Utilization of System Dynamics in Southern Africa: A Systematic Review

Brent, Alan C.; Musango, Josephine Kaviti; Smit, Suzanne; Pillay, Nalini Sooknanan; Botha, Andries; Louw, Rudolph; Roper, Stephen; Simelani, Thokozani; Clifford-Holmes, Jai Kumar; Pretorius, Leon

doi:10.1002/sres.2401

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 16 publications

(15 reference statements)

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“…Bell and Morse (2005) stated that old traditional methods are ineffective and fail to report complex issues. Moreover, the utilization of SD extends to various scientific disciplines (Zanker et al 2021), in healthcare (Davahli et al 2020;Graham et al 2023), in policy making (Brent et al 2017), the sustainable and renewable energy supply chain (Saavedra M. et al 2018), or in knowledge management (Zanker and Bureš 2022). A systems approach helps us understand complex social systems (Sterman 2010).…”

Section: System Thinkingmentioning

confidence: 99%

A System Dynamics Perspective on Workplace Spirituality and Employee Behavior

Iqbal,

Bureš,

Zanker

et al. 2023

Administrative Sciences

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Purpose: This paper seeks to explore the influence of workplace spirituality on employee behavior within organizational settings. Design: Systems thinking is used to explore various interrelated concepts of workplace spirituality (WPS). This study delves into the intricate interactions between WPS and its impact on employee behavior. By highlighting the significance of WPS, the research establishes a foundation for fostering innovation and creativity, facilitating meaningful connections among employees within organizations. Additionally, WPS plays a crucial role in reducing workplace incivility. Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs) as part of a systems thinking approach are utilized to visually depict the complex interplay of variables and feedback loops within organizations, offering insights into polarities and presenting a long-term perspective on how spiritual initiatives affect the workplace. Results: The findings indicate that WPS assists employees in comprehending their roles, enhancing productivity, increasing motivation, and fostering job satisfaction. Furthermore, WPS contributes to improved employee engagement, satisfaction, and decision-making. Significance: The research underscores the explicit involvement of employees in achieving favorable outcomes and enhances our understanding of the perceptions held by employers and employees regarding their roles and engagement. The study suggests that enhancing employees’ performance is achievable in workplaces where individuals comprehend their roles and align them with the job objectives. Novelty: This paper is unique in two aspects. Firstly, it strives to integrate the fragmented and diverse literature on the outcomes of WPS using a systems thinking approach. Secondly, it raises awareness, particularly in developing countries like Pakistan, regarding the importance of incorporating organizational capabilities into organizational practices.

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Section: System Thinkingmentioning

confidence: 99%

A System Dynamics Perspective on Workplace Spirituality and Employee Behavior

Iqbal,

Bureš,

Zanker

et al. 2023

Administrative Sciences

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“…The SD is an Operational Research approach (Vidal, 2006) that comprises a set of tools used to model and to simulate real-world, complex, and dynamic systems (Forrester, 1961). Its diffusion and dispersion have been slow and unevenly; however, it can be applied in different fields, which shows its potential (Brent et al, 2017;Rouwette & Vennix, 2006;Schwaninger & Grösser, 2008;Thun & Strohhecker, 2012).…”

Section: Sdmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamic modeling of an early warning system for natural disasters

et al. 2019

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Natural disasters have many consequences in terms of human lives, material, economic, and/or environmental damages. Among preventive and mitigation measures, it is recognized that early warning systems (EWS) are an effective and essential tool to minimize damages caused by natural disasters. Using the experience of CEMADEN (National Early Warning and Monitoring Centre of Natural Disasters) in Brazil, this paper aims to investigate, through a systems approach, what factors may interfere with the effectiveness of EWSs. A case study was developed based on interviews with experts from CEMADEN. Those interviews generated cognitive maps that translated the perceptions of the experts and were used to structure the problem and to support the construction of a systemic model. The model allowed the analysis of the EWS, identifying behaviors, as reinforcement and balancing loops, not always intuitive, to support better management and planning decisions to improve the system effectiveness.

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“…This research paper focuses on the policy formulation and evaluation phase of the modelling process. The causal loop diagram in the basic model in Figure 2 captures the risks and variables that were obtained and identified through discussions, interviews with practitioners in the power sector in Kenya, and focus group meetings that included representatives from the government, clients in the Kenyan power industry, and representatives from contracting firms active in that industry, and took into account reflections from the literature review (Brent et al [1], Forrester [5], Musango et al [9], Sterman [15], Sterman [16], Pruyt [11], Moyano and Richardson [8]). …”

Section: Figure 1: the Modelling Process Of Sterman [15]mentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of Policy Options for Projects in the Electricity Sector in Sub Saharan Africa: A System Dynamics Approach

Ogano

Pretorius

2017

SAJIE

Self Cite

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Many projects in the electricity energy sector in Africa's subSaharan region experience delays and challenges to quality, leading to frequent power outages that slow overall economic activity and frustrate investor confidence in the region. This paper presents the systemic methods employed to evaluate the dynamic consequences of policies in electricity energy sector projects in the region. The model uses the Vensim software to carry out the simulations. A range of illustrative scenarios are provided and analysed, and the paper compares and contrasts these different scenarios. The results show that there is merit in improving project management competence in the region. A shortage of commissioning engineers also emerged as a major problem in the projects, leading to multitasking as the few existing commissioning engineers move from one project to another. To address this weakness, the study proposes that contracting firms be compelled to employ a higher proportion of commissioning engineers. OPSOMMINGBaie projekte in die elektrisiteit energiesektor in die sub-SaharaAfrika streek ervaar kwaliteit uitdagings en vertragings, wat lei tot gereelde kragonderbrekings. Dit verlangsaam die algehele ekonomiese aktiwiteit en frustreer beleggersvertroue in die streek. Hierdie artikel bied die sistemiese metodes wat gebruik is om die dinamiese gevolge van beleid in die elektrisiteit energiesektor projekte in die streek te evalueer. Die model maak gebruik van die Vensim sagteware om die simulasies uit te voer. 'n Verskeidenheid van illustratiewe scenario's word aangebied en ontleed, en die verskillende scenario's word vergelyk en kontrasteer. Die resultate wys dat daar meriete is in die verbetering van projekbestuur kundigheid in die streek. Die tekort aan ingenieurs wat die projekte kan uitvoer, is ook uitgewys as 'n groot problem, waar die van die ingenieurs verwag word om met 'n multi-taak benadering tussen die projekte te beweeg. Om dit te adresseer, word daar voorgestel dat die kontrakteurs 'n groter hoeveelheid van die ingenieurs moet indiens neem.

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Utilization of System Dynamics in Southern Africa: A Systematic Review

Cited by 9 publications

References 16 publications

A System Dynamics Perspective on Workplace Spirituality and Employee Behavior

A System Dynamics Perspective on Workplace Spirituality and Employee Behavior

Dynamic modeling of an early warning system for natural disasters

Analysis of Policy Options for Projects in the Electricity Sector in Sub Saharan Africa: A System Dynamics Approach

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