Global Journal of Science Frontier Research, H: Environment & Earth Science, Volume 23 Issue 5

Complex systems can be better understood with the use of Systems thinking, as acknowledged by Arnold & Wade (2015) who also believed that SD can be of great help in looking at the intricacy that the earth will be in front of in the near future. This methodology helps to provide a holistic view (Maani and Maharaj, 2004). Understanding that the elements of a system do not act in isolation, and that overall outcome would be the result of the various interactions among a system’s elements, allows us to have a broader perspective of the problem and potentially find solutions that would benefit the system as a whole. Many researchers have come up with different definitions over the years, following the one coined by Barry Richmond, who is believed to be the originator of systems thinking, in 1987, and is defined as follows: “As interdependency increases, we must learn to learn in a new way. It’s not good enough simply to get smarter and smarter about our particular “piece of the rock.” We must have a common language and framework for sharing our specialized knowledge, expertise and experience with “local experts” from other parts of the web. We need a systems Esperanto. Only then will we be equipped to act responsibly. In short, interdependency demands Systems Thinking. Without it, the evolutionary trajectory that we’ve been following since we emerged from the primordial soup will become increasingly less viable.” Since then, scholars have come up with different definitions of systems thinking – from Checkland (1981) to Arnold and Wade ( 2015). III. M ethodology This research was conducted over two phases. First, through a thorough literature review of academic journal articles on sustainability related to system dynamics. Moreover, best practices of sustainability were also obtained from 14 food processing companies surveyed through a devised sustainability performance questionnaire. The Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) criteria were mainly used to develop the questionnaire. © 2023 Global Journals 1 Year 2023 3 Global Journal of Science Frontier Research Volume XXIII Issue ersion I VV ( H ) Assessing the Sustainability Performance, the Food-Processing Industry through Causal Loop: A Mauritian Case Study For data to be collected effectively and efficiently, the design of the questionnaire was a very important task. Since, survey needed to be carried out in food processing companies and the top management representatives were highly busy, thus, having limited time for survey response. Therefore, the questions in the questionnaire were made short, concise and precise. The second method was the use of causal loop diagrams to map out the interactions of the sustainability practices in real life situations. Therefore, the sustainability practices effects on the system as a whole can be seen and appropriate measures can be taken to cater for the outliers effects. The effects could Ehrenfeld (2005) Possibility that all forms of life will flourish forever. Faber et al.(2005) “Semantically, sustainability indicates a relationship between an (sustainable) artifact and its environment that exists indefinitely. In other words, sustainability refers to equilibrium between an artifact and its supporting environment, where they interact with each other without mutual detrimental effects. Sustainability explicitly refers to this equilibrium (p. 5)”. Labuschagne and Brent, 2005; MSA, 2008). Sustainability aims to satisfy economic, environmental, and social goals. Seliger et al.(2008) Sustainability is directed at enhancing human living standards while improving the availability of natural resources and ecosystems for future generations. Johnston (2007) “It seems clear that sustainability can mean a number of things to a variety of constituencies and, while there may be no objection to the sentiments expressed in the respective definitions, they are far from holistic.” Duque Ciceri, et al.(2009) A quality that permits to preserve, to keep, to maintain something: when something is sustainable, it is able to be kept. Feng et al.(2010) “Sustainability in development as “ an organization’s ability to advance its economic state without compromising he environment and the social equity that provide the quality of life for all community residents, present or future.” Do (2010) “The development concept and approach that realize social justice, maintain natural environment, and pursue economic prosperity” with 3P People, Planet, and Profit) and 3E (Equity, Environment/Earth, and Economy). Ahmed, Deif M.(2011) “A concept and a paradigm that has its different implementation and interpretation at different fields.”