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A Systems Thinking Approach to identify Leverage Points for Sustainability: A Case Study in the Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve, Vietnam

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  • Nam C. Nguyen
  • Ockie J. H. Bosch

Abstract

The nature and practice of sustainability is very complex, multi‐dimensional and dynamic. Traditional and reductionist approaches have shown their inability to address sustainability issues. Increasing complex issues and challenges related to sustainability requires a fresh approach to address the multi‐dimensional and multi‐disciplinary nature of complexity. In this paper, systems thinking is used in a case study in a UNESCO designated Biosphere Reserve to demonstrate its application to effectively address complex and sustainability issues. A systems model has been developed, and various tools, processes and techniques of systems thinking have been used in the study. The systems model and its associated systems archetypes are qualitatively analysed to provide insights into potential system behaviour and to facilitate the identification of leverage points and systemic intervention strategies that are required for the sustainable development of the Biosphere. The unique approach used in this study has significant potential to apply globally considering the comprehensive network of Biosphere Reserves around the world, as well as the various sustainability and other complex issues that our society is facing. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Nam C. Nguyen & Ockie J. H. Bosch, 2013. "A Systems Thinking Approach to identify Leverage Points for Sustainability: A Case Study in the Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve, Vietnam," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 104-115, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:srbeha:v:30:y:2013:i:2:p:104-115
    DOI: 10.1002/sres.2145
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    1. Marta Berbés-Blázquez & Carrie L. Mitchell & Sarah L. Burch & Johanna Wandel, 2017. "Understanding climate change and resilience: assessing strengths and opportunities for adaptation in the Global South," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 141(2), pages 227-241, March.
    2. Kwamina E. Banson & Nam C. Nguyen & Ockie J. H. Bosch & Thich V. Nguyen, 2015. "A Systems Thinking Approach to Address the Complexity of Agribusiness for Sustainable Development in Africa: A Case Study in Ghana," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(6), pages 672-688, November.
    3. Fernando Ramos-Quintana & Héctor Sotelo-Nava & Hugo Saldarriaga-Noreña & Efraín Tovar-Sánchez, 2019. "Assessing the Environmental Quality Resulting from Damages to Human-Nature Interactions Caused by Population Increase: A Systems Thinking Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-29, April.
    4. Sagie, Hila & Orenstein, Daniel E., 2022. "Benefits of Stakeholder integration in an ecosystem services assessment of Mount Carmel Biosphere Reserve, Israel," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
    5. Ana María González & Harrison Sandoval & Pilar Acosta & Felipe Henao, 2016. "On the Acceptance and Sustainability of Renewable Energy Projects—A Systems Thinking Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-21, November.
    6. Yong S. Nyam & Julius H. Kotir & Andries J. Jordaan & Abiodun A. Ogundeji & Adetoso A. Adetoro & Israel R. Orimoloye, 2020. "Towards Understanding and Sustaining Natural Resource Systems through the Systems Perspective: A Systematic Evaluation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-20, November.
    7. Phuong T. Nguyen & Sam Wells, 2018. "Systemic Indicators for Rural Communities in Developing Economies: Bringing the Shared Vision into Being," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 31(2), pages 159-177, April.
    8. Laterra, Pedro & Weyland, Federico & Auer, Alejandra & Barral, Paula & González, Aira & Mastrángelo, Matías & Rositano, Florencia & Sirimarco, Ximena, 2023. "MARCHI: A serious game for participatory governance of ecosystem services in multiple-use protected areas," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    9. Phuong T. Nguyen & Sam Wells & Nam Nguyen, 2019. "A Systemic Indicators Framework for Sustainable Rural Community Development," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 32(3), pages 335-352, June.
    10. Kwamina Ewur Banson & Daniel Kwasi Asare & Fidelis Doodaa Dery & Kwadwo Boakye & Akudugu Boniface & Moses Asamoah & Lourees Esi Awotwe, 2020. "Impact of Fall Armyworm on Farmer’s Maize: Systemic Approach," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 33(2), pages 237-264, April.
    11. Toshiro Kiura & Ockie J. H. Bosch & Nam C. Nguyen & Seiko Shirasaka & Takashi Maeno, 2014. "Creating a New Business Through Applying the Systems‐Based Evolutionary Learning Laboratory Approach," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(6), pages 696-707, November.
    12. Vladislav Valentinov & Lioudmila Chatalova, 2016. "Institutional Economics and Social Dilemmas: a Systems Theory Perspective," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(1), pages 138-149, January.
    13. bahri, muhamad, 2020. "Analysis of the water, energy, and food nexus using system archetypes: A case study in the Jatiluhur reservoir, West Java, Indonesia," SocArXiv c9b7d, Center for Open Science.
    14. Kwamina Ewur Banson & Nam C. Nguyen & Ockie J. H. Bosch, 2016. "Using System Archetypes to Identify Drivers and Barriers for Sustainable Agriculture in Africa: A Case Study in Ghana," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(1), pages 79-99, January.
    15. Yun Eui Choi & Kihwan Song & Min Kim & Junga Lee, 2017. "Transformation Planning for Resilient Wildlife Habitats in Ecotourism Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-28, March.
    16. Jakaria Dasan & Fatimah Ahmedy & Shamezah Shamsul & Elia Godoong & Coswald Stephen Sipaut & Mohammad Saffree Jeffree, 2022. "Post-COVID-19 Challenges for a Sustainable Community-Based Ecotourism: A Case Study of Rural Community in Sabah, North of Borneo," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(4), pages 21582440221, December.
    17. Kenny, Daniel C., 2017. "Modeling of natural and social capital on farms: Toward useable integration," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 356(C), pages 1-13.
    18. Nam C. Nguyen & Ockie J. H. Bosch, 2014. "The Art of Interconnected Thinking: Starting with the Young," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-21, August.
    19. Minh Hue Nguyen & Anh Chi Phan & Yoshiki Matsui, 2018. "Contribution of Quality Management Practices to Sustainability Performance of Vietnamese Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-31, January.
    20. Rafael Laurenti & Jagdeep Singh & Rajib Sinha & Josepha Potting & Björn Frostell, 2016. "Unintended Environmental Consequences of Improvement Actions: A Qualitative Analysis of Systems' Structure and Behavior," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(3), pages 381-399, May.
    21. Kwamina E. Banson & Nam C. Nguyen & Ockie J. H. Bosch, 2016. "Systemic Management to Address the Challenges Facing the Performance of Agriculture in Africa: Case Study in Ghana," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(4), pages 544-574, July.
    22. Sean A Kidd & Athena Madan & Susmitha Rallabandi & Donald C Cole & Elisha Muskat & Shoba Raja & David Wiljer & David Aylward & Kwame McKenzie, 2016. "A Multiple Case Study of Mental Health Interventions in Middle Income Countries: Considering the Science of Delivery," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(3), pages 1-17, March.
    23. Silvio Cristiano & Francesco Gonella, 2020. "‘Kill Venice’: a systems thinking conceptualisation of urban life, economy, and resilience in tourist cities," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 7(1), pages 1-13, December.

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