Bioinspiration in Business and Management

Many organizations, well into their sustainability journeys, are beginning to reach the limits of progress made through eco-efficiency measures and regulation compliance. Looking for novel approaches and solutions, many managers are turning to biologically inspired innovation (i.e., biomimicry, biomimetics, nature-inspired) as a tool for sustainability oriented innovation. This innovation paradigm has been gaining popularity across disciplines in recent decades as the world grapples with the challenge of sustainable development. This book offers a succinct guide and overview for managers and sustainability professionals who are interested in exploring various aspects of business inspired by nature. With applicability ranging from product, process, organization and system-level innovations, to a broad realm of possibilities that suite a manager’s scope of influence regardless of their position within the organization. This book aims to exhibit a realm of possible applications of business inspired by nature that extend beyond the boundaries of the organization and encourage open innovation with novel partners in unlikely scenarios, with all partners aligned by the principles of natural systems. This book is designed as a textbook foe classes, but also works as a primer handbook for practitioners aiming to be “bioinspired” in their activities.