Interviewing as a Strategy for the Assessment of System Dynamics Models

Luna‐Reyes, Luis F.; Diker, Vedat G.; Andersen, Deborah Lines

doi:10.2139/ssrn.2122111

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 27 publications

(22 reference statements)

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“…Both milling areas provided the required contact details of various stakeholders. Because individual perspectives differ, a broad range of stakeholders were considered to gain a comprehensive insight (Luna-Reyes et al , 2005). The adequacy, accessibility and availability of stakeholders guided the purposive sampling (Kvale, 1996; Bowen, 2005).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the complexity of sugarcane supply chains via systemic approaches

Hildbrand

Bodhanya

2017

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Purpose This paper aims to explore the complexity that characterises sugarcane production and supply systems by applying soft systems methodology (SSM) and the viable system model (VSM) based on an interpretive systemic approach. It seeks to understand the extent to which these methodologies may assist in exploring such a complexity. Design/methodology/approach SSM and VSM were combined with qualitative research methods to explore two sugarcane production and supply systems’ potential improvement possibilities. Findings Trust, transparency and communication shortcomings, poor miller–grower relationships, deficient systemic commitment, insular view, milling inefficiencies, sugarcane quality, quantity and consistency shortcomings, the industry setup and the lack of a common driver are core issues. SSM and VSM facilitated a thorough understanding, yet could not address detected deficiencies. Research limitations/implications The research was restricted to two milling areas, and only SSM and VSM were applied. Practical implications Presented findings can be used as a basis to facilitate improvement in sugarcane production and supply systems and to advocate the continuity of holistic considerations. Originality/value Neither SSM nor VSM have been applied in the sugar industry context. The sugarcane production and supply systems have been holistically investigated, and soft issues have been considered.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the complexity of sugarcane supply chains via systemic approaches

Hildbrand

Bodhanya

2017

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“…adequacy, which was determined when theoretical saturation was reached (cf Bowen, 2008) ( Table 2). The interview process allowed for a rich exploration of complex issues and their causalities, outperforming any survey questionnaire (cf Luna-Reyes et al, 2005). The interview format was semi-structured and exploratory, which enabled detailed descriptions, with the interviewees elaborating without interruption (Bowen, 2005).…”

Section: Inquirymentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Theme and Domain Networking Approaches to Understand Complex Agri-Industrial Systems

Bezuidenhout¹,

Kadwa²,

Sibomana³

2013

Outlook Agric

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Complex systems involve a number of interconnected entities, which collectively exhibit emergence and behaviour that cannot be explained by merely studying the individual entities. Agri-industrial systems, such as sugarcane production, are generally complex due to the presence of many autonomous stakeholders operating under diverse conditions, and may therefore contain varying perspectives and interests. The identification of problems and opportunities in such systems requires an approach that will, as far as possible, consider the entire system and how individual entities interact. Network analyses have the capacity to describe a complex system, depicting these interactions. In addition, graph theory approaches can help to identify key points in the system where there are opportunities for improvement. This paper presents a methodology to assist researchers to make sense of complex matters in an agri-industrial context. In the South African sugar industry, it can be argued that systemic inefficiencies in the supply chain reduce optimum performance. Research conducted in two large milling areas is used to develop and demonstrate the use of network approaches to analyse supply chains and identify opportunities for improvement. The research developed two types of map: system domain networks and theme networks, which are found to be appropriate for drawing a first set of conclusions concerning a relatively unfamiliar complex system. Although the paper focuses on sugarcane, there is significant scope to apply these techniques across a broader spectrum of agri-industrial sectors.

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“…In conclusion, there is no empirical support for the literary and theoretical assumption that model-builders are better model evaluators than other model users. The traditional approach to evaluating the quality of system dynamics models has been to use the expert judgement of a model-builder, however alternatives to this approach have recently begun to emerge (see for example Luna-Reyes, Diker & Andersen, 2005). Differences in the concepts of user confidence in system dynamics model users are significant because they underpin disputes about confidence in the model (Legasto & Maciarello, 1980).…”

Section: Sterman 2000mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Interviews have been used in a number of studies to assess the objective content of system dynamics models (Luna-Reyes et al, 2005) but there have been no reported studies using interviews to understand the subjective content of system dynamics model user perspectives. The interview was a natural choice because it is a commonplace and convenient technique used by model-builders in model-building projects, acknowledging also that interviews on their own are a limited source of data for social research (Rapley, 2004).…”

Section: Framing Interviewsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Framing User Confidence in a System Dynamics Model: the Case of a Workforce Planning Problem in the New Zealand Army

Markham¹

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<p>Despite unresolved controversy and ongoing debate about user confidence in system dynamics models, there has been limited empirical exploration of the concept of user confidence in system dynamics models. This research elicited the concept of user confidence using a framing method (Russo & Schoemaker, 1989); analyzed the confidence criteria using constant comparative analysis (Cavana, Delahaye & Sekaran, 2001) and organized the confidence criteria into a descriptive framework. This research was conducted as an ethnographic case study of a New Zealand Army workforce planning problem. The simultaneous objectives of this research were to elicit the concept of user confidence in a system dynamics model and to assess the usefulness of the framing method for ascertaining user confidence criteria. The findings suggest that users of a system dynamics model had unique views of confidence, and while these views changed during the model-building project, they shared a common perspective of utility. Interestingly, user confidence criteria did not change significantly between the qualitative and quantitative stages of model-building. Output from the system dynamics workforce model supported the dynamic hypothesis that the use of ‘aspirational’ separation forecasts have contributed to New Zealand Army workforce shortfalls during times of high labour demand. Additionally, framing proved to be a useful methodology for eliciting and interpreting the elusive concept of user confidence in this case study. This case study concludes that although the confidence criteria of model users are diverse, extensive and difficult to elicit; framing can be employed as an interpretive filter to ascertain the elements of user confidence.</p>

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Interviewing as a Strategy for the Assessment of System Dynamics Models

Cited by 6 publications

References 27 publications

Exploring the complexity of sugarcane supply chains via systemic approaches

Exploring the complexity of sugarcane supply chains via systemic approaches

Using Theme and Domain Networking Approaches to Understand Complex Agri-Industrial Systems

Framing User Confidence in a System Dynamics Model: the Case of a Workforce Planning Problem in the New Zealand Army

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