Critical learning incidents in system dynamics modelling engagements

James P. Thompson, Susan Howick, Valerie Belton

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper reports in-depth behavioural operational research to explore how individual clients learned to resolve dynamically complex problems in system dynamics model-based engagements. Consultant-client dyads were interviewed in ten system dynamics consulting engagements to identify individual clients' Critical Learning Incidents—defined as the moment of surprise caused after one's mental model produces unexpected failure and a change in one’s mental model produces the desired result. The cases are reprised from interviews and include assessments of the nature of the engagement problem, the form of system dynamics model, and the methods employed by consultants during each phase of the engagement. Reported Critical Learning Incidents are noted by engagement phase and consulting method, and constructivist learning theory is used to describe a pattern of learning. Outcomes of the research include describing the role of different methods applied in engagement phases (for example, the role of concept models to commence problem identification and to introduce iconography and jargon to the engagement participants), how model form associates with timings of Critical Learning Incidents, and the role of social mediation and negotiation in the learning process.
LanguageEnglish
Pages945-958
Number of pages14
JournalEuropean Journal of Operational Research
Volume249
Issue number3
Early online date2 Oct 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Mar 2016

Fingerprint

Dynamic Modeling
System Modeling
System Dynamics
Dynamical systems
Dynamic models
Mental Models
Dynamic Model
Identification (control systems)
Learning Theory
Mediation
Operations Research
Identification Problem
Engagement
Learning
System dynamics modeling
Incidents
Learning Process
Timing
Resolve
Model-based

Keywords

  • system dynamics
  • practice of OR
  • critical learning incidents
  • behavioural OR
  • constructivism

Cite this

Thompson, James P. ; Howick, Susan ; Belton, Valerie. / Critical learning incidents in system dynamics modelling engagements. In: European Journal of Operational Research. 2016 ; Vol. 249, No. 3. pp. 945-958.
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Thompson, JP, Howick, S & Belton, V 2016, 'Critical learning incidents in system dynamics modelling engagements' European Journal of Operational Research, vol. 249, no. 3, pp. 945-958. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2015.09.048

Critical learning incidents in system dynamics modelling engagements. / Thompson, James P.; Howick, Susan; Belton, Valerie.

In: European Journal of Operational Research, Vol. 249, No. 3, 16.03.2016, p. 945-958.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

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AB - This paper reports in-depth behavioural operational research to explore how individual clients learned to resolve dynamically complex problems in system dynamics model-based engagements. Consultant-client dyads were interviewed in ten system dynamics consulting engagements to identify individual clients' Critical Learning Incidents—defined as the moment of surprise caused after one's mental model produces unexpected failure and a change in one’s mental model produces the desired result. The cases are reprised from interviews and include assessments of the nature of the engagement problem, the form of system dynamics model, and the methods employed by consultants during each phase of the engagement. Reported Critical Learning Incidents are noted by engagement phase and consulting method, and constructivist learning theory is used to describe a pattern of learning. Outcomes of the research include describing the role of different methods applied in engagement phases (for example, the role of concept models to commence problem identification and to introduce iconography and jargon to the engagement participants), how model form associates with timings of Critical Learning Incidents, and the role of social mediation and negotiation in the learning process.

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Thompson JP, Howick S, Belton V. Critical learning incidents in system dynamics modelling engagements. European Journal of Operational Research. 2016 Mar 16;249(3):945-958. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2015.09.048

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