21/05/2023
This weekend I had the pleasure to participate in the XIX International MBA Congress on Krakow University of Economics organized by Krakow School of Business. The main topic of the congres was “Degrowth as the new normal - Perspectives and opportunities.” On the first panel the discussion was focused around the idea of Degrowth, it’s roots and the feasibility of it’s adoption. The only sustainable way for an economy to grow is through increased productivity which is happening at the cost of social and ecological sustainability. How to implement Degrowth in such competitive economical enviroment? During the second panel we could hear some examples from the business where economical KPIs are not the most important ones (e.g, Patagonia has Ecology as a stakeholder represented by lawyers, moreover they put limits on it’s own production). One of the panelists Jacek Drabik was wondering if we can act againts the human nature - as he said that the majority of people seek for constant growth and that is the fundumental of our economical system. Last but not least was the topic of Degrowth in marketing. In order to reduce consumption we need first to slow down the eforts of marketing campagnes so we can achieve slower production goals. Really difficult topic but very important when the societal mission has been endless economic growth on the cost of depleting natural resources.