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Exploring Systems Thinking Competence of Finns in Fostering Sustainable Transformation

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  • Ilkka Ratinen

    (Faculty of Education, University of Lapland, Yliopistonkatu 8, 96300 Rovaniemi, Finland)

  • Lassi Linnanen

    (Department of Sustainability Science, LUT University, Mukkulankatu 19, 15210 Lahti, Finland)

Abstract

Systems thinking competence is one of the key sustainability competences to make the future more sustainable by focusing on individuals’ capability to analyse sustainability problems across different sectors and scales. The other competencies to foster systems thinking are futures thinking competence, values and critical thinking competence, action-oriented competence, and collaboration competence. In this study, we examined Finnish people’s systems thinking competence and its connections to sustainable transformation. The survey data collected from Finns ( n = 2006) were analysed using principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical regression analysis. The study showed that the sustainability component loaded reliably into principal components. In particular, the Cronbach’s alpha (0.91) and Spearman–Brown (0.90) were high for systems thinking competence. The hierarchical regression analysis showed that Finns’ values, critical thinking, and individual action-oriented competence predict their systems thinking competence. The results indicate that Finns’ ideas of climate change and biodiversity loss mitigation arise from their individual values and opinions that actions are implemented in an ethically just way.

Suggested Citation

  • Ilkka Ratinen & Lassi Linnanen, 2022. "Exploring Systems Thinking Competence of Finns in Fostering Sustainable Transformation," World, MDPI, vol. 3(2), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jworld:v:3:y:2022:i:2:p:15-298:d:797359
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nam C. Nguyen & Doug Graham & Helen Ross & Kambiz Maani & Ockie Bosch, 2012. "Educating Systems Thinking for Sustainability: Experience with a Developing Country," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(1), pages 14-29, January.
    2. Ajzen, Icek, 1991. "The theory of planned behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 179-211, December.
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    4. Helen L. Berry & Thomas D. Waite & Keith B. G. Dear & Anthony G. Capon & Virginia Murray, 2018. "The case for systems thinking about climate change and mental health," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 8(4), pages 282-290, April.
    5. John R. Ehrenfeld, 2007. "Would Industrial Ecology Exist without Sustainability in the Background?," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 11(1), pages 73-84, January.
    6. Louise Metcalf & Sue Benn, 2013. "Leadership for Sustainability: An Evolution of Leadership Ability," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 112(3), pages 369-384, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sibilla Montanari & Evi Agostini & Denis Francesconi, 2023. "Are We Talking about Green Skills or Sustainability Competences? A Scoping Review Using Scientometric Analysis of Two Apparently Similar Topics in the Field of Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-25, September.
    2. Ilkka Ratinen & Lassi Linnanen & Anna Claudelin & Vilma Halonen, 2023. "Toward sustainable development: Connecting systems thinking competency and carbon footprint knowledge," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(3), pages 1593-1605, June.

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