Title: Regeneration: The Evolution from Sustainability – What’s Next for Business and Leadership?
Context and Rationale: Sustainability, as a concept, has shaped the way businesses think about their responsibility to the environment and society for decades. However, many sustainability goals have fallen short, with the world still facing significant ecological and social challenges. Enter “Regeneration,” a transformative approach that shifts from maintaining the status quo to actively restoring and improving systems, whether environmental, social, or organizational.
The concept of regeneration, originating in biology and ecology, emphasizes renewal and restoration. Applied to management and leadership, regenerative principles call for building systems that heal and enhance ecosystems, communities, and individuals. This goes beyond simply avoiding harm or maintaining resources; it’s about creating systems that flourish.
This book aims to critically assess the shift from sustainability to regeneration, providing theoretical insights, empirical evidence, and practical case studies to explore how regenerative management can become a more effective tool for businesses to drive meaningful change.
Call for Contributions: We invite submissions from academics, practitioners, and thought leaders in the fields of regenerative business, leadership, and management. The goal is to contribute to the evolving conversation around regeneration and its implications for the future of responsible business and leadership.
Chapters should explore topics related to regeneration in management and leadership, addressing one or more of the following:
Research Themes and Potential Questions:
- Theoretical Foundations of Regeneration
- What conceptual gaps does regeneration fill that sustainability and responsible business failed to address?
- How does regeneration differ from previous frameworks like sustainability, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and responsible management?
- What new theoretical frameworks or conceptual models emerge from regenerative thinking?
- Regenerative Leadership and Organizational Change
- How can leaders foster regenerative practices within their organizations?
- What are the key qualities and mindsets required for regenerative leadership?
- What role does regenerative leadership play in transforming organizational cultures to be purpose-driven, adaptive, and inclusive?
- Regenerative Business Models and Practices
- How can businesses integrate regenerative principles into their operations, product development, and value chains?
- What are the economic and operational implications of adopting regenerative business models, such as in regenerative agriculture or the circular economy?
- What evidence exists that regenerative business practices contribute to organizational resilience and long-term value creation?
- Regeneration and Stakeholder Engagement
- How can organizations engage stakeholders in regenerative efforts, fostering collaboration across industries, communities, and governments?
- What examples exist of businesses working with communities to promote social regeneration and well-being?
- How does regenerative management impact employee engagement, diversity, and inclusion?
- Measuring the Impact of Regeneration
- What tools and metrics can be used to measure the impact of regenerative practices on ecosystems, communities, and organizational performance?
- How can organizations quantify their contributions to regeneration, and how do these metrics differ from traditional sustainability reporting?
Case Studies and Practical Examples:
We also encourage submissions that provide real-world examples of how regenerative management is applied in practice. Submissions could include:
- Empirical Research:
- What evidence supports the effectiveness of regenerative strategies in business?
- How are companies successfully implementing regenerative practices, and what challenges do they face?
- Case Studies:
- What are the key lessons from businesses that have adopted regenerative practices, such as Patagonia, General Mills, Interface, or Unilever?
- How have specific industries, like agriculture, manufacturing, or energy, embraced regeneration?
- Policy Implications:
- What role can government policies play in promoting regenerative business practices?
- How can regulatory frameworks support or hinder the adoption of regeneration in business?
Submission Guidelines:
Authors are invited to submit a chapter proposal (500–1,000 words) that outlines the key focus of the contribution, research questions, methodology (if applicable), and the intended contribution to the field of regeneration. Full chapters should be between 5,000 and 7,000 words, including references.
Important Dates:
- Chapter Proposal Submission Deadline: [February, 28, 2025]
- Notification of Acceptance: [May 30, 2025]
- Full Chapter Submission Deadline: [August 29, 2025]
- Expected Publication: [Early 2026]
Submission Contact: Please submit your chapter proposals here. Send any inquiries to info@humanisticmanagement.international
We look forward to your contributions to this important and timely discussion on regeneration in business and leadership. Together, let’s explore how regenerative principles can shape a future that goes beyond sustainability and creates thriving ecosystems and communities.