Reflection on the Sustainability and Multilevel Antifragility Workshop

Authors

  • David N Berger University of Leipzig, Wroclaw, and Roskilde

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29015/cerem.308

Keywords:

Reflection, Sustainability, Fragilization

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this article is to provide a brief reflection on the campus sustainability workshop that was held on May 13th, 2016 at the WSB University in Wroclaw. The topic of sustainability, and identifying critical threats to sustainability at the institutional level and beyond is of major concern.

Design / Research methods: This reflection relies on a critical review of the discussion and materials presented during the workshop, and the opinion of the author. The observation and participation of the author and fellow participants played a crucial role in shaping the reflection.

Conclusions / findings: Firstly, the conclusion drawn is that the methodology used by the host should be more clearly specified, and the questions should be focused and separated, in order to properly research them. Secondly, given the data that was available, that the study of fragilization in this context should focus on Safe to Fail, instead of Fail Safe approaches, to prevent catastrophic failure events.

Originality / value of the article: The value of this reflection lies in the primary research interest, however, institutions may benefit from the analysis and opinions suggested. Without properly redesigning the study methodology to be more specific, the value of this research in its current form is limited, this author looks forward to the future work on the topic.

Author Biography

David N Berger, University of Leipzig, Wroclaw, and Roskilde

Masters Student with the Erasmus Mundus Global Studies Program

References

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Meadows D. (1998), Indicators and information systems for sustainable development, The Sustainability Institute, Hartland.

Perrow, C. (1999). Normal Accidents. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

Platje, J. (2008), ““Institutional Capital” as a Factor of Sustainable development – the importance of an institutional equilibrium”, Baltic Journal on Sustainability, Vol. 14 No. 2, pp. 144-150.

Platje J. (2011), Institutional Capital - creating capacity and capabilities for sustainable development, Wydawnictwo Universytetu Opolskiego, Opole.

Taleb, N.M. (2007). The Black Swan - the impact of the highly improbable. London: Penguin Books.

Taleb, N.M. (2012). Antifragile - things that gain from disorder. London: Penguin Books.

Sterman J.D. (2000), Business dynamics: system thinking and modelling for a complex world, Irwin / McGraw Hill, Boston.

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Published

2017-02-08

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 4 (2016)

Section

Articles

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