摘要:

AbstractAfter enduring years of criticism from members of the economics profession, many system dynamicists have concluded that economists do not like system dynamics. This article outlines the methodologies of both neoclassical and institutional economics and demonstrates that the system dynamics modeling process is strikingly similar to the latter. Because a majority of economists trained in the West are neoclassicals, system dynamicists should not be surprised if many economists label system dynamics models unscientific. And since the institutional approach and the system dynamics approach are similar, it is argued, system dynamics should be used to strengthen and extend institutional economics.

ISSN:0883-7066    

DOI:10.1002/sdr.4260060202

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1990

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractSystem dynamics models, as causal models, are much like scientific theories. Hence, in evaluating such models, we assume certain norms of scientific inquiry. Most critics hold that the system dynamics approach does not employ formal, objective, quantitative model validation tests. This article argues that this type of criticism presupposes the traditional logical empiricist philosophy of science, which assumes that knowledge is an objective representation of reality and that theory justification can be an objective, formal process. According to the more recent relativist philosophy of science, knowledge is relative to a given society, epoch, and scientific world view. Theory justification is therefore a semiformal, relative social process. We show that relativist philosophy is consistent with the system dynamics paradigm and discuss the practical implications of the two philosophies of science for system dynamics modelers and their critics.

ISSN:0883-7066    

DOI:10.1002/sdr.4260060203

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1990

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractAs population and income per capita grow in a developing country like Iran, demand for meat increases but a potential nutrition crisis also arises. Meat production becomes more profitable, and the number of sheep or other meat‐producing animals in the country rises. Growth of the sheep population increases the demand for fodder, which is obtained from two major domestic sources: rangelands and farmlands. However, as a result of population growth in the country, the demand for non‐meat food, which is produced on the farmlands, also rises and increases the demand for the farmlands themselves. Since cultivable land is limited, the price of farmlands increases and makes farm hay production more expensive. As a result, the pressure on the rangelands to feed the growing sheep population rises. The sheep population in the rangelands finally surpasses their carrying capacity, causing rangelands destruction and a collapse in range grass production. Eventually, the domestic food supply falls sharply, producing a serious crisis in meat supply and nutrition of the human population. To prevent such a crisis, different policy alternatives are examined. The key to a successful policy is identified to be balancing the number of sheep in the rangelands with the production capacity of the rangelands. In addition, lower population growth and higher investment in the rangelands can keep domestic meat production per capita at a higher le

ISSN:0883-7066    

DOI:10.1002/sdr.4260060204

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1990

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractPolicy‐oriented modeling demands client involvement in the model‐building process. This poses a knowledge elicitation problem, i.e., how to obtain the necessary knowledge from a group of people. Traditionally, interviews and freely interacting groups have been employed most frequently for this purpose. In this article, we present an approach to knowledge elicitation that employs a combination of different techniques to arrive at a conceptual model of a regional health care system. The adopted approach is sufficiently general to be employed in other model development processes as w

ISSN:0883-7066    

DOI:10.1002/sdr.4260060205

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1990

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractNotes and Insightsis a forum for discussion and debate about current issues in the philosophy and application of the system dynamics approach, and a marketplace for the exchange of information about current research, policy issues, and teaching experiences. Manuscripts treating material particularly suited to presentation in short form (less than 2,000 words) should be sent to Erich Zahn, Betriebswirtschaftliches Institut, Abt. IV, Universität Stuttgart, Keplerstr. 17, D‐7000 Stuttgart 1, F.R

ISSN:0883-7066    

DOI:10.1002/sdr.4260060206

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1990

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0883-7066    

DOI:10.1002/sdr.4260060207

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1990

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractThis section of theSystem Dynamics Reviewis an eclectic source of information on items of interest to the system dynamics community. Conferences, articles, books, dissertations, speeches, software and hardware products, and teaching materials will be mentioned in this space. The purpose of the section is to provide summaries to help the system dynamics community keep abreast of recent progress related to the field and to anticipate important future events. Submissions covering a wide range of areas and information of possible interest to system dynamicists are encouraged, and should be sent to R. Joel Rahn, Faculté des Sciences de l'Administration, Université Laval, Ste. Foy, Quebec, G1K 7P4, Canad

ISSN:0883-7066    

DOI:10.1002/sdr.4260060208

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1990

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0883-7066    

DOI:10.1002/sdr.4260060209

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1990

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0883-7066    

DOI:10.1002/sdr.4260060210

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1990

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0883-7066    

DOI:10.1002/sdr.4260060201

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1990

数据来源: WILEY