Allam Ahmed, Sussex University, UK
Many authors would argue that the concept of Sustainable Development (SD) must enhance the long-term productivity of the resource base and improve the long-term wealth and well being derived from alternative resource-use systems, with acceptable environmental impacts. The complex relationship between the economy, society and the environment and scientific knowledge requires a multi-disciplinary approach and urges for skilled communication, which is capable of addressing the technological issues and the political framework within which problem solving necessarily takes place.
WORLD SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OUTLOOK is developed with that objective in mind, namely, to provide an overview of SD and why it is important and to provoke forward thinking on the development of a more coherent approach to solving global problems related to sustainability. In doing so, a holistic approach is used to critically examine the inter-relationship between the natural, the governmental, the economic and the social dimensions of our world and how science and technology can contribute to solutions. A framework for understanding and acting upon these solutions will be presented, taking into account a variety of international, institutional and intellectual perspectives. The series seeks to address growing concerns for the future of our interlocked ecological, political and economic systems in a highly populated world that is characterised by major social and economic disparities.
Sustainable development is not just a concern for developing countries. All countries whatever their level of development or past scientific and technological glories must pay attention to it. It is important at every level to develop a clear understanding for a consensus on the meaning of SD and the realities of our common future.
We are pleased to present the first edition in the series, OUTLOOK 2005. Each year, we will discuss and study a different topic. The theme of OUTLOOK 2005 has been carefully chosen to discuss our common goal to achieve global competitiveness in today’s digital society.
OUTLOOK 2005 is a truly global source book reflected in the varied national and cultural origins of the contributors as well as the topics and case studies covered. The papers in this volume have been selected form the 2005 International Conference, jointly organized by the World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD) and College of Business and Economics (CBE), which the United Arab Emirates University held in November 2005 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The conference focused on “Globalization, Technology and Suainable Development” and attracted more than 100 academics, researchers, practitioners and policy-makers, who represent more than 30 countries worldwide. The response to our call-for-papers has been so high with more than 100 abstracts and papers received covering a wide range of focus and scope of the theme to the extent that we had a difficulty in deciding which papers should be included in this volume. We have finally selected 24 papers with an interesting profile for this volume covering a wide geographical spectrum after a blind peer review process. Due to space limitations, it is obviously impossible to include all papers presented during the conference. OULOOK 2005 represents the best papers presented in the conference by renowned international experts.
OULOOK 2005 is intended to explore global viewpoints on the state of business, technology, innovation and SD. Each section of the book starts with an overall executive summary outlining the main arguments discussed by the different authors in the section as well as their key conclusions.
The five main sections of the books are:
1. Globalisaion Issues (5 chapters) examines some definitions of globalisation and the different perspectives that have been taken. Globalisation is seen by many to be the dominant force in business today. Globalisation is more than just producing, marketing, and distributing goods and services throughout the world. It is a new way of thinking and the social process in which the constraints of geography on social and cultural arrangements recede and in which people become increasingly aware that they are receding. Globalisation of science and technology is associated with the political economy of the late 20th and early 21st century, both driven by phenomenal growth in international trade and by dramatic improvements in information and communication technologies and combined with the growing accessibility of information worldwide over the internet. The impact of globalisation is closely linked to the behaviour of multinational companies. We will explore these in more depth in this section.
2. Investment and Trade (6 Chapters) discusses several issues about investment and trade. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) decision is a complex process which is influenced by the supply factors, demand factors, political factors, as well as other factors. A firm that chooses to exploit a plant abroad at a particular location must consider several sets of factors including country-related issues; product-related issues; government policies; and organizational issues. In more details, several questions will be raised such as: why should the company operate abroad; where should these plants be located; what level of competence should each plant have; which strategic role should be attributed to each plant; which products should be produced in which plant…etc.
3. Competitiveness and Poductivity (4 chapters) will critically examine different issues relating to productivity and efficiency. Productivity is a situation in which one creates more than consumes. It is doing things right at the least possible cost in the least possible time with the highest possible quality and to the maximum level of satisfaction of customers and employees. Productivity is therefore a measure of how well resources are used to produce output-be it goods or services. However it relates also to input and performance aspects of quality, efficiency, and effectiveness. Moreover, there is a direct correlation between productivity and standard of living at the individual, organisation, national and international levels. Therefore, it would not be wrong to perhaps state that productivity is the only important worldwide source of real economic growth, social progress and improved standard of living. Higher productivity will result in higher foreign exchange reserves, which will allow a country to buy needed resources and should also lead to poverty alleviation as long as there is a good distributional and developmental policy. Also the higher productivity within the economy, the more competitive it is in the global markets and the lower the unemployment rate. r
4. Information and Knowledge Management (7 chapters) assess the current status of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in different parts of the world. Knowledge management and bridging the digital divide are the main themes in this section. Advances in ICTs have contributed to the shaping of the world we live in and we are truly now in the era of the global village. To operate efficiently, it is imperative to possess knowledge on a broad spectrum of issues and concepts that affect business activities around the globe. Successful management in the new millennium requires developing new methods and approaches to suit the challenges and opportunities of this new era of globalisation. Also science is a public good and everyone who requires knowledge in a given area has the right to attain it. UNESCO's 32nd General Conference in 2003 focused on "Building Knowledge Societies and advancement of knowledge-based practices" as an essential component of globalisation and sustainable economic growth particularly in DCs.
5. Sustainable Development Issues (3 chapters) discusses different issues relating to SD as well as summarises the main arguments discussed in the book. Sustainable development is probably the most daunting challenge that humanity has ever faced and achieving it requires that the fundamental issues be addressed immediately at local, regional and global levels. Sustainability requires new thinking across the spectrum of human endeavour, not merely among scientists and technologists. Economic, social, and institutional innovations must keep pace with technological innovations. Sustainable development is a multi-disciplinary process that involves all issues such as science, innovation, technology, research and development, information technology and e-commerce, economic development, health, FDI and Multinational Corporations, international debt and aid, trade, politics, natural disasters, population growth, terrorism …etc. This section reviews the different concepts and perspectives of SD discussed by the different authors within the economic framework of globalization and the common goal of achieving competitiveness in our digitally divided society.
It is hoped that the ensemble of papers presented in this volume will help to stimulate debate amongst scholars, researchers and policymakers that will ultimately lead to a more integrated and multi-disciplinary approach to policy design in which globalization, technology and SD work together. We hope you find this volume interesting and thought-provoking.
Finally, we would like to congratulate the authors for their valuable contribution and we are grateful to our track chairs and many reviewers for graciously offering their invaluable comments that have enriched the quality of the papers in this volume and also for making available to us their valuable time and efforts. Our most sincere gratitude goes to all of the keynote speakers and presenters who shared with us their expertise and knowledge.
