A knowledge map for describing variegated and conflict domains of sustainable development

Abstract

This paper aims to draw a knowledge map of the fragmented and multidisciplinary literature of sustainable development. Through the process of metaphor making, the study identifies seven metaphors that together construct this map. Each metaphor represents a specific domain in this map. The metaphor of ethical paradox signifies the ethical domain; the material domain is represented through the metaphor of natural capital, the social domain through the metaphor of fairness, the spatial domain through the eco‐form metaphor, the political domain through the global discourse metaphor, the management domain through the integrative management metaphor, and the visionary domain through the utopian metaphor. The strength of this approach lies with its comprehensive representation of the complex sustainable development world. Its main weakness relies on the accurate representation of this map.