Implementing “systems thinking” to reach sustainable development goals: multi-perspective research into China’s ecological civilization

This study filled a gap in the literature by examining whether and how “systems thinking”, a theoretical lens advocated by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development Vision 2050, can be implemented to realize Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the context of China. The study first explained the concept of systems thinking, then provided a review of China’s Ecological Civilization movement and the three pillars of traditional Chinese culture, namely, Daoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. The research aimed to investigate the extent to which holistic Chinese cultural thinking is applied to drive sustainable business practices in China. We drew empirical insights from multiple perspectives and 74 key informant interviews, ranging from Chinese government officials and practitioners to university academics. Using Foucault’s episteme to examine the possibility of a transition to systems thinking, our key findings reveal that the Chinese micro-economy and firm-level operations, whilst being aware of the importance of environmental issues from top–down, still focus on economic values in the short run. However, as an episteme change is recognized over time, it is likely that the gap between vision and practice will be narrowed down, and a sustainable China just might prevail.