Growing smart, inclusive and sustainable economies: a complex adapative ecosystem approach

The legacy of the recent financial crisis in 2009-2010 influenced the development of Europe’s ambitious ten year strategy for smart, inclusive and sustainable economies (Europe 2020, 2010). The strategy aims to create the right conditions for competitiveness in Europe with five strategic goals (employment, innovation, education, poverty reduction and climate/energy) for enabling a stronger economy over the long term, supporting high levels of employment, productivity and social cohesion (Europe 2020, 2010). We know from history that economies and societies evolve bringing with them adaptations and outcomes that do not always integrate these three strands, smart, inclusive and sustainable (Viederman (1993); Shahrokhi 2011, p 199-204; Europe 2020 Stocktaking, 2014, pp 7-11). The most recent financial crisis illustrates the complexity of global financial systems with growing interdependence between countries and regions and shorter lifecycles for products and innovations (Kowalski and Shachmurove, 2011, p 245; King, 2010; Stiglitz 2014). This paper will provide an exploration of the dimensions of smart, inclusive and sustainable economies and related conceptual theories (e.g. sustainable development, sustainable communities, sustainable business, - see Table 1) to understand how these are formed and delivered. Through an integrated approach the aim is to develop our understanding of the ‘ontology’ (Scott 2006; Martin 2010) and contribute to the development of the conceptual model.

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