Webinar Series: “Advancing Sustainability Research in Organizations: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on the Planetary Boundaries”

The MSU Jabs Sustainable Enterprises Initiative (SEI) and Institute on Ecosystems are co-hosting a webinar series presenting interdisciplinary perspectives of the planetary boundaries framework. 

Theme - Spring 2026: Introduction to Planetary Boundaries in Organization Studies

Wednesday February 4th, 2026 (9-10am US Mountain Time):

“An Introduction to and Literature Review of the Planetary Boundaries Framework”

Dr. Amanda Williams (EM Lyon Business School) and Dr. Paolo Perego (Free University Bozen-Bolzano) discussed their 2025 literature review paper in Journal of Management Studies on the planetary boundaries framework in organization studies (co-authored with Dr. Gail Whiteman).

 

 

Theme - Spring 2026: Exploring the Land Use Change Planetary Boundary

We're hosting three talks related to the ‘land system change’ planetary boundary, defined as “The transformation of natural landscapes, such as through deforestation and urbanization, disrupts habitats and biodiversity and diminishes ecological functions like carbon sequestration and moisture recycling. Globally, the remaining forest areas in tropical, boreal, and temperate biomes have fallen below safe levels” (Stockholm Resilience Center, 2025). Land system change thus includes human disturbances on the landscape such as agricultural activities and impacts on our forests.

Wednesday, Feb. 25th, 2026 (9-10am US Mountain Time): 

Catherine Zabinski, Professor of Land Resources & Environmental Science (Montana State University) discussed her scholarship on sustainable agriculture in wine grape growing, and a soil ecology perspective on terroir.

Upcoming in Land Use Change:

Wednesday, April 1st, 2026 (9-10am US Mountain Time):

"Business and Organization Perspectives on Sustainability in Natural Systems, Forestry and Agriculture"

Rajat Panwar, Professor of Responsible and Sustainable Business (Oregon State University), will discuss research related to the evolving nature of 'business-nature relationships'.

Domenico Dentoni, Full Professor in Business, Resilience, and Transformation (Montpellier Business School), will discuss research on building knowledge commons for local regeneration from a supply chain management perspective.

 

Wednesday, April 29th, 2026 (9-10am US Mountain Time):

"Transparency or Map-Washing? Digital Geospatial Visualisation Tools in the Palm Oil Industry"

Rory Padfield, Associate Professor (Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds), will discuss the use of digital geospatial mapping tools and 'mapwashing' in the palm oil industry.