Creating a sustainable national index for social, environmental and economic productivity

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management - Tập 61 Số 4 - Trang 334-358 - 2012
Thomas F.Burgess1, JohnHeap2
1Leeds University Business School, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
2National Productivity Centre, Grimsby, UK

Tóm tắt

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to create a social, environmental and economic (SEE) index for countries.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology in the OECD handbook on building composite indicators is followed. The data are taken from UN data sources.FindingsAn index is created that describes each of 194 countries. The countries were clustered in three groups, i.e. high, medium and low performing. The country positions matched intuitively those expected. A more focused grouping of the 35 most populous countries was examined. The method was felt to be rigorous and successful in creating an informative measure of SEE.Research implications/limitationsFuture research could include identifying factors that determine a country's SEE productivity. A similar index could be envisaged at more local level.Practical implicationsThe SEE index offers a standard method for benchmarking the SEE productivity of countries, regions and the globe.Social implicationsIt is hoped that this research could have an important contribution to make in enabling society, government, business and policy makers to focus their discussions and actions on areas that will lead to substantial environmental improvement and improved quality of life.Originality/valueA SEE index is created using a rigorous methodology. The authors believe this to be a unique and valuable contribution.

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Tài liệu tham khảo

Elkington, J. (1999), “Triple bottom‐line reporting: looking for balance”, Australian CPA, Vol. 69 No. 2, pp. 18‐21.

Heap, J.P. (2010), “The James L. Riggs Memorial Lecture – Assessing or measuring social, environmental and economic productivity: building the SEE index”, World Productivity Congress, World Confederation of Productivity Science.

Meadows, D.H., Meadows, D.L., Randers, J. and Behrens, W.W. III (1972), The Limits to Growth, Universe Books, New York, NY.

Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (2008), Handbook on Constructing Composite Indicators: Methodology and User Guide, Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development, Paris.

United Nations (2005a), Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future, Chapter 2: Towards Sustainable Development, General Assembly of the United Nations, New York, NY, (Annex to Document A/42/427).

United Nations (2005b), Resolution Adopted by the General Assembly 60/1, United Nations General Assembly, New York, NY, 2005 World Summit Outcome.

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Thông tin xuất bản

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management

Tập 61 Số 4

334-358

Thông tin tác giả