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This concept, detailed in award-winning research published in Academy of Management Perspectives in 2019, shows the positive benefits and transformative changes that occur when communities, enterprises, and their supporters come together to improve their well-being and vitality through cooperation, kinship, and commerce. https://lnkd.in/eGKvQXvp

Learning from Land O'Lakes: A Broader View on Business Responsibility In my 5th week of BEW3001 class, we have been diving into Stakeholder Theory, which emphasizes that companies should consider the impact of their decisions on all stakeholders, not just their shareholders. Inspired by this concept, I chose to explore how this theory plays out in real life by looking at Land O'Lakes, a leader in the dairy industry known for its commitment to sustainability. What impresses me about Land O'Lakes is their dedication to ensuring all involved—from farmers to customers—benefit from their business practices. They are transparent about their environmental efforts and their continuous improvement, which builds trust and demonstrates their commitment to more than just profit. However, it is not always straightforward. Balancing the needs of various stakeholders, such as ensuring that their farmers earn a decent living while keeping products affordable and environmentally friendly, presents significant challenges. My study of Land O'Lakes taught me that while this stakeholder approach is demanding, it also leads to innovative solutions that benefit both the business and the wider community over time. This experience has been incredibly enlightening for me: successful business is not just about financial gain; it is about making a positive difference. I am now even more motivated to be part of businesses that consider the bigger picture and strive to positively impact everyone they touch. #BusinessEthics #Sustainability #CorporateResponsibility #FutureOfBusiness #StakeholderEngagement #EthicalLeadership #SustainableAgriculture #Agribusiness #EnvironmentalStewardship #SocialResponsibility

Many people know us for our signature learning journey Power of Place: Designing Systems Evolution from Place. But we do a lot of other things too!! So just in case you didn't know about our work in the field that informs our learning journeys, take a tour! We convene and host inquiries: such as into food system transformation for regional councils and global organisations such as the UN. We gather business communities to help reimagine economic narratives and approaches to the future of energy use. We support strategy and design for place-sourced transformative projects like WWF Cymru's emergent Wholescape programme in Pembrokeshire. We resource European research experiments to build regenerative capacity in the built environment. We help multi-stakeholder and transcontextual projects reconcile apparently irreconcilable differences by opening up future evolutionary potential and pathways that harmonise those differences. We're busy bees who only just got round to updating our What We Do page...... https://lnkd.in/eEMNEmFu

Here is the most recent issue of Small Bites, a Vermont perspective on the local-regional-global food connections. There are always loads of links to navigate a range of topical interests. The archive is always included in each issue, in case you want to dig around. https://conta.cc/4dE9ZUA

This is a really good article revealing once again that many indigenous communities already have significant absorptive and adaptive capacities and knowledge to of how to respond to shocks. With adoption of new technologies and investments to scale that are highlighted in the article, the experiences of the ni-Vanuatu people demonstrate viable pathways to resilience. This is a step in the right direction and partners involved should be encouraged. However, such efforts will stall fall short if vulnerable communities are predominantly a source of creative ideas while still lacking real power and agency to influence solutions and inform donor investment decisions. I remain hopeful our industry will get there, but we have a long way to go.

Want to find out more about an incredible community project? Take a look at this article

🌿 News from AlgaeCenter Denmark   🎯 What is AlgaeCenter Denmark? AlgaeCenter Denmark is a collaboration between four institutions: Aarhus University, Danish Technological Institute, Copenhagen University and the Kattegatcentret. The purpose of AlgaeCenter Denmark is to explore how algae can be utilized as a new resource in a world where more traditional resources are under pressure. 🎯Latest updates from selected projects operation under AlgaeCenter Denmark: 📍The SeaFree Project 🦐 Project leader Marianne Thomsen participated in a panel discussion at Madens Folkemøde. The discussion highlighted the potential of seaweed as a sustainable and nutritious ingredient in plant-based foods, significantly contributing to sustainability and culinary innovation. A delicious dish was served developed by Rasmus Schmidt, chef at Kattegatcentret, featuring purealgae GmbH's sea lettuce as the star ingredient. The SeaFree Project is supported by Innovationsfonden and aims to make seafood production more sustainable and create value by recycling emissions. Sign up for newsletter: https://lnkd.in/dngwazgX   📍 The WIN@sea project 🌊 Vattenfall, Aarhus Universitet, Kerteminde Seafarm and Kattegatcentret hosted a dissemination event at Danish Kriegers Flak this month, where Danish stakeholders and an international journalist went on a trip to the wind farm and the cultivation site, and afterwards enjoyed healthy seafood at the Vattenfall site in Klintholm harbour. The event has been picked up by many different news outlets across the globe such as:  Washington Post: https://lnkd.in/dGky9RYg The WIN@sea project is supported by AAGE V. JENSEN NATURFOND, VELUX FONDEN og OLAMUR. The project Win@sea investigates if production of fossil-free energy in an offshore wind farm can coexist with production of seaweed and mussels. Thus, multiuse at sea. Read more about the project here: WIN@sea (winatsea.com)   🎯Upcoming Events from AlgaeCenter Denmark: 📍Workshop The next AlgaeCenter Denmark workshop is scheduled for September 10, 2024. At this workshop, we will dive into the theme "New Seaweed Species". 📍Nordic Seaweed Conference The annual and 13th Nordic Seaweed Conference is scheduled for October 9-10, 2024. This year's theme is “From Research to Industry". Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/engw_AEJ 📍 Networking Meeting The next networking meeting is scheduled for October 10, 2024, right after the end of the Nordic Seaweed Conference. This meeting will focus on topics around standardization. ☀ We wish you all a great summer from the AlgeaCenter Denmark Team Annette Bruhn Lone Thybo Mouritsen Marianne Thomsen Nicolaj Ma Sofie Laage Christiansen AlgaeCenter’s events are supported by: Clean CBIO - Centre for Circular Bioeconomy GUDP - Grønt Udviklings- & Demonstrationsprogram Norddjurs Kommune Pure Algae Denmark

In the wake of recent developments, it is imperative that we take a moment to reflect on the importance of staying informed and engaged with current events. Here are some key points to consider regarding this news story: - The impact of this news highlights the interconnected nature of our world, where events happening in one part of the globe can have far-reaching consequences for everyone. - It serves as a reminder of the power of information and the responsibility we have as individuals to seek out credible sources and critically evaluate the news we consume. - In times of uncertainty and rapid change, staying informed can help us make informed decisions and take action to support causes that align with our values. - Let's use this as an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions with others, listen to diverse perspectives, and work towards a more informed and empowered society. - Remember, knowledge is power, and by staying informed, we can better navigate the complexities of our world and contribute to positive change.

When I first started discussing the need for African businesses to be more impact-driven, focusing on people and the planet, one of the challenges I faced was ensuring I sounded authentic. In a world where buzzwords are rampant and many push agendas for ulterior motives, it can be difficult to distinguish between those genuinely seeking change and those seeking personal gains. Having worked with several small businesses over the years, I believe businesses hold significant potential to create positive change within our communities. Let me share examples of two companies I have worked with that exemplify this: Company A: An educational center that teaches children how to garden. By integrating fun and interactive activities, they impart valuable lessons on environmental preservation. This hands-on approach not only educates children about the importance of sustainable practices but also instills a love for nature and a sense of responsibility towards the environment. Company B: This is a digital cooperative for farmers that is developing an innovative app. This app provides farmers with a unique opportunity to collaborate and form synergistic partnerships with other farmers, regardless of location. By facilitating resource sharing, knowledge exchange, and collective problem-solving, The company aims to empower farmers and enhance agricultural productivity across the region. I encourage African companies to consider the social good they can do and challenge themselves to be more impactful. Let's harness the power of business to create a lasting impact and make a difference.

When I first started discussing the need for African businesses to be more impact-driven, focusing on people and the planet, one of the challenges I faced was ensuring I sounded authentic. In a world where buzzwords are rampant and many push agendas for ulterior motives, it can be difficult to distinguish between those genuinely seeking change and those seeking personal gains. Having worked with several small businesses over the years, I believe businesses hold significant potential to create positive change within our communities. Let me share examples of two companies I have worked with that exemplify this: Company A: An educational center that teaches children how to garden. By integrating fun and interactive activities, they impart valuable lessons on environmental preservation. This hands-on approach not only educates children about the importance of sustainable practices but also instills a love for nature and a sense of responsibility towards the environment. Company B: This is a digital cooperative for farmers that is developing an innovative app. This app provides farmers with a unique opportunity to collaborate and form synergistic partnerships with other farmers, regardless of location. By facilitating resource sharing, knowledge exchange, and collective problem-solving, The company aims to empower farmers and enhance agricultural productivity across the region. I encourage African companies to consider the social good they can do and challenge themselves to be more impactful. Let's harness the power of business to create a lasting impact and make a difference.