1st Edition
Sustainable Growth in a Post-Scarcity World Consumption, Demand, and the Poverty Penalty
Over 20 years ago Philip Sadler, then head of a leading British business school, wrote Managerial Leadership in the Post-Industrial Society. In it he predicted that business would experience the most radical transformation since the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century. This transformation has now taken place. In his latest book, Sustainable Growth in a Post-Scarcity World, Sadler charts developments once envisaged by Keynes, Chase, Galbraith and Packard, and more recent radical thinkers such as Chris Anderson. Sadler describes how many goods and services have moved from relative scarcity to relative abundance, and asks how this trend can be reconciled with the global issues of population growth and climate change. He assesses the impact of new technologies, new energy sources, new materials and the development of artificial intelligence, on business, government and economics, and discusses the challenges ahead - the creation of new business models, the need to meet people's legitimate expectations of improved living conditions while avoiding environmental catastrophe, and the need to adapt ideas developed in scarcity to conditions of abundance. Why is it that in countries foremost in creating post-scarcity conditions, millions are still in poverty, and billions, worldwide, still lack basic necessities of life? Philip Sadler agrees with those who say the relief of global poverty cannot rely on aid and corporate philanthropy. He explores the idea of re-engineering products and delivering them into bottom-of-the-pyramid (BOP) markets, and concludes that the more global companies take this route, as some are already doing, the more profitable they will find it, and this will in turn help the poorest people who currently pay more for goods and services - the 'poverty penalty' - than the rich.
Biography
Philip Sadler graduated from the London School of Economics with first class honours. He joined Ashridge Management College (now the Ashridge Business School) as Director of Research and subsequently became Chief Executive, a position he held for twenty years, leading the team which built Ashridge's reputation as one of the world's leading Business Schools. He is now a life vice-president of the College. Philip's practical experience in the business world has been gained through non-executive directorships in printing, banking, healthcare, consultancy, and engineering (including a spell as company chairman). He is an honorary senior fellow and patron of the think tank Tomorrow's Company, having served for three years as a member of the Board and Chairman of the Research Committee. He was a co-author of the 2004 report Restoring Trust; investment in the 21st century and the 2005 report The Ageing population, Pensions and Wealth Creation. More recently he helped draft the report Tomorrows Global Company and co-authored its most recent publication, Tomorrow's Owners. In 1986 he was appointed CBE for services to management education. He holds the honorary degrees of Doctor of Science of City University and Doctor of Business Administration of De Montfort University. He is a gold medallist of the Chartered Institute of Management, a Fellow of the International Academy of Management and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Philip Sadler has authored more than 10 books on management topics.
'Philip Sadler’s latest book focuses on the next big global shift from scarcity to abundance - the ’post-scarcity economy’ - and its critical implications for sustainability of the planet and relief of poverty. He pulls no punches in demonstrating that so few multinational corporations, and the economists who advise them, have pursued a strategy of ’doing well by doing good’. He highlights how the economics of abundance and sustainability are in increasing conflict, in such areas as climate change, food and water shortages, and human rights. Sadler provides an excellent historical perspective coupled with a deep and thoughtful analysis of future economic trends. His challenging book should be read by all those who genuinely care about every aspect of sustainability and believe that the market cannot be relied upon to provide the planet with a safe landing.' - Professor Michael Osbaldeston, Emeritus Professor, Cranfield University School of Management, UK 'Philip Sadler excels at combining foresight with hindsight. He makes sense of all the important changes around us. He takes us into important new territory and challenges us to think systemically and laterally about the shift from scarcity to abundance.' - Mark Goyder, Founder Director, Tomorrow’s Company
