From Neglect to Resonance? - The Twin Transition and Luhmann’s Legacy

Abstract

Luhmann's theory of ecological communication examines how modern society addresses climate and ecological challenges through its functionally differentiated structure. Even though the functionally differentiation enables society to manage complexity, it also leads to challenges in addressing cross-cutting issues like climate and ecological concerns. This has resulted in the neglect of such problems, as no single subsystem, neither functional nor organizational systems, is equipped to address ecological concerns comprehensively. Luhmann suggests that society's response to ecological challenges depends on the ability of these subsystems to adapt their communication processes to resonate with ecological considerations.

In this paper, we highlights the importance of the reflective capacity, linked to Luhmann’s concept of observation, semantics and communication. We discuss if the Twin Transition, since Luhmann passed away, has changed the recurrent criticism about modern society’s neglect, and what it means for organization, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We find that important issues related to observation, reflection and semantics have changed, but the theme regarding neglect is still relevant. We also discuss an intervention strategy based on a digital learning platform and engaged scholarship in a regional polycentric network. We find that it demonstrates potential regional impact on inclusion of challenged SMEs, but to achieve broader European effects, such initiatives must, however, be scaled up and tailored to the specific contexts across Europe.

Keywords: 

The modern differentiated society, Luhmann’s criticism, functional systems’ neglect, Included/excluded as meta coding, Twin Transition, change of observation, reflection and semantics, Digital Learning Platform, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises,

(JEL: D83, M10, O33, Q56, R50)