management tool. She is a teacher and lecturer, interested in the themes of the economics of happiness and human values in education, and is the co-author of Strategy Management: Experiences and Lessons of Brazilian Companies and The Strategic Activist.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 9

Foreword Satish Kumar 11

Authors' Preface 14

Part 1 The Dynamics of Seeing: The Transition to Holonomic Thinking

1 Holonomic Thinking 23

What is Holonomics? 23

Complexity in Business 27

The Transition to Holonomic Thinking 32

2 Knowing 39

Complexity and Consciousness 39

The Whole and the Parts 45

Phenomeno logy 49

3 Seeing 54

Visual Perception 54

The Experience of Seeing 57

Theory-Driven Seeing 60

The Anatomy of Judgement 63

4 Goethe's Way of Seeing 72

Goethe's Greatest Achievement 72

The Act of Distinction 78

Goethe's Theory of Colours 82

The Metamorphosis of Plants 92

Working Blindfold 105

Part 2 The Dynamics of Nature: From Biology to Business

5 Living Systems 111

Seeing the Organisation Whole 111

Order and Chaos 117

Bifurcation 129

Evolution 132

Emergent Properties 135

Gaia 143

6 The Principles of Life 156

Principles of Life and Living Systems 156

Business Ecosystems and Living Organisations 165

Part 3 The Dynamics of Business: From Economics to Holonomics

7 Applied Holonomics - From Biology to Business 179

Counterfeit Business Models 179

PUMA's Environmental Profit and Loss Accounts and the Balanced Scorecard 181

Visa Inc.'s Chaordic Organisation 186

Kyocera's Amoeba Management System 189

Gore Associates' Lattice Organisation and Genie Internet 190

Toyota's Dynamic Way of Seeing 193

DPaschoaTs Authentic Business Ecosystem 199

8 Mindfulness and Consciousness in Business 209

A Case Study in Leadership 209

Competition and Collaboration 213

Is Being Happy an Impossible Dream? 219

Endnotes 227

List of Figures and Credits 245

Bibliography 247

Index 251

Editorial Reviews

'This remarkable book distills the essence of the ideas and values taught at Schumacher College, and shows how these teachings can be applied, with many case studies of enlightened business. A powerful antidote to today's dominant culture.'
– Fritjof Capra, author of The Hidden Connections and co-author of The Systems View of Life

'A manifesto for mindful living.'
– Satish Kumar

'What a gift to have these monumental, mind-changing ideas woven together skilfully in one book.'
– Margaret J Wheatley, author of Leadership and the New Science

'A must read for any forward thinking business.'
– Alan Moore, author of No Straight Lines: making sense of our non-linear world, and, Designing for Transformation

'Holonomics presents a powerful mode of thinking, for a new, life-enhancing approach to human economic activity. I urge all economists, public officials and people in business to connect with this timely and important message.'
– H. Thomas Johnson, author of Profit Beyond Measure, and Relevance Lost: The Rise and Fall of Management Accounting

'A timely, radical and deeply insightful book.'
– Giles Hutchins, author of The Nature of Business

'I have no doubt that this lucid integration of holistic science and business practices that do not ruin the Earth will rapidly become a landmark text.'
– Stephan Harding, editor of Grow Small, Think Beautiful

'For those who think that we must choose between environmental well-being and economic stability, here is a book that challenges that division. The authors show how business leaders can move beyond narrowly materialistic, reductionist frameworks toward more creative, imaginative and holistic visions of our sustainable, economic future.'
– Professor Ingrid Leman Stefanovic, author of Safeguarding Our Common Future: Rethinking Sustainable Development

'In Holonomics, the restructured knowledge which is shared will certainly help us - especially those in business with open minds – to traverse this new age of knowledge and understanding of ourselves, our societies and our whole living planet.'
– Dr. Roberta Simonetti, specialist in sustainable business and finance

'Holonomics conveys the necessary holistic approach to rethink the economic model in a new and innovative way towards the sustainability path, where life – for people and organisations – does matter.'
– Julio Bin, Sustainability and Sustainable Business Development adviser

'We are all looking for something to make us move together in a direction that we feel to be the correct one, and that long-lasting, profitable path that we may take is Holonomics.'
– Ricardo Della Santina Torres, economist

'Forward-looking business leaders as well as holistic thinkers will gain enormously from the insights of this highly informative book.'
– Network Review

From the Publisher