Spark: Igniting Organizational Change through a Planetary Mindset

by Marc Thompson

Overview

A fresh, sustainability-focused take on building organizations.

In a world facing growing social, political and environmental challenges, our organizations are no longer serving us well. This book offers a fresh framework for rethinking organizations. It is built on four generative dynamics—purposing, democratizing, cooperating and commoning— underpinned by a planetary mindset. Grounded in real-world examples and the latest research, it explores how these dynamics can spark new modes of organizing. With a focus on overcoming barriers and inspiring change, it’s a compelling call to reimagine organizations for a future that sustains people and the planet.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781529226713
Publisher:	Bristol University Press
Publication date:	06/01/2026
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x (d)

About the Author

Marc Thompson is Senior Fellow in Strategy and Organisation, Said Business School, University of Oxford.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. We Must Stop (Dis)organizing Like This: The need for alternative models

3. The Compass: Organizing for a sustainable future

4. Powering Change: Tensions, contradictions, paradoxes as the engines of sustainable organizing

5. Mindsets Matter for Systemic Change: The importance of a socio-ecological mindset

6. Powering Change: Values, norms and socio-cultural practice s

7. Alternatives in Action: Purposing and democratizing

8. Alternatives in Action: Cooperating and Commoning

9. Getting the Work Done: Experimental spaces, containers and socio-ecological learning

10. Getting the Work Done: Systemic change

11. Conclusion