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The Concept of Resilience in Recent Sustainability Research

Author

Listed:
  • Verena Nüchter

    (Faculty of Sustainability, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, 21335 Lüneburg, Germany)

  • David J. Abson

    (Faculty of Sustainability, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, 21335 Lüneburg, Germany)

  • Henrik von Wehrden

    (Faculty of Sustainability, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, 21335 Lüneburg, Germany)

  • John-Oliver Engler

    (Faculty of Sustainability, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, 21335 Lüneburg, Germany)

Abstract

The concept of resilience gained increased attention in sustainability science, with a notable spike from 2014 onwards. However, resilience is a multifaceted concept with no unanimous definition, making applications in the context of sustainability, a similarly multifarious term, a challenge. Here, we examine the use of resilience in well-cited sustainability literature in the period from 2014 to 2018. Based on our analysis, resilience as a concept proves its analytical strength through a diverse set of frameworks, indicators, and models, while its usefulness as boundary object is less clear. Most of the examined publications do not cite one of the well-established resilience definitions as a conceptual basis. The normativity of resilience is often implicit and rarely critically questioned, and strong participatory approaches are lacking. A multivariate statistical full-text bibliographic analysis of 112 publications reveals four distinct research clusters with partial conceptual proximity but hardly any overlap. While the majority of publications consider human well-being as an integral factor in their research, some research marginalizes this concept. Resilience to climate change dominates the discourse in the literature investigated, which signifies a need to broaden research efforts to other equally pressing—but in terms of the concept, widely neglected—sustainability challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Verena Nüchter & David J. Abson & Henrik von Wehrden & John-Oliver Engler, 2021. "The Concept of Resilience in Recent Sustainability Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-21, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:5:p:2735-:d:509825
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Athar Mahmood & Manisha Seth, 2023. "The Dynamics of Cognition Process of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs): Evidence From India," International Journal of Asian Business and Information Management (IJABIM), IGI Global, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, January.
    2. Garusinghe Dewa Ayesha Udari Garusinghe & Balasooriya Arachchige Kanchana Shiromi Perera & Umesha Sasanthi Weerapperuma, 2023. "Integrating Circular Economy Principles in Modular Construction to Enhance Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-25, July.
    3. Andra-Teodora Gorski & Elena-Diana Ranf & Dorel Badea & Elisabeta-Emilia Halmaghi & Hortensia Gorski, 2023. "Education for Sustainability—Some Bibliometric Insights," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-17, October.
    4. Joanna Zuzanna Popławska, 2021. "The Resilience of Urban Retail System in the Face of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Case Study of Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-22, December.
    5. Xiaoqian Sun & Sebastian Wandelt, 2021. "Robustness of Air Transportation as Complex Networks:Systematic Review of 15 Years of Research and Outlook into the Future," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-19, June.
    6. Leigh Sparks, 2021. "Towns, High Streets and Resilience in Scotland: A Question for Policy?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-14, May.

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