Corporate strategies in response to climate change : view from a complexity perspective

This paper proposes a complexity theory framework for future research in the field of corporate strategy in response to climate change based on the first author's PhD research. The first part contextualises the discussion through a brief exploration of the link between climate change and business activity; the second examines strategic responses from business in relation to climate change; the third introduces three core concepts of complexity theory (dynamism, self-organisation and emergence) and examines them in the context of climate change; The final section integrates the complexity theory framework into the study of corporate strategies and actions in response to climate change. It is argued that such integration enhances understanding of the powerful factors which can guide businesses towards, or draw them away from, endeavours to reduce their emissions and their dependence on fossil fuels and thus become low-carbon enterprises.