From Human-Centered Design to Human-Centered Society: Creatively Balancing Business Innovation and Societal Exploitation

A human-centered society invests in innovation while governing to limit exploitation. This balance requires investing in constituencies to create collective benefits and protecting individual rights. Collectivism vs. individualism is a central tension, with collectivists focusing on collective benefits and individualists on individual rights. This book discusses the need for this balance and draws upon extensive experiences in various domains.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 194 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

A human-centered society skillfully navigates the allocation of resources towards innovation while simultaneously ensuring effective governance to prevent exploitation by originators once their innovations have demonstrated their value in the marketplace, encompassing both private and public constituencies. Achieving this delicate balance necessitates society's investment in various constituencies to foster the creation of innovations that yield both immediate and long-term collective benefits. Simultaneously, it is essential for society to establish robust legal, judicial, police, and military systems to safeguard individual rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The balance between collectivism and individualism forms the core of this discussion. Collectivism prioritizes the collective well-being and unity of the community. In contrast, individualism champions the rights and interests of each person. Collectivists value traits such as solidarity, selflessness, and altruism, while individualists prioritize independence, personal identity, and personal success. Collectivists may inadvertently overlook sources and opportunities for innovation by placing excessive emphasis on collective benefits. Conversely, individualists may become overly invested in their ideas and visions, many of which may fail, but some may profoundly transform society. It is crucial for collectivists to allow individualists to capitalize on their successful innovations, while individualists must eventually recognize the importance of contributing to collective welfare.

This book delves into the inherent tension underlying the pursuit of this balance, which has played a central role in society since the Industrial Revolution (1760–1840). Understanding the historical emergence, recurrence, and resolution of this tension is crucial in comprehending the evolution of human-centered societies. By creatively enabling this balance, societies can foster a more inclusive and equitable environment where individuals can thrive and contribute to the collective betterment.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032611730