Reimagining Sustainable Development and Economic Performance Indicators: A Human-Centric Maslow–Bossel Blueprint

Panagiotis Panagiotopoulos, Ioannis Vardopoulos, Marco Maialetti, Clio Ciaschini, Phoebe Koundouri () and Luca Salvati ()
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Panagiotis Panagiotopoulos: Department of Regional and Economic Development, Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), 33100 Amfissa, Greece
Ioannis Vardopoulos: Foundation for Mediterranean Studies—MeDiterrate, 15452 Psychiko, Greece
Marco Maialetti: Independent Researcher, 00195 Rome, Italy
Clio Ciaschini: Department of Economic and Social Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60121 Ancona, Italy
Luca Salvati: Department of Methods and Models for Economics, Territory and Finance (MEMOTEF), Faculty of Economics, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy

Economies, 2024, vol. 12, issue 12, 1-29

Abstract: Reflecting the shift from purely quantitative economic growth to broader socio-environmental sustainability, this study proposes a framework for assessing sustainable development (SD) by integrating Maslow’s hierarchy of needs with Bossel’s classification system. As economic development increasingly emphasizes sustainability, numerous organizations and agencies, including the United Nations, have developed indicators to measure sustainable progress. However, subjective dimensions of SD, grounded in individual values and needs, remain underexplored. This study operationalizes Maslow’s “pyramid of needs” alongside Bossel’s system to establish an “SD pyramid”, distinguishing dimensions and indicators that capture social, economic, and environmental complexity. By mapping human needs onto the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this study contributes to delineating (i) the research areas uncovered (or partly covered) with relevant indicators, (ii) a significant lack or partial shortage of pertinent information, and (iii) a combination of a few basic indicators summarizing the necessary information into a unique measure of SD. The outcomes offer a foundation for a quali-quantitative assessment of SD, enhancing the monitoring tools focusing on subjective and contextual needs.

Keywords: sustainable development; performance indicators; sustainability metrics; Maslow’s hierarchy; Bossel’s classification; economic sustainability; socio-environmental complexity; policy targets; SDGs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: E F I J O Q (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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