Grounded theory for integrated modeling of socio-technical infrastructure systems: Advancing sustainable development in complex environments

ABSTRACT Sustainable development of complex socio-technical infrastructure systems (STIS) requires innovative approaches that integrate technical, societal (e.g., social, economic, institutional), and environmental dimensions. Integrated Assessment and Modelling (IAM) is a key approach for incorporating these multifaceted dimensions in STIS research. However, traditional IAM methods primarily rely on quantitative data, posing challenges due to (1) the limited availability of quantitative data and (2) the need for institutional knowledge and community perspectives from key stakeholders (e.g., regulators, utilities, community advocates). To address these challenges, we propose a new integrated modeling method that integrates qualitative data into IAM through grounded theory (GT)’s inductive analytical procedures—referred to as the IAM-GT method. Our method (1) identifies core descriptive factors that capture the operating environments of STIS; (2) articulates relationships between those factors by analyzing contextual conditions that drive system changes; and (3) expands integrated assessment theory by incorporating qualitative evidence. We demonstrate this method using Lebanon's protracted refugee crisis, focusing on water and wastewater infrastructure challenges encountered by humanitarian and development efforts. Analyzing 10 semi-structured interviews from a 2018 study in Mount Lebanon, we identify core factors that promote development strategies. The unique contribution of this method lies in revealing relationships between these factors that could not be uncovered through quantitative data alone, as well as in identifying the contextual conditions that enhance the transferability of such insights to other socio-technical settings. By integrating stakeholders’ perspectives into the IAM process, our approach offers a more localized understanding of the operating environment, providing valuable insights for addressing the complex, sustainable development challenges of STIS.