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Organizational Perceptions And Responses To The Natural Environment, Michael O. Wood

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

In 2005, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment reported that two-thirds of the world’s ecosystems were being exploited well beyond sustainable levels. Given that many firms across sectors rely on natural resources to conduct business, it is surprising that many have failed to make their business practices more sustainable. I believe this occurs not because companies are acting in their own enlightened self-interests, but because they are unable to perceive the severity of such issues. The key is that perceptual deficiencies are not the result of blatant disregard, but of systemic incompatibility. That is, most companies do not choose to ignore environmental …