A pluralistic approach to economic and business sustainability: A critical meta‐synthesis of foundations, metrics, and evidence of human and local development

Abstract

Wellbeing and sustainability are at the center of development studies and economics, being the kernel of theories and policies. Analyzing such complex phenomena implies taking into account both the economic and business spheres. In this regard, the human and local dimensions of development have assumed central importance in determining definitions, measurements, and policies and reveal decisive implications for economic ethics and long‐term development perspectives. This work intends to draw a theoretical excursus on the nexus between the human, sustainable, and local dimensions of development and wide‐ranging business theories. For this scope, the paper adopts a pluralistic approach for determining diverse conceptual insights. Entangling holistic lenses, this study explores the theoretical foundations, measurements, and experiences that have characterized the recent development theory and applied evidence in economics and business. The review detects some evidence in the global and the Italian experiences that can reveal important lessons for theorists, policymakers, and practitioners in development, sustainability, and business.

Sustainable strategies andcorporate social responsibilityin the Italian fisheries companies

“…Practices and behaviours capable of bringing benefits to companies are fostered, improving reputation, and creating a notable opportunity for growth (Davis, 1960;Friedman, 1970;Gatto, 2020;Maignan & Ferrell, 2000;Rusciano, Scarpato, & Civero, 2019).…”

Energy vulnerability around the world: The global energy vulnerability index (GEVI)

“…Sustainable energy assessments techniques are also employable as early-warning tools for policy design (Ren and Dong, 2018). Vulnerability envisages pathways to formulate resilience policies worthy to draft sustainable development futures (Gatto, 2020) e decisive for modelling public-private partnerships and decision-making strategies (Azapagic and Perdan, 2005).…”

“…This result can be achieved by testing or comparing the technique adopted with other methodologies within a sensitivity analysis and their correlations exam. The tests could eventually decrease the potential variables multicollinearity and discharge the index from falling into a potential case-based spectrum; this would yield a more reliable composite indicator in line with the demanding scientific and policy requirements (Gatto andDrago, 2020b, Drago andAgovino et al, 2018).…”

On the frontline—Sustainability and development research amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Coronavirus is a prime adverse event necessitating holistic perspectives and systemic outlooks to foster resilient and sustainable governance intervention (Gatto, 2020). Tackling this unexpected situation is nowadays a challenge that our society is urgently required to govern for preserving sustainability (Pirouz et al, 2020).…”

“…The importance of entailing the capability approach to investigate pandemics and nd sustainability and development policy recommendations arises. Human development established holistic outlooks to explore development and is strictly tight with sustainable development due to its multifaceted perspective and inter-generational equity component (Gatto, 2020). Human development propensity to strive for reducing vulnerability through resilience policies and practical action (Malik, 2014) underlies the interconnectedness between development, sustainability and pandemics and paves the way for global access to health and health justice (Venkatapuram, 2013).…”