What the study found
The study identified a "prescriptive positivist" discourse in papers about Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) interactions. In this discourse, management is treated as the solution, research is given strong trust, and attention is directed toward transactionality and internalised fragmentation.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say the SDGs are unlikely to be achieved by 2030, so there is a need to examine the values and assumptions shaping how they are conceptualised and put into practice. The study suggests that overlooked perspectives of stewardship, pluralism, equity, justice, and nature should be considered as intrinsic rather than only instrumental.
What the researchers tested
The researchers used an inductive, latent thematic analysis of 35 papers. They analysed the discourse on SDG interactions to identify recurring themes and perspectives in the literature.
What worked and what didn't
The analysis found that authors frequently use directive language and advocate technical or managerial fixes, including solving trade-offs with financial resources, governance, and science. It also found that equity is often treated as instrumental, only what is measurable is acknowledged, and calls for integration rarely go beyond coordination.
What to keep in mind
The summary provided here is based only on the abstract, so it does not include details about the full set of papers beyond the 35 analyzed, the analytic steps, or any limitations stated in the full article. The abstract does not report outcome data on SDG progress itself, only the discourse analyzed.
Key points
- The paper identifies a prescriptive positivist discourse in SDG interaction scholarship.
- Authors often favor technical or managerial fixes and directive language.
- Equity is described as instrumental, and measurable outcomes are privileged.
- Calls for integration are said to stop at coordination in many papers.
- The authors highlight stewardship perspectives that treat equity, justice, and nature as intrinsic.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- The article identifies a prescriptive positivist discourse in SDG interaction studies
- Authors:
- Gin Dupont, Mats Målqvist, Małgorzata Blicharska, Wiebren J. Boonstra, Sofia Cele, Sarah Dickin, Emma Elfversson, Eva Friman
- Institutions:
- Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-08
- DOI:
- 10.1002/sd.70905
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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