Lane, David C. with Chris Smart, "Mad, Bad and Dangerous To Know? The evolution and limitation of the ‘generic structure’ concept in system dynamics", 1994
ua435
This paper trace the evolution of the 'generic structure' concept in system dynamics, and discusses the different practical uses to which they have been put. By reviewing previous work on the concept we have identical three different views of what a generic structure is and, hence, what transferability means. These different views are distinguishable in practice as well as in concept. Examination of these interpretations shows that the assumptions behind them are quite dissimilar. From this analysis we argue that it is no longer useful to treat 'generic structures' since a single concept as the unity it implies is only superficial. We conclude that the concept needs unbundling so that different assumptions about transferability of structure can be made explicit, and the role of 'generic structures' as generalisable theories of dynamic behavior in system dynamic behavior in system dynamics theory and practice can be debated and clarified.