[DSRP Evidence](https://dsrpevidence.org/)

# Systems thinking for sustainability: shifting to a higher level of systems consciousness

## Details

**Authors** Weaver et al.

**Year** 2025

**Publisher** Journal of the Operational Research Society (Taylor & Francis)

**Kind of work** article

**Discipline** Business & Management

**Secondary disciplines** Environment & Sustainability

**Reading level** technical

**Kind of engagement** scholarly

[Read it at the publisher](https://doi.org/10.1080/01605682.2025.2486698) 
10.1080/01605682.2025.2486698

## In authors' words

### Abstract

The grand challenges encapsulated in the seventeen UN Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030, are complex, messy and interconnected. Fulfilling these goals necessitates a shift in mindset from ego-to-ecosystems awareness and an imperative for stakeholder collaboration. Systems thinking is crucial to address sustainability challenges and an imperative for sustainable development. While some management approaches, like Doughnut Economics and Circular Economy, have roots in systems thinking, there is limited research into system thinking sustainability. Nevertheless, the authors suggest we can learn from many systems-based contributions in environmental science/studies literature and Operational Research/Systems literature rich a tradition of engaging communities in analysis and taking action. We ask, "How can systems help businesses to meaningfully engage their stakeholders in a shared sense of purpose, value and impact?" A "systemic sustainability" framework (SSF) is proposed to this, extending Laszlo's concept and incorporating traditional systems thinking principles. The SSF emphasises that organisations at four levels of awareness, reflecting on their organisational purpose, value and impact balancing organisational viability with planetary pressures. Interdependence, legitimacy and thrivability are highlighted as critical concepts for systems thinking sustainability.

### What they set out to do (purpose)

A Journal of the Operational Research Society paper asking how systems thinking can help businesses engage their stakeholders in a shared sense of purpose, value, and impact toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

### What they found (results)

A "systemic sustainability" framework extends Laszlo's concept with traditional systems principles: organizations sit at four levels of awareness, balancing viability against planetary pressures, with interdependence, legitimacy, and thrivability the critical concepts.

## Commentary

### In short

Situates DSRP's four universal rules and skills within a comparative synthesis of systems thinking approaches for advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

### Response

Situates the four rules within a comparative synthesis of systems thinking approaches for the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in the Journal of the Operational Research Society.

**Patterns it shows** R, P

**Added** 2026-08-14

**How to cite this** Weaver et al. (2025). Systems thinking for sustainability: shifting to a higher level of systems consciousness. Journal of the Operational Research Society (Taylor & Francis).