Sustainable Development Seen Through the Lenses of Ethnoeconomics and the Circular Economy

Technology-related innovations come around the clock with new functionality, a new way of looking at the world, and getting things done. All areas are changing conceptions, and with health, machine learning is the landscape, which preserves its origins in the knowledge of related areas in artificial intelligence, such as pattern recognition and computational learning. Artificial Intelligence is the science applied in the development of technological devices that can simulate human reasoning and be employed in health, it provides benefits to hospitals and clinics concerning greater precision of diagnoses. Through AI, a larger database for early diagnosis is possible, associated with the data of patients in the Cloud, health institutions can process through this storage of patient information, assisting in the discovery of diagnoses. The benefits of Machine Learning in Health are related to reducing the time of diagnosis; the reduction exam costs, indicating the most decisive ones for obtaining the diagnosis; and even a doctor will be able to define the diagnosis more accurately and in a shorter consultation time, being able to serve more patients. For the patient, it considers the advantages of a more accurate diagnosis, with better monitoring of the evolution of the disease; superior quality of service, which is carried out in a more personalized way; the possibility of diseases detected in the early stages, understand how to prevent possible diseases. Thus, this chapter intends to offer an overview of Machine learning applied in Healthcare Systems, treating and exposing its success relationship, with a concise bibliographic background, explaining and distinguishing its technological potential.

The maritime industry holds significant importance in facilitating international trade and contributing to the overall well-being of societies. Maritime activities encompass significant ecological and social results, in addition to their economic value. For instance, carbon emissions from maritime transportation remain a significant challenge, necessitating the implementation of various strategies and technologies to mitigate the issue. Nevertheless, the concept of maritime sustainability encompasses various complex aspects that have significant social and environmental implications. There are ongoing conflicts concerning the sharing of ocean resources among various maritime stakeholders. One additional concern pertains to the environmental inequality that exists between high-income and low-income countries in terms of ship recycling and demolition. Herewith, this chapter considers the various facets of sustainability in the maritime industry, including a recent term of blue economy, where sustainable economics intertwines with ecological well-being. Extensive discussion is also provided on contemporary technological and systems approaches aimed at mitigating the detrimental environmental effects of maritime operations. By interweaving ethnoeconomics and the welfare of coastal communities, this chapter also provides an in-depth discussion on recent issues such as ethical consumerism of maritime resources and environmental injustice.

This research project aims to investigate the interactions between ethical consumption, civic engagement, and the impacts of the 4th Industrial and Social Revolutions. The research seeks to understand how these dimensions relate to and mutually influence each other in a socio-cultural and economic context that is constantly evolving. To achieve this objective, a systematic literature review will be conducted, encompassing multidisciplinary studies addressing the themes of ethical consumption, civic engagement, and the advancements of the 4th Industrial and Social Revolutions. The review will be grounded in theories and concepts that help elucidate the Finally, a framework will be presented outlining the potential impact of the key technologies of the 4th Industrial Revolution on the dimensions of ethical consumption and civic engagement. This framework may contribute to consumer awareness and the development of more conscious and sustainable consumption practices. Additionally, the study aims to identify effective ways to integrate ethical consumption and civic engagement within the context of the 4th Industrial Revolution, aiming to drive a positive transformation toward a more just, equitable society committed to ethical and civic values.

One of the challenges of the surfing industry (SI), over time, has been the minimization of environmental impact. By embracing circular economy (CE) practices, SI not only promotes sustainability, but also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With the general objective of understanding the impact of CE on SI, this chapter investigates the incorporation of CE principles in SI and their relationship with the SDGs. To achieve the proposed objective, a narrative review was conducted with the purpose of examining current SI practices, including waste management, sustainable production and responsible consumption. The consonance between these practices and the SDGs themselves was assessed, and finally, a mapping of how SI can contribute to sustainable development goals based on the SDGs was carried out. Based on the results, recommendations are made for the effective integration of circular principles and SI in support of a more responsible future aligned with the SDGs.

This research seeks to investigate the relationship between equality, inequality and the 4th Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) while exploring the dimensions that influence both the promotion of equality and the perpetuation of inequality in this context. The methodology adopted for this work was based on a structured literature review using, as the source, articles selected in Google Scholar in the period from 2017 to 2023. This article proposes a theoretical framework presenting six dimensions: Technological, Economic, Social, Environmental, Political and Global and Social Transformation. In addition, 11 sub-dimensions were presented, distributed in these categories of analysis. The theoretical contributions of this study include the systematization and integration of the various dimensions tangential to equality/inequality in the era of the Industry 4.0. The proposed framework offers a comprehensive conceptual framework for understanding these complex relationships and can equally serve as a basis for future research. Suggestions for future studies include empirical research that can apply the framework in specific contexts, evaluating both the effectiveness of policies and proposed strategies to promote equality and address inequality.

Ethnoeconomics, a multidisciplinary field, is gaining prominence as a pivotal component in promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns (SCP). This chapter identifies the relationship between ethnoeconomics, environmental protection and economic prosperity, offering a comprehensive understanding of its theoretical framework, practical applications, and policy implications. Begins by elucidating the essence of ethnoeconomics, tracing its evolution, and emphasizing its interconnectedness with SCP. Theoretical models and approaches are explored, shedding light on the role ethnoeconomics plays in driving environmental sustainability and economic well-being. Indigenous knowledge, held by various communities, emerges as a cornerstone of SCP. This knowledge is invaluable in preserving biodiversity, advocating for food security, and underpinning cultural sustainability. Ethnoeconomics serves as a bridge to this traditional wisdom, contributing to sustainable agriculture, conservation, and resource management. Ethnoeconomics extends its influence into the realm of sustainable business and entrepreneurship, showcasing indigenous entrepreneurship models, ethical sourcing, and fair-trade practices. These initiatives empower indigenous communities while fostering environmental stewardship and green enterprises. Policy and governance implications are addressed, emphasizing the integration of ethnoeconomics into sustainable policy frameworks and the legal and regulatory aspects of its implementation. Challenges and opportunities on the path to ethnoeconomic sustainability are explored, along with the importance of international collaboration in this endeavour. Measuring the impact of ethnoeconomics on SCP becomes a focal point, involving the development of indicators and metrics, data collection, analysis, and assessing the environmental and economic outcomes. Long-term monitoring and evaluation are key to understanding the lasting effects of ethnoeconomic initiatives. Concludes by contemplating future directions in ethnoeconomics, emerging trends, research gaps, and its implications for sustainable economics. Ethnoeconomics is positioned as a cornerstone of ecological footprint reduction, contributing to the global pursuit of a sustainable, environmentally friendly, and economically prosperous future.

Despite the ethical concerns over the datafication and surveillance of individuals and groups, companies are making ever greater investments in big data. The assumptions underpinning this movement are: (1) organizations are passive implementers of big data—more data is the inevitable consequence of technology and a competitive necessity for business, (2) more data offers a more objective and accurate picture of reality and (3) more data enables better prediction. We argue that this perspective is strategically unsustainable and abdicates ethical responsibility.

In this chapter, we adopt a sensemaking perspective (Weick in (1995) Sensemaking in organizations (Vol. 3). Sage) to challenge each of the assumptions of inevitability, objectivity, and predictability. Building on this critique, we discuss the role that organizations can play in creating alternative sustainable futures with big data and explore the legal and ethical consequences of their actions. In addition, we advocate that, from a sensemaking perspective, organizations can use big data to cultivate sustainable learning and innovating communities of both employees and customers.

Cultural heritage is recognized as a crucial element in building a sustainable environment that contributes to sustainable economic growth. Adaptive heritage reuse (AHR) is seen not only as a means to safeguard and maintain heritage, but also as a driver for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) and promoting sustainable economic growth. However, AHR faces several challenges, including inflexible heritage legislation, lack of clear definitions, financial risks, and the complexity of heritage systems. Despite these challenges, AHR holds great potential for driving sustainable economic growth and SDGs. AHR has been increasingly adopted in the tourism and hospitality sectors in both developed and developing countries, but research in this area is still in its infancy.

This chapter serves to provide a comprehensive understanding of adaptive heritage reuse (AHR) in the context of achieving SDGs. To achieve this, the chapter begins by defining AHR and illustrating its criteria and strategies for heritage buildings. In addition, it presents the drivers and barriers for AHR to SDGs. Furthermore, it explores AHR concept and implementations in the tourism industry through a range of case studies with different reuse purposes and SDG adaptations. By analysing these case studies, it provides insights into the opportunities and challenges that arise from the adoption of AHR in the tourism industry. Finally, it concludes with extents of AHR implications in tourism industry, highlights future research avenues, and contribute to a better understanding of the potential benefits of AHR in achieving SDGs.

This study aims to analyze some of the theoretical, conceptual and methodological implications between organizational anthropology and ethnography. Starting from the assumption that ethnographic analysis and interpretive research in organizational anthropology has an emergent and symbolic role rooted in social processes and without a priori assumptions, with explanations and categories defined by organizational actors. The method used is based on analytical and descriptive questions from the theoretical and empirical review of the literature that leads to reflective analysis. It is concluded that the ethnographic methodology is pertinent to be used in the analysis of its interactions with organizational anthropology as a new specialty in organizational studies.

The dominant economic paradigm is dysfunctional, both in its ecological and social dimensions. A planetary boundaries framework update reports that currently, 6 out of 9 boundaries are already transgressed, indicating the earth isn’t a safe space for humanity anymore (Richardson et al. in Science Advances 9, 2023). The normalization of unjust economic practices is the root cause of the polycrisis humanity experiences. Solving the polycrisis may only be possible by shifting the dominant economic paradigm. We set out to create a prosumer economy as an alternative sustainable economic paradigm. The prosumer economy is defined as “a macroscale circular economy with minimum negative or positive ecological and social impact, an ecosystem of producers and prosumers, who have synergistic and circular relationships with deepened circular supply networks, where leakage of wealth out of the system is minimized” (Özesmi in The prosumer economy—Being like a forest, 2019). This prosumer economy system was implemented in Good4Trust.org where more than 25.000 prosumers and 770 producers (SMEs) came together and are working together. Good4Trust is an online bazaar that brings ecologically and socially fair producers and prosumers together to create a full ecosystem. It doesn’t reinforce competition like a marketplace but solidarity and symbiosis like a local bazaar where producers all help each other and work together. Exchanges include retail, wholesale, services, and contractual sales. Good4Trust also has an inbuilt community currency called “Trust”. Every time a prosumer supports a producer, by buying a product from them, they create “Trust”. These trusts then, can be gifted, transferred, or used in other exchanges. We discuss Good4Trust as a viable sustainable ecosystem and demonstrate how the prosumer economy may help in the creation of a needed paradigm shift to solve the polycrisis.

Ecological sustainability has risen to the topmost of global political conversations in recent decades and is now identified as a crucial factor driving innovation. As a result, there is a rise in the number of companies working to develop green products, and more and more consumers are increasingly interested in these products (Dangelico and Vocalelli in Journal of Cleaner Production 165:1263–1279, 2017). Although the number of eco-sensitive consumers is increasing, the growth in green consumer numbers must be more substantial in the overall consumer segment. The primary reason could be the inability to differentiate between green and deceptive green marketing efforts. This chapter investigates the consumer acceptance and understanding of green marketing and the deceptive green marketing efforts of the organizations. Compared to the green attitude, the purchase rate of green products is comparatively lower (Dangelico and Vocalelli in Journal of Cleaner Production 165:1263–1279, 2017). A potential explanation for this scepticism amongst consumers to opt for green products may be their need for exposure to green marketing. This lack of understanding could also lead to consumers needing help to differentiate between green marketing and deceptive green marketing (i.e. greenwashing), resulting in a green attitude not being culminated in green purchase behaviour in the case of many consumers.

Further, literature has identified that, over time, consumers' understanding of greenwashing has increased. This understanding of the greenwashing practices of the brands among consumers could be a significant factor contributing to the lower rate of green product purchases (Jog and Singhal in Strategic Direction 35:4–7, 2019; Jog and Singhal in Greenwashing understanding among Indian consumers and its impact on their green consumption, 2020). Past empirical research in the area of green and deceptive green marketing has examined how consumer understanding impacts several antecedent and consequent variables (e.g., purchase of green or eco-friendly products, new green product development, and recycling programs). By analyzing the relevant literature surrounding consumer perspectives on green marketing and deceptive green marketing, this chapter will study the consumer understanding of green and deceptive green marketing. This is assessed by reviewing the existing literature based on the green marketing orientation theory proposed by Papadas et al. (2019). This theory attempts to classify firms' green marketing strategies at three levels—strategic, tactical, and internal. According to this theory, the green marketing efforts of organizations can be classified into three measured areas stated above. Further, drawing from the existing consumer-centric literature, this chapter attempts to understand how such efforts of organizations are perceived at a consumer level through the lens of green marketing theory. Managers, academics, and students can all benefit greatly from understanding the organization's orientations and tactics for overcoming obstacles.

The world is invariably ruled by the developed markets but some nationalistic public policy pundits may challenge such assertions. However, these challengers still inwardly know that in real economic terms, this group of countries still leads while others follow. There are still countries that are structurally and operationally impaired and debarred from being classified as developed markets. Policy makers and implementers in these other countries are not essentially cynical about the status of the leading economies. Still, the tasks of jettisoning their subsisting national categorizations are enormous. Here we find the frontier and emerging markets. Then a very peculiar state-scenario arises in Africa of all places. In this specific country, the economy is neither strictly a frontier case nor an emerging market type, and indisputably not among the developed markets. In comparative terms, this country possesses a humongous population. Then the internal dynamics of generic policy articulation and implementation in the location lead towards a summative evaluation of demarketing. This chapter examines the national, regional and worldwide demographic implications of this unusual case in Africa. Moreover, it discusses the effects of the country’s atypical subtleties on sustainable development.

Nowadays, various studies around the world agree on the importance of agrobiodiversity derived to its high ecological vulnerability. In addition to, the community tourism represents a valuable source for its preservation, dissemination, and conservation. Therefore, our paper documented the state of the scientific art of the main tourism studies that studied the socio-ecological management of agrobiodiversity as biocultural heritage. Consequently, our study objective was to identify agrobiodiversity management through an interdisciplinary approach. Our findings allowed us to recognize the main tourism case studies about the modern management of this biocultural resource. Furthermore, we found that community tourism affects the management of this resource mainly within rural tourism, ecotourism, agritourism and gastronomic tourism. As result, we observed that the ethnobiological knowledge of communities is an exceptional element that must be studied in its complexity by areas such as food anthropology, bioeconomic, ecology, ethnobiology, agricultural sciences, and sociology. Finally, this document presents the bases for its study within the science of sustainability. These considerations could serve as a source for public policy decision-making for the sustainable management of agricultural biodiversity.