A comprehensive new review by leading experts in the sustainability science field, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, is challenging the long-held assumption that economic growth is necessary for societal progress. The review, led by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB) and titled “Post-growth: the science of wellbeing within planetary boundaries,” explores the rapidly advancing field of post-growth research and presents a compelling case for prioritizing human wellbeing and ecological sustainability over endless economic expansion.

The U.S. economy has been running at less than full throttle for much of the past two decades, several recent studies show. That means corporations invested a smaller percentage of their profits into expanding production.

The result, according to some economists, has been slower growth during most of the past 20 years, when the gross domestic product has grown an average 2.2% a year, compared with 3.2% during the preceding 20 years.

Some analysts have blamed the shortfalls on lack of good investment opportunities. But in new research, two assistant professors of finance at Texas McCombs offer an alternative explanation. Companies are getting too big — and their size gives them incentives to sit on their money rather than put it to work.