System Dynamics and Simulation/Gaming

Alessi, Stephen M.; Kopainsky, Birgit

doi:10.1177/1046878115596390

Cited by 23 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 10 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The testing of hypotheses H1 and H2 evidences that the students submitted to those transparent conditions are able to acknowledge certain cause-and-effect relations, but they fail to mentally simulate the model behaviour. This conclusion is in line with a learning difficulty frequently mentioned in systems dynamics literature (Alessi & Kopainsky, 2015; Davidsen & Spector, 2015): that it is difficult to develop an understanding of how the behaviour of a complex system emerges from its underlying causal structure. Particularly, various studies (Alessi & Kopainsky, 2015; Fischer et al, 2015; Strohhecker & Größler, 2015; Sweeney & Sterman, 2000) reported that learners tend to misunderstand stocks and flows.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 83%

“…This conclusion is in line with a learning difficulty frequently mentioned in systems dynamics literature (Alessi & Kopainsky, 2015; Davidsen & Spector, 2015): that it is difficult to develop an understanding of how the behaviour of a complex system emerges from its underlying causal structure. Particularly, various studies (Alessi & Kopainsky, 2015; Fischer et al, 2015; Strohhecker & Größler, 2015; Sweeney & Sterman, 2000) reported that learners tend to misunderstand stocks and flows. The SCC model used in this experiment involves essentially stock-flow relationships and delays related to the flows and accumulations of product inventories and orders throughout the supply chain system.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 83%

“…System dynamics has been used as a methodology for designing SBLEs (Alessi & Kopainsky, 2015) and also appears to be an effective and relevant tool to create underlying formal simulation models for research purposes (Größler, 2001; Repenning, 2003). Moreover, SD emphasises transparent (or glass-box) simulations rather than opaque (or black-box) simulations.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Optimising the Learning Potential of Simulations Through Structural Transparency and Exploratory Guidance

Capelo

Silva

2020

Simulation & Gaming

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background. Simulation-based learning environments are used extensively to support learning in complex business systems. Nevertheless, studies have identified problems and limitations due to cognitive processing difficulties. In particular, previous research has addressed some aspects of model transparency and instructional strategy and produced inconclusive results. Aim. This study investigates the learning effects of using transparent simulations (that is, showing users the internal structure of models) and exploratory guidance (that is, guiding learners so they are able to explore the simulation by themselves, supported by specific cognitive aids) from a mental models perspective. Method. A test based on a simulation experiment with a system dynamics model, representing a supply chain system, was performed. Participants are required to use the simulator to investigate some issues related to the bullwhip effect and other supply chain coordination concepts. Results. Participants provided with the more transparent strategy and offered the more exploratory guidance demonstrated better understanding of the structure and behaviour of the underlying model. However, our results suggest that while exploratory guidance is a beneficial method for understanding both model structure and behaviour, making only the model transparent is more limited in its effect.

show abstract

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 83%

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 83%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Optimising the Learning Potential of Simulations Through Structural Transparency and Exploratory Guidance

Capelo

Silva

2020

Simulation & Gaming

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These simplistic models can be described as "cognitive illusions" which hinder the correct understanding of such dynamics. The limitations to understanding complex systems hinder in turn our capability to propose effective policy measures for the sustainability crisis [13,[15][16][17][18]. In fact, previous research has shown that not only pupils of all ages, but also their teachers hold many misconceptions and misunderstandings concerning these issues [19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global Sustainability Crossroads: A Participatory Simulation Game to Educate in the Energy and Sustainability Challenges of the 21st Century

2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There is a general need to facilitate citizens’ understanding of the global sustainability problem with the dual purpose of raising their awareness of the seriousness of the problem and helping them get closer to understanding the complexity of the solutions. Here, the design and application of the participatory simulation game Global Sustainability Crossroads is described, based on a global state-of-the-art energy–economy–environment model, which creates a virtual scenario where the participants are confronted with the design of climate mitigation strategies as well as the social, economic, and environmental consequences of decisions. The novelty of the game rests on the global scope and the representation of the drivers of anthropogenic emissions within the MEDEAS-World model, combined with a participatory simulation group dynamic flexible enough to be adapted to a diversity of contexts and participants. The performance of 13 game workshops with ~420 players has shown it has a significant pedagogical potential: the game is able to generate discussions on crucial topics which are usually outside the public realm such as the relationship between economic growth and sustainability, the role of technology, how human desires are limited by biophysical constraints or the possibility of climate tipping points.

show abstract

“…their decision-making heuristics. Specifically, this article aims to emphasize that SD models can be effectively used to support research validation (Davidsen, 2000) and to explore the role that behavioral factors (Sterman and Dogan, 2015) may play in a simulation/gaming setting (Alessi and Kopainsky, 2015;Davidsen and Spector, 2015), thereby suggesting an increased relevance for the stream of research named "BehSD".…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the potentials of behavioral system dynamics: insights from the field

Barnabè

Davidsen

2019

JM2

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose This study aims to contribute to the ongoing debate on behavioral operational research (BOR), specifically discussing the potential of system dynamics (SD) models to analyze decision-making heuristics. In more detail, the study suggests using an SD model as an ex-post research tool adopted not only to mimic a role-playing game (RPG) – reproducing the whole physical structure, and the complete set of decision rules specified for a supply chain (SC) management game – but also, and specifically, to replicate and analyze the players’ in-game behavior and decision-making. Design/methodology/approach After presenting a brief literature review devoted to highlighting the key concepts of the emerging streams of research named BOR and behavioral system dynamics (BehSD), the study presents the characteristics and results of an SC management-based RPG and describes the SD model that was developed to mimic the game and provide the base-run. A triangulation of data sources (which included feedback questionnaires and reports drawn up by 86 participants, as well as notes collected through direct observation of one of the authors) was used to infer information about and in-game decisions. Subsequently, four alternative versions of the SD model were calibrated to reproduce, investigate and explain ex-post the players’ in-game behavior and decision-making heuristics; this study specifically refers to one of them. Findings The SD model can be considered as the first output of this research. The model was calibrated to mimic the game and subsequently used to develop a few alternative models, helpful to replicate players’ behavior and analyze decision-making heuristics. The findings reveal not fully rational decisions taken by the players and share common findings with previous literature on the emergence of sub-optimal strategies (e.g. phantom ordering and hoarding strategies). The data collected from questionnaires, reports and direct observation additionally revealed that stress and behavioral factors played a role in affecting in-game decision-making. Practical implications Considering a specific RPG setting, the SD model developed in this study replicated and captured the range of factors affecting decision-making heuristics, allowing an ex-post analysis of in-game decisions. Notably, the research design presented and used in this study can be considered a generic one, which could be applied subsequently in a variety of contexts, also in combination with simulation/gaming tools and techniques different from role-playing, and both for educational and training purposes, and for research validation. Originality/value This study builds on and makes a contribution to the debate related to the emerging stream of research of BOR and more specifically, provides insights and evidence for the yet growing field of BehSD, at the same time advocating and suggesting further research in this area. Overall, the research revealed that behavioral factors may play a relevant role in driving and affecting human decision-making in simulation/gaming contexts.

show abstract

System Dynamics and Simulation/Gaming

Cited by 23 publications

References 10 publications

Optimising the Learning Potential of Simulations Through Structural Transparency and Exploratory Guidance

Optimising the Learning Potential of Simulations Through Structural Transparency and Exploratory Guidance

Global Sustainability Crossroads: A Participatory Simulation Game to Educate in the Energy and Sustainability Challenges of the 21st Century

Exploring the potentials of behavioral system dynamics: insights from the field

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About