The purpose of this paper is to show that a combination of System Dynamics (SD) and the Methodology of Network Thinking (MNT) developed at the University of St. Gallen can help overcoming some of the limitations of the both methodologies, and realizing substantial synergies between them. Insights from an application of this synthesizing methodology, which we call "Integrative Systems Modelling", to a case study, - The RITTS (Regional Innovation and Technology Transfer System)- project in Aachen (Germany) support our assumption that MNT and SD are highly complementary methodologies. The experience of this intervention shows that MNT is excellent for eliciting knowledge on complex issues from those who incorporate theoretical understanding and practical experience. It helps in surfacing issues, finding consensual domains and building a communication culture in a team. However, the modelling capabilities of MNT are limited. They do not include formal quantitative modelling of variables and their relationships. Also, the possibilities for simulation and validation are very limited. To overcome these limitations, SD modelling is the ideal complement. The concept of "Integrative Systems Modelling" is outlined and its main steps of application are illustrated by means of the Aachen RITTS case. Thereby, also the advantages, limitations and complementarities of the GAMMA and ITHINK software packages in model building become visible.

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Date created

• 1996

Type

• Document

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• Processing documentation available at: https://wiki.albany.edu/display/SCA/Processing+Ingested+Digital+Files

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• Creative Commons BY-NC-ND Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International

  
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227da936724c4223c5a64764d3922694

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ca4810593b2703dcaa087957ab13af91

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Collection

System Dynamic Society Records

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Collecting area

• This collection is part of the University Archives