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Towards a Sustainable Resource Management : A Broader Systems Approach to Product Design and Waste ManagementSingh, Jagdeep January 2013 (has links)
Rapid economic growth, urbanisation and increasing population have caused (materially intensive) resource consumption to increase, and consequently the release of large amounts of waste to the environment. Numerous technological and operational approaches to resource management have been introduced throughout the system of production, consumption and waste management. This thesis concludes that the current, rather isolated, efforts to influence different systems for waste management, waste reduction and resource management are indeed not sufficient from a long-term sustainability perspective. To manage resources and waste sustainably, resource management requires a more systems-oriented approach, which addresses the root causes of the problems. This thesis identifies and discusses different sustainability challenges facing the global waste management system. To address these challenges a broader systems approach to waste management is proposed. The thesis argues that there is a need to recognise the multitudes of perspectives, cross-scale dynamics and actors’ interactions at various levels. The barriers and limitations to a systems-oriented management of waste generation including design, production, consumption and waste management are discussed. The study utilises soft systems methodology (by Checkland (2000)) within which different concepts and methods are utilised to present a worldwide view on resource dynamics and develop a research heuristic for sustainable resource management. The study emphasises the need for a shared vision among various actors across the chain of production and consumption. To assist better planning, the need for improved databases on resource use and wastes is emphasised. / <p>QC 20140211</p>
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SYSTEMS THINKING IN SOCIALLY ENGAGED DESIGN SETTINGSChanel M Beebe (10520390) 07 May 2021 (has links)
<p>Socially engaged design programs, community
development coalitions, and intentional and unintentional design spaces are
rich with expertise and thinkers who are developing solutions to very pressing,
yet complicated problems. Little research has been conducted on the expertise
and sense-making of the community partners who participate in these situations.
The goal of this research endeavor is to unpack the ways various community
partners make meaning of their design experiences by answering the question:
What evidence of system’s thinking can be seen in the way community partners
describe their work or context? A qualitative research study was conducted in
which three community partners were interviewed at various points during their
engagement with socially engaged design programs. They demonstrated their systems thinking
ability most strongly across the following domains: differentiate and qualify
elements, explore multiple perspectives, consider issues appropriately,
recognize systems, identify and characterize relationships. These findings imply
that the community partners are not only capable of systems thinking but have
the potential to be more deeply involved in <a>developing solutions</a> within
these settings. Future studies should investigate systems thinking beyond
socially engaged design in formal settings and should consider investigation
protocols that more directly surface systems thinking domains. Overall, this study contributes to existing work in systems thinking
by calling for a more expansive and inclusive engagement of community partners in
socially engaged work.</p>
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The carbon cycle and systems thinking : Conceptualizing a visualization-based learning system for teaching the carbon cycle that supports systems thinkingMani Kashani, Mina January 2021 (has links)
Today, climate change, has become one of the greatest societal challenges of our time. This challenge requires an accurate understanding of climate change for making informed decisions regarding the environmental issues. The carbon cycle is one of the earth’s complicated cycles that has a critical role in the planet’s climate. Developing a thorough perception about this complex cycle uncovers how human activities impact the planet and reveals the connection between multiple environmental issues.Perceiving this complex cycle requires systems thinking skills that enable students to recognize components of the carbon cycle and understand the interrelating dynamic relationship between them. Establishing systems thinking skills and developing a thorough perception about the carbon cycle is a difficult matter for students. Adaptive visualisation-based tutoring systems have a great potential for facilitating teaching and learning cyclical models and systems thinking in schools. Such systems consider the students’ needs and provide personalised feedback that can guide individuals more effectively throughout the learning process. This thesis project intends to use diagrammatic visualizations, systems thinking, and adaptive tutoring systems as three technical approaches for conceptualising a learning system that aims to teach the carbon cycle. The framework of this thesis project is formed in relation to a research project called ‘Tracing Carbon’ focusing on science education for pupils on grade 7-9.
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Integrating Accessibility into Digital Design Processes : A Systemic ApproachPihavaara, Jasmin January 2020 (has links)
Today's digital products, services and experiences need to be designed with accessibility in mind in order to provide equal opportunities in use and enjoyment for the growing group of users with permanent, temporary and situational impairments. However, the topic still seems to be an afterthought in practice. With the research question 'What are the enablers and inhibitors for integrating accessibility into digital design processes from a systemic perspective?', this thesis aims to identify factors that drive or hinder accessibility efforts among design practitioners in Germany and how these factors may interrelate. Accessibility integration is therefore defined as a system. The research is based on a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with four UX Designers, two UI Designers and one Chief Creative Officer with varying experiences regarding accessibility in past projects. By conducting a content analysis, the responses are grouped into categories and further visualized in the form of system archetypes to understand systemic behavior. The findings indicate that integration of accessibility into digital design processes is influenced by many enabling and inhibiting factors, of technical, individual, societal, institutional, regulatory, economic and financial as well as cliental and organizational nature, turning the topic into a complex, wicked problem. While economic reasons were a dominant force driving the system's behavior, it appears that the underlying mental models of all actors involved are significantly contributing to the state of accessibility in design practice.
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THE PUZZLE OF INCLUDING A STRATEGIC SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL CONFLICT ANALYSISBauhofer, Fiona, Forge-Carron, Laurian, Njoroge, Loise January 2022 (has links)
Sustainable development (SD) in conflict analysis is rarely considered, given that older theories mainly inform conflict analysis. This research set out to establish the potential influence of combining Strategic Sustainable Development (SSD) and conflict analysis. The current situation and possible influence were assessed through the primary data source, which constituted practitioners and researchers in international political conflict analysis. That was then compared to existing data on both conflict analysis and SSD. It was evident that some aspects of sustainability are already present in current conflict analysis tools but highlighted either social or ecological components. The complexity of conflict was clearly identified due to its cyclical nature and the different stakeholders involved. A need for an analysis tool combining complexity and a sustainability perspective was seen. It was argued that power dynamics in conflict analysis and the applicability of conflict analysis frameworks must be considered. Our findings indicate a place for SSD in conflict analysis, which translates into multiple application modes (e.g., root cause identification). There is a need for further research on how these two fields can complement each other and how to represent the interconnection into a practical conflict analysis tool.
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MIXED METHODS STUDY OF FACTORS INFLUENCING BUSINESS TO BUSINESS (B2B) SALES PERFORMANCE: THE ROLE OF DESIGN ATTITUDESt. Clair, Donald Philip 04 June 2018 (has links)
No description available.
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Waste beyond Watts : Applying a systems perspective to the barriers for recycling photovoltaic modules in South Africa and SwedenRhode, Sarah, Wassdahl, Mikael January 2024 (has links)
Recent efforts mitigating the global energy crisis has led to a radical shifttowards solar energy production. However, photovoltaic module (PVM) waste remains a grave concern. Burden shifting within a system is attributed to the lack of systems thinking applied in socio-technical transitions. Policies describe the processes for end-of-life management such as recycling, yet in practice leaves room for improvement. This paper aims to aid decision-makers with a systems perspective examining the barriers to increased recycling of PVMs. A comparative case study using qualitative data was collected from 12 semi structured interviews in South Africa and Sweden. Interviewees were recognized as key actors in the solar energy transition, as well as having a role to play in recycling PVMs. Using systems thinking approach, the interview results were used to define and visualize a social-technological-ecological system (STES), as well as its components and their relationships contained therein. The STES for Sweden included 12 components with 15 different relationships. Whereas South Africa’s systems included 13 components and 25 different relationships, owing to the addition of the ‘Social equity’ component and several more relationships within the social subsystem, extending to the technological subsystem. Barriers, where connections between components were disconnected, were interpreted. Despite the stark contrast between South Africa and Sweden’s landscapes and regimes, the pathways to bridge barriers are relatively the same. These include implementing economic instruments to encourage recycling, circular design of PVMs, and enhancing the information, knowledge and skills of recycling processes. The transition’s maturity was an overarching theme influencing the broader state of the system. Further research on the cognitive dissonance of sustainability transitions and the long-term impacts, as well as cause and effects relationships between components, and refining component definitions in the social subsystem based on emerging literature are encouraged.
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Tensions in Transition : Identifying Barriers to Cross-Sectoral Collaboration Towards Circular Economy in PlasticsLorenc, Natalia, Schadt, Malin January 2024 (has links)
This study explores the barriers to cross-sector collaboration among NGOs, for-profit organizations, PBCs, social enterprise and public entities within the plastic industry, aiming to identify the challenges hindering the transition towards a holistic circular economy. The research investigates the complex dynamics and interconnected factors that impede collaborative efforts in addressing the global plastic pollution crisis. Employing a qualitative approach, the study conducted semi-structured interviews with actors representing various sectors and roles within the plastic value chain. The research design involved a thematic analysis of the interview data, guided by the theoretical frameworks of Social Network Theory, Systems Thinking, and Innovation. This approach allowed for a comprehensive examination of the barriers to cross-sector collaboration, considering the interplay of power dynamics, economic priorities, and the lack of feasible, scalable solutions. The findings reveal three major barriers: power imbalances and disconnect among actors within the plastic industry network, the prioritization of profit over sustainability in the current economic system, and the absence of realistic, feasible solutions that can be implemented on a large scale across the entire value chain. The study highlights the necessity of fostering an inclusive environment, shifting mindsets, and developing innovative, scalable solutions to overcome these barriers. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex challenges in achieving cross-sector collaboration and provide valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers working towards a sustainable future in the plastic industry.
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Organic structures for manufacturing support services : the role of affective commitmentJaaron, Ayham A. M. January 2010 (has links)
Manufacturing support services, operating as call centres, are one of the fastest growing and preferred means of service delivery in today's ever-changing manufacturing environment. The call centre has a significant potential to provide support to manufacturing organizations with business intelligence captured during contacts with customers. Research has shown that affective commitment is of particular significance in the workplace since this has been found to have the greatest impact on individuals performance, on-work behaviour and ultimately organisational effectiveness (Porter, Steers & Boulian 1974, Sung 2007, Shum 2008, Herscovitch 2002, Gong 2009). Meyer and Allen (1991) define affective commitment as a measure of the employee's emotional attachment to the organisation, the strength of identification with the goals of the organisation and strength of commitment to its success and continuous improvement. However, call centres are mechanistic structure models represented by close monitoring of words, stressful working loads, emotional exhaustion and burnout, and minor empowerment of employees. As a result employees lack affective commitment which detrimentally influences the service quality and has consequences such as high employee turnover and low customer satisfaction. Mechanistic structures are inward oriented structures that must be shielded from the environment but call centres are outward-facing entities. This firmly implies that call centres must be given a certain form of organic structure that will stimulate affective commitment building among employees and improve work conditions. This study aims to identify that by the implementation of an organic structure, through a systems engineering approach, to the design of manufacturing support services, the affective commitment of front-line employees will significantly increase, and due to that significant, but often counter-intuitive, benefits can be created. Conducted on a multiple-case design, three organisations were selected in this research study to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. Results were analysed for each case individually before it was analysed on inter-case basis. This has been done to show differences and similarities in patterns of data across the case studies. Results from the research show that structuring call centres around the principles of systems thinking will produce an organically structured support services department that will improve employees working conditions, and will formally institute the integration of call centre with other business units in the manufacturing organisation. The cross-case comparison revealed significant improvement in employees affective commitment level using organic structure when contrasted with employees working under mechanistic structure designs. It was revealed that by leveraging employee s affective commitment that significant benefits can be created at different levels in the organisation; an employee s level, managerial level, customer level, and the overall business level. A novel methodology for organic structures implementation, as a value creating model, was formulated. The emerged methodology consists of six major tasks and a decision making criteria. Results from this research indicate that there is a need for manufacturing organisations to structure their support services departments following organic structures that could provide a rewarding working experience for their employees while achieving organisational goals. The study makes an explicit practical contribution for manufacturing organisations in the selection of proper support service design and contribute substantially to the theory about manufacturing support services structures and management.
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Att köpa en framtid : En flerfallstudie av kommuners processer för avtalsuppföljningar gällande upphandlade HVBBlomberg, Åsa, Wadell, Susanne January 2016 (has links)
Syftet med denna studie har varit att bidra med kunskap kring hur ett ökat processfokus kan förbättra avtalsuppföljning i offentlig sektor. Som metod valdes en kvalitativ flerfallstudie där tre kommuners uppföljningar av avtal rörande hem för vård och boende (HVB) för ungdomar studerades. Genom studien belystes den komplexitet som omgärdar uppföljning av vårdavtal inom offentlig verksamhet. Tidigare studier har även belyst den utsatthet som omringar placerade ungdomar och visat på behovet av att säkerställa kvalitet i den vård kommunerna avtalar om. Ett sätt att hantera denna komplexitet skulle kunna vara att tillämpa ett systemteoretiskt synsätt, med de värderingar, verktyg och arbetssätt som kännetecknar offensiv kvalitetsteknik. Studiens resultat visar att ett ökat processfokus med processledning som arbetsmetod skulle kunna fungera som ett stöd i ett fortsatt och fördjupat arbete med kvalitet avseende avtalsuppföljningsprocessen. / The aim of this study has been to contribute with knowledge regarding in what way a processorientation can improve the way public sector manage contracts. As a method a qualitative multicasestudy was used. Three municipalities, and the way they manage contracts with residential carehomes for children and young persons (HVB) was studied. The study showed a complex situation surrounding the carecontract management in public sector. As a way of handling this complex situation the municipalities would gain from using a systems thinking, with the values, tools and workmethods that characterizes Total Quality Management. With an increased processorientation using processmanagement as a tool, the municipalities could improve the quality in their process for managing contracts.
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