Intellectual Property, Research Integrity & Transparency

Intellectual Property, Research Integrity & Transparency

The work published on this website reflects more than two decades of professional experience, research, writing and practical engagement across sustainable business, climate change, human rights, responsible business, trust, resilience and competitive advantage.

My objective is to make complex issues understandable and actionable while maintaining high standards of evidence, transparency and intellectual integrity.

Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise stated, original models, frameworks, diagrams, written commentary and other original materials published on this website are the intellectual property of Professor Chris Harrop OBE.

This includes, where applicable, named models and frameworks including the Harrop Framework™, Harrop Equation™, Belief Conditioned Change Model, National Cohesion Systems Model, Tax Funded Impact Model, 4Ms of Sustainability-washing, Carbon Intelligence, Human Adaptation Economy, Sustainable Prosperity Cycle and associated original materials.

Third-party concepts, quotations, data, research, trademarks and intellectual property remain the property of their respective owners and are acknowledged wherever appropriate.

Materials may be quoted or referenced for legitimate academic, educational and non-commercial purposes with appropriate attribution. Reproduction, adaptation or commercial use of substantial original materials should not take place without prior permission.

The use of ™ identifies terminology that I use to distinguish particular elements of my work. It should not be interpreted as representing registered trademark status unless explicitly stated.

Research Integrity and Evidence

My work is evidence-led.

Where statistics, research findings or external claims are used, I seek wherever practicable to trace them to credible primary, academic or authoritative sources.

Evidence changes. New research emerges, datasets are revised and our understanding of complex issues develops. Models presented here should therefore be understood as frameworks for interpretation and decision-making rather than immutable statements of fact.

Where evidence challenges my previous thinking, I believe the appropriate response is to change the thinking, not the evidence.

AI Transparency Statement

Artificial intelligence is used as a support tool in aspects of my research, writing and communication.

This may include:

• assisting with literature and evidence searches
• interrogating ideas and testing alternative explanations
• checking text, structure and consistency
• editing and refinement
• supporting the creation of graphics and visual representations

AI does not replace authorship, judgement or accountability.

The underlying ideas, original models, analysis, arguments, conclusions and final editorial decisions are my own. Sources and evidence are checked wherever practicable against original or authoritative material before publication.

AI is therefore used to support the thinking, not substitute for it, consistent with the principle that underpins much of my work: Truth Well Told™.

Errors & Omissions

Every reasonable effort is made to ensure that information published on this website is accurate at the time of publication.

However, sustainability, climate science, regulation, public policy, technology and business practice are rapidly developing fields. Information can become outdated, and despite careful checking, errors or omissions may occasionally occur.

E&OE: Errors and omissions excepted.

Where a material error is identified, I will seek to correct it promptly and transparently.

Sources, Attribution and Plagiarism

Ideas and evidence developed by others should be recognised as such.

Where my work builds upon established research, models, concepts or third-party evidence, I seek to provide appropriate acknowledgement and attribution.

Originality does not require pretending that previous thinking does not exist. It requires being clear about what is established knowledge, what has influenced the work, and what represents my own contribution.

I take plagiarism and misrepresentation of authorship seriously and seek to ensure that my books, papers, models and other published work appropriately distinguish my original thinking from the work of others.

Independence and Personal Views

Unless explicitly stated otherwise, opinions, interpretations and conclusions expressed on this website are my own.

They should not automatically be interpreted as representing the views of the University of Huddersfield, organisations with which I currently work, organisations with which I have previously been associated, publishers, research collaborators or other third parties.

Any commercial, organisational or other material relationship relevant to a particular piece of work should be disclosed where appropriate.

Academic and Professional Status

Material published on this website includes academic research, professional analysis, models, commentary, books, speeches and developing ideas.

Not everything published here constitutes peer-reviewed academic research.

Where work has been formally published, peer reviewed, independently researched or supported by empirical evidence, this should be identified accordingly. Where something represents a developing hypothesis, conceptual model or personal interpretation, it should not be presented as having a different evidential status.

This distinction is important to intellectual integrity.

Corrections and Continuing Development

Good thinking should evolve.

Many of the models and frameworks presented on this website are deliberately designed to develop as new evidence, practical experience and constructive challenge improve our understanding.

I therefore reserve the right to refine and update my work.

Where significant changes affect previously published conclusions, I will seek to make those changes clear rather than quietly preserving an argument that the evidence no longer supports.

Responsible Use

The material on this website is provided for information, education and discussion. It should not be regarded as legal, financial, investment, medical or other regulated professional advice.

Organisations and individuals should obtain appropriate specialist advice before making decisions where professional advice is required.

Fair Use, Sharing and Attribution

I actively encourage the responsible use, discussion, teaching and referencing of my models and frameworks.

The purpose of developing these models is to help people and organisations make sense of complex issues and make better decisions. Their value increases when they are used.

You are therefore welcome to reference, cite, reproduce and share my original models and frameworks, provided that:

• I am clearly credited as the originator: Professor Chris Harrop OBE.
• The name of the model or framework is retained.
• Where reasonably practicable, a reference or link is provided to the original work or to this website.
• The model, diagram or framework is reproduced accurately and in its entirety.
• The model itself is not altered, edited, redrawn, reinterpreted or adapted in a way that changes its structure, meaning, wording or intellectual content.
• Existing authorship, copyright, trademark or attribution notices are retained.
• Use of the model must not imply my endorsement of an organisation, product, service, argument or interpretation unless I have explicitly provided that endorsement.

Quoting from or discussing the models in academic, educational, professional or other work is encouraged, with appropriate attribution.

If you wish to adapt, modify, translate, incorporate or develop a derivative version of one of my models, please contact me for permission first.

Please use the work. Please share the work. Please credit the work. But please don’t change the work.

Where a model is specifically identified as being made available under a Creative Commons licence, the stated licence terms will apply.

Unless otherwise indicated, the preferred attribution is:

Source: Professor Chris Harrop OBE, [Name of Model/Framework], ProfChrisHarrop.co.uk

My objective is not to restrict the dissemination of ideas. It is to encourage their use while protecting their authorship, accuracy and intellectual integrity.

A Final Principle

Across my books, research, models and professional work, three principles increasingly summarise the standard I seek to apply:

Truth Well Told™ → Trust Well Earned™ → Impact Delivered™

• Evidence before narrative
• Transparency before expectation
• Implementation before aspiration

That is the standard against which I believe responsible and sustainable business should increasingly be judged.

Professor Chris Harrop OBE

Last reviewed: August 2026