System Dynamics and Sustainability: A Strong Partnership for a Resilient Future

Authors

  • Mansi Gupta

Keywords:

System Dynamics, Sustainability, Complex Systems, Feedback Loops, Scenario Analysis, Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Abstract

In an era of increasing global issues, sustainability has arisen as a
critical idea that aims to solve the delicate balance between providing
existing demands without jeopardising future generations’ ability
to meet their own needs. System Dynamics is a strong modelling
and simulation approach that has shown to be an excellent tool for
understanding complex, dynamic systems and can play a critical role
in attaining sustainable development. This review article digs into the
connections between System Dynamics and sustainability, investigating
their applications in a variety of disciplines and their potential to design
a more resilient future.
The abstract emphasises System Dynamics’ fundamental principles as
well as its practical applications in climate change mitigation, urban
planning, and the circular economy. System Dynamics’ benefits in
offering a comprehensive perspective, enabling scenario analysis, and
revealing feedback loops are explored. The essay demonstrates the
effectiveness of this strategy in addressing important sustainability
concerns through case studies. However, it recognises the difficulties
and emphasises the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration
and technology integration. In the future, the report sees refining
System Dynamics models, incorporating emerging technology, and
cultivating cross-disciplinary alliances as critical to effectively solving
global sustainability concerns. Humanity may take major advances
towards a harmonious coexistence with the environment and securing
societal well-being for future generations by leveraging the potential
of System Dynamics.

References

Sterman, J. D. (2000). Business Dynamics: Systems Thinking and Modeling for a Complex World. McGraw-Hill.

Meadows, D. H. (2008). Thinking in Systems: A Primer. Chelsea Green Publishing.

Forrester, J. W. (1961). Industrial dynamics. MIT Press.

Lane, D. C. (1996). Towards a Science of Sustainable Development: Systemic Implications of the Triple Bottom Line. Systems Research, 13(3), 219-229.

Richardson, G. P. (1991). Feedback thought in social science and systems theory. W. Walter & H. J. Miser (Eds.), Pathways to Environmental Sustainability: Methodologies and Experiences (pp. 115-148). Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Sterman, J. D. (2006). Learning from evidence in a complex world. American Journal of Public Health, 96(3), 505-514.

Jørgensen, S. E. (2008). Introduction to Systems Ecology. CRC Press.

Vennix, J. A. (1996). Group model building: Facilitating team learning using system dynamics. Wiley.

Homer, J. B., & Hirsch, G. B. (2006). System dynamics modeling for public health: Background and opportunities. American Journal of Public Health, 96(3), 452-458.

Hovmand, P. S. (2014). Community based system dynamics. Springer.

Größler, A. (2007). Evaluation of system dynamics as a management discipline. System Dynamics Review, 23(4), 413-438.

Lane, D. C. (2009). Playing with others' models: How system dynamics consultants use clients' models to gain 'buy-in'. System Dynamics Review, 25(1-2), 1-22.

Sterman, J. D., & Wittenberg, J. (1999). Path dependence, competition, and success in the dynamics of scientific revolution. Organization Science, 10(3), 322-341.

Ford, A., & Sterman, J. D. (1998). Expert knowledge elicitation to improve mental models for policy analysis. System Dynamics Review, 14(4), 309-340.

Barlas, Y. (1994). System dynamics modeling: A practical approach. CRC Press.

Kim, D. Y., Kim, J. S., & Yoo, J. H. (2005). System dynamics modeling for supply chain management: A case study on the shipbuilding industry. System Dynamics Review, 21(4), 345-372.

Peterson, G. D., Cumming, G. S., & Carpenter, S. R. (2003). Scenario planning: a tool for conservation in an uncertain world. Conservation Biology, 17(2), 358-366.

Voinov, A., & Bousquet, F. (2010). Modelling with stakeholders. Environmental Modelling & Software, 25(11), 1268-1281.

Downloads

Published

2023-08-16