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RETRACTED: Sustainability: A Concept in Flux? The Role of Multidisciplinary Insights in Shaping Sustainable Futures

Author

Listed:
  • Fanny Saruchera

    (School of Business Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

Abstract

This study explores the multifaceted concept of sustainability through a multidisciplinary lens, integrating perspectives from natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, economics, engineering, technology, psychology, and health. Drawing on a systematic review of the literature and empirical data from the Sustainable African futures Sustainability School, this research integrates disciplinary insights and aligns them with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The findings reveal significant variations in how different disciplines define, prioritise, and approach sustainability, highlighting the need for transdisciplinary approaches to develop holistic and actionable solutions. This study identifies limitations in multidisciplinary methods, such as potential biases and siloed discussions, and advocates for research that fosters dynamic exchanges across various disciplines. Practical recommendations are provided for corporate sustainability initiatives and governmental policies that align with the SDGs, offering pathways to address the interconnected global challenges of sustainable development. By advancing collaborative transdisciplinary approaches, this study contributes to the shaping of sustainable futures through integrated and inclusive strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Fanny Saruchera, 2025. "RETRACTED: Sustainability: A Concept in Flux? The Role of Multidisciplinary Insights in Shaping Sustainable Futures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-20, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:1:p:326-:d:1560023
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Johan Rockström & Will Steffen & Kevin Noone & Åsa Persson & F. Stuart Chapin & Eric F. Lambin & Timothy M. Lenton & Marten Scheffer & Carl Folke & Hans Joachim Schellnhuber & Björn Nykvist & Cynthia , 2009. "A safe operating space for humanity," Nature, Nature, vol. 461(7263), pages 472-475, September.
    2. Ben Groom & Zachary Turk, 2021. "Reflections on the Dasgupta Review on the Economics of Biodiversity," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 79(1), pages 1-23, May.
    3. Costanza, Robert & de Groot, Rudolf & Braat, Leon & Kubiszewski, Ida & Fioramonti, Lorenzo & Sutton, Paul & Farber, Steve & Grasso, Monica, 2017. "Twenty years of ecosystem services: How far have we come and how far do we still need to go?," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 28(PA), pages 1-16.
    4. Wen-Jie Yan & Ke-Run Li, 2023. "Sustainable Cultural Innovation Practice: Heritage Education in Universities and Creative Inheritance of Intangible Cultural Heritage Craft," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-20, January.
    5. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Shatha Hussein Al Rawashdeh & Shatha Aser Aldala’in & Esra’a Alaeed & Zubeida Aladwan & Teh Sabariah Binti Abd Manan, 2025. "GIS-Driven Approach for Selecting Optimal University Locations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-22, June.
    2. Piotr Daniluk & Radoslaw Wisniewski & Aneta Nowakowska-Krystman & Tomasz Kownacki & Dawid Wiśniewski, 2025. "Exploring Imperatives in Generation Z’s Approach to the Future of the Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-31, August.
    3. Janet De Wilde & Stephanie Fuller & Zoe Sturgess, 2025. "A Conceptual Framework to Embed Sustainability in the Curricula of a UK University," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-15, June.
    4. Mohammad Ali Jamali & Hatra Voghouei, 2026. "Sustainable Finance and Sustainable Development Goals: A Comparative Review of Tools, Gaps, and Governance Challenges," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(2), pages 2913-2924, April.

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