Release | East of nature. Accounting for the environments of social sciences

Abstract: At the core of ecological economics is the image of the economy as an open system embedded in the natural environment whose carrying capacity is limited. The present paper revisits this image by drawing upon Niklas Luhmann’s social systems theory. To Luhmann, the modern society consists of a multitude of social systems each bringing […]

Release | Social goals in the theory of the firm: a systems theory view

Abstract: Drawing on Luhmannian social systems theory, this article revisits the single- versus multiple-objective debate on the theory of the firm. Firms are conceptualized as complexity-reducing systems structurally coupled with potentially risky environments, and profit-maximization is considered as a complexity reduction strategy for making sense of these environments. Whereas single-objective approaches reflect cases when environmental […]

Guiding distinctions of social science | An online brainstorming

The purpose of this online brainstorming, supported by the International Sociological Association, was to gather as complete a collection of guiding distinctions of social sciences as possible. By guiding distinctions we mean dichotomies or dualisms, such as economy/society, action/behaviour, market/hierarchy, micro/macro, or male/female, that have been or still are at the heart of the debates […]

Release | Heal the world. A solution-focused systems therapy approach to environmental problems

Roth S. (2019), Heal the world. A solution-focused systems therapy approach to environmental problems, Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 216 No. April, pp. 504-510 [SSCI 6.395, Scopus, FNEGE**, CABS**, VHB***]. Article available for download here. Abstract: In observing a capitalist lifestyle of addiction to relentless growth responsible for an imminent self-extinction of the human race, environmentalism […]

#luhmannomics 0.1: Futures of social science above and beyond Economy and Society

The beta version of #luhmannomics is installed on the 16th International Social Theory Consortium (ISTC) Annual Conference in Innsbruck, May 24-26, 2017. We are calling for submission of abstracts at: #luhmannomics 0.1: Futures of social science above and beyond Economy and Society *** Photo credit: Markus Heidingsfelder.

Release | Growth strategies for post-growth societies

Abstract: A sharp problem focus sharpens the problem. Sustainably ongrowing bodies of text on degrowth are not the key to post-growth scenarios because evocations of the limits of growth reinforce rather than transcend the economic principle, which is in the observation of scarcity. We therefore focus on alternative forms of growth rather than alternatives to […]

Release | Is the future a political economy?

Abstract: This article tests whether the field of foresight and futures studies shows significant variable selection biases in the modelling of the future in general and the impact of function systems in particular. We performed a word frequency analysis to measure the relative importance of the political system, the economy, science, art, religion, law, sport, […]

Preview | Entrepreneurship Made in Germany

Durst, S. and Roth, S. (2018) Entrepreneurship Made in Germany. Special Issue of the International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Vol. 33 No. 1. Table of contents available for download here. Original Call for Papers Entrepreneurship: Made in Germany Guest Editors: Susanne Durst, University of Skövde, Sweden Steffen Roth, ESC Rennes School of Business, […]

Release | Capitalism is boring. Here are 3628800 alternatives

Roth, S. (2015), Free economy! On 3628800 alternatives of and to capitalism, Journal of Interdisciplinary Economics, Vol 27 No. 2, 107-128 [ABS, AERES]. Article available for download here. Abstract: Even the sharpest problem focus cannot help but sharpen the problem. Thus, the key to our understanding of alternatives to capitalism and alternative forms of capitalism is not […]