Research Proposal: New Innovative Approach to Sustainable Development

This PhD research proposal examines the complexities of sustainable development (SD), its current practices, and outcomes. The research aims to develop new innovative theoretical modeling approaches, practical tools, and technologies to better understand and inform decision-making in the context of SD. The proposal addresses key research questions including the current complexities of SD programs, the impacts of existing institutions and policies, the need for innovation, the potential of new tools and technologies, and the relationship between innovation and sustainability. The research will delve into four integral topics: the history and definitions of SD, the limitations and cultural theories of SD, the analysis of current implementation of theories and tools, and the application of modern management science theories and tools, including data analytics and artificial intelligence. The methodology includes both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The expected outcome is a framework that reflects benefits for the environment, communities, individuals, employment, and organizations, emphasizing economic viability, efficiency, and the velocity and volume needed for sustainability. The proposal also highlights the importance of robust strategies that can withstand changes in governments and financial crises.

Sustainable Development New Innovative Approach

Sustainable Development New Innovative Approach
Abstract
This research proposal examines the current sustainable development complexities,
practices and outcomes. The focus and contribution shall address new innovative theoretical
modeling approach, practical tools and new technologies. The expected result shall be better
understanding and hence help in making decisions in a complex world that is in great need for
sustainable development (SD). The following research questions to be answered.
1. What is the current world experienced complexities of (SD) programs?
2. What impacts and implications derived from current institutions, regulations and
policies?
3. Why we need to be innovative?
4. What new tools and new technologies can we use to produce sound and strategic (SD)
and growth?
5. What is the relationship between innovation and sustainability?
Due to the great importance of the sustainable development (SD) and growth for
humanity, environment, business and industries. Related literatures and critical thinking,
examining the complexities and different aspects of the cultural, management, systems theories
associated by several disciplines such as environmental, geographical science and economics.
The PhD research proposal going to perform a deep dive into four (SD) integral topics.
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Sustainable Development New Innovative Approach
The first topic explores the History, current situation, diversity of (SD) and growth
definitions. Further, main policy model’s identification, integration insights requirements for a
theoretical explanation of the plurality of perspectives in the (SD) arguments and debate.
The second topic introduces and discuss the complexity, limitations and cultural theory,
then examine how new methods or approaches can bring about improvement supporting better
understanding, planning and implementation of long-lasting sustainability development and
growth.
The third topic is about end to end analyzing the current situation, implementation of the
different theories and practicing tools. Organizations performing the SD programs. The
achievements and arguments against current theories yielding significant new insights or
resilience in policy making for sustainability.
The final topic explores how the modern management science theories and tools shall
help when applied to deliver sustainability. The introduction of new Technologies and Tools
Such as Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are believed to help decision makers take
the appropriate decisions. New innovative framework methodology will help building and
reflecting the benefits for environment, communities, individuals, employments and
organizations. The research proposal conclusion shall reflect the benefits of economic of scale
and viability, efficiency, velocity and volume needed for sustainability.
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Sustainable Development New Innovative Approach
Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................5
Background Information..........................................................................................................................5
Problem Statement...................................................................................................................................7
Research Objectives................................................................................................................................7
Research Justification..............................................................................................................................8
Literature Review......................................................................................................................................11
Economic Aspect of Sustainable Development.....................................................................................11
Society Aspect of Sustainable Development.........................................................................................12
Environment Aspect of Sustainable Development.................................................................................13
Research Question.....................................................................................................................................14
Methodology.............................................................................................................................................17
Qualitative Research Method.................................................................................................................17
Data Source, Collection and Sampling..............................................................................................17
Quantitative Research Method...............................................................................................................18
Data Source, Collection and Sampling..............................................................................................19
References.................................................................................................................................................20
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Sustainable Development New Innovative Approach
Introduction
Background Information
Sustainability is presently an area of interest that has grown beyond big global cooperates
and organization into the daily human life. The desire to adopt a balanced approach to aspects of
life is the key motivating factor for this incorporation of sustainability into daily life (Black,
2013). Sustainability in itself refers to the maintenance of activities at levels that allow for
continuity of existence (Senthil, 2014). Sustainability forms the foundation for the understanding
of sustainable development, which therefore captures the maintenance of development at levels
that allow development to be continuously carried out.
Development is mainly associated with availability of resources, availability of personnel
and management. These three points of view are informative of the success of a development
project as well as its longevity. Sustainable development borrows from these points of view with
the aspects of sustainable development being environment, society and economy (United
Nations, 2016). The environment aspect relates to the issue of availability and utilization of
natural resources in development. The society aspect relates to the issue of the availability and
utilization of personnel in development, and extends to cover issues of social equity. The
economy aspect relates to the issue of management and governance when it comes to
development.
Since the emergence of sustainability and sustainable development as a matter of global
interest, there has an increase in the understanding of the concept of sustainability. This has led
to the broadening of the perceptions around approaches to sustainable development.
Sustainability is largely associated with climate change and global warming, and consequently
this has been the main perception to sustainable development. Whereas it is true that climate
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Sustainable Development New Innovative Approach
change and global warming have brought more focus onto sustainable development, the three
aspects of sustainable development are interrelated to an extent that one aspect, such as
environment in the case of climate change and global warming, cannot be viewed or achieved in
isolation.
Both global and local initiatives have successfully been able to introduce the other
perspectives relating to the aspects of society and economy. For instance, the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) in United Nations (2016) captures the three aspects of sustainable
development in a total of 17 goals, which further expands the perception of sustainable
development. Much like its successor, the Millennium Development Goals in WHO (2019)
contained aspects of sustainable development in a total of 8 goals adopted in the years 2000. The
replacement of the Millennium Development Goals with the Sustainable Development Goals in
the year 2015 is an indication of the growth and change in the understanding of the nature and
approaches to sustainable development.
The Sustainable Development Goals expands some of the Millennium Development
Goals to form multiple goals and mergers others into single goals. Consider Millennium
Development Goals 4, 5 and 6 on reducing child mortality, improve mental health and combat
HIV/AIDS, and other diseases which were merged together to form Sustainable Development
Goal 3 on Good Health and Well Being. Millennium Goal 8 on developing a global partnership
on development was on the other hand split and extended to form Sustainable Goals 8, 9 and 12
on decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, and responsible
consumption and production. This provides further evidence of growth and change in the
understanding of the nature and approaches to sustainable development.
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Sustainable Development New Innovative Approach
This proposed research will focus on observing the existing sustainable development
approaches in terms of complexities, practices and outcomes. This will then be contrasted with
new theoretical modelling approaches, practical tools and new technologies relating to
sustainable development.
Problem Statement
The change in the understanding of the nature of sustainable development brings the
challenge of developing approaches that suit this new understanding. Alongside the new
understanding of sustainable development, the rapidly changing social, economic and political
dynamics adds to the motivation for developing approaches that are easily adaptable to this
rapidly changing environment. There is need for developing approaches that are able to
withstand the tests presented by the global and local dynamics without the need for frequent
changes to adapt to new global and local environments. Therefore, a research into contrasting
current approaches and new innovative approaches to sustainable development will be beneficial
in the development of more robust approaches.
Research Objectives
The objectives of this research are:
1. To determine the current world experienced complexities of sustainable development
programs.
2. To determine the impacts and implications of current institutions, regulations and policies
with reference to sustainable development.
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Sustainable Development New Innovative Approach
3. To determine whether there is need for innovation in sustainable development.
4. To determine which new tools and technologies can be used to produce sound and
strategic sustainable development and growth.
5. To determine the relationship between the innovation and sustainability.
Research Justification
The continuously changing nature of the global environment with regards to social,
economic and political events imply that long-term plans require to be resistant to these changes.
Sustainable development policies adopted by governments, companies and organizations should
be resistant in order to protect their interests in the long-term while achieving sustainable
development. Plans revolving around sustainable development are usually long-term plans since
the impact is normally slow but long lasting. Hence, short-term plans cannot be developed to
address sustainable development. This is especially because the mandate of the plan might come
to an end before any of the impacts of the plans are visible. Given the mandate has ended, the
intended purpose of the plan may all together not be realized. This leaves sustainable
development with only long-term plans and strategies for realization of its goals.
In terms of governance, governments around the world are elected on an average of 5-
year tenures (Lina & Martina, 2017). Considering the Millennium Development Goals that had a
15-year mandate, this would translate to three different governments in most countries around
the world. Although the selection of leadership is a democratic process and therefore has to be
respected, a case of change in regimes may result in change in policies. A new government
coming into power may not have the same vision for sustainable development as the previous
government that agreed to a sustainable development approach (Markus, Arne, & Antje, 2019).
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Sustainable Development New Innovative Approach
Such a change in both vision and policy on sustainable development ultimately have negative
impacts on sustainable development strategies that are not build to be robust.
An example is the new government in the United States of America from the November
8, 2016 elections. The administration of President Donald Trump, which took over from the
administration of President Barack Obama, has been keener on reviving and reenergizing
struggling industries in the country (Kimberly, 2019). This is being part of the campaign pledges
of the administration’s presidential campaign. Among the industries that the administration has
developed and implemented policies to revive and reenergize is the coal industry (Kimberly,
2019). Although these policies are aimed at improving the economy of the country, it represents
a radical shift from the clean energy policy of the previous administration. The clean energy
policy formed part of the sustainable development plan for industries in the United States of
America under the administration of President Barack Obama. Therefore, since the sustainable
development strategy was not developed to be robust to the change in administrations it has
necessitated the development of alternative approaches.
The decision-making in companies is mainly based on the market performances and
movements. A shift in the market indicators may move a company from a financially
comfortable position to a position that limits its decision-making with regards to operations and
resource utilization (Kiechel, 2010). A case in point is the global financial crisis of 2008, which
affected the assets of companies around the world. The financial impact on a global scale such as
this one implies that any long-term commitments made by companies are affected and more
likely to be abandoned all together (Sam, David, Leybourne, Robert, & Taylor, 2018). The
adoption of sustainable development approaches in most cases is costly in the short-term with
break-even and profitability in the long-term (Eugen, Cristina, & Zaharia, 2015). Hence,
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Sustainable Development New Innovative Approach
companies usually adopt these approaches at a point where are financially stable enough to
withstand the short-term costs. However an unexpected financial crisis on the level of the 2008
financial crisis or more recently the US-China trade wars may force a company to limit its
adoption of sustainable development approaches and in the worst-case scenario, completely
abandon the approaches. Hence, this puts emphasis on the need for sustainable development
approaches that are robust enough to withstand such financial crises.
The decision and success of both local and international organizations in adoption of
sustainable development approaches is heavily dependent on the governments’ position and
policies on sustainability. The position and policies on sustainability determines whether a
government will provide funding and support towards the initiatives by local and global
organizations towards achieving sustainable development (Ricardo, Roberto, & Daríoo, 2019).
Therefore, robust sustainable development approaches, with a level of independence from
governments’ position and policies on sustainability are necessary.
This research aim at looking into the robustness of sustainable development approaches
through evaluation of both the current and new innovative approaches. The findings will provide
actionable recommendations that will help in developing sustainable development approaches
that can withstand change in governments and financial crises around the world and locally.
Such recommendations will be essential in ensuring that sustainable development is achievable
for the different stakeholders. The findings will also be crucial in contributing to the existing
knowledge on sustainable development in general and specifically on new innovative approaches
to sustainable development.
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Sustainable Development New Innovative Approach
Literature Review
Economic Aspect of Sustainable Development
The study in Rohit & Peter (2017) involves the comparative analysis of the sustainable
development of urban rails in Hong Kong, New York, London and India with the aim of deriving
lessons from which new cities can learn. The construction of rails have played important roles
throughout history in the economic development and growth of countries (Rohit & Peter, 2017).
Comparative analysis is used in Rohit & Peter (2017) for the urban rails in the cities of interest,
with focus on their financing. Through comparative analysis, Rohit & Peter (2017) finds that
innovative financing is important in the construction of sustainable urban rails. Rohit & Peter
(2017) argues that equal focus should be given to the financing as is given to the provision of
transportation in order to ensure sustainability is achieved. The research notes innovative
financing approaches, such as proper infrastructural financing model based on finance
structuring for the entire project life cycle, as important for ensuring sustainability in the
development of urban rails.
Katrina, Anni-Kaisa & Jukka (2019) evaluated the relationship that exists between
innovation in supply management, supplier orientation and the sustainability performance of
firms. The study applied an empirical study research design to investigate this relationship for
the case of both medium size and large firms in Finland. Katrina, Anni-Kaisa & Jukka (2019)
notes that in recent times there has been evidence pointing to a rise in sustainability driven
innovation with the European Union recording a 52% rise. The study also states that
sustainability performance of firms is to some extent dependent on its size, with large firms
being able to adopt sustainability approaches more than firms that are smaller. Katrina, Anni-
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Sustainable Development New Innovative Approach
Kaisa & Jukka (2019) concludes that supply management innovativeness and supplier
orientation have significant effect on the sustainability performance of firms.
Society Aspect of Sustainable Development
Atih, Muhammad & Hakimi (2016) considers the Sustainable Development Goals in
United Nations (2016) from an Islamic perspective. The study focuses on how the Islamic
society views sustainable development and the proposed approaches to achieving the associated
goals. Atih, Muhammad & Hakimi (2016) argues that since 7 out of the 17 Sustainable
Development Goals are people-centered, consideration should be given to societal norms of the
different peoples around the world when approaches are being developed. The study proposes
spiritual based approaches to sustainable development in Muslim countries. In the conclusion,
Atih, Muhammad & Hakimi (2016) states that in Muslim countries, spirituality is ideal in
creating social and environmental awareness necessary in sustainable development.
Benjamin & Jonn (2018) define automobility as the continued desire and preference for
single user automobiles that are gasoline-powered and privately owned. The research notes both
the negative societal and environmental consequences of automobility with respect to sustainable
development. Benjamin & Jonn (2018) develops a framework for identifying the different
aspects of automobility as foundations for the development of approaches to sustainable
development. In general, the study develops four frames for automobility: societal-symbolic
covering innovativeness and self-sufficiency, societal-functional covering sub-urbanization and
environmental stewardship, private-symbolic covering expression of gender identity and
expression of class and wealth, and private-functional covering mobile digital offices and
cocooning and fortressing. The frames form the breakdown from which customized sustainable
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