Since its inception in 2005, IPPA has been interested in both discussing and promoting the idea that enhanced business success  may result because of the inclusion, in the business model, of values now associated with the term “sustainability.” We have claimed that these values may coexist with the profit/loss bottom line, though we insist on a long-range rather than short term perspective on gain/loss. Among other concepts, sustainability includes the idea of global responsibility. Any such discussion would also include consideration of the associated ethical values and    resulting social benefits. A previous blog entry [dated 9/20/09] made reference to the book The Triple Bottom Line,  It discussed the increased success of corporations who have included the concepts of social benefit and global responsibility, along with profitability in their business model Other blog entries have described Fluor Corporation [Feb 11, 2009] and Wal-Mart [Feb. 16, 2009] as examples of enhanced success due to the inclusion of sustainability.
Since the concept of sustainability has become so important in evaluating business success, questions arise as to how it can be measured and can be applied, even to entire countries. This entry is to flag a website that documents a successful methodology to accomplish this. The sponsoring organization is the Sustainable Society Foundation.com which sponsors the Sustainable Society Index [SSI] and the link is http://www.sustainablesocietyindex.com Click on SSI concept and you can view description of the index.
The foundation defines a sustainable society as one that meets the needs of the present generation, that does not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, and in which each individual has the opportunity to develop herself or himself in freedom, within a well- balanced society, in harmony with its surroundings. This definition is the foundation of the 5 categories that make up the framework of the index and that are consistent with the core principles of IPPA.
1. Personal Development
2. Healthy Environment
3. Well Balanced Society
4. Sustainable Use of Resources
5. Sustainable World
There is general agreement that sustainable development is important for the healthy future of our world, and most of the living species within it. However, there has not been a generally accepted standard by which we can measure our society’s sustainability or have a measure by which it would be possible to compare it with other societies on a global scale. The SSI serves this purpose by including all aspects of a sustainable society, by being simple, clear and transparent and by the fact that is regularly updated.
Another source of information about the SSI is found on the Encyclopedia of Earth.org website, www.eoearth.org/article/Sustainable_Society_Index.
There you can find information on the calculation methodology as well as updated results applying to the index to 151 countries.