A system dynamics approach to technology sustainability assessment: The case of biodiesel developments in South Africa

Musango, Josephine Kaviti; Brent, Alan C.; Amigun, Bamikole; Pretorius, Leon; Müller, Hans Peter

doi:10.1016/j.technovation.2012.06.003

Cited by 50 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…A sustainability assessment that is based on the CLDs can be an alternative approach to the assessment methods that use a disaggregated list of sustainability indicators. Although the application of system dynamics and CLDs for the purposes of SA and CSA, including for manufacturing domain, has been reported and discussed [72,[134][135][136], this work emphasizes the benefits of the CLDs built upon the mental models of internal decision-makers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Testing and Verification of a New Corporate Sustainability Assessment Method for Manufacturing: A Multiple Case Research Study

Moldavska

Welo

2018

Sustainability

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This paper aims at answering the question of how to design a theoretically sound corporate sustainability assessment (CSA) method that can strengthen the ability of manufacturing companies to contribute to global sustainable development (SD). In our effort to answer this question, we conduct a case study to test a newly designed CSA method to develop assessment tools for each of four different case companies. The method combines criteria-based indicators development with qualitative system dynamics modeling based on mental models of decision-makers. This strategy ensures a holistic approach to what corporate sustainability and sustainable manufacturing are. The paper is intended to serve, first of all, as a practical guide to the development of CSA tools. The scientific value of the method is discussed in terms of how it assists in the development of a tool that provides the potential to overcome shortcomings of existing approaches to sustainability assessment and to embrace the complexity of the sustainability concept. From the case study results, we demonstrate the capability of the new method by showing how it satisfies scientific requirements to sustainability assessment and fulfills functions of CSA. We also show how it may overcome some of the observed limitations of existing CSA tools.Sustainability 2018, 10, 4121 2 of 40 nature of conducting sustainability assessments by the private sector can potentially lead to selective interpretation and reporting of sustainability performance outcomes, increasing the danger of greenwashing. There is also a necessity to extend the scope of such assessments beyond a company's internal performance indicators toward external data on sustainable development trends, risks, and opportunities [20]. Despite these recommendations, the success of the existing efforts is argued to be very limited [21] due to the fact that research on how to translate social and environmental boundaries into contextually-based measures of sustainable development is still in an embryonic stage (ibid). Thus, the translation of societal-level indicators to a corporate context remains one of the most significant challenges in the operationalization of SDGs in the business world. It has been argued that strategically mindful firms with a solid corporate philosophy that values environmentalism are more willing to practice corporate sustainability [22], which is driven by the corporate sustainability strategy [23].Research about corporate sustainability assessment is still dominated by neoclassical thinking that implies the use of the so-called paradigm of rational and objective knowledge [24]. Therefore, many of the currently prevailing assessment tools are quite technocratic and deterministic by nature, with characteristics of their techno-rational roots and a high level of engineering. Such tools are often considered to be 'truth machines', with the ability to deterministically predict the behaviour of systems in the future. The technocratic approach has resulted in significant limitations of CSA as ...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Testing and Verification of a New Corporate Sustainability Assessment Method for Manufacturing: A Multiple Case Research Study

Moldavska

Welo

2018

Sustainability

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“…However, dynamical models are more useful as these consider temporal lags and nonlinearities; have strong interface for scenario testing [Agarwal, et al (2002); Olabisi (2010)]; cover all the affecting forces [Yu, et al (2011)] and consider feedbacks in a system [Veldkamp and Lambinb (2001)]. System dynamics methodology considers dynamic behaviour of the components in a system [Sterman (2000); Musango, et al (2012)]. Computer based System Models are developed by constructing stocks and flows of information, material or data as sets of differential equations, linked through intermediary functions and data structures [Gilbert and Troitzsch (1999)].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forest Wood Consumption and Wood Shortage in Pakistan: Estimation and Projection through System Dynamics

Nazir¹,

Olabisi²,

Ahmad³

2018

PDR

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Consumption rates of major forest products such as timber and firewood, place significant strain on wood stock and forest area in Pakistan. With the country's rising population, the consumption of these two major products is increasing because of the growing energy demand, and no alternative products are likely to replace wood consumption in the near future. We apply system dynamics modelling to an analysis of the forestry sector in Pakistan for novel insights into the drivers and future trajectories of wood consumption. The present research is based on time series macroeconomic data from 1990-2010 and projections to 2040 of wood supply, forest area, population growth, wood extraction, wood imports and different uses of wood in the country. The study reveals that there is no significant increase in area under forest, while consumption of firewood and timber has increased. The consumption of firewood is greater than timber consumption in Pakistan, both in percentage share and in total volume of wood consumption. The sustainable supply of wood is less than wood consumption, and with population growth this gap is increasing; wood supply from agricultural lands is a viable option to fill the gap. Keywords: Wood Consumption, Sustainable Wood Supply, Projected Wood Shortage

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“…This research paper focuses on the policy formulation and evaluation phase of the modelling process. The causal loop diagram in the basic model in Figure 2 captures the risks and variables that were obtained and identified through discussions, interviews with practitioners in the power sector in Kenya, and focus group meetings that included representatives from the government, clients in the Kenyan power industry, and representatives from contracting firms active in that industry, and took into account reflections from the literature review (Brent et al [1], Forrester [5], Musango et al [9], Sterman [15], Sterman [16], Pruyt [11], Moyano and Richardson [8]). …”

Section: Figure 1: the Modelling Process Of Sterman [15]mentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of Policy Options for Projects in the Electricity Sector in Sub Saharan Africa: A System Dynamics Approach

Ogano

Pretorius

2017

SAJIE

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Many projects in the electricity energy sector in Africa's subSaharan region experience delays and challenges to quality, leading to frequent power outages that slow overall economic activity and frustrate investor confidence in the region. This paper presents the systemic methods employed to evaluate the dynamic consequences of policies in electricity energy sector projects in the region. The model uses the Vensim software to carry out the simulations. A range of illustrative scenarios are provided and analysed, and the paper compares and contrasts these different scenarios. The results show that there is merit in improving project management competence in the region. A shortage of commissioning engineers also emerged as a major problem in the projects, leading to multitasking as the few existing commissioning engineers move from one project to another. To address this weakness, the study proposes that contracting firms be compelled to employ a higher proportion of commissioning engineers. OPSOMMINGBaie projekte in die elektrisiteit energiesektor in die sub-SaharaAfrika streek ervaar kwaliteit uitdagings en vertragings, wat lei tot gereelde kragonderbrekings. Dit verlangsaam die algehele ekonomiese aktiwiteit en frustreer beleggersvertroue in die streek. Hierdie artikel bied die sistemiese metodes wat gebruik is om die dinamiese gevolge van beleid in die elektrisiteit energiesektor projekte in die streek te evalueer. Die model maak gebruik van die Vensim sagteware om die simulasies uit te voer. 'n Verskeidenheid van illustratiewe scenario's word aangebied en ontleed, en die verskillende scenario's word vergelyk en kontrasteer. Die resultate wys dat daar meriete is in die verbetering van projekbestuur kundigheid in die streek. Die tekort aan ingenieurs wat die projekte kan uitvoer, is ook uitgewys as 'n groot problem, waar die van die ingenieurs verwag word om met 'n multi-taak benadering tussen die projekte te beweeg. Om dit te adresseer, word daar voorgestel dat die kontrakteurs 'n groter hoeveelheid van die ingenieurs moet indiens neem.

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A system dynamics approach to technology sustainability assessment: The case of biodiesel developments in South Africa

Cited by 50 publications

References 23 publications

Testing and Verification of a New Corporate Sustainability Assessment Method for Manufacturing: A Multiple Case Research Study

Testing and Verification of a New Corporate Sustainability Assessment Method for Manufacturing: A Multiple Case Research Study

Forest Wood Consumption and Wood Shortage in Pakistan: Estimation and Projection through System Dynamics

Analysis of Policy Options for Projects in the Electricity Sector in Sub Saharan Africa: A System Dynamics Approach

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