"There is nothing so practical as a good theory" Kurt Lewin
I argue that human sustainability needs to take a more central position in research, education, business and public policy (Meleti, 2020). My theory of human sustainability focuses on people in organizations with respect as its fundamental principle. Other principles of human sustainability based on the analysis of my interviews are the following: information sharing, participative decision-making, meaningful work and fair selection, promotion and evaluation. As theory and research on the topic of human sustainability remain limited the literature my PhD research is based on is derived from the fields of philosophy, business ethics, sociology and organisation studies (Meleti, 2020).
Education
I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs - Syracuse University, USA), a Master of Science in Public Relations (S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications - Syracuse University, USA) with distinction, and a PhD in Management (Adam Smith Business School - University of Glasgow, Scotland). I was awarded as a PhD student full scholarship from the College of Social Sciences, University of Glasgow, to undertake the PhD research. I have attended, on a part-time basis, a post-graduate course (Master) entitled “Inclusive Education: Research Policy & Practice, PgCert”, School of Education, University of Glasgow and completed all required modules.
PhD Research
My PhD research entitled "Human sustainability, relational coordination and worker outcomes," (2020) focuses on human sustainability (i.e., dignity, respect, and well-being at workplace; participative management, worker’s voice), relational coordination (i.e., the coordination of role relationships in the organisation) and worker outcomes (work engagement, proactive work behaviour and job satisfaction).
The research objectives are to answer the research questions of the study which are the following: "How does design for human sustainability affect relational coordination?" and "How do human sustainability and relational coordination affect worker outcomes?"
The objectives to answer the research questions are framed from an interpretive perspective, the research strategy is a case study research strategy adopting qualitative methodology, and the context of research a large university in the United Kingdom. The research is cross-sectional and the focus of the study is on frontline employees, the programme administrators and explores the work they do to support the students.
Key findings suggest the following: there is a low level of human sustainability in the University, which has a limited positive influence on relational coordination, especially between functions; the low levels of human sustainability and relational coordination have a limited positive influence on the positive personal transformation of frontline employees in the University which, in turn, have a limited positive influence on their worker outcomes (work engagement, proactive work behaviour, job satisfaction).
This thesis aspires to legitimise the sector of "human sustainability" by theorising and defining it, as well as making a conceptual framework "The Cycle of Human Sustainability," aiming to make a contribution to the field, since theory and research remain limited. The study further aims to make a contribution to the theory of relational coordination by explaining how the personal transformation of all stakeholders of an organisation, employees, managers and clients take place in organisations, and hence, explaining how organisations can help their employees to positively transform themselves.
For further information on my PhD research please see the relative link below at the publications section.
Research plan, conferences, volunteer work, service as a reviewer, memberships
My current research plan is to publish from my PhD thesis, as well as to build on my PhD study with further research that focuses on human sustainability, human sustainability training, human sustainability leadership, as well as related topics such as decent work and well-being of people in organisations, the future of work.
I have presented my research as a PhD student, between 2017 and 2020, at more than 8 conferences worldwide including (Society for Business Ethics, International Association of Business and Society, Relational Coordination Collaborative). I have presented my research as an Adjunct in Management (University of Glasgow), between 2021 and September 2025 at the following conferences:
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IABS (International Association of Business and Society) 2021 – “Human sustainability and leadership: When leaders are followers and followers are leaders” (Virtual conference)
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RCC Roundtable (Relational Coordination Collaborative) 2021 – “Human sustainability and leadership: When leaders are followers and followers are leaders (Virtual conference)
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RCC Roundtable (Relational Coordination Collaborative) 2022 – “Human sustainability as a relational process in organisations (Virtual conference)
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IABS (International Association of Business and Society) 2023 – “Human sustainability development and job satisfaction in organisations” (University of Bath, School of Management, Bath, United Kingdom)
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ABEATS (ASEAN Business Engineering and Technology) Symposium 2024 – “Exploring proactive work behaviour and innovation in organisations” (University of Glasgow).
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NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY WEEK 2025 SCOTTISH PROGRAMME: Unlocking Scotland’s productivity potential: Ways of working, investing, and innovating.
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28/1/25 – I was chair at the session “Smarter ways of Working”
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I was accepted to present my research at the following conference: IABS (International Association of Business and Society) 2025 – “Human sustainability training and job satisfaction in organisations” (Maastricht University-School of Business and Economics), Maastricht, The Netherlands). However, I did not manage to present due to a change of my schedule.
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EGOS (European Group for Organizational Studies) Colloquium 2025 - Sub Theme 83: Learning Leadership for Flourishing Organizations: The Epikairotis of Leadership Development for Creative Systems Change - Paper session: Flourishing Responsibility/Sustainability - The American College of Greece, Athens, Greece
I have assisted as a volunteer, while I was a PhD student, at the organisation of some IABS and RCC conferences.
I have served and currently serve as a reviewer as follows: I have served and currently serve as a reviewer at the following conferences: IABS (International Association of Business and Society) and AOM (Academy of Management); I have served as a reviewer at the following journals: Business and Society Review Journal, Humanistic Management Journal, Journal of Business Ethics; I have served and currently serve as a reviewer at the Journal of Business Ethics Education.
I am member of the following:
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Society for Business Ethics (SBE)
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International Association for Business and Society (IABS)
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Academy of Management (AOM)
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Relational Coordination Collaborative (RCC)
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International Humanistic Management Association (IHMA)
My research goal is
to advance human sustainability (HS)
I am particularly interested to put my human sustainability research in practice to advance business, education and public policy. I also argue that my research could not only advance the sector of human sustainability but all the sustainability sectors, such as environmental sustainability, ecological sustainability and social sustainability because human sustainability is at the centre of the sustainability movement. For example, if respect becomes the leading force in our lives as individuals, as members of an organisation, as members of society, then we are more likely to respect others (human and non-human beings), to respect our society and the environment. Further research is necessary on human sustainability and all these related topics because research is limited.
Publications
Meleti, E., (2025) "Human Sustainabilty Training and Job satisfaction in Organizations", Sustainable Development, 0, p. 1-15- https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.3491
Meleti, E. (2024). "Exploring Proactive Work Behaviour and Innovation in Organisations". 6th ASEAN Business, Engineering, and Technology Symposium. University of Glasgow, 6 - 7 December 2024. Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia National Library, p. 40-
Meleti, E. 2020. “Human Sustainability, Relational Coordination and Worker Outcomes.” Doctoral thesis, Adam Smith Business School Management, College of Social Sciences, University of Glasgow - https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/81617
