A cybernetic participatory approach for policy system of systems mapping: Case study of Inclusive Economies

Hassannezhad, M., Gogarty, M., Hill OConnor, C. , Cox, J., Meier, P. S. and Purshouse, R. C. (2023) A cybernetic participatory approach for policy system of systems mapping: Case study of Inclusive Economies. Futures, 152, 103200. (doi: 10.1016/j.futures.2023.103200)

Abstract

Traditional participatory systems modelling demands synchronous time from many experts and face-to-face interaction. This is not always feasible (e.g., during a pandemic) and can restrict which participants can be included. There are additional limitations in the effectiveness of physical paper-based modelling when handling large complex systems with numerous variables and links between them. The key challenge facing practitioners is then how can we retain the benefits of traditional participatory modelling whilst exploiting the advantages of new technologies? This paper contributes to development of an original systematic methodology inspired by Cybernetic principles. The proposed method, referred to as 5X – standing for Expose, Explore, Exploit, Explain, and Expand – offers a fully virtual co-produced environment for iterative cycle of stakeholder engagement and feedback before, during and after workshops, leading to developing more confidence in systems mapping, and promoting knowledge across policy areas. A primary application of the proposed method in a real policy setting illustrates its capability to generate a shared policy understanding of a complex inclusive economy system, where there is conflicting or dispersed knowledge about system structure, refine this understanding through online feedback channels and dynamic visualisations, and transfer this understanding to wider policy and academic partners.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hill OConnor, Dr Clementine and Meier, Professor Petra
• Authors: Hassannezhad, M., Gogarty, M., Hill OConnor, C., Cox, J., Meier, P. S., and Purshouse, R. C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU; College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
• Journal Name: Futures
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0016-3287
• ISSN (Online): 1873-6378
• Published Online: 17 June 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 Elsevier
• First Published: First published in Futures 152:103200
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License