There is therefore an urgent need to critically re-examine the development strategies that have been pursued in Africa and to adopt approaches that have a real potential to put Africa on the road to sustainable development (SD). This research reviews the challenges facing Africa in its determination to achieve SD in the new millennium and in the age of sustainable development.
To set the background for an objective discussion on sustainable business development process in Africa, a number of principal business and environmental initiatives, conventions and programs adopted by the continent are first briefly reviewed. Finally, directions for future research aimed at transforming unsustainably dominant business practices and development in Africa are provided.
Despite the fact that Africa is relatively rich in natural resources, development strategies pursued in the continent have not always been in harmony with the objective of ensuring decent living conditions for the population and maintaining a high level of environmental quality. Over the past five decades of political independence, most African countries have witnessed serious socio-economic and environmental crises. For example, rapid population growth and man-made and natural disasters have seriously bruised the quality of Africa’s business environment and the life of its population. The environmental business crisis facing Africa is a real threat to the very existence of the continent: Corruption, poor infrastructural development, low or poor government speeding, Low quality standards of goods and services, high cost of doing business due to lack of constant electric power supply, famine, starvation, floods, epidemic diseases, deforestation, desertification, and unmanageable mountains of waste are common environmental problems in most African countries. About two-thirds of Sub-Saharan Africa’s (SSA) agricultural lands are already seriously degraded. In the social realm, there is a big gap between economic and social well-being.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.2 LITERATURE REVIEW
1.3 HISTORY OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
1.4 RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THE ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMY AND SOCIETY
1.5 THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
1.6 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1.7 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
1.8 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
1.9 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
CHAPTER TWO
2.1 UNSUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES IN AFRICA
2.2 UNSUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES IN AFRICA BY SECTORS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES
CHAPTER THREE
3.1 CHALLENGES TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA
3.2 PROSPECTS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA
3.3 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Objectives and Topics of the Study
This research investigates the prevalent unsustainable business models across various sectors in Africa that institutionalize environmental and social harms, thereby hindering progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The central research question explores the impacts of these practices and seeks to identify potential responses and sustainable business alternatives.
- The intersection of economic growth, social well-being, and environmental degradation in Africa.
- Specific business sectors and activities that contribute to unsustainable outcomes.
- The role of infrastructure, governance, and technology in shaping sustainable development.
- Potential strategic paths for transforming African business toward sustainability and long-term competitiveness.
Excerpt from the Book
1.4 RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THE ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMY AND SOCIETY
For sustainable development to happen, it must take into account the environmental, social and economic aspects of the country's life. Social, environmental and economic sustainability as mentioned in element underneath;
Social sustainability: this is an aspect of sustainable development. Social sustainability includes human rights, labor rights and corporate governance. In common with environmental sustainability, social sustainability is the idea that future generations should have access to social resources equal to or more than present generations ("fairness between generations"), while also requiring equal access to social resources in the present generation ("Intra-generation Equity"). Social resources include ideas as broad as other cultures and basic human rights.
Human development can be seen as development that enhances the capabilities of present people without compromising the capabilities of future generations (Sen, 2000). In the human development model, environment and natural resources must be the means to achieve better living standards as income is the means to increase social spending and ultimately happiness (Anand and Sen, 1996).
Social sustainability is often taken into account in socially responsible investing (SRI). Social sustainability is concerned with the continual improvement of social welfare and quality of life. It focuses on indicators of social and human development. Indicators examined include infant and child mortality, life expectancy at birth, maternal mortality,
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER ONE: Provides an introduction to the concepts of sustainable business, the history of sustainable development, and outlines the research framework and objectives.
CHAPTER TWO: Analyzes specific unsustainable business practices currently prevalent in Africa, particularly focusing on energy, infrastructure, and transport sectors.
CHAPTER THREE: Examines the primary challenges to sustainable development in Africa, discusses future prospects, and provides concluding recommendations for policymakers and businesses.
Keywords
Sustainable development, Africa, business models, environmental degradation, social sustainability, economic growth, SDGs, infrastructure, corruption, intergenerational equity, poverty, resource management, sustainable business strategy, policy integration, triple bottom line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The work examines the consequences of unsustainable business practices in Africa, looking at how these activities negatively affect social and environmental systems while impeding development goals.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The study covers the interconnection between the economy, society, and the environment, focusing on challenges like energy supply, road infrastructure, corruption, and population growth.
What is the main goal of the thesis?
The primary aim is to identify business models in Africa that institutionalize environmental and social harm, and to propose ways these can be replaced by sustainable practices.
Which methodology does the author use?
The study relies on secondary data analysis, reviewing scholarly literature, reports, and statistical data to map unsustainable impacts by sector and assess their relation to the SDGs.
What is addressed in the main body of the work?
The main part of the thesis reviews current business shortcomings in Africa, such as the energy crisis and infrastructure deficits, and evaluates how these contribute to the continent's development challenges.
How would you characterize this research with keywords?
The work is defined by themes such as sustainable business models, environmental preservation, social equity, poverty reduction, and the transformation of the industrial sector in Africa.
How does the author define the relationship between the economy and the environment?
The author views them as a single, interconnected system where environmental degradation eventually leads to economic stagnation, particularly in resource-based economies like many in Africa.
What role does corruption play in the sustainability of African businesses?
The author argues that corruption is a critical barrier, diverting resources from developmental needs, reducing GDP, and fostering an environment where sustainable practices are difficult to implement.
- Citation du texte
- Dr. James O. Mbakpuo (Auteur), 2022, The Consequences of Unsustainable Business Development in Africa, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1246492
