Sustainability and indigenous frameworks of innovation, interrelation, and socio-economic organization: a case study of a Misak community in western Colombia

The increasing environmental, social, and economic pressure is pushing organizations to rethink their management models through a sustainable and resilient approach. This thesis analyzes the role of Indigenous communities in environmental conservation and sustainability, focusing on the Misak people, and compares their approach with corporate sustainability principles. Through a qualitative investigation based on direct interviews and institutional documents, this study explores the governance, circular economy, resource management, and knowledge transmission within the Misak community, highlighting their sustainability strategies and principles of self-determination. The analysis is structured into several sections, including an in-depth study of the history and cultural identity of the Misak people, their approach to education and language, the role of medicinal plants in health and biodiversity, and their economic model based on self-sufficiency and respect for the ecosystem. The research integrates engineering management tools to assess how the community's sustainability principles can be interpreted through corporate frameworks, such as the Business Model Canvas and circular economy models. The results show that the Misak sustainability model is not static but adapts to modern challenges, providing valuable insights for corporate strategies aimed at ecological transition. The thesis also highlights the crucial role of Indigenous communities in biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation, emphasizing the need for an integration between their traditional knowledge and contemporary sustainability practices. This research contributes to the sustainability debate by offering a comparison between different perspectives and suggesting the adoption of more inclusive and regenerative practices capable of addressing global challenges while respecting cultural and environmental diversity.