IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i7p6022-d1112142.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Analyzing Sustainable Practices in Engineering Projects: A Systemic Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Andrés Acero

    (Tecnológico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Industrial Engineering Department, Campus Puebla, Puebla 72410, Mexico)

  • María Catalina Ramírez Cajiao

    (School of Engineering, Industrial Engineering Department, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá 110311, Colombia)

Abstract

The work of an engineer involves the conceptualization, design, and implementation of new and improved artifacts. However, what sets engineering apart from other professions is the direct responsibility of engineers to think critically and design innovative solutions to solve complex problems in social systems. Unfortunately, the solutions often do not consider the dynamics of the environment or the cultures that will receive them, leading to obsolescence due to the lack of technical knowledge of maintenance and repair. This exacerbates the disruptive power of technology in culture and society, leading to a gap in engineering education that needs to be addressed. Critical theories attempt to reformulate the teaching and practice of engineering in social-environmental contexts of vulnerability, utilizing systemic models to anticipate solutions based on possible scenarios. However, these theories do not consider the mental models of professional engineers, relying mostly on educational studies. To address this gap, this article explores a novel approach to the problem of sustainability mindset in engineering by understanding the characteristics and structures of engineering systems of practice and conveying it through causal loop diagrams. The results identify causal loops that reinforce or affect the application of sustainable practices, which can be used as leverage points within the systems of practice structure to improve the performance and interest of engineering students in sustainable development endeavors and promote more professionals working with a sustainable mindset.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrés Acero & María Catalina Ramírez Cajiao, 2023. "Analyzing Sustainable Practices in Engineering Projects: A Systemic Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:7:p:6022-:d:1112142
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/7/6022/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/7/6022/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sébastien Damart, 2010. "A Cognitive Mapping Approach to Organizing the Participation of Multiple Actors in a Problem Structuring Process," Post-Print hal-00415820, HAL.
    2. Andrés Esteban Acero López & María Catalina Ramirez Cajiao & Mauricio Peralta Mejia & Luisa Fernanda Payán Durán & Edier Ernesto Espinosa Díaz, 2019. "Participatory Design and Technologies for Sustainable Development: an Approach from Action Research," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 32(2), pages 167-191, April.
    3. Vanwindekens, Frédéric M. & Stilmant, Didier & Baret, Philippe V., 2013. "Development of a broadened cognitive mapping approach for analysing systems of practices in social–ecological systems," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 250(C), pages 352-362.
    4. Alexander Gorobets, 2011. "The global systemic crisis and a new vision of sustainable human development," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 13(4), pages 759-771, August.
    5. Sébastien Damart, 2010. "A Cognitive Mapping Approach to Organizing the Participation of Multiple Actors in a Problem Structuring Process," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 19(5), pages 505-526, September.
    6. repec:dau:papers:123456789/2193 is not listed on IDEAS
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Alexandre de A. Gomes Júnior & Vanessa B. Schramm, 2022. "Problem Structuring Methods: A Review of Advances Over the Last Decade," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 35(1), pages 55-88, February.
    2. Francis Marleau Donais & Irène Abi-Zeid & E. Owen D. Waygood & Roxane Lavoie, 2021. "A Framework for Post-Project Evaluation of Multicriteria Decision Aiding Processes from the Stakeholders’ Perspective: Design and Application," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 30(5), pages 1161-1191, October.
    3. Amidou Kpoumié & Sébastien Damart & Alexis Tsoukiàs, 2012. "Integrating Cognitive Mapping Analysis into Multi-Criteria Decision Aiding," Working Papers hal-00875480, HAL.
    4. Naz Onel & Avinandan Mukherjee, 2014. "The effects of national culture and human development on environmental health," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 79-101, February.
    5. Garini, C.S. & Vanwindekens, F. & Scholberg, J.M.S. & Wezel, A. & Groot, J.C.J., 2017. "Drivers of adoption of agroecological practices for winegrowers and influence from policies in the province of Trento, Italy," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 200-211.
    6. Alexandre de A. Gomes Júnior & Vanessa B. Schramm & Fernando Schramm, 2023. "Problem Structuring Methods in Social-Ecological Systems," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 36(3), pages 461-478, June.
    7. Sondoss ElSawah & Alan Mclucas & Jason Mazanov, 2013. "Using a Cognitive Mapping Approach to Frame the Perceptions of Water Users About Managing Water Resources: A Case Study in the Australian Capital Territory," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 27(9), pages 3441-3456, July.
    8. Lalani, Baqir & Aminpour, Payam & Gray, Steven & Williams, Meredith & Büchi, Lucie & Haggar, Jeremy & Grabowski, Philip & Dambiro, José, 2021. "Mapping farmer perceptions, Conservation Agriculture practices and on-farm measurements: The role of systems thinking in the process of adoption," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    9. Christos AMOIRADIS & Mariya STANKOVA, 2020. "The Systemic Crisis And The Need For Sustainability: An Overview," Management Research and Practice, Research Centre in Public Administration and Public Services, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 12(1), pages 15-26, March.
    10. Tindale, Sophie & Vicario-Modroño, Victoria & Gallardo-Cobos, Rosa & Hunter, Erik & Miškolci, Simona & Price, Paul Newell & Sánchez-Zamora, Pedro & Sonnevelt, Martijn & Ojo, Mercy & McInnes, Kirsty & , 2023. "Citizen perceptions and values associated with ecosystem services from European grassland landscapes," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    11. Falcone, Pasquale Marcello & De Rosa, Salvatore Paolo, 2020. "Use of fuzzy cognitive maps to develop policy strategies for the optimization of municipal waste management: A case study of the land of fires (Italy)," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    12. Camila Lopes & Patrícia Azevedo, 2014. "Environmental requirements for furniture industry: the case study of Brazilian Southeast industry," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 16(5), pages 1013-1029, October.
    13. Fabian Weckesser & Michael Beck & Kurt-Jürgen Hülsbergen & Sebastian Peisl, 2022. "A Digital Advisor Twin for Crop Nitrogen Management," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-22, February.
    14. Daniel C. Kenny & Juan Castilla-Rho, 2022. "What Prevents the Adoption of Regenerative Agriculture and What Can We Do about It? Lessons and Narratives from a Participatory Modelling Exercise in Australia," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-30, August.
    15. Thorsten Schilling & Romano Wyss & Claudia R. Binder, 2018. "The Resilience of Sustainability Transitions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-23, December.
    16. Louis Tessier & Jo Bijttebier & Fleur Marchand & Philippe V. Baret, 2021. "Cognitive mapping, flemish beef farmers’ perspectives and farm functioning: a critical methodological reflection," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 38(4), pages 1003-1019, December.
    17. Pulselli, Riccardo Maria & Broersma, Siebe & Martin, Craig Lee & Keeffe, Greg & Bastianoni, Simone & van den Dobbelsteen, Andy, 2021. "Future city visions. The energy transition towards carbon-neutrality: lessons learned from the case of Roeselare, Belgium," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    18. Pramod K Singh & Harpalsinh Chudasama, 2020. "Evaluating poverty alleviation strategies in a developing country," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(1), pages 1-23, January.
    19. Victoria Alomia‐Hinojosa & Jeroen C. J. Groot & Jens A. Andersson & Erika N. Speelman & Andrew J. McDonald & Pablo Tittonell, 2023. "Assessing farmer perceptions on livestock intensification and associated trade‐offs using fuzzy cognitive maps; a study in mixed farming systems in the mid‐hills of Nepal," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(1), pages 146-158, January.
    20. Pramod K Singh & Harpalsinh Chudasama, 2017. "Pathways for drought resilient livelihoods based on people’s perception," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 140(2), pages 179-193, January.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:7:p:6022-:d:1112142. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.