PMID: 11607256Feb 1, 1992Paper

Industry as a metabolic activity

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
B Smart

Abstract

The concept of "industrial economic metabolism" can provide a bridge to better understanding between environmentalists and industry. In nature each individual or species reacts to natural stimuli, competing with others for resources, extending its domain until it loses comparative advantage and comes to equilibrium with an adjacent competitor. Those species that succeed over time flourish; those that do not, diminish or disappear. Nature's rule book has no moral or ethical ingredient beyond self-interest. Corporate metabolisms are remarkably similar to those of nature. They too react to stimuli, collect and use resources, and grow or perish based on how effectively they compete. Corporate management recognizes and responds naturally and efficiently to cost and price signals. Through them it selects resources and converts them into useful products. The efficiency with which this is done is measured by profit, the lifeblood of the corporation and its means of growth. Profit thus provides a discipline on corporate behavior, encouraging efficient performers, and, by its absence, weeding out others. Unfettered by influences other than economics, the path to corporate success is unlikely to be a compassionate one. The dilemma of the ...Continue Reading

Citations

Feb 1, 1992·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·L W JelinskiC K Patel
Feb 1, 1992·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·J H Ausubel
Jul 26, 2002·Journal of Advanced Nursing·Robin Riley, Elizabeth Manias

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