scholarly journals The mental map as an instrument to define indicators in complex systems: an application on the environmental knowledge of local horticultural farmers

2022 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
María Luz Blandi ◽  
Natalia Agustina Gargoloff ◽  
María José Iermanó ◽  
María Fernanda Paleologos ◽  
Santiago Javier Sarandón
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Complex Systems ◽  
Green Revolution ◽  
Sustainability Indicators ◽  
Environmental Knowledge ◽  
Units Of Analysis ◽  
Mental Map ◽  
Local Environmental Knowledge ◽  
Two Stages

Abstract: The reductionist and disciplinary paradigm of the Green Revolution coexists with the emerging paradigm of complexity, which values the holistic and the interdisciplinary. Agroecology promotes the need to understand the multiple biophysical relationships that exist in agroecosystems, and this calls for the development of new methodological tools. Sustainability indicators are an example of this. However, their implementation is not simple, as this requires an instrument to simplify the construction of such indicators. The objective of this work is to use the “mental map” as a guide for the development and application of indicators. The graph follows the conceptual path that facilitates the understanding of the variable and its breakdown into smaller and measurable units of analysis, i.e. the indicators. The created mental map has two stages: the development of indicators and their application. Its utility is presented in a case study that addresses local environmental knowledge (LEK). The results of this work show that complexity can be translated into quantifiable, measurable, and comparable variables, without this representing the loss of its characteristics. In addition, it proves that the created tool facilitates the evaluation and understanding of the functioning of agroecosystems, which contributes to decision-making.

scholarly journals Challenge for Planning by Using Cluster Methodology: The Case Study of the Algarve Region

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1536 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Bienvenido-Huertas ◽  
Fátima Farinha ◽  
Miguel José Oliveira ◽  
Elisa M. J. Silva ◽  
Rui Lança
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Sustainability Indicators ◽  
Analysis Approach ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Indicator Approach

This study analyses the most appropriate methodology to make similarity classifications among the cities of the Algarve (Portugal) according to 105 sustainability indicators monitored with the Observatory of Sustainability of the Algarve Region for Tourism (OBSERVE). The methodology used to establish the similarities was the cluster analysis with 4 different approaches which reduced the dimensions of the data set: total approach, pillar approach, subject area approach, and indicator approach. By combining the approaches, a total of 620 different cluster analyses were performed. The results reflected that the data analysis approaches with less dimensions were those that performed the best groups among cities. In this sense, the approaches with a high number of indicators (e.g., the total or the pillar approach) were characterised by misclassifying cities in more than 30% of the indicators. Thus, the most acceptable cluster analysis approach was that with a low number of indicators. Through this approach, it was possible to make correct groups of the sustainability level of the cities of the Algarve. These results provided an appropriate methodology for the decision-making regarding the sustainability of a region and could be extrapolated to other regions to assess sustainability or environmental indicators.

scholarly journals Sustainability Indicators and Indices for the Water-Energy-Food Nexus for Performance Assessment: WEF Nexus in Practice – South Africa Case Study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luxon Nhamo ◽  
Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi ◽  
Sylvester Mpandeli ◽  
Charles Nhemachena ◽  
Aidan Senzanje ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Performance Monitoring ◽  
Water Productivity ◽  
Sustainability Indicators ◽  
Resource Utilisation ◽  
Integrated Index ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Composite Indices

The missing link between cross-sectoral resource utilisation and management, and full-scale adoption of the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus has been lack of analytical tools to support policy and decision-making. This paper defined WEF nexus sustainability indicators and developed a methodology to calculate composite indices to facilitate WEF nexus performance, monitoring and evaluation. WEF nexus indicators were integrated through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM). Data were normalised to determine composite indices. The method established quantitative relationships among WEF nexus sectors to indicate resource utilisation and performance over time, using South Africa as a case study. A spider graph of normalised indices was used to illustrate WEF nexus indicator performance and inter-relationships, providing a synopsis of the level of interactions and inter-connectedness of WEF nexus sectors. The shape of the spider graph is determined by the level of the interdependencies and interactions among the WEF nexus sectors, whose management is viewed either as sustainable or unsustainable depending on the classification of the developed integrated index. The spider graph produced for South Africa shows an over emphasis on food self-sufficiency and water productivity at the expense of other sectors, which results from the sectoral approach in resource management. Although the calculated integrated index of 0.203 for South Africa is classified as lowly sustainable, the emphasis is on the quantitative relationships among the indicators and on how to improve them to achieve sustainability. The developed method provides evidence to decision makers, indicating priority areas for intervention. The analytical model is another niche area for the WEF nexus, as it is now capable to evaluate synergies and trade-offs in a holistic way to improve efficiency and productivity in resource use and management for sustainable development.

Blockchain in Supply Chain: Case Study of Lottemart Ciputat

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. K. Handoyo ◽  
M. R. Mashudi ◽  
H. P. Ipung
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Information Asymmetry ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Production Processes

Current supply chain methods are having difficulties in resolving problems arising from the lack of trust in supply chains. The root reason lies in two challenges brought to the traditional mechanism: self-interests of supply chain members and information asymmetry in production processes. Blockchain is a promising technology to address these problems. The key objective of this paper is to present qualitative analysis for blockchain in supply chain as the decision-making framework to implement this new technology. The analysis method used Val IT business case framework, validated by the expert judgements. The further study needs to be elaborated by either the existing organization that use blockchain or assessment by the organization that will use blockchain to improve their supply chain management.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document