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- Type:
- Document
- Date Created:
- 2009 July 26-2009 July 30
- Collection:
- System Dynamic Society Records
- Collecting Area:
- University Archives
- Collection ID:
- ua435
- Parent Record(s):
- 23d738ba88f8333bc39725f9cb5bd0b8, b3584c6b53c3f58e0202549d7d851f84, and 4818cb531cdd68d6ec6af3f291216fc7
- Description:
- This paper elaborates a model of Human Resource supply and demand as it affects the productivity of a shore-based integrated steel plant using the System Dynamics method. The HR scenario at the plant is examined over a period of ten years, during which it successfully operated with one-third of the personnel in comparable steel plants in India. Also examined is the optimal level of human resources necessary to ensure enhanced efficiency and productivity levels, containing personnel, and redeploying surplus personnel through retraining and relocation. The key parameters taken up are non-executive/executive ratio, personnel productivity, and total workers. More precisely, it identifies policies related to (i) downsizing personnel (ii) to decreasing non-executive/executive ratio, and (iii) improving labour productivity and effectiveness.
-
- Type:
- Document
- Date Created:
- 2009 July 26-2009 July 30
- Collection:
- System Dynamic Society Records
- Collecting Area:
- University Archives
- Collection ID:
- ua435
- Parent Record(s):
- 23d738ba88f8333bc39725f9cb5bd0b8, b3584c6b53c3f58e0202549d7d851f84, and 4818cb531cdd68d6ec6af3f291216fc7
- Description:
- Abstract: In this study we will introduce a hybrid model to describe competition in a constantly developing market environment. A hybrid model referred here is a model that has both system dynamic and agent-based elements. Modeling effort begins from a literature review to strategic management and management of technology. From this background we build a model combining the theories from multiple theory tracks. The model is used to test the effects of more rapid strategy process to firmâs profitability. To test the results we use statistical methods to analyze the data gathered from sensitivity runs. Our model founds support for the proposition that increasing agility increases also the competitive advantage of the firm. We also conclude that hybrid modeling is a strong research tool, but it comes with drawbacks of high hardware requirements and challenging more complex modeling tools.
-
- Type:
- Document
- Date Created:
- 2009 July 26-2009 July 30
- Collection:
- System Dynamic Society Records
- Collecting Area:
- University Archives
- Collection ID:
- ua435
- Parent Record(s):
- 23d738ba88f8333bc39725f9cb5bd0b8, b3584c6b53c3f58e0202549d7d851f84, and 4818cb531cdd68d6ec6af3f291216fc7
- Description:
- Seed of improved varieties and other inputs are imperative to the transformation of the agricultural sector from subsistence farming to small-scale commercial agriculture in developing countries. This paper analyzes the adoption and diffusion process of improved seed by farmers in West Africa. The literature about farmersâ adoption of new agricultural technology is abundant, yet it gives no inte-grated, process-oriented policy perspective that helps designing effective strategies for fostering the adoption of improved seed in West Africa. This paper develops a system dynamics model that integrates the findings from existing studies into a coherent framework. The model analyses the behav-ior patterns that are generated by such structure. With this approach we are able to identify parame-ter constellations that cause observed behavior patterns for different crops in different countries. On this basis we can derive policy implications for supporting adoption for specific crops (such as cotton and maize) and countries (such as Burkina Faso and Ghana) in West Africa.
-
- Type:
- Document
- Date Created:
- 2009 July 26-2009 July 30
- Collection:
- System Dynamic Society Records
- Collecting Area:
- University Archives
- Collection ID:
- ua435
- Parent Record(s):
- 23d738ba88f8333bc39725f9cb5bd0b8, b3584c6b53c3f58e0202549d7d851f84, and 4818cb531cdd68d6ec6af3f291216fc7
- Description:
- This study investigated an instructional strategy to improve learning a complex model in a sys-tem dynamics based learning environment. The instructional strategy required subjects to ex-plore key variables by manipulating dynamic graphs. Design of the strategy was posited upon principles of reducing cognitive load, facilitating mental models, enhancing transfer, and manag-ing risk. Eight students who received the exploration strategy subsequently made better policy decisions than nine subjects who did not receive the strategy. Furthermore, the former subjects exhibited better understanding of the model and how to manage it than did the latter subjects, based upon their verbal descriptions.
-
- Type:
- Document
- Date Created:
- 2009 July 26-2009 July 30
- Collection:
- System Dynamic Society Records
- Collecting Area:
- University Archives
- Collection ID:
- ua435
- Parent Record(s):
- 23d738ba88f8333bc39725f9cb5bd0b8, b3584c6b53c3f58e0202549d7d851f84, and 4818cb531cdd68d6ec6af3f291216fc7
- Description:
- Developing a valid model is of primary importance in System Dynamics (SD) modelling process. To establish that a model produces the right behaviour for the right reasons it is essential to ensure that the structure of model represents the corresponding real world system. Amongst the verification procedures employed, dimensional analysis is used to verify the syntactical correctness of the equation. However, dimensional analysis is among the least prioritised procedures employed in the model building process. Therefore, a lack of dimensional consistency raises serious doubts about the validity of model behaviour. The aim of this paper is to summarise various problems and difficulties identified in the process of SD modelling and to suggest an alternative approach. Firstly, this paper discusses the problems faced by beginners. Secondly, the paper discusses alternative approaches suggested by researchers in SD. Thirdly this papers presents a novel approach to generate a mathematical model from influence diagrams. The two principle benefits this approach can offer are, a software tool based on this approach which can make the benefits of quantitative modelling of SD methodology more accessible to a wider range of users and an improved SD modelling experience, especially of those modellers who have limited mathematical experience
-
- Type:
- Document
- Date Created:
- 2009 July 26-2009 July 30
- Collection:
- System Dynamic Society Records
- Collecting Area:
- University Archives
- Collection ID:
- ua435
- Parent Record(s):
- 23d738ba88f8333bc39725f9cb5bd0b8, b3584c6b53c3f58e0202549d7d851f84, and 4818cb531cdd68d6ec6af3f291216fc7
- Description:
- The world food and energy prices are becoming increasingly linked. Food vs. fuel is the dilemma regarding the risk of diverting farmland or crops for biofuels production in detriment of the food supply on a global scale. One systemic cause for the price rise is held to be the diversion of food crops (maize in particular) for making first-generation biofuels. An estimated 100 million tonnes of grain per year are being redirected from food to fuel. The objectives of this study are firstly to build a simulation model, based on system dynamics approach, for not only analyzing the global food market but also forecasting the global food demand, production, and stock, and secondly to examine the food-energy links mechanism by analyzing biofuel related technology level and progress, expected biofuel demand and price, biofuel production capacity and facilities, and petroleum market mechanism. a causal link from the oil price to the biofuel demand is positive, meaning that an increase in the oil price results in an increase in the biofuel demand. There are several more positive links: a link from the biofuel demand to the biofuel price, a link from the biofuel price to the oil demand, and a link from the oil demand to the oil price.
-
- Type:
- Document
- Date Created:
- 2009 July 26-2009 July 30
- Collection:
- System Dynamic Society Records
- Collecting Area:
- University Archives
- Collection ID:
- ua435
- Parent Record(s):
- 23d738ba88f8333bc39725f9cb5bd0b8, b3584c6b53c3f58e0202549d7d851f84, and 4818cb531cdd68d6ec6af3f291216fc7
- Description:
- This paper proposes a framework for application of system dynamics modeling to sustainable manufacturing. Sustainable manufacturing involves interaction of multiple complex systems including those in manufacturing, environment, financial and social domains. A concerted effort involving a number of researchers may be required to develop the requisite capability to model sustainable manufacturing with a flexible scope. At present, it is difficult for researchers to collaborate, share and reuse models and components due to lack of consistency in several aspects including taxonomy and modeling approaches. The proposed framework is a first step to move towards composability of sustainable manufacturing model components developed by different research teams. The proposed framework organizes the major factors influencing sustainable manufacturing into four interacting complex domains. The framework is intended for use as a platform to develop model components that may be interchanged to analyze sustainable manufacturing for different industries and geographies.
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- Type:
- Document
- Date Created:
- 2009 July 26-2009 July 30
- Collection:
- System Dynamic Society Records
- Collecting Area:
- University Archives
- Collection ID:
- ua435
- Parent Record(s):
- 23d738ba88f8333bc39725f9cb5bd0b8, b3584c6b53c3f58e0202549d7d851f84, and 4818cb531cdd68d6ec6af3f291216fc7
- Description:
- This Roundtable is the place to come to discuss substantive education issues, whether you are part of the Education SIG or simply exploring possibilities. The Ed SIG is establishing an agenda which embraces both elementary and secondary education and high education. We also deal with both management and public policy issues. We will continue working on the intellectual and operational challenges to system dynamics of the PK-20+ concept of lifelong learning from prekindergarten to continuing adult education, reaching beyond the usual silos separating the domains. Come tell us what you are working on, or just ask questions.
-
- Type:
- Document
- Date Created:
- 2009 July 26-2009 July 30
- Collection:
- System Dynamic Society Records
- Collecting Area:
- University Archives
- Collection ID:
- ua435
- Parent Record(s):
- 23d738ba88f8333bc39725f9cb5bd0b8, b3584c6b53c3f58e0202549d7d851f84, and 4818cb531cdd68d6ec6af3f291216fc7
- Description:
- A number of papers have been published describing various pedagogic techniques for the dissemination of the System Dynamics (SD) approach at various Education institutions and academic levels ranging from schools (K-12 in the US) to higher education. This paper builds on previous papers by this author that provided a partial catalogue and classification of this work in order to highlight potential areas of research in this field of study and to identify system archetypes at different hierarchical levels and discover new ones. This paper therefore presents Review of System Dynamics Pedagogic Techniques. This paper builds on the earlier taxonomy by widening the scope of the survey of SD Pedagogic Techniques. The findings from these investigations are briefly described. The Review classifies the completed investigations into specific areas of concern and hierarchical levels. Key words: System Dynamics, Education
-
- Type:
- Document
- Date Created:
- 2009 July 26-2009 July 30
- Collection:
- System Dynamic Society Records
- Collecting Area:
- University Archives
- Collection ID:
- ua435
- Parent Record(s):
- 23d738ba88f8333bc39725f9cb5bd0b8, b3584c6b53c3f58e0202549d7d851f84, and 4818cb531cdd68d6ec6af3f291216fc7
- Description:
- A number of papers have been published describing various System Dynamics (SD) models of various Education institutions and issues, on topics including the role of SD in Corporate Governance, Planning, Resourcing & Budgeting, Teaching Quality, Teaching Practice, Microworlds and Enrolment Demand. This paper builds on previous papers by this author that provided a partial catalogue and classification of this work in order to highlight potential areas of research in this field of study and to identify system archetypes at different hierarchical levels and discover new ones. This paper therefore presents Review of System Dynamics Models in Education. This paper builds on the earlier taxonomy by widening the scope of the survey of completed SD investigations in educational management. The findings from these investigations are briefly described. The Review classifies the completed investigations into seven specific areas of concern and five hierarchical levels. Key words: System Dynamics, Education