A pluralistic approach to economic and business sustainability: A critical meta-synthesis of foundations, metrics, and evidence of human and local development

Wellbeing and sustainability are at the center of development studies and economics, being the kernel of theories and policies. Analyzing such complex phenomena implies taking into account both the economic and business spheres. In this regard, the human and local dimensions of development have assumed central importance in determining definitions, measurements, and policies and reveal decisive implications for economic ethics and long-term development perspectives. This work intends to draw a theoretical excursus on the nexus between the human, sustainable, and local dimensions of development and wide-ranging business theories. For this scope, the paper adopts a pluralistic approach for determining diverse conceptual insights. Entangling holistic lenses, this study explores the theoretical foundations, measurements, and experiences that have characterized the recent development theory and applied evidence in economics and business. The review detects some evidence in the global and the Italian experiences that can reveal important lessons for theorists, policymakers, and practitioners in development, sustainability, and business.