Sustainability, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship

Reviewed by Mohammad Valipour, Assistant Professor, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 2/5/23

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

I found this book very interesting and thorough. I could find a review of important milestones in sustainable development and environmental sustainability with an emphasis on the US and Europe. Having 564 pages could be long but I can find many examples and case studies in terms of sustainable business innovation, including the attainment of systemic net-zero manufacturing and the invention of carbon-negative concrete. I also found a variety of approaches ranging from molecular thinking to radical incrementalism make for an informative resource. However, I believe adding more recent references will help the book looks updated and useful in the future. Having an index/glossary is also helpful. In addition, I think adding more materials to the life cycle and systems engineering will bring a broader range of audiences to this book.

Content Accuracy rating: 3

In the current format, the book looks accurate however, I would prefer to see more journal articles cited in the book rather than conference proceedings or websites. In addition, the references should be updated based on new investigations/references.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

What I like about the book is that there is some information on the entrepreneurial process/systems thinking which the readers would be beneficial and it is relevant to the scope of the book.

Clarity rating: 4

I found the book easy to comprehend. However, I think graduate students might have more connections with the book than undergraduate students particularly in Chapters 1-3. Also, some more discussion is necessary for some technical phrases.

Consistency rating: 5

This is my favorite part of this book. Very consistent and readable like a story.

Modularity rating: 5

The author has done a nice job by putting sections and subsections in the right place. Different parts of the text are useable to be presented to students in different topics which might not be even the same topics in the book.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

I think the material is provided and put together in a realistic matter. The organization of this book is logical. The sections and even subsections flow easily together with the previous and following sections/subsections. However, I think the author could stop sometimes and explain some materials more to help the readers better understand the topic. In addition, some case studies are not relevant and could be removed or moved to a better section/subsection.

Interface rating: 3

An advantage of this book is having a user-friendly interface which makes it much easier for students to follow up with the materials discussed in the book. However, the PDF version does not look like a regular book which I understand is because of the OER format. Personally, I prefer to see a better border and design for the PDF version.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I could not find any grammatical errors in the book.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

I did not find the book offensive/insensitive in any way. It would be better to cover more examples from different parts of the world to be fairer for international readers/students.

Reviewed by Dalya Is., Assistant Professor, Old Dominion University on 12/16/22

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

The textbook offers a thorough and historical analysis of the development of sustainable business practices, how cooperative exchanges improve sustainability, and useful information to help learners. It begins by discussing the historical periods in time when events occurred, which resulted in the establishment of organizations and laws to deal with them. The text goes on to discuss the ideas that arose as a result of addressing this issue. Discusses in detail the innovative concepts and businesses used to address the topic using various examples, and engages the reader in thinking about them as well as his/her own thoughts on the subject.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

Sustainability is mentioned in various contents, with structural references to several authors. The author accurately presents the information, and the chapters are organized in order of importance and progression to the concept. The book's content is very accurate in its supporting material, which includes examples, reports, websites, businesses, and conferences.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

Considering entrepreneurship in the context of sustainability is a trending topic because it focuses on cultivating a pipeline of inventors, innovators, and entrepreneurs who are driven to solve the world's most pressing challenges, such as climate change. Although sustainability and its application in business are ever-changing, the author allows for change within a system that remains relevant for future students by providing information about the entrepreneurial process and systems thinking.

Clarity rating: 3

This textbook quickly captivates the reader. Language is appropriate for the basic level, and there is enough here to pique people's interest. Complicated issues are explained at a level that even those unfamiliar with the subject can understand. I like how the book defines some terms used in the discussion of sustainability. There are some terms that must be looked up to better understand, but that is what makes it a good read in which one learns new words that they would not have encountered if they had not picked up this text to read. The terminology is explained, but more examples, particularly recent examples, could be provided.

Consistency rating: 5

The book follows a fairly consistent pattern. Some chapters are more quantitative in nature, while others are more descriptive. It would be wonderful to see quantitative data throughout the book rather than just in a few chapters. It would be ideal if case studies were used throughout the book. The text layout is consistent throughout. The summaries throughout break down what was just read and gives the reader exercises to think about means that the topic can be applied in one's own life.

Modularity rating: 5

The sequence of the chapters is consistent and follows more or less a natural order although some might like to re-arrange some chapters without affecting overall flow of the book, particularly since chapters are modular. While presented as a whole, I believe the textbook exhibits excellent modularity. I could see using one of the chapters in one of my courses because they are self-contained. Subheadings within each chapter allow it to be easily divided into smaller sections. External examples boost credibility, engagement, and relevance of the materials provided.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

The textbook is well-organized, with the chapters following a logical order. However, it would have been ideal to have more examples of what innovative and entrepreneurial ideas for sustainability could be. Those ideas are popular these days, and from personal experience, students need guidance on how to implement them. The text's topics were clearly divided into chapters. The structure of the book is adequate. Again, sustainability covers such a broad range of issues.

Interface rating: 5

With its current interface, the book was simple to follow. With the help of the subheadings and paragraph organization throughout, I was able to easily identify the areas in which I am most interested. The cover page is appealing, and I intend to use it in my classroom. Overall, I had no issues interacting with the images and charts.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

There were no grammatical errors in the textbook that I noticed.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

Overall, the book was enjoyable to read. The examples of how businesses engage in sustainability were eye-opening. As previously stated, more examples at the student level would be beneficial to the younger generation. Through those examples, diversity was incorporated into the book, and as a woman from a different culture, I felt included and related. Based on the discussion, this text is appropriate for people of all cultures and social classes to read, including those who are new to this topic This book can be used for classes that encourages enterpreurship.

Reviewed by Stephanie Hubert, Instructor, University of Arkansas on 2/3/21

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

The text provides a comprehensive look at the history of sustainability, the current development of sustainable business practices, how collaborative exchanges increase sustainability, and practical information to guide the learner.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

The author relies on well cited information to develop a fact-based text that provides information about sustainability.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

By providing information about the entrepreneurial process and systems thinking, although sustainability and its application in business is ever-changing, the author allows for change within a system that remains relevant for future students.

Clarity rating: 5

This is a well-written, easy to read text that quickly engages the reader. Complicated issues are explained at a level where even those unfamiliar with the topic can easily grasp the ideas. At the end of each chapter, Key Takeaways and Exercises. provide a review of important points covered in each chapter.

Consistency rating: 5

The layout of the text is consistent throughout.

Modularity rating: 5

Subheadings within each chapter make it easily divided into smaller parts. Reference to outside examples increase credibility, engagement, and relevance to the materials provided.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

Although the material is provided in a logical matter, personally I would have preferred to have the information on Energy and Climate organized just after the history of sustainability so that the reader, unfamiliar with the topic, has the background necessary to apply the innovative and entrepreneurial ideas.

Interface rating: 5

Easily navigated test and chapters and subheadings make material easy to review.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

Material is free of grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

The text does not appear to be insensitive or offensive in any way. Examples given are of major corporations with high engagement in the sustainability efforts. One of the examples given is about Frito-Lay, a company dedicated to diversity at all levels of employment.

Reviewed by Michelle Todd, Adjunct Professor, New York City College of Technology on 4/8/19

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

The textbook gives a good overall understanding of the historical context of the the topic of sustainability. It discusses in the beginning the historical periods in time of events that occurred, which therefore created the organizations and laws to handle it. This was really good to know the backstory. The text continues to discuss the ideas that came about from addressing this issue. Discusses in detail the innovative concepts and businesses to address the topic with the use of various examples and engages the reader to think about them as well as his/her own ideas about the topic.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

The content of the book is very accurate in its supportive material to back it up through historical data and links to reports, websites, businesses and conferences.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

Even though the book was created in 2011, the information within it is still very important and can be modified to address our current situation easily.

Clarity rating: 4

The text in the book is fluid and easy to comprehend. Really like the fact that it defines in detail some terms used in the discussion of sustainability There are some terms one has to look up to understand better, however that is what makes it a good read in which one learns new words one might otherwise would not come across if they did not pick up this text to read.

Consistency rating: 4

Commendable organization of a summary at the end of each chapter that breaks down what one just read and gives the reader exercises to continue to think about means one can incorporate the topic in one's own life.

Modularity rating: 3

The text was not consistent in breaking down into equal sections, some parts were longer then others and some of the chapters had more pictures and charts then others. Really would like to see a balance therefore breaking down the sections into smaller parts and having a chart and diagram within each to support and maintain consistency throughout the text.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

The overall 3 major topics into the text was broken down clearly, in each chapter.

Interface rating: 3

There was no interface problems with the images and charts however some charts can be enlarged to see the information more clearly.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

Good grammar and no grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

Based on the topic discussed this text is great for all cultures as well social classes to read and engage in a conversation about this topic.

Reviewed by Garreth Blackwell, Instructor, Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts on 2/8/17

Comprehensiveness rating: 3 see less

A very comprehensive book on the subject of sustainability and entrepreneurship. The content is organized well toward this end and is displayed well within the table of contents, but there is no glossary or index to help students and teachers identify areas of correlation within the text. This is perhaps the largest flaw of the book.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

Very accurate book and well researched. The content shows a detailed eye for content, but at times can be sterile in its writing, lacking a warmth and connection to the topic that students identify more strongly with.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

This book has the potential to live for a long time. Its organization makes it very easy for changes and additions to be added without jeopardizing the flow and structure of the book. There is no reason to believe this book could not be around for many editions.

Clarity rating: 3

The writing is clear, but it is not a highly readable text. While the content is strong and well-organized, the style of writing lends itself more to upper level classes or electives that are highly focused. Entry level courses or surveys may find the prose a bit unaccessible for quick reads of background knowledge.

Consistency rating: 5

A highly consistent text, the tone and framework is cohesive and lends itself to a clarity through framework.

Modularity rating: 5

The structure of the book allows for multiple uses and reconfigurations within a class solely devoted to the specificity of this topic, but also in less focused classes on creative economy and entrepreneurship. Each section outlines what is to be learned so it also is much easier for an instructor to quickly find applicable areas of text for class use.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

The organization is logical and easily understood. Each sections flows easily together with the previous and following sections. The book works well as a comprehensive textbook, but also as sections that can be pulled apart and incorporated into larger and deeper discussions of entrepreneurship.

Interface rating: 4

The interface is highly user-friendly and digestible. There is a lack in the area of images or charts. With some of the topics, a visual representation of ideas would be an added value, but it does not detract from the function or information of the overall text.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

There are no grammatical errors and is well written throughout.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

This is a highly relevant text for today's discussions of creative economy, entrepreneurship and social design. Concerns with sustainability loom large within these fields and the historical backing of this text help place them in a solid framework of understanding.

Comments

A solid textbook with good focus.

Reviewed by Channelle James, Lecturer, University of North Carolina at Greensboro on 12/5/16

Comprehensiveness rating: 3 see less

The author does cover many of the important topics in entrepreneurship, sustainability, and innovation but the way that the topics are organized seem limiting. Sustainability works because it is pliable. Entrepreneurship, Sustainability and Innovation need to be taught in a way that students can see a very bricologe approach to solving problems. This book covers well limited topics in what is perceived to be most important in sustainability. The centering on the environment is against the balance promoted in sustainable entrepreneurship. I would use this a supplement to other readings but not as the main reading. Also I do not see a index and glossary in the book. There are more topics is sustainability besides the environment and health care. The organization limits to the thinking of entrepreneurship students who need to think more broadly about the problems related to sustainability that will impact their own communities.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

Yes for the topics covered the book was accurate and well cited. There are a few assumptions made about how some experts like economist feel that should be better cited but outside of that the book seems accurate. There is a little bias in the topics chosen and the advocacy of chosen words but you sometimes to see that in environmentally positioned readings.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

The information is limited but relevant and the principles are presented in a way where updates will not be needed in the near future, and required updates will be easy to make although I believe that the topics covered will have the potential date the materials but this is for the reason listed in response one.

Clarity rating: 5

The book was written with clarity and in the cases where jargon was used the author explains with in paragraph definitions. I would have liked those definitions to have been summed up at the end of the book and index for easy searching but with in the chapters the author writes in a way that is easily understood by the readers.

Consistency rating: 4

Yes, there are no obvious indications that the book is internally inconsistent in terms of terns used and framework,

Modularity rating: 5

Yes the text is written in a modular format which is why even though I would not assign as a primary text I could use a supplemental reading. So the modular nature of the book is every helpful.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 3

The topics could have been organized better by not going into limited areas of sustainability, entrepreneurship and innovation. I like the discussion on Innovation but I do not like the final chapters where the limited specific areas where pulled out and focused on. The book should have been written more from the level of the entrepreneurship process and how entrepreneurship and innovation addresses multiple sustainability topics.

Interface rating: 5

Interface was really not an issue for the book.

Grammatical Errors rating: 4

The grammar is fine.

Cultural Relevance rating: 1

The book is neutral in terms of cultural relevance. There is no concerns about its offensiveness but the text lacks a clearly worldwide view. There is so much on multicultural/ multi-country work in sustainable entrepreneurship and environmental entrepreneurship I had hope to see more diversity in the examples and analysis.

Comments

Overall the book would be good as a supplemental reading on a topic where the professor wanted good reading on the environmental part of sustainability. I believe the text is limiting in terms teaching more broadly about sustainable entrepreneurship topics.

Reviewed by Sue Meyer, Adjunct Professor, Central Oregon Community College on 8/21/16

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

The book is very thorough, has great resources, references, case studies,fresh, recent examples and indices. I do think it needs a little better title or tagline, because I wasn't expecting a book about the environmental revolution. I was expecting a business text with models and case studies about business and less of an environmental angle.

My comment with respect to the rating of the book's comprehensiveness is related to a book about environmental sustainably and not with respect to a business book about innovation and entrepreneurial efforts.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

To the best of my knowledge, this is very well researched and resourced, accurate and unbiased.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

Content is up-to-date and contains excellent examples and links. I believe those links and the resources cited will be easily updated and lead the reader to other up-to-date sources. Well done!

Clarity rating: 5

The first two chapters (history and sustainability) are a bit formal but well written and understandable with lots of links "backwards and forward" on the issues.Chapters 3 and 4 are very well written.

Consistency rating: 5

A big strength! The consistency of this book is one of the best features.

Modularity rating: 5

Excellent! I can see lots of opportunity to take the information from this and put it into "bite sized pieces" or put it into Blackboard or Softchalk platforms for interactive teaching, for example.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

Yes. Again, I think the titles and chapters/subchapters could be titled to better reflect the content, however it's all there and in logical flow.

Interface rating: 4

Nothing to report here.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

Formal but I saw no errors or questionable language.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

The book is very inclusive, relevant and up to date.

Comments

It's a solid book. It's not what I expected to review, so I do think the title should be changed or a subtitle included to specifically communicate that this is a book about environmental sustainability.

Reviewed by Blaine Brownell, Associate Professor, University of Minnesota on 6/10/15

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

Sustainability, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship provides a satisfactorily comprehensive summary of information pertaining to the shared topic areas of environmental sustainability and business development. The book presents a thorough, if appropriately concise, review of important milestones in environmental sustainability with emphasis on developments in the United States and Europe. Notably, the author includes both well-known events (such as the publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring) as well as less widely remembered, yet still important, milestones—like the Get Oil Out (GOO) movement during Nixon’s presidency. The 564-page book also includes a thorough and comprehensively researched set of case studies in sustainable business innovation, including the invention of carbon negative concrete and the attainment of systemic net zero manufacturing. An insightful collection of methods ranging from molecular thinking to radical incrementalism make for a very informative resource.

Key omissions include both a table of contents and index or glossary, which would be helpful—if not necessary—in guiding readers to various topic areas in the book. In its current format, readers launch immediately into the preface, without even so much as a title page or any indication of the book’s organization. If the text were structured predominantly around a timeline or an alphabetical list of topics, for example, this would be somewhat forgivable. However, the author arranges topics in a somewhat unpredictable (if justifiable) fashion, thus necessitating these guides for the reader.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

As far as I can perceive, the content is accurate, free of errors, and written in an objective manner.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

This book is up to date and will likely remain quite relevant for several years. However, given the profound changes surrounding approaches to sustainable design and economic development, I anticipate this book will require frequent updating in the future.

Clarity rating: 5

The book is written very clearly and should be accessible to a wide audience.

Consistency rating: 4

The text is internally consistent. However, there are redundancies when particular topics are repeated. Although the information addressed in these topics remains consistent, the flow of the text seems disjointed in such cases.

The graphic language of the diagrams is inconsistent—which may be an outcome of a limited budget for illustrations.

Modularity rating: 3

The book is organized in a modular format, and I could imagine the content of individual readings being easily shared with students. However, the formatting does no justice to the book, which reads like a single, run-on Word document with few logical section or page breaks. Such a layout will greatly impede modularity.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 3

The organization of the book seems logical enough, but the lack of a table of contents makes it difficult to understand without reading the whole book through. Chapters addressing important concerns like pollutants, materials, and energy seem clear. However, the organization of some subsections seems strange and interrupts flow. (For example, one section provides an in-depth case study of Calera’s business model, followed by a brief overview on biomimicry, which does not appear to relate strongly to this case study.) However, because the text is highly modular, such circumstances would be easily remedied with a small reorganization.

Interface rating: 1

The book’s interface is its greatest weakness. It is the most expedient form of PDF document produced directly from a word processing program, and the only elements that appear to make it a book are page numbers and publisher’s name in the footer. Otherwise, navigation is quite difficult, and many section breaks, subsection breaks, image sizes and locations, and table references are awkward and inconsistent. Frequently, complex tables straddle multiple pages without repeated headers, and illustrations are sometimes poorly formatted, with awkwardly narrow columns of wrapping text with large amounts of blank space. It is indeed a shame that the publisher could not contribute even the smallest budget to a graphic designer for the purposes of developing a clear and legible layout. An ePub format would certainly be better, although I do hope that such an important book will also receive a graphic overhaul in PDF format.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

The text contains no grammatical errors that I was able to detect.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

I did not detect any culturally insensitive or offensive text in my reading, and the examples appear to be respectful of a diverse audience.