Sustainability and Industrial, Work, and Organizational Psychology: Globalization, Contribution, and Psychological Sustainability

摘要

Given the growth in interest globally toward issues of environmental sustainability, the article by Ones and Dilchert (2012) presents both a refreshing but notably challenging perspective for industrial, work, and organizational (IWO) psychologists. From the outset, we should acknowledge that it could hardly be justifiably claimed that our discipline has earned a reputation for being at the vanguard of the management sciences in championing issues of sustainability, ecological impact, or even wider social fairness concerns (Campbell & Campbell, 2005; see also table 1 in the focal article). This noted, the focal article raises a whole raft of issues, challenges, and imperatives for our discipline. The case put forward for these by Ones and Dilchert is done so with eloquence and relentless vigor. Indeed, few readers would disagree with any of its major precepts, arguments, or suggestions for future points of focus needed within IWO psychology. This reminds us of the maxim that the true test of a new policy being advocated by any political party is whether its diametric opposite makes any common sense whatsoever. If not, it runs the risk of being tautological and self-evident (e.g., lower crime rates, better economy, etc.).