Adetunji, I; Price, A; Fleming, P and Kemp, P (2003) The application of systems thinking to the concept of sustainability. In: Greenwood, D J (ed.) Proceedings of 19th Annual ARCOM Conference, 3-5 September 2003, Brighton, UK.
Abstract
The study proposes a systems model for the concept of sustainability. Based on the premise that the spectrum of challenges of sustainable development are systemic problems that cannot be resolved with a reductionist approach, the paper explores the key conceptual successions to explain the root of sustainable development. It then clarifies a few misconceptions concerning the Brundtland Report and highlights the limitations of the current widely used model of sustainability. The study collates and synthesises recent definitions of the concept. It then applies systems thinking to develop a more comprehensive model to promote the understanding and form the basis for further research in the application of a systems approach to the concept of sustainability.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | historical; models; sustainability; systems; views |
| Index terms: | systems thinking, sustainable development |
| Subjects: | analytical methods, health safety and environment |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Health and Safety |
| Descriptive scope: | 1 C |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here