Ecocentrism and organizational management: A critical review
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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6124-117X
Abstract
The growing global environmental crisis has challenged traditional management models based on anthropocentric paradigms focused on economic growth and the instrumental exploitation of nature. In this context, ecocentrism emerges as a philosophical and organizational approach that recognizes the intrinsic value of ecosystems and proposes a profound transformation of management practices. The aim of this article is to critically analyze the theoretical foundations, organizational applications, and contemporary challenges of ecocentric management through an integrative qualitative documentary review. Methodologically, an integrative documentary review was conducted using indexed scientific literature retrieved from Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO, Redalyc, JSTOR, and Google Scholar databases (1973–2025). Data analysis was performed through thematic coding and analytical categorization supported by Atlas.ti, identifying five emergent categories. The final corpus comprised 77 documents (n = 77), selected following a PRISMA 2020-adapted protocol. The results reveal four main findings: a) the consolidation of ecocentrism as an ethical alternative paradigm to anthropocentrism; b) the emergence of organizational models oriented toward strong sustainability; c) the progressive incorporation of environmental management tools such as ESG, ISO 14001, and GRI reporting; and d) the persistence of institutional, cultural, and economic barriers to the effective implementation of ecocentric approaches. It is concluded that ecocentric management represents a relevant theoretical and practical framework for reconfiguring contemporary organizational management based on integral sustainability, environmental justice, and intergenerational responsibility.
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