Example of Data Analysis

The verification of adequacy of the SDGM model was accomplished by matching of sustainable development and night lights world maps. The Nighttime Lights of the World dataset contains the first satellite-based global inventory of human settlements, derived from nighttime data from the (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program – DMSP (2007), collecting at the network of world data centers. It has made possible to check and to adjust adequacy of SDGM model.

As an example the mathematical model SDGM was used for calculation of quality of life components of sustainability for 2005-2008, which are represented in “Table 1” (table columns 4-9).  These components are: the Euclidean norm of sustainable development radius-vector (Isd), Harmonization Degree (α, table column 6) and Quality of Life Component (Iql, table column 5).

We see that among five leaders (Switzerland, New Zeeland, Finland, Sweden and Norway) there are no superpowers with dominating ideologies and economies. The basic industries of these countries are not oriented at the usage of considerable natural resources and cheap labor. These countries are leading in the ecological dimension index. They are very active in innovation activities; invest about 4 % of their GDP for R&D.

G8 countries are placed from the 6th to 23rd position by quality of life component of sustainable development (except Russia). In particulars Canada ranks 6th position,  France -  11th, Germany - 12th, Japan - 13th, United Kingdom - 16th, United States - 16th, Italy – 21st, Russia - 56th. Nevertheless they are world leaders in GDP absolute values, but their quality characteristics of economic development, renewal of natural resources and development of social capital move these countries in the second-third dozen.

The BRIC countries (Brazil - 45th, Russia - 56th, India - 78th and China - 76th) are characterized by rapid growth of their economies which reach 8-12 % annually. In spite of this BRIC countries by the quality of life component of sustainable development are ranked from the 45th position for Brazil to 78th position for India. It is connected with low level of sustainable development harmonization at the expense of priority economic development and at the same time lagging in ecological and social fields.

In the lower part of the list there is a group of African countries (Benin - 87th, Cambodia - 88th, Zimbabwe - 89th, Zambia - 90th, Nigeria – 91st, Ethiopia - 92th, Mozambique - 93th) which are in miserable conditions in regard to almost all indicators of quality of life component of sustainable development.

The important application of SDGM model connects with decisions making at national level and policy development. For this purpose the 4-levels inverse analysis procedure was developed (Figure 1).

In accordance with it for a particular country the sustainable development data are analyzed based on sequentially passing the four levels from the top of the triangle to its basis. During this “inverse” movement the “worst” values of sustainable development factors are chosen for the given country. It allows to form “the space of critical indicators” necessary for making decisions aimed to elaborate the strategy of the country’s sustainable development.

For example, the application of this inverse analysis procedure for Ukraine makes it possible to obtain 2 critical dimensions of sustainable development, 6 critical policy categories and 16 critical indicators (Figure 2). These critical factors may be used by people taking political and managerial decisions.