Group exploration of system dynamics models—is there a place for a feedback loop in the decision process?

Škraba, Andrej; Kljajić, Miroljub; Leskovar, Robert

doi:10.1002/sdr.274

Cited by 42 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 19 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Once the diagrams are developed, the users acquire endogenous explanation of a phenomenon, sustainability in this case, which is a quite valuable source of information [52]. Moreover, the identified concepts support a proper focus on further investigation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification of Sustainability Key Factors Based on Capturing Dominant Feedbacks of Behavioural Stereotypes in Socio-Economic Systems

Bureš

Racz²

2017

Systems

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sustainability represents a system attribute that is widely investigated in many disciplines. System dynamics is mostly used for modelling specific issues. Not only can this methodology be used for this purpose, it can also be applied for the identification of behavioural stereotypes and consequent designation of variables that shape sustainability of the system. Based on the set of interviews with a sample of socio-economic system representatives, stereotypes are captured and modelled with the help of causal loop diagrams. After several modelling iterations that synchronised the acquired models with the obtained responses, four main key stereotypes were identified-quality, ego, competence, and motivation. Both dominant feedback loops and important multi-input and multi-output variables are used for their description. Thus, the models provide an endogenous explanation of their importance for sustainability and help to identify its key factors.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification of Sustainability Key Factors Based on Capturing Dominant Feedbacks of Behavioural Stereotypes in Socio-Economic Systems

Bureš

Racz²

2017

Systems

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…System dynamics (SD) methodology [9] can be used as an alternative for modeling policy scenarios [8,15,17]. In particular, SD methodology has an advantage in cases in which it should be considered that [6]: organic farmings future development prediction is a difficult task, given the almost total lack of time series data for the sector.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

System Dynamics Model for Conversion to Organic Farming

Rozman¹,

́c²,

ˇSkraba³

et al. 2015

J. Sib. Fed. Univ., Math. phys.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this paper model for organic farming development to support government decision making is presented. After performing several simulation scenarios we discovered that conversion to organic farming relies on subsidies which provide the main motivation for conversion from conventional farming to organic farming. However, the subsidies are not the only driving force in the system, even more important are activities that promote organic farming, since sufficiently large subsidies could not be provided in order to complete the conversion from conventional to organic farming to the extent desired. Another important feature is food demand, determined by population size, which negatively influences the conversion to organic farming due to the increased demand leading to increased food prices.

show abstract

“…According to Hale and Whitman () the group as a whole better understands the problem of the considered system than the individual (different views of the problem, larger knowledge base) and provides synergistic effects. Their interaction in the process of problem solving (decision making), supported by advanced group support tools and interactive business simulators, could enable more effective individual and group analyses of the problem (Richardson and Andersen, ; Vennix, ; Kwok and Khalifa, ; Škraba et al , , ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relevance of facilitation in group decision making supported by a simulation model

Borštnar

Kljajić

Škraba

et al. 2011

System Dynamics Review

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper addresses the impact of feedback information and facilitation on a decision-making process supported by a system dynamics model. We conducted the Solomon Four-Group Experiment under four conditions: (a 1 ) interrupted individual determination of a strategy supported by a simulation model and a facilitator; (a 2 ) interrupted individual determination of a strategy supported by a simulation model and a facilitator plus group information feedback (GIF); (a 3 ) continuous individual determination of a strategy supported by a simulation model; and (a 4 ) continuous individual determination of a strategy supported by a simulation model plus GIF. The observed variables were criteria function (CF), frequency of simulation runs (FSR), and insight into GIF. The hypotheses that a simulation model supports individual learning and additional GIF contributes to faster learning were confirmed. The importance of the facilitator and structure of feedback information was demonstrated and a model explaining learning in the decision process was developed. expensive and dangerous, Sterman and other authors argue that system dynamics (SD) and simulation are essential for effective learning (Forrester, 1961;Checkland, 1994;Checkland and Haynes, 1994;Sterman, 1994). Warren and Langley (1999) even state that the ideal of learning organizations can be approached with the application of SD models. Single-loop learning, by definition, can be efficiently supported by a simulation model, where an individual explores the model and approaches the goal through a tryobserve-adjust cycle. Since this type of learning is restricted to an individual, it is called individual learning, and the feedback information provided by the simulation model individual information feedback. In contrast, with double-loop learning the sharing of ideas (and reflection upon them) can change an individual's mental models, visions and beliefs. In theory, double-loop learning can be found on an individual level, but empirical evidence suggests it is usually associated with a group setting (Škraba et al., 2007). We called the information concerning the work of the group the group information feedback (GIF).Learning at an individual level, supported by simulation, was explored in the experiments of Gopinath and Sawyer (1999), Morecroft (2004), andJennings (2002). The results of all three experiments agree that simulation is effective in decision support. The results of Langley and Morecroft (2004) suggest that structure feedback positively influences an understanding of the problem and the time for task completion. According to Edmondson (1999), team learning is characterized by asking questions, seeking feedback, experimenting, and reflecting on the results. Wang (1997) describes the decision-making process as a complex process involving the systematic processing of knowledge needed for appropriate decision making that should minimize the possibility of making a mistake. It is, in fact, a learning process that should provide sufficient knowledge for efficient d...

show abstract

Group exploration of system dynamics models—is there a place for a feedback loop in the decision process?

Cited by 42 publications

References 19 publications

Identification of Sustainability Key Factors Based on Capturing Dominant Feedbacks of Behavioural Stereotypes in Socio-Economic Systems

Identification of Sustainability Key Factors Based on Capturing Dominant Feedbacks of Behavioural Stereotypes in Socio-Economic Systems

System Dynamics Model for Conversion to Organic Farming

The relevance of facilitation in group decision making supported by a simulation model

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About