Systems Thinking Approach Research Articles

A Systems Thinking Approach to Improve Sustainability in Software Engineering—A Grounded Capability Maturity Framework

Sustainability has become a critical issue for the software industry as the environmental impact of software development and use increases. To address this issue, organizations need a framework for developing and accessing sustainable software practices. In this study, we reviewed the existing literature, models, and practices in this domain as well as carried out surveys and interviews to understand the reality, practices, and challenges on the ground. We identified a set of research questions to discover why sustainability is important, what actions can be taken to improve it, and how and when they can be implemented. This study highlighted the limitations of existing models and the need to address the research gaps. Existing research is limited by a narrow focus on specific domains such as the environment and energy or a specific phase of software development. We aim to address these through the proposed comprehensive software sustainability capability framework (SSCF), which provides a “ready reckoner”, allowing any organization to assess their current software sustainability and the capabilities and metrics they could focus on to improve sustainable software maturity. This paper also provides detailed assessment criteria, metrics, and a roadmap that can be used by any software organization to enhance their sustainability.

A Systems Thinking Approach for Community Health and Wellbeing

Under national or state-based legislation, local governments are commonly required to prepare municipal health and wellbeing plans. Yet, the issues these plans aim to address are often complex, and programmatic planning approaches traditionally used by practitioners struggle to engage with such complexity as they assume these issues can be ‘solved’ in isolation. Systems thinking is increasingly being used as an approach to deal with those struggles more effectively, yet little is known about whether local governments and other stakeholders think systems approaches are feasible and acceptable in practice. This study tested a systems thinking approach to gauge if it could better address complex place-based health and wellbeing issues, such as to reduce noncommunicable diseases. Guided by a systems change framework, the approach comprised a facilitated systemic inquiry and rich picture process involving diverse stakeholders in a remote municipality in the Australian state of Tasmania. Among the participants there was broad support for the systems approach tested and they thought it was effective for increasing systems thinking capacity, collaboratively revealing systemic issues, and identifying opportunities to address those issues. They valued the rich picture because it created shared understandings of local issues. The findings suggest more is needed from macro-level policy to support place-based stakeholders to undertake systems approaches in practice, which could result in more sustainable and effective systems change required to improve health and wellbeing outcomes. The findings have implications for theory, research, and practice across interdisciplinary fields concerned with placed-based systems change, especially in rural and remote municipalities.

Ameliorating the Special Education Teacher Crisis: Systems Thinking and Innovative Approaches

Chronic and pervasive special education teacher (SET) shortages have interfered with state, district, and school efforts to recruit and retain effective teachers for students with disabilities. Unfortunately, these shortages have worsened post-pandemic due to early retirements, low unemployment rates, and career changes. The purpose of this article is to provide a systems thinking (ST) framework to help stakeholders consider the complex and interacting systems in which these shortages occur (i.e., teacher preparation, district and schools, society). We consider specific elements within these systems, their interconnections, with a focus on identifying steps and ideas stakeholders can use to understand contributors to the shortage crisis, while providing strategies and innovative ideas for greater sustainability. We also offer real examples of ST solutions used within teacher education programs, schools, and other professions. To further bolster ST, we conclude with examples of innovations outside of education with ideas to bridge these concepts into potential pathways to address SET shortages.

The Urgency of Now: Rethinking and Improving Assessment Practices in Medical Education Programs.

Assessment is essential to professional development. Assessment provides the information needed to give feedback, support coaching and the creation of individualized learning plans, inform progress decisions, determine appropriate supervision levels, and, most importantly, help ensure patients and families receive high-quality, safe care in the training environment. While the introduction of competency-based medical education has catalyzed advances in assessment, much work remains to be done. First, becoming a physician (or other health professional) is primarily a developmental process, and assessment programs must be designed using a developmental and growth mindset. Second, medical education programs must have integrated programs of assessment that address the interconnected domains of implicit, explicit and structural bias. Third, improving programs of assessment will require a systems-thinking approach. In this paper, the authors first address these overarching issues as key principles that must be embraced so that training programs may optimize assessment to ensure all learners achieve desired medical education outcomes. The authors then explore specific needs in assessment and provide suggestions to improve assessment practices. This paper is by no means inclusive of all medical education assessment challenges or possible solutions. However, there is a wealth of current assessment research and practice that medical education programs can use to improve educational outcomes and help reduce the harmful effects of bias. The authors' goal is to help improve and guide innovation in assessment by catalyzing further conversations.

Climate Change, Sustainable Forest Management, ICT Nexus, and the SDG 2030: A Systems Thinking Approach

The 2030 global agenda for sustainable development integrates social, economic, and environmental dimensions, emphasizing peace, human rights, gender equality, and women’s empowerment. The SDG framework, consisting of 17 goals, 169 targets (SDTs), and 231 indicators (SDIs), forms a complex, interconnected network that necessitates extensive research. Despite prior studies on SDG interlinkages, the integration of Climate Change (CC), Sustainable Forest Management (SFM), and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), collectively known as CSI Nexus, remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by identifying SDTs aligned with CC, SFM, and ICT (CSI) and analyzing their linkages within the SDG framework using a systems thinking approach. The objectives are to (1) investigate and identify SDTs connected with the CSI Nexus and (2) assess the significant relationship between and among CC, SFM, and ICT. The primary method involves a simplified meta-analysis and systems thinking approach incorporating content analysis, network visualization, affiliation matrix mapping, frequency distributions, and Spearman’s rho correlation. Results reveal 56 SDTs directly connected within CC + SFM + ICT, 16 within CC + SFM, one within SFM + ICT, and 51 within ICT + CC. The analysis indicates CC is significantly associated with SFM, while ICT has no significant association with CC and SFM, asserting minimal influence of ICT and SFM on the SDG 2030 framework. This research provides significant insights for decision-makers and stakeholders, contributing as a science-informed guide for priority-setting, policy coherence, and decision-making supporting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals across sectors.

Modeling barriers to a circular economy for construction demolition waste in the Aysén region of Chile

An increasing rate of urbanization, lack of knowledge, low willingness to pay for sustainable waste management, and absence of legal landfills inhibit the rate at which Circular Economy (CE) is implemented. The successful CE adoption for construction and demolition waste (CE-CDW) involves navigating a complex tapestry of interconnected factors that enable or inhibit CE-CDW success. We used a participatory system thinking and modeling approach to analyze the interaction of inhibiting factors that impact CE-CDW in Aysén, Chile. Barriers to CE-CDW were identified in the literature and modeled in a workshop with experts from different areas of construction industry, policy, and academia. The emerging CE-CDW system model was analyzed using structural factor and network analysis techniques to identify leverage points for policy and practice. Findings pointed to limited strategic vision of policy and regulation as a key barrier impacting the necessary financial and technical elements needed to implement and scale-up CE-CDW.

Systems Thinking Approach on Foetal Abnormalities Due to Alpha-Fetoprotein Level

Foetal complications due to abnormal Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) levels are becoming a serious matter. The risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) is substantially greater in the raised maternal serum-alpha fetoprotein (MS-AFP) group than in the normal MS-AFP groups. The top three APOs in terms of occurrence rate in the increased MS-AFP group were structural foetal abnormalities, spontaneous abortion, and premature delivery. Low levels of AFP in the maternal may indicate a risk of Down syndrome. This is a critical matter that needs to be investigated and dealt with seriously, based on the systems thinking approach. This research aims to investigate screening methods on AFP foetal based on system thinking approach. The main purpose of the study is to provide an analytical and integrated approach to deal with foetal complications due to AFP level. This integrated approach comprises various analytical aspects, including conceptual framework, data analysis, evaluation of the screening methods. How systems thinking can contribute to improve all these aspects of foetal complications will be investigated. The methodology will enable to conduct a detailed explanation to the major problems of AFP in the form of a causal loop diagram based on the holistic view of the systems thinking approach. It is expected that the application of a systems approach could provide an effective method of analysis for understanding and managing the foetal abnormalities by considering all aspects in a holistic manner and clearer methods of intervention to reduce the cases.

A systems-thinking approach to evaluating a university professional development programme

ABSTRACT Using social constructivist theories of adult learning, the Faculty Pedagogical Development (PD) Programme was designed to offer faculty a unique professional learning experience at one university in Qatar. This study reports on the evaluation of this PD programme that involved 24 participants from different colleges in its first round of implementation. Data collection methods included pre- and post-interview data and multiple journal entries submitted at specific intervals during the PD programme by participants. Through adopting a systems-thinking perspective, this study reveals participants’ perceptions of their professional learning, conceptualised as the change to student-centred beliefs and/or practices, as well as the factors that supported or hindered their learning and change within individual, socio-cultural and structural systems. The conclusion is drawn that PD efforts should consider the systems of influences on faculty professional learning, with implications for the design of PD programmes advocating student-centred approaches in higher education contexts, particularly those locked into traditional teaching approaches.

Governing landscapes: An agenda for the assessment of grasslands and savannahs

In this article, we propose an agenda promoting the development of a new integrated assessment toolkit (theory-based toolkit) of environmental governance in overlooked ecosystems of grasslands and savannahs in the Global South. To explore the complexity of social-ecological and governance systems, a growing number of systems-thinking approaches provide academics/practitioners with numerous analytical frameworks, theories, and methodologies that are potentially useful for unveiling institutional aspects along with their causal variables for the access, use and management of natural resources. Yet, we argue that achieving a comprehensive understanding of environmental governance systems only by using one single framework or theory is limiting. Further, there is a growing need of more social science knowledge and grassland and savannah context-specific frameworks that are tailored and applicable to policy settings. Therefore, by building on the five approaches of the political ecological framework of community-based governance (CBG) relating to key environmental governance frameworks, such as the community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) and the institutional and development framework (IAD), we propose a theory-based toolkit that would review, synthesize, connect, relate and test multiple core principles in a way that more fully accounts for social-ecological interactions in focal ecosystems. We are convinced that future empirical analysis/research following our agenda and the toolkit approach can generate hypotheses that are testable in real-life contexts. To this end, we suggest guiding research questions, research methods, as well as comparable cases and their rationales.

Sustainability of rural water services in the humanitarian-development-peace nexus: a case study from Diffa, Niger

AbstractViolence committed by non-State armed groups has displaced over 250,000 people in the Diffa region of Niger and crippled the regional economy. The humanitarian response included substantial investment in water infrastructure which has largely alleviated the immediate needs of displacement-affected populations. However, ongoing insecurity threatens the sustainability of these rural water services. A systems-thinking approach to explain the interaction between different sustainability factors for rural water services is advocated by a growing body of literature, but is almost exclusively focused on stable contexts. The applied research reported here adopted a qualitative assessment methodology to determine the impact of the insecurity in Diffa on these sustainability factors. Twenty-five respondents from government, water management structures, donors, and non-governmental organisations were interviewed between March and June 2021. The research demonstrated that insecurity in Diffa impacts negatively on all sustainability factors for rural water services and impedes access, coordination, and communication by and between relevant actors. The overlapping humanitarian and development contexts and the push to implement a triple nexus approach – which includes peace as its third element – raise dilemmas concerning the application of water tariffs, the durability of water infrastructure, and the suitability of a community-based approach to water management.

Adoption of Internet of Medical Things: A Systems Thinking Approach

ABSTRACT As an emerging information technology, the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) has the capability to contribute toward sustainable healthcare, but its adoption in emerging economies is challenging. This research was undertaken to conduct a holistic analysis of the complexities associated with the adoption of IoMT in emerging economies like India using a systems thinking approach. Three qualitative phases of the systems thinking and modeling methodology, namely, problem structuring, causal loop modeling, and developing strategic interventions, were used in this study by collecting data from 24 interviews and secondary research. The reference mode developed in the study captured the system behavior, showing IoMT adoption increasing in tier I Indian cities but struggling in tier II/III cities and rural Indian communities. The qualitative systems model developed explained this behavior by capturing the underlying system structure using six interconnected feedback loops. Three strategic interventions were then formulated to change the system structure that can improve the adoption of IoMT in an emerging economy like India, thereby contributing to the journey toward sustainable healthcare. Implications for similar emerging economies in Latin America are also discussed in this article. Overall, this study provides a holistic analysis of the complexities involved in the adoption of IoMT using a systems thinking approach.

Co-evolution in Host Partner Program of IndoBuildTech Expo with System Thinking Approach

Purpose – This paper aims to present a review of co-evolution practice in Host Partner Program of IndobuildTech Expo with system thinking approach that related to the current state of research. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a co-evolution model that relevance to the collaboration practice between exhibition organizer and visitors of IndoBuildTech Expo through Host Partner Program. Additionally, linking the co-evolution model in Host Partner Program that occurs with a system thinking construction through casual loop diagrams. The data collection method is a documentation study, by collecting written information, either in the form of research reports, media reports, and other documents related to the topic of writing. Furthermore, with a systems thinking framework, the author will carry out an analysis based on predetermined dimensions referring to the documentation study conducted. Findings – For the exhibition industry to generate lasting value, innovative concepts that take into account their capabilities and prospects are needed. One method is to implement synergy collaborations that leverage crossnetwork efforts to strengthen the exhibition business ecosystem. In this work, the co-evolution implementation process is carried out using the systems thinking methodology. It is the term used to advancements in collaboration between organizer and visitors. Co-evolution could improve the quality of visitors and elevate the perspective, contribution and role of visitors in the exhibition. Research limitations/implications – The concept of co-evolution with a systems thinking approach may not be widely used in the MICE sector at the moment. In order to address the needs of exhibitors and create a sustainable exhibition, it is envisioned that co-evolution with a systems thinking approach would lead to an increase in visitor quality and quantity. Studied co-evolution using a systems thinking approach in the exhibition industry are still in their early phases. The necessity for further co-creation research that more precisely articulates the modalities businesses can employ to progress towards co-creation is supported by this synthesis of earlier studies. Practical Implication – Co-evolution with this system thinking method seeks to increase the 'excellence service' of exhibition organizing activities and fulfill exhibitors' satisfaction for visitor quality and quantity to accomplish long-term IndoBuildTech show activities. R eferring to the strategic actions taken by Debindo-ITE on the system thinking process by identifying causal processes, as a result, the relationship between co-evolution and the systems thinking process approach is intertwined. Originiality/value – Studied co-evolution using a systems thinking approach in the exhibition industry are still in their early phases. The necessity for further co-creation research that more precisely articulates the modalities businesses can employ to progress towards co-creation is supported by this synthesis of earlier studies. This paper

CRITICALITY OF SUSTAINABLE DISASTER MANAGEMENT THROUGH COMMUNICATION, SITUATIONAL AWARENESS, AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

The sustainability development process is crucial towards the management of disasters. This study describes the criticality of communication, situational awareness and resource management as part of an effective disaster management process during response and early recovery in minimizing the impact of disasters and their losses. Being part of a larger research, the study utilizes a validated and published checklist to observe lead responding agencies and is validated via three validation approaches involving exercise logs by the exercise controller, lead agency officers at the site, and final emergency exercise reports. Results are also reinforced with a survey questionnaire towards lead responding agency decision-makers during disasters. Both methods allow the researcher to differentiate between the respondent's real-time response and the intended outcome. It is found that the enhancement of institutional capacities of nations' emergency responders can significantly improve and ensure sustainability in managing disasters through effective emergency management elements of communication, situational awareness and resource management. Hence, it is agreed that emergency responders should adopt a system-thinking approach and computer-aided decision support system for the management of emergencies and disasters. Keywords: Emergency Responder, Disaster Management, Situational Awareness, Resource Management, Communication Management DOI： https://doi.org/10.35741/issn.0258-2724.58.2.70

Leadership in multidisciplinary engineering projects: A review of effective management practices and outcomes

Multidisciplinary engineering projects present unique challenges due to the diverse expertise, perspectives, and objectives involved. Effective leadership in such settings is crucial to ensuring successful project execution, promoting collaboration, and achieving desired outcomes. This review explores the critical leadership practices that drive success in multidisciplinary engineering projects, focusing on project management methodologies, communication strategies, conflict resolution, and team dynamics. Key leadership traits such as adaptability, emotional intelligence, and decision-making capabilities are identified as essential for managing diverse teams. Furthermore, the role of leaders in fostering innovation and creativity is examined, particularly in managing interdisciplinary collaboration to integrate varying engineering disciplines seamlessly. The review also addresses the impact of leadership on project outcomes, including efficiency, innovation, and stakeholder satisfaction. Practical insights from case studies of successful multidisciplinary projects are provided to highlight leadership strategies that promote effective collaboration and problem-solving. By adopting a systems-thinking approach, leaders can align diverse engineering goals and resources to meet overall project objectives. This review concludes that successful leadership in multidisciplinary engineering projects requires a balance between technical expertise and soft skills, with an emphasis on clear communication, adaptability, and the ability to foster a collaborative work environment. As the complexity of engineering projects continues to increase, the need for strong leadership capable of navigating multidisciplinary challenges becomes even more critical. The findings from this review contribute to a growing body of knowledge on leadership best practices in engineering and offer practical recommendations for managers and leaders seeking to optimize outcomes in multidisciplinary projects.

Reimagining Social Work Education: A Systems-Thinking Approach to a BSW/MSW Program for Community College Students

ABSTRACT Community college students are an untapped reservoir of talent and including them in social work education aligns with the values of the profession. Yet these students encounter formidable obstacles on the path from a 2-year degree to an affordable social work degree. In this article, we describe the systems thinking underlying a newly instituted Bachelor of Social Work completer program and how this approach was used to address barriers posed by the transfer process. Such an analysis reveals ways to intervene and simplify the process. As our case illustrates, systems thinking sets the stage for social work education to be re-imagined as a national workforce pipeline rather than a collection of accredited programs at independent colleges and universities.

Bridging as Metaphor- A Systems Thinking Approach for Exploring Transboundary Risk

This paper provides a novel approach for understanding transboundary risk, including ‘grand challenges’ such as climate change. Discussion begins with an exploration of the origins of transboundary risk as a byproduct of globalization. Thereafter, the concept of ‘bridging’ is used in order to conceptualize the spread of transboundary risk across traditional physical boundaries, including geographic borders. Building upon prior theory, systems thinking and complexity are used as conceptual lenses for understanding the dynamics of transboundary risk. Scenario planning is offered as a means for envisioning and addressing the challenges presented by transboundary risk. The result of this discussion is a holistic, systems view of transboundary risk which stands in contrast to traditional, reductionist perspectives of risk. As such, the paper concludes by proposing a set of epistemological questions that emerge as a result of this shift.

Household perception and infestation dynamics of bedbugs among residential communities and its potential distribution in Africa

Bedbugs have experienced an extraordinary upsurge in the recent past across the world. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the community perception of the pest outbreaks, the population dynamics, and dispersal patterns under different habitat systems. A survey was conducted within communities in nine counties in Kenya, where geographical coordinates of the sites of bedbug presence were recorded and maximum entropy distribution modelling (MaxEnt) was used to map and predict the potentially suitable habitat, while system thinking and system dynamics approach with Vensim PLE 8.0.9 software was applied to implement bedbug infestation dynamics. Our results indicated that majority of the respondents had ample knowledge on bedbugs and were concerned about the physico-psychologic and socio-economic health effects. Spatial distribution analysis showed regions in Kenya with optimal to suitable for bedbug occurrence in the whole country, and similar results were found at continental level across Africa. Furthermore, infestation dynamics results showed a rapid mobility of bedbug from one house to another. In terms of management strategies, the models showed that the combination of chemical with other control methods was considerably much more effective compared to the use of chemical approach only, appointing integrated pest management strategy as a better intervention approach in controlling the pest.

Protecting Chiller Systems from Cyberattack Using a Systems Thinking Approach

Recent world events and geopolitics have brought the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyberattacks to the forefront. While there has been considerable attention to attacks on Information Technology (IT) systems, such as data theft and ransomware, the vulnerabilities and dangers posed by industrial control systems (ICS) have received significantly less attention. What is very different is that industrial control systems can be made to do things that could destroy equipment or even harm people. For example, in 2021 the US encountered a cyberattack on a water treatment plant in Florida that could have resulted in serious injuries or even death. These risks are based on the unique physical characteristics of these industrial systems. In this paper, we present a holistic, integrated safety and security analysis, we call Cybersafety, based on the STAMP (System-Theoretic Accident Model and Processes) framework, for one such industrial system—an industrial chiller plant—as an example. In this analysis, we identify vulnerabilities emerging from interactions between technology, operator actions as well as organizational structure, and provide recommendations to mitigate resulting loss scenarios in a systematic manner.

Strategic Facts as a Comprehensive Model for Defence Analysis

ABSTRACT This article explores the new research area of so-called strategic facts by examining the theoretical interaction between political and military elements in the context of defence. The research methodology uses a systems-thinking approach to conceptual interpretation. Specifically, the article references the work of French philosopher Émile Durkheim and his notion of social facts. The study concludes by suggesting that it is possible to compile an explanatory framework of the political-military nexus at the strategic level of defence by applying strategic facts as a model for defence analysis. It is also possible to identify strategic facts in the area of “defence as politics.” Further research into this topic would be useful.

Correction: Madden et al. A Systems Thinking Approach Investigating the Estimated Environmental and Economic Benefits and Limitations of Industrial Hemp Cultivation in Ireland from 2017–2021. Sustainability 2022, 14, 4159

The authors would like to make the following corrections to the published paper [...]