Michael Paton - Economics
Dr Michael Paton is a principal sponsor of the Sustainable Management of Organisations Group (SMOG), along with Professor James Guthrie and Associate Professor Geoff Frost.
SMOG and the Economics of the Long Term
SMOG is the Sustainable Management of Organisations Group, a research unit within the University of Sydney. It has a focus on sustainability within organisations, with specific regard to social and environmental accounting, environmental, ecological and social economics, and philosophical, geographical and cultural aspects of management in relation to sustainability. The three principal sponsors of SMOG are Professor James Guthrie, Associate Professor Geoff Frost and Dr Michael Paton. Professor Guthrie’s research focuses on social and environmental reporting and auditing, public sector accounting, accountability and management, management of knowledge and intellectual capital and the measurement of intangibles.
By creating new models of financial reporting, he aims to solve the problem that traditional methods do not adequately account for intangibles and social/environmental impacts. Professor Frost’s current research falls within the field of sustainability management and accounting.
His work focuses on the development of integrated sustainable management systems, the role of accountants, and the measurement and reporting of non-financial performance. Dr Paton’s major research interests encompass the history and philosophy of science in China especially focusing on dili (the principles of the earth), fengshui (wind and water) and their relationship to the environment, scientific knowledge and culture.
Drawing on the environmental history of China, Paton argues that civilisations have invariably used the logic of short term advantage to foster both internal and external relationships. This short term view adversely affects the environment. Paton argues that this ethical dilemma needs to be taken into account before any long-term sustainability issues can be addressed.