scholarly journals Taking a systems approach to explore the impacts and outcomes of a research and evaluation capacity building partnership: a protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e026706
Author(s):  
Rochelle Tobin ◽  
Jonathan Hallett ◽  
Roanna Lobo ◽  
Bruce Richard Maycock
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Causal Loop Diagram ◽  
Evaluation Tools ◽  
Evaluation Capacity ◽  
Loop Diagram ◽  
Causal Loop

IntroductionPartnership models that bring researchers, policymakers and service providers closer together are gaining traction as a strategy to improve public health practice. Yet, there is little evidence of how these models work, or indeed if they do work. The Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Applied Research and Evaluation Network (SiREN) is one such model. SiREN is a partnership between researchers, policymakers and service providers that aims to develop the research and evaluation capacity and evidence-informed decision making capability of professionals working to address sexual health and bloodborne virus issues in Western Australia. This study will use a systems approach to identify the mechanisms of action, impacts and outcomes of SiREN and inform the development of evaluation tools.Methods and analysisData will be collected from organisational documents, surveys, in-depth interviews and a workshop. It will be analysed using a complex adaptive systems lens and findings will be used to inform the development of a type of qualitative systems model called a causal loop diagram. The causal loop diagram will illustrate the: contextual factors influencing engagement; mechanisms of action; and impacts and outcomes of SiREN. Evaluation tools will then be developed that can be used to assess the indicators identified in the causal loop diagram.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was obtained from the Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee (approval number: HRE2017-0090). Participants will be free to withdraw from the study at any point and confidentiality will be maintained by de-identifying participant responses in any published or shared data. The findings from this study will be shared in conference presentations, reports, peer-reviewed journals and online through websites and social media.

scholarly journals Developing a Preliminary Causal Loop Diagram for Understanding the Wicked Complexity of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Systems ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oz Sahin ◽  
Hengky Salim ◽  
Emiliya Suprun ◽  
Russell Richards ◽  
Stefen MacAskill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systems Approach ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Wicked Problem ◽  
Causal Loop Diagram ◽  
Fundamental Change ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Leverage Points ◽  
Loop Diagram ◽  
Causal Loop

COVID-19 is a wicked problem for policy makers internationally as the complexity of the pandemic transcends health, environment, social and economic boundaries. Many countries are focusing on two key responses, namely virus containment and financial measures, but fail to recognise other aspects. The systems approach, however, enables policy makers to design the most effective strategies and reduce the unintended consequences. To achieve fundamental change, it is imperative to firstly identify the “right” interventions (leverage points) and implement additional measures to reduce negative consequences. To do so, a preliminary causal loop diagram of the COVID-19 pandemic was designed to explore its influence on socio-economic systems. In order to transcend the “wait and see” approach, and create an adaptive and resilient system, governments need to consider “deep” leverage points that can be realistically maintained over the long-term and cause a fundamental change, rather than focusing on “shallow” leverage points that are relatively easy to implement but do not result in significant systemic change.

scholarly journals Systems Approach to Tourism: A Methodology for Defining Complex Tourism System

Organizacija ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 208-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tadeja Jere Jakulin
Keyword(s):  
Complex System ◽  
System Dynamics ◽  
Simulation Model ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Market Area ◽  
Causal Loop Diagram ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Loop Diagram ◽  
Causal Loop

Abstract Background and Purpose: The complexity of the tourism system, as well as modelling in a frame of system dynamics, will be discussed in this paper. The phaenomenon of tourism, which possesses the typical properties of global and local organisations, will be presented as an open complex system with all its elements, and an optimal methodology to explain the relations among them. The approach we want to present is due to its transparency an excellent tool for searching systems solutions and serves also as a strategic decision-making assessment. We will present systems complexity and develop three models of a complex tourism system: the first one will present tourism as an open complex system with its elements, which operate inside of a tourism market area. The elements of this system present subsystems, which relations and interdependencies will be explained with two models: causal-loop diagram and a simulation model in frame of systems dynamics. Design/methodology/approach: Systems methodology will be shown as the appropriate one, when we discuss complex systems challenges. For illustration, systems approach and systems methodology will be applied to tourism models. With building a qualitative causal-loop diagram we will describe the tourism system complexity in forms of system’s elements relations. Mutual influences among the elements will be presented with positive and negative loops, which forms circles of reinforcement and balance. This will help us to discuss the problem categorically. The final model will follow the causal-loop diagram. This will be a simulation model in a frame of system dynamics as an illustration of the discussed methodology. Results: The methodology offers the solution of effective and holistic promotion of complex tourism system transformation, which has the potential to go beyond the myth of sustainable tourism and create significant shifts in the approach and acting of the participants (elements of the system) involved. Systems approach brings to tourism and the society, in general, broader dimensions of thinking, the awareness interdependency, interconnectivity, and responsibility for the behaviour of a system, which can be observed by feedback loops. Conclusions: Findings about meaningfulness of systems thinking presented in the paper, are rarely presented to tourism society systemically and with the aim of designing sustainable complex tourism system. They show new approach, systems awareness and teaches thinking “out of the box”. Consequently, the sustainable behaviour is achieved: tourism supply and demand meet on responsible base and they connect to responsible stakeholders.

scholarly journals Critical factors that affect the functioning of a research and evaluation capacity building partnership: A causal loop diagram

PLoS ONE ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. e0262125
Author(s):  
Rochelle Tobin ◽  
Gemma Crawford ◽  
Jonathan Hallett ◽  
Bruce Richard Maycock ◽  
Roanna Lobo
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Causal Loop Diagram ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Evaluation Capacity ◽  
Loop Diagram ◽  
Causal Loop ◽  
Stakeholder Interests

Introduction Public health policy and practice is strengthened by the application of quality evidence to decision making. However, there is limited understanding of how initiatives that support the generation and use of evidence in public health are operationalised. This study examines factors that support the internal functioning of a partnership, the Western Australian Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Applied Research and Evaluation Network (SiREN). SiREN aims to build research and evaluation capacity and increase evidence-informed decision making in a public health context. Methods This study was informed by systems concepts. It developed a causal loop diagram, a type of qualitative system model that illustrated the factors that influence the internal operation of SiREN. The causal loop diagram was developed through an iterative and participatory process with SiREN staff and management (n = 9) via in-depth semi-structured interviews (n = 4), workshops (n = 2), and meetings (n = 6). Results Findings identified critical factors that affected the functioning of SiREN. Central to SiREN’s ability to meet its aims was its capacity to adapt within a dynamic system. Adaptation was facilitated by the flow of knowledge between SiREN and system stakeholders and the expertise of the team. SiREN demonstrated credibility and capability, supporting development of new, and strengthening existing, partnerships. This improved SiREN’s ability to be awarded new funding and enhanced its sustainability and growth. SiREN actively balanced divergent stakeholder interests to increase sustainability. Conclusion The collaborative development of the diagram facilitated a shared understanding of SiREN. Adaptability was central to SiREN achieving its aims. Monitoring the ability of public health programs to adapt to the needs of the systems in which they work is important to evaluate effectiveness. The detailed analysis of the structure of SiREN and how this affects its operation provide practical insights for those interested in establishing a similar project.

A Systems Model of Repeat Court-Ordered Removals: Responding to Child Protection Challenges Using a Systems Approach

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Wise
Keyword(s):  
Child Protection ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Feedback Loops ◽  
Causal Loop Diagram ◽  
Birth Mothers ◽  
Loop Diagram ◽  
Causal Loop ◽  
Systems Model ◽  
Out Of Home Care ◽  
Key Stakeholders

Abstract Repeat removals, where parents lose successive infants and children to out-of-home care, is a systems problem requiring a systems approach to broaden our thinking and expand our choices for action. A transdisciplinary group of key stakeholders in Australia jointly constructed a causal loop diagram to bring forth the systemic structure underlying the issue and identify system conditions that need to be altered. Analysis of the causal loop diagram surfaced eight dynamic positive feedback loops which result in a self-reinforcing system. While the model reflects the understanding of a relatively small group and requires further testing, it adds to current conceptualisations of repeat removal by hypothesising systemic causes and offers new directions for prevention. Stakeholders homed in on stigmatised stereotypes of recurrent birth mothers and the child protection culture, practitioner decision-making, parent–practitioner interactions and parental participation in child protection case planning as ways of correcting against vicious feedback loops. A systems approach contributed useful insights into the problem of repeat removals and could productively be used in respect of a range of other complex child protection challenges.

MODEL STRUKTUR EKONOMI RUMAH TANGGA PETANI PADI DI KABUPATEN INDRMAYU, PROVINSI JAWA BARAT (Suatu Analisis Menggunakan Sistem Thinking)

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 071
Author(s):  
Ivonne Ayesha
Keyword(s):  
System Thinking ◽  
Causal Loop Diagram ◽  
Loop Diagram ◽  
Causal Loop

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk membangun pemahaman (understanding) tentang fenomena ekonomi rumah tangga petani penggarap secara clear dan distinct, dan menyusun model ekonomi rumah tangga petani penggarap yang dapat menjelaskan faktor-faktor yang penentu dan interaksi variabel-variabel yang saling terkait. Penelitian ini bersifat kualitatif dengan jenis studi fenomenologi. Responden dalam penelitian ini adalah petani padi yang tidak punya lahan (penyakap) yang melakukan usahatani di Kabupaten Indramayu, Provinsi Jawa Barat, sebanyak 7 orang dengan lokasi yang berbeda, namun masih dalam kabupaten yang sama. Di samping itu, responden juga diambil dari perangkat desa, tokoh masyarakat, dan PPL. Responen ditetapkan secara sengaja (purposive), sesuai dengan kebutuhan penelitian ini. Data yang digunakan adalah data primer, sedangkan analisis data menggunakan cara berfikir sistem (system thinking). Hasil analisis data ditampilkan dalam bentuk diagram sebab akibat (causal loop diagram), dengan menggunakan program Vensim PLE. Hasil penelitian menyimpulkan: 1) Rumah tangga petani penyakap sebagai unit ekonomi terkecil yang memiliki sumber pemasukan dan pengeluaran rumah tangga, baik dari dan untuk memenuhi kebutuhan usahatani maupun non usahatani. Meskipun nilai penerimaan yang diperoleh sangat sedikit, namun petani penyakap tetap melaksanakan usahatani padi dari musim ke musim. Kekurangan uang dalam rumah tangga diatasi dengan melakukan pinjaman ke para pelepas uang (rentenir) dan tengkulak. Sedikit sekali petani yang memanfaatkan jasa keuangan formal dalam mengatasi masalah ekonomi rumah tangga. Pola hidup konsumtif sering menyebabkan petani terjebak dalam lingkaran hutang, dan 2) Model ekonomi rumah tangga petani penyakap yang disusun mengandung 2 lingkar sebab akibat positif dan satu lingkar sebab akibat negatif. Lingkar sebab akibat positif terdapat pada struktur pinjaman usahatani dan struktur pinjaman non usahatani. Lingkar sebab akibat negatif terdapat pada struktur pengeluaran. Model ini menunjukkan bahwa uang dalam rumah tangga bertambah dengan adanya pemasukan dan berkurang dengan adanya pengeluaran. Variabel pemasukan merupakan akumulasi dari penghasilan bersih, pinjaman usahatani dan pinjaman non usahatani. Variabel pengeluaran ditentukan oleh total pengeluaran rumah tangga. Total pengelaran rumah tangga merupakan akumulasi dari: pengeluaran usahatani, pengeluaran non usahatani, pembayaran iyuran desa, biaya sosial, konsumsi rumah tangga, dan pembayaran hutang non usahatani

Modelling environmental and economic sustainability of logistics

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-94
Author(s):  
Pragya Arya ◽  
Manoj Kumar Srivastava ◽  
Mahadeo P. Jaiswal
Keyword(s):  
System Dynamics ◽  
Economic Performance ◽  
Economic Sustainability ◽  
Causal Loop Diagram ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Loop Diagram ◽  
Causal Loop ◽  
Model Based

Purpose Research on sustainability has progressed from a singular focus on one aspect to a simultaneous focus on more than one aspect of the triple bottom line. However, there is a dearth of research that explains why sustainability-related decisions in business often do not bear the expected results. Research that provides managers with a tool to achieve environmental sustainability of logistics without compromising the economic sustainability is scarce. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to bridge the above gaps and to explore the factors that affect investment in technology to balance environmental and economic sustainability of logistics. A model based on system dynamics approach explains the simultaneous interplay of these factors. Simulating the model helps the managers of logistics function decide the size of investment in technology, to achieve environmental efficiency without negatively influencing the economic performance. Design/methodology/approach A model based on system dynamics approach explains the simultaneous interplay of these factors. Simulating the model helps the managers of logistics function decide the size of investment in technology, to achieve ecological efficiency without compromising with the economic performance. Findings Collaboration with regulatory authorities and with players within the same industry and across industries is a must so that eco-logistics does not become an economic burden for businesses. The decision to invest in technology for eco-logistics is further accentuated if the technology promises some added economic benefits. Research limitations/implications From a theoretical perspective, the research has added to the less extensive literature on system dynamics modelling, which is a mixed methodology, combining both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The research is also one of the few attempts that have attempted to simultaneously study more than one aspects of sustainability in business, quantitatively through simulation. Simulation was demonstrated through a single case study, Future works can aim to apply the causal loop diagram to firms in varied sectors. Practical implications The managers can use the causal loop diagram to assess the environmental performance of logistics and decide on appropriate level of investment to balance ecological and economic performance of logistics. Originality/value The causal loop diagram has been developed through primary data collection via semi-structured interviews. The results were validated by presenting them to respondents to ensure they represent their view points. The results are, therefore, practical and original. This research does not build upon an existing data set or aims to test the applicability of any existing model. The model for this research has been developed from the grass-roots level.

Analysis of crowd stampede risk mechanism

Kybernetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xie Kefan ◽  
Yu Song ◽  
Sishi Liu ◽  
Jia Liu
Keyword(s):  
Deep Level ◽  
Fundamental Solutions ◽  
Causal Loop Diagram ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Loop Diagram ◽  
Causal Loop ◽  
Critical Data ◽  
Systemic Analysis ◽  
Linkage Effect ◽  
A Chain

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the crowd stampede risk mechanism from the perspective of systems thinking. Design/methodology/approach Causal loop diagram is drawn to outline the non-linear interactions among complex factors across the whole system and dissect the contributory factors of crowd stampede accident. To systematically construct the theoretical framework and find fundamental solutions, co-word analysis with Citespace is used to get the critical data. An agent-based simulation using Pathfinder is conducted to develop a spatial model for the Shanghai Stampede Accident that happened in 2014. Findings The causal loop diagram is formed to not only illustrate the symptomatic solutions with a quick fix but also dissect the fundamental solutions through an underlying systemic analysis. The simulation shows that crowd stampede experiences an interactive process of accumulation, trigger, delay, break and diffusion of risk factors within the crowd system. A linkage effect among the multidimensional characters of individuals and the system accelerates the stampede risk deterioration. There exists delay of the result of effect from the deep-level measure. Practical implications A top-down approach is offered to policymakers for crowd stampede risk protocol design and synergic emergency control that may reduce the risk of the stampede. Originality/value In this study, SDFT paradigm is proposed as the critical solution for the crowd stampede accident. In addition, a chain effect of energy and a linkage effect within the crowd system is illustrated for in-depth understanding of crowd stampede risk.

Toward a Pattern Language for Eco-Business Design

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 706-715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinsuke Kondoh ◽  
◽  
Hitoshi Komoto ◽  
Yusuke Kishita ◽  
Nobuo Nakamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pattern Language ◽  
Causal Loop Diagram ◽  
Multiple Stakeholders ◽  
Loop Diagram ◽  
Causal Loop ◽  
Surrounding Environment ◽  
Business Cases ◽  
Key Features ◽  
Business Design

The objective of this study is to seek a pattern language in the domain of eco-business design. A pattern language is first proposed in the field of architecture. By using patterns as the basis for a shared agreement in a community, users and stakeholders in the community can design buildings and their surrounding environment in a cooperative manner. This paper first discusses key features of the language that enables a cooperative eco-business design among multiple stakeholders. It goes on to describe how to formulate the language by using a causal-loop diagram as well as rules that were established by analyzing 130 eco-business cases in Japan. A simplified case study is also provided to illustrate how to use the language.

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