Exploring the Role of Externalization of Shared Values for Sustainability Transformation: Empirical Lessons from China

Although the need for sustainability transformation is increasing globally and the profound influence of values for sustainability transformation is already established, there is still not sufficient understanding in how to purposefully navigate values for sustainability transformation.

This work strives to fill this gap by introducing a new perspective: conceptualizing values as tacit knowledge and leveraging the SECI model from the Knowledge Creation Theory. Synthesizing results from empirical data collected from cases conducted in Shanghai, China, this work identifies the roles of externalization of shared values with respect to its outcome (shared values) and the procedure (externalization) for sustainability transformation. Further, it is discussed the underlying mechanism through which shared values, when externalized, facilitate substantial sustainability transformations, and reflections on the implication for researchers from the field of sustainability science.

For those who aim to promote sustainability transformation, this work not only enhances the understanding of the dynamic interplay between shared values and sustainability transformation, but also provides a specific roadmap to unleash the potential of the externalization of shared values for sustainability transformation to respond to the above-mentioned gap. With its new perspective, this thesis also underscores the necessity of considering the procedures through which values/shared values are involved.

Yanyan Huang is an external PhD student who started on 1^st March 2020 at ELS.

Promotors
Prof. Dr A.E.J. Wals Personal chair at Education and Learning Sciences Group
Wageningen University & Research

Prof. Dr M.K. Harder Professor, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering
Fudan University, People’s Republic of China https://environment.fudan.edu.cn/e2/2d/c30977a385581/page.htm
Professor, Research School of Architecture, Technology and Engineering
University of Brighton, United Kingdom https://research.brighton.ac.uk/en/persons/marie-harder

Co-promotors
Dr R. Wesselink Associate professor, Education and Learning Sciences Group
Wageningen University & Research