The systemic interactions between performance towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals: An exploratory analysis of 155 countries

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School of Business | Master's thesis
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Date

2020

Department

Johtamisen laitos

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Mcode

Degree programme

Creative Sustainability

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en

Pages

109

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Abstract

Over four years have passed since 193 countries brought the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into practice. The 17 goals, designed to be holistic and universal in nature, are to be met by all countries by 2030. Thus far, however, limited attention has been paid to the interactions between performance changes in achieving SDGs. Previous research has been inconclusive in its findings and has placed focus solely upon interactions between absolute levels of SDG performance. Using systems thinking as a theoretical basis, this study explores the statistical relationships between both absolute performance as well as performance changes in SDG achievement in order to develop a deeper understanding of the interactions underpinning the Sustainable Development Goals. The study examines these interactions at a global level as well as examining whether interactions differ based on a country’s level of economic development. These relationships are analysed through correlational analyses, network visualisations and exploratory factor analyses. The study finds that interactions between absolute SDG performance and SDG performance changes are not consistent in terms of their synergies and trade-offs, with interactions for performance change found to be weaker and less significant. Negative interactions in all analyses suggest that trade-offs are inevitable, and question the theoretical basis of the SDGs as a network which can feasibly be targeted holistically, despite this being a necessity according to previous theory. Interactions also are found to differ based on a country’s income group, bringing into question whether SDG strategies can be applied in a one-size-fits-all method for all countries across the planet. The complexity of interactions uncovered within the network reinforces common ideas within systems thinking as a theoretical perspective.

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Lankoski, Leena

Keywords

sustainability, SDGs, interactions, systems thinking, network analysis

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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202008234857

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