System dynamics: an effective tool for organizational analysis and prediction
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Date
2008
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Abstract
We are living in a complex world, and where education and interest have created wide
differences among individuals; they have also taught us to appreciate diversity as a lively
attribute of life. In order to recognize diversity and recognize individual perception, and
interpretation of various phenomena of life and the knowledge of different people about
it, qualitative research is conducted and is becoming popular each day. The researchers
and scientists keep devising new instruments and methodologies for enquiry, which are
rational, holistic and solve real life problems. The problems in organizations are not
smooth and patterned like those in natural science and do not conduct themselves in a
predictable way. Thus, logical positivism and reductionism often fails when we deal with
complex problems in organizational perspective, especially involving human decision
making. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA has developed a special research
methodology to address complex problems of the systems called ‘System Dynamics’.
The methodology involves The methodology involves, (1) identifying a problem, (2)
developing a dynamic hypothesis explaining the cause of the problem, (3) building a
computer simulation model of the system at the root of the problem, (4) testing the model
to be certain that it reproduces the behavior seen in the real world, and (5) devising and
testing in the model alternative policies that alleviate the problem, and (6) implementing
this solution. However, we have focused more upon first three keeping in view the
constraints of space and time. The paper is conceptual, divided into 4 segments. 1st
discusses systems approach in organizational studies; the 2nd explores connection
between systems approach and qualitative research; the 3rd identifies the similarities
between qualitative methodologies and those used by system dynamics and lastly the
paper shortly describes the system dynamics inquiry process. Some sample models are
also attached as annexure.
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Keywords
Organizational Development, System Dynamics, Organizational Research, Systems Thinking
Citation
1st National Conference on Organizational Analysis and Qualitative Research: Contemporary Practices and Challenges, University of Peshawar, June 2008