scholarly journals USING SSM FOR STRUCTURING DECISION SUPPORT IN URBAN ENERGY PLANNING / OPERACINĖS SISTEMOS METODOLOGIJOS TAIKYMAS PLANUOJANT MIESTO ENERGETIKĄ

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 641-653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dulce Coelho ◽  
Carlos Henggeler Antunes ◽  
António Gomes Martins
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Energy Planning ◽  
Urban Context ◽  
Problem Structuring ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Real World Problem ◽  
Urban Energy

This paper describes the use of Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) as a tool for problem structuring, which is the first phase encompassed in a methodological approach currently under development to provide decision support based on Multi‐Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) in energy planning problems in an urban context. In order to apply the methodology to a real‐world problem, a medium sized Portuguese city has been chosen as the decision setting. SSM is used for characterizing as precisely as possible the decision problem context, identifying the main stakeholders and their relations, and discerning the relevant criteria at stake for each one. Future work directions based on this phase are also envisaged. Santrauka Straipsnyje aprašoma operacinės sistemos metodologija (OSM), kuri bus taikoma kaip daugiakriterinės analizės metodais pagrįsta sprendimų paramos sistema miesto energetikos planavimo problemoms spręsti. Siekiant metodologiją pritaikyti realiame gyvenime, eksperimentui buvo parinktas vidutinio dydžio Portugalijos miestas. Operacines sistemos metodologija taikyta kuo tiksliau nustatant pagrindines problemas, identifikuojant pagrindines suinteresuotas šalis ir jų santykius, nustatant vienas kitam įtaka darančius rodiklius. Numatytos būsimos darbo kryptys.

scholarly journals A Bibliographic and Visual Exploration of the Historic Impact of Soft Systems Methodology on Academic Research and Theory

Systems ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Warren ◽  
Brian Sauser ◽  
David Nowicki
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Complex Problem ◽  
Visual Exploration ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Complex Engineered Systems

Soft systems methodology (SSM), an analytic method commonly employed in engineering and business research, produces models focused on human activities and relevant structures used to explain complex, engineered systems. The original version of SSM involves seven stages; five address real-world aspects and observable data, while two stages leverage a systems thinking viewpoint. This approach allows the development of a simplified depiction of complex systems representative of the multi-perspective lenses used to comprehend the systemic complexity of a problem and provide a clearer picture to analysts and decision makers. This bibliometric meta-analysis of 286 relevant publications in engineering, business, and other social sciences fields explores the historic impacts of SSM on academic research and systems thinking in relevant publications that described or employed SSM for research from 1980–2018. This study produced descriptive narrative outcomes and data visualizations including information about top SSM authors, author citation impacts, common dissemination outlets for SSM work, and other relevant metrics commonly used to measure academic impact. The goal of this piece is to depict who, what, why, when, and where SSM had the greatest impact on research, systems thinking, and methodology after nearly 40 years of use, as we look towards its future as a methodological approach used to comprehend complex problem situations.

Using Soft Systems Methodology for the Analysis of Sustainable Energy Initiatives

2021 ◽  
pp. 211-232
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Problem Structuring ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Energy Efficiency Analysis

The chapter is devoted to the energy efficiency analysis as a prerequisite for sustainable use of energy. In this regard, the current study is focused on the application of soft systems methodology (SSM) and its role as a problem structuring approach to analyze the energy efficiency initiatives. For this purpose, four research works were addressed. The mentioned researches employed a combination of multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and (SSM) to assess the energy efficiency initiatives. The obtained results included the role of key players in rich pictures with a potential interest in a system for energy efficiency initiatives evaluations, the definition of the root, CATWOE components, and a conceptual model. The results of such processes could be applied in the establishment of a sufficiently accurate decision model capable of offering structured support giving rise to a more informed decision in terms of the energy efficiency measures implementation.

Cultural Problems in Applying SSM for IS Development

2011 ◽  
pp. 104-116
Author(s):  
Trevor T. Moores ◽  
Frank H. Gregory
Keyword(s):  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Problem Structuring ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Eastern Culture ◽  
Stakeholder Views ◽  
High Staff Turnover ◽  
Open Discussion ◽  
Is Development

Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) is a general problem structuring approach that seeks to incorporate multiple stakeholder views in the analysis of a given problem. When applied to IS development, the method requires negotiation and debate between the stakeholders when exploring the feasibility of developing an information system. The applicability of this approach depends, however, on the willingness of participants to enter into such an open discussion. This paper reports on a case study that highlights the problems of applying such a confrontational method in an Eastern culture, such as Hong Kong. Three main problems were identified: Group discussions were avoided; Interviews were conducted in multiple languages; and, High staff turnover made it difficult to develop and maintain mature stakeholder views.

scholarly journals Factors to Foster Organizational Sustainability in Tourism SMEs

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 8657
Author(s):  
Juan E. Núñez-Ríos ◽  
Jacqueline Y. Sánchez-García ◽  
Omar G. Rojas ◽  
Elias Olivares-Benitez
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Organizational Sustainability ◽  
Path Modeling ◽  
Organizational Relationships ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Tourism Sector

Small and medium-sized tourism companies (SMEs) strongly depend on their collaborators to achieve competitiveness and sustainability. In this sense, these organizations need to identify those factors that help them to use their resources and efforts to achieve the aforementioned goals. This article proposes a model oriented to organizational sustainability in the tourism sector. A systemic approach was adopted to articulate this research; therefore, the soft systems methodology was applied to structure the problem and express a conceptual model that suggests relationships as an alternative solution to the expressed problem. Partial least squares path modeling was applied to statistically validate the relationships expressed in the construct. Results suggest that the relationships proposed in the construct are valid and may promote organizational sustainability. The ideas developed are restricted to the organizational domain and although the results apply in a Mexican context, this potential limitation can be offset by the multi-methodological approach proposed, extending the model’s application to other types of organizations. This study may enable scholars and managers to improve communication and inter-organizational relationships, allowing organizations to focus their strategies and efforts using systems thinking to increase responsiveness and adaptation.

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