International business and social-ecological systems

The presentations and several comments question the impact of the current economic paradigm/system. Alongside examining the role of formal and informal institutions, governments and (indigenous) communities, I think that it is crucial to explore how national and international business activities impact both biodiversity and social systems. A key element of transformation will emerge on reconciling ecological conservation with socio-economic (local/community) development; especially in developing countries. Adopting an international business perspective can enable to zoom in and out between local, regional and global scales, to explore the interactions between the social and ecological components/variables at different levels of systems.

On one hand, how do (local and international) businesses contribute to biodiversity loss? For example, how does foreign fishing impact local fisheries and communities; how do foreign land acquisitions (land grabbing) impact seeds diversity, agricultural/pastoral practices and social cohesion; how to prevent poaching (illegal international business activities) by improving living conditions in communities, strengthening informal institutions, and enhancing formal institutions for law enforcement?

On the other hand, what are the good practices of business activities? How can corporations contribute to biodiversity conservation and regeneration through financing, producing and distributing?

This focus on the positive and negative impacts of business activities can identify precise interventions for transformative change (with the final objective to support the diffusion and scaling of good behaviors and practices, and to prevent and mitigate negative practices).