The uses of qualitative data in multimethodology:Developing causal loop diagrams during the coding process

In this research note we describe a method for exploring the creation of causal loop diagrams (CLDs) from the coding trees developed through a grounded theory approach and using computer aided qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS). The theoretical background to the approach is multimethodology, in line with Minger’s description of paradigm crossing and is appropriately situated within the Appreciate and Analyse phases of PSM intervention. The practical use of this method has been explored and three case studies are presented from the domains of organisational change and entrepreneurial studies. The value of this method is twofold; (i) it has the potential to improve dynamic sensibility in the process of qualitative data analysis, and (ii) it can provide a more rigorous approach to developing CLDs in the formation stage of system dynamics modelling. We propose that the further development of this method requires its implementation within CAQDAS packages so that CLD creation, as a precursor to full system dynamics modelling, is contemporaneous with coding and consistent with a bridging strategy of paradigm crossing

A Review of Problem Structuring Methods for Consideration in Prognostics and Smart Manufacturing

Successful use of prognostics involves the prediction of future system behaviors in an effort to maintain system availability and reduce the cost of maintenance and repairs. Recent work by the National Institute of Standards and Technology indicates that the field of prognostics and health management is vital for remaining competitive in today’s manufacturing environment. While prognostics-based maintenance involves many traditional operations research-centric challenges for successful deployment such as limited availability of information and concerns regarding computational efficiency, the authors argue in this paper that the field of prognostics and health management, still in its embryonic development stage, could benefit greatly from considering soft operations research techniques as well. Specifically, the authors propose the use of qualitative problem structuring techniques that aid in problem understanding and scoping. This paper provides an overview of these soft methods and discusses and demonstrates how manufacturers might use them. An approach combining problem structuring methods with traditional operations research techniques would help accelerate the development of the prognostics field

Planning For 5G: A Problem Structuring Approach for Survival in the Telecoms Industry

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via the DOI in this recordThis paper examines the application of systemic problem structuring methods to the development of a research strategy in response to the challenges of fifth generation (5G). The paper proposes a methodology for strategic decision making. The key stakeholders, objectives, technologies, and boundaries from existing literature are identified and problem structuring based on hierarchical process modeling is used to explore the dependency of certain features of 5G on specific technologies, giving an indication of the importance of certain technologies over others and thus insight into where to place research effort. The hard technical challenges of 5G are discussed and equally the importance of the soft social and business challenges explored. For context, we explain how 5G will provide a platform for innovations and discuss how new and existing businesses may use this to their advantage. Problem structuring is used to explore how the challenges and opportunities of future wireless systems are related to the process of developing new business models

Combined Use of Systems Methodologies in Creative Managing the Problem Situations: Key Features, Benefits and Challenges

Management problems in contemporary enterprises should be, according to their increasing complexity and diversity, observed and explored as the management problem situations, that is the systems of problems. Creative dealing with these complex, dynamic and ambiguous problem situations implied the development of a great variety of systems approaches to problem solving, i.e. systems methodologies for problem situations structuring. Since no methodology is able to explore all aspects of the complex problem situations in enterprises, the topic of the paper is combined use of systems methodologies in creative managing the problem situations. The goal of this paper is to highlight the key features, benefits and challenges of combining the systems methodologies in creative managing the problem situations in enterprises. Therefore, research in the paper is relied on Critical Systems Thinking as a conceptual framework for combined use of systems methodologies. Despite the limitations of combining the systems methodologies, methodologically appropriate combined use of systems methodologies enables improvement of managing the problem situations in contemporary enterprises. This work is licensed under a&nbsp;Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.</p

A Review of Problem Structuring Methods for Consideration in Prognostics and Smart Manufacturing

Successful use of prognostics involves the prediction of future system behaviors in an effort to maintain system availability and reduce the cost of maintenance and repairs. Recent work by the National Institute of Standards and Technology indicates that the field of prognostics and health management is vital for remaining competitive in today’s manufacturing environment. While prognostics-based maintenance involves many traditional operations researchcentric challenges for successful deployment such as limited availability of information and concerns regarding computational efficiency, the authors argue in this paper that the field of prognostics and health management, still in its embryonic development stage, could benefit greatly from considering soft operations research techniques as well. Specifically, the authors propose the use of qualitative problem structuring techniques that aid in problem understanding and scoping. This paper provides an overview of these soft methods and discusses and demonstrates how manufacturers might use them. An approach combining problem structuring methods with traditional operations research techniques would help accelerate the development of the prognostics field

On evaluating the performance of problem structuring methods:an attempt at formulating a conceptual model

In the past decade there has been a discussion on the need for and degree of empirical evidence for the effectiveness of problem structuring methods (PSMs). Some authors propose that PSMs are used in unique situations which are difficult to study, both from a methodological and a practical perspective. In another view experimental validation is necessary and, if not obtained, PSMs remain substantially invalidated and thus ‘suspect’ with regard to their claims of effectiveness. Both views agree on one point: the necessity of being clear about the important factors in the context in which a method is used, the method’s aims and its essential elements through which these aims are achieved. A clear formulation of central variables is the core of a theoretical validation, without which empirical testing of effects is impossible. Since the process of PSMs is sometimes referred to as ‘more art than science’, increased clarity on the PSM process also supports the transfer of methods. In this article we consider goals important to most PSMs, such as consensus and commitment. We then focus on outcomes of group model building, and expectations on how context and group modeling process contributes to outcomes. Next we discuss the similarity of these central variables and relations to two sets of theories in social psychology: the theory of planned behavior and dual process theories of persuasion. On the basis of these theories we construct a preliminary conceptual model on group model building effectiveness and address its practical applicability for research on PSM

A critical analysis of the defining features of problem structuring methods

This thesis seeks to explore if there is a defining philosophy, theory and methodology underpinning problem structuring methods (PSMs). PSMs are a class of qualitative Operational Research (OR) approach for making progress with ill-structured problems. The development of each of the established approaches was in relative isolation with little research cutting across all PSMs. There are no agreed standards or characteristics for an approach to be considered a PSM. This creates a problem for the increasing number of newly developed qualitative OR approaches which share many common features with the established PSMs but are not recognised as such. To close this gap the thesis conducts analysis of the literature identifying these common features. To understand the diversity of theory and methodology of PSMs this thesis theoretically and methodologically develops the existing qualitative OR approach WASAN and positions it alongside the existing PSMs. Bridging the gap between established PSMs and other qualitative approaches will identify the qualifying features of PSMs, how to identify these features in other approaches and how theory development in one approach can be transferred to other PSMs. Next the thesis develops the qualitative OR approach WASAN through an action research program. The problem context is a UK Police Force who are aiming to reduce wasted time in their emergency contact centre. The researcher modelled four individual systems in customer contact using WASAN. WASAN considers how behaviour of an upstream system can increase waste production in the system being modelled. The research analysed the individual models and the interaction between models. The research project shows how to identify the features of PSMs in an approach; the process of developing a bespoke approach into a generic approach; and, the commonality of an underpinning framework between WASAN and the existing PSMs through the transferability of theoretical contributions

Structuring problems for Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis in practice : a literature review of method combinations

Structuring problems for Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) has attracted increasing attention over the past 20 years from both a conceptual and a practical perspective. This is reflected in a significant growth in the number of published applications which use a formal approach to problem structuring in combination with an analytic method for multi-criteria analysis. The problem structuring approaches (PSMs) include general methodologies such as Checkland's Soft Systems Method (SSM), Eden and Ackermann's Strategic Options Design and Analysis (SODA) and other methods that focus on a particular aspect. We carried out a literature review that covers eight PSMs (Cognitive and Causal Maps, DPSIR, Scenario Planning, SSM, Stakeholder Analysis, Strategic Choice Approach, SODA and SWOT) and seven MCDA methods (AHP, ANP, ELECTRE, MAUT, MAVT, PROMETHEE and TOPSIS). We first identified and analysed 333 articles published during 2000-2015, then selected 68 articles covering all PSM-MCDA combinations, which were studied in detail to understand the associated processes, benefits and challenges. The three PSMs most commonly combined with MCDA are SWOT, Scenario Planning and DPSIR. AHP was by far the most commonly applied MCDA method. Combining PSMs with MCDA produces a richer view of the decision situation and enables more effective support for different phases of the decision-making process. Some limitations and challenges in combining PSMs and MCDA are also identified, most importantly relating to building a value tree and assigning criteria weights