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1 – 10 of 233
Article
Publication date: 3 May 2022

Olusegun Johnson Adekunye and Ayodeji Emmanuel Oke

With over three billion years of existence of the world, researchers have seen the need to turn to nature to solve most of the problems faced in not only construction industry but…

Abstract

Purpose

With over three billion years of existence of the world, researchers have seen the need to turn to nature to solve most of the problems faced in not only construction industry but in other industries. The principles of biomimicry are natural laws that has helped nature maintain its self-regenerating status over this long period of time of the world’s existence. This study investigates the areas of construction projects to which biomimicry principles can be applied with a view to enhance the delivery of sustainable projects.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted the use of quantitative approach, and well-structured questionnaires were administered to professionals in the construction industry who are responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of buildings. A total of 243 answered questionnaires were analysed for this study. The variables were analysed using both descriptive analysis and further grouped into components by using factor analysis.

Findings

Data analysis for this study revealed that the principles of biomimicry can be applied to all the stages of building projects development and operations; this implies that the principles of biomimicry can be adopted at both pre-construction (design) and construction phases of developmental projects.

Research limitations/implications

This study was limited to Nigeria, but the findings can be generalized for construction industry across the globe.

Originality/value

The study identified design stage of work, tiling and painting as the foremost aspects of construction projects where biomimicry principles are applicable. Furthermore, biomimicry principles are applicable to four major areas of construction, namely, early construction stage, finishing and services stage, foundation and frame stage and project planning stage.

Details

Construction Innovation , vol. 23 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 5 October 2020

Ayşe Meriç Yazıcı

Biomimicry is an interdisciplinary approach inspired by the living beings in nature while searching for solutions to solve mankind’s problems. This new approach emerging in the…

Abstract

Biomimicry is an interdisciplinary approach inspired by the living beings in nature while searching for solutions to solve mankind’s problems. This new approach emerging in the late 1990s has been quite innovative while dealing with basic problem solving processes in a business environment. Biomimicry is a creative solution for such processes as design, transformation, organization and sustainability in business enterprises. The objective of this work is to offer model samples that build a bridge between the nature and business organizations. The principles in nature offer many strategies for a sustainable business performance and thus help us maintain optimization and effectiveness in business management through cooperation.

Details

Agile Business Leadership Methods for Industry 4.0
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80043-381-6

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 July 2023

Gopal Vasudeo Wamane

The paper aims to explore the model of circular economy for promotion of principles of social inclusion, empathetic governance, and economic sustainability environmental…

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to explore the model of circular economy for promotion of principles of social inclusion, empathetic governance, and economic sustainability environmental resilience by examining the research gap on how to employ Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) framework, principles of biomimicry and reimagining an economic model of resourcefulness.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a descriptive study based on review of literature. To analyse the research gaps, paper employs bibliometric research technique, well-accepted meta-analytical research of literature to find overlapping factors of relevance by examining most-cited authors, papers, as well as co-citation patterns (Kim, 2008). The method analyses the published data texts, information like authorship, citations, keywords, and illustrating linkages between and among articles about certain research topic (Fetscherin, 2012).

Findings

Data were sourced from collection archival database of JSTOR, Web of Science and J-Gate till December 2022, by searching with following string – “Circular Economy,” “ESG (Environment, Social and Governance),” “Biomimicry,” “Circular Economy and ESG,” “Circular Economy and Biomimicry,” “Circular Economy and Resourcefulness.” The selection of said string of words was based on the literature review, overlaps and the research questions formulated. The findings reflect common factors of overlaps and its coherence in domain of policy formulation for the circular economy.

Research limitations/implications

The research approach needs to be tested for practical application with stakeholders which includes individual-community for necessary behavioural change/acceptance, policy measures, innovations for scalability and the new business models so that the changes become an integral part of DNA of new economic model.

Practical implications

Emphasis on reimagined alliance between the environment, economy, and society to achieve the triple bottom line for a sustainable future. In doing so mitigate the impact on nature, generate livelihood opportunities and institute a green industry with an emphasis on circularity by incorporating the principles of ESG, biomimicry and resourcefulness.

Originality/value

The paper addresses the developing frontier of circular economy by identifying and mapping the factors of overlap with principles of ESG and biomimicry with circular economy for a future which is sustainable and resourceful. It attempts to advance the domain of knowledge with suggestion for implementable policy initiative arising from the study.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 27 June 2016

Jakki J. Mohr, Linda L. Price and Aric Rindfleisch

The purpose of this chapter is fivefold. First, it highlights that, despite apparent progress, business in general, and marketing in particular, has made little impact upon…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this chapter is fivefold. First, it highlights that, despite apparent progress, business in general, and marketing in particular, has made little impact upon environmental sustainability. Second, it offers four explanations for the persistent challenges that contribute to this lack of meaningful progress. Third, it presents two theoretical lenses (i.e., assemblage theory and socio-ecological systems theory) for viewing environmental sustainability from new perspectives. Fourth, it offers a mid-range theory, biomimicry, to bridge the gap between these higher-level theories and managerial decisions on the ground. Finally, it offers implications and ideas for future research based on these persistent challenges and new perspectives.

Methodology/approach

Our paper is theoretical in focus. We offer a conceptual analysis of persistent challenges facing business efforts in environmental sustainability and suggest useful lenses to integrate marketing decisions more closely with our natural environment.

Findings

We present biomimicry as an actionable framework that seeks inspiration from nature and also explicitly grounds marketing decisions in the natural world.

Practical Implications

Our paper draws attention to the challenges facing firms seeking to achieve better performance in environmental sustainability. In addition, it offers a set of fresh theoretical perspectives as well as future issues for scholarly research in this domain.

Originality/value

Our work is designed to be provocative; it articulates reasons why business efforts in environmental sustainability do not scale to meaningful impact upon our planet and explores theoretical lenses by which those efforts could be more impactful.

Article
Publication date: 29 May 2019

Unai Tamayo and Gustavo Vargas

The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of biomimicry to inspire sustainable development in economic systems. The research purpose is to explore the link between…

1390

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of biomimicry to inspire sustainable development in economic systems. The research purpose is to explore the link between ecological systems and economic systems to highlight applied environmental solutions. The goal is to propose some driver to develop sustainable business practices inspired on the principles of biomimicry.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a theoretical approach that builds the basis for a better understanding of the relationship between nature and sustainable economic decisions. The premise is that in the field of sustainable development, strategies based on “learning from nature” are useful. Furthermore, the concept of biomimicry provides principles and tools specifically aimed at design practice.

Findings

The complexity of economic systems has shown that high levels of abstraction are required when conceptualising problems and explanations related with nature-inspired solutions. Stakeholder engagement and transdisciplinary collaboration are required to face long-term environmental challenges. Moreover, the exploratory analysis applied in this paper appeared suitable to compile existing literature.

Practical implications

The study provides some general guidelines and empirical approach through case studies that could help decision makers convert nature-inspired alternatives into valuable strategic business opportunities. Although presented practical cases are framed in the local sphere (i.e. the Basque Country), they can serve as references in other international contexts.

Social implications

New business models should recognize the positive synchronization between well-managed social, environmental and economic systems.

Originality/value

The proposed ideas deepen the understanding on the sustainable development and the link between ecological and economic systems. In fact, the concept of biomimetic economy has not been dealt with or developed in depth in previous academic works, nor has it been published thoroughly in the field of research.

Details

Social Responsibility Journal, vol. 15 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-1117

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Evolving Leadership for Collective Wellbeing
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78743-878-1

Article
Publication date: 1 May 2007

John Rice and Nigel Martin

A strong and fast‐cycle innovation system has been developed to counter the ongoing threat of computer viruses within computer systems employing vulnerable operating systems…

1434

Abstract

Purpose

A strong and fast‐cycle innovation system has been developed to counter the ongoing threat of computer viruses within computer systems employing vulnerable operating systems. Generally, however, the innovative applications that develop in response to each generation of computer virus can be seen as a reactive, rather than proactive, critical response. The paper seeks to present a critique of the innovation system that has emerged to combat computer viruses by comparing it with its natural system namesake, the human anti‐viral immune system. It is proposed that the relevance of this analogy extends beyond this case to innovation systems more generally.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses the biological theory related to the human body's immune system and how immune systems might be mimicked in the development of security systems and anti‐virus software. The paper then outlines the biomimicry framework that can be used for scoping the development and features of the security systems and software, including the population of the framework segments. The implications of biomimetic approaches in the wider innovation management literature are discussed.

Findings

Some commercial security products that are undergoing evolutionary development and current research and development activities are used to augment the biomimetic development framework and explicate its use in practice. The paper has implications for the manner in which the objectives of innovation systems are defined. There is implicit criticism of linear models of innovation, that by their nature ignore the recursive and/or adaptive processes evident in natural systems.

Originality/value

This is the first paper, to the best of the authors' knowledge, that discusses the application of natural systems and biomimetics to broaden the scope of innovation process design, and link its findings back to the wider innovation literature.

Details

European Journal of Innovation Management, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1460-1060

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 August 2008

Many believe biomimicry – whereby an innovation to solve human problems is inspired by or comes from imitating nature – is a field whose time has come. Anyone doubting the

1334

Abstract

Purpose

Many believe biomimicry – whereby an innovation to solve human problems is inspired by or comes from imitating nature – is a field whose time has come. Anyone doubting the economic and development value of the natural world need only sift through the extraordinary number of commercially promising inventions now emerging as a result of understanding and copying nature's designs. And to highlight this approach's potential to solve growing “sustainability” challenges, the Natures 100 Best Initiatives has been established. This paper aims to investigate this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper looks at developments in the field of biomimicry.

Findings

The paper finds that biomimicry is science at the cutting edge of the twenty‐first century economy. Indeed the way nature makes novel substances; generates energy and synthesizes unique structures are the secrets to how humans can survive and thrive on this planet.

Originality/value

The paper provides useful innovation on recent inventions to solve human problems that have been developed using biomimcry.

Details

Strategic Direction, vol. 24 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0258-0543

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 March 2022

Juntae Jake Son, Suk-Kyung Kim and M.G. Matt Syal

The purpose of this study is to examine the energy savings in the indoor environment, using strategies that adopt the characteristics of nature, called biomimetic solutions. This…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the energy savings in the indoor environment, using strategies that adopt the characteristics of nature, called biomimetic solutions. This research designed a biomimetic window system to bring daylight into interior spaces in educational buildings where daylight cannot be reached. Specifically, this study assessed how the daylight that was achieved via a biomimetic window system would affect energy savings using an energy simulation method.

Design/methodology/approach

This study explored how biomimetic methods would affect the building environment and which biomimetic method would involve the building's energy saving with daylight. The research intended to develop a novel biomimetic window system that can bring daylight to the basement floor of an existing building on a university campus to find out how much the biomimetic window system would affect the energy savings of the building. Referring to the existing building's layout and structure, energy simulation models were developed, and the energy consumptions were estimated.

Findings

Simulation models proved that the biomimetic window system has sufficient performance to bring more daylight to the basement floor of the building. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the use of the biomimetic window system for the building could reduce energy usage compared to the actual energy usage of the current building without biomimetic windows.

Research limitations/implications

First, this study was adopted as a computer-designed simulation method instead of using a real-world system. Although this study designed the biomimetic window system based on previous studies, it should be considered the possibility of other problems when the system is actually built in. Second, it is necessary to predict how much an initial budget is required when the system is built. It means that this study did not calculate the lifecycle cost of the biomimetic window system. It will also be necessary to compare energy consumption to the required initial budget. Lastly, this study was simulated based on weather data in cold regions, and it did not compare/analyze different climate regions. Different results may be predicted if the biomimetic window system is built in different climatic regions.

Originality/value

This research showed new practical ways to capture and transmit solar heat and light using a biomimetic solution. Furthermore, using the proposed novel biomimetic window system, the amount of energy reduction can be calculated, and this method could be applied in the interior non-window spaces of academic and related types of buildings.

Details

Open House International, vol. 48 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0168-2601

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 19 April 2022

Lydia Bals, Wendy L. Tate and Lisa M. Ellram

A circular economy perspective embraces a systemic, cradle-to-cradle notion that everything is designed to be reused as long as possible and then recaptured and repurposed when…

Abstract

A circular economy perspective embraces a systemic, cradle-to-cradle notion that everything is designed to be reused as long as possible and then recaptured and repurposed when reuse is no longer possible. Designing for a circular economy ecosystem requires a holistic, integrative viewpoint, spanning all aspects of design and development and considering many supply chain actors, far beyond that of traditional supply chains. This edited book adopts a biomimetic lens, highlighting the need for cross-industry flows and need for different actors (beyond producers and consumers) in circular value cycles. Enablers such as incentives and/or legislation are also discussed. While biomimicry provides the structure for organizing this book, individual chapters build on other theoretical lenses and concepts, such as stakeholder theory, etc. The intent is to move beyond a dyadic (buyer–supplier) view, embracing a holistic network or ecosystem view, to consider a cross-industry system perspective, where there is a diversity of actors (covering four actor groups: producers, consumers, scavengers, and decomposers) needed for a working ecosystem. This edited book offers a comprehensive overview of system components and actors, including how the circular economy adds value, the role of producers and consumers, the spectrum of recovery possibilities to return products back to the consumption supply chain, and the essential role of information management.

Details

Circular Economy Supply Chains: From Chains to Systems
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83982-545-3

Keywords

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