A System Dynamics Model for Improving Primary Education Enrollment in a Developing Country

The system dynamics approach is a holistic way of solving problems in real‐time scenarios. This is a powerful methodology and computer simulation modeling technique for framing, analyzing, and discussing complex issues and problems. System dynamics modeling and simulation is often the background of a systemic thinking approach and has become a management and organizational development paradigm. This paper proposes a system dynamics approach for study the importance of infrastructure facilities on quality of primary education system in developing nations. The model is proposed to be built using the Cross Impact Analysis (CIA) method of relating entities and attributes relevant to the primary education system in any given community. We offer a survey to build the cross‐impact correlation matrix and, hence, to better understand the primary education system and importance of infrastructural facilities on quality of primary education. The resulting model enables us to predict the effects of infrastructural facilities on the access of primary education by the community. This may support policy makers to take more effective actions in campaigns.

The system dynamics approach is a holistic way of solving problems in real-time scenarios. This is a powerful methodology and computer simulation modeling technique for framing, understanding, and discussing complex issues and problems. System dynamics modeling and simulation is often the background of a systemic thinking approach and has become a management and organizational development paradigm. This paper proposes a system dynamics approach for modeling the phenomenon of intentional transmission of HIV/AIDS by non-disclosure. The model is built using the Cross Impact Analysis (CIA) method of relating entities and attributes relevant to the risky conduct of HIV+ individuals in any given community. The proposed model uses a hypothetical cross impact matrix that relates pairs of attributes. The factors that impact non-disclosure are identified by simulating the model through dynamic difference equations. After the simulation results are reviewed, two policies are introduced and tested in order to observe the progress in the system state.

Investigating academic performance of migrant students: A system dynamics perspective with an application to Turkey

System dynamics is one of the widely used and instrumental approaches to solve different types of real-time problems from different areas. System dynamics modelling is often the background of a systemic thinking approach and has become a management and organisational development paradigm. This paper proposes a system dynamics approach for studying ‘how entrepreneurial universities might evolve in a developing country-in this case, in Iran?’ The model is built using cross impact analysis (CIA) method of relating entities and attributes relevant to the entrepreneurial universities evolution in developing nations. The CIA model enables us to predict the effects of various factors on the evolution of University of Tehran (UT) toward an entrepreneurial university. In this study, the main entities and attributes relevant to our problem are adapted from a recent study by Farsi et al. (2012). Then, some policy variables are proposed and their effects on the model were shown. Findings show that although internal interactions among entities are moving UT toward an entrepreneurial university, external policy variables are the main obstacles in reaching this goal.

Digitalization is enabling a higher productivity across the organizations, facilitating the creation of new and better products and services with fewer resources in the workplace. The progressive increase of digitalization of documents and processes can allow the digital transformation by the redesigning of all organizational processes to increase efficiency and improve structural performances. Digitalization is not a mere replacement of a paper-based document with its digital version. It means designing and managing all organizational processes in an integrated and collaborative way changing the business models, operational processes, and customer experiences. To understand how digital transformation deeply impacts to the organizational processes in Public Administrations, we utilize the Systems Thinking (ST) and System Dynamics (SD) approaches. They permit to analyze the benefits that can be pursued through the digitalization of processes, in terms of organizational change, productivity and economic savings. For those by the digital transformation it will be possible to offer to organizations several opportunities to effectively improve the working processes and outcomes.

Recently, there have been calls to integrate systems thinking approaches into chemistry education in order to strengthen students’ conceptual understanding, build their problem-solving capabilities, and prepare them to make informed, ethical decisions about globally relevant issues, such as sustainability. Unfortunately, implementation of systems thinking approaches in chemistry classrooms currently poses challenges. Exemplar systems thinking materials with a STEM focus are limited, particularly at the tertiary level. Moreover, the science education community has yet to agree upon a systems thinking definition or develop a comprehensive list of systems thinking skills that students should develop. Thus, a current priority for the advancement of systems thinking in chemistry education is the development of resources for instructors and students alike. In the current project, we constructed a tool that provides an operational definition for systems thinking in chemistry education and serves as guide for the design, analysis, and optimization of systems thinking activities. The Characteristics Essential for designing or Modifying Instruction for a Systems Thinking approach (ChEMIST) table identifies five essential characteristics of a systems thinking approach, along with corresponding systems thinking skills through which students can demonstrate their engagement in each essential characteristic. Here, we describe the inspiration and development of the tool. We also provide examples of how the tool might be used to support chemistry teaching and learning from a systems thinking approach. Finally, we present some initial ideas about the relationship between systems thinking and other approaches to chemistry education reform.

Purpose – This paper aims to present a review of co-evolution practice in Host Partner Program of IndobuildTech Expo with system thinking approach that related to the current state of research. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a co-evolution model that relevance to the collaboration practice between exhibition organizer and visitors of IndoBuildTech Expo through Host Partner Program. Additionally, linking the co-evolution model in Host Partner Program that occurs with a system thinking construction through casual loop diagrams. The data collection method is a documentation study, by collecting written information, either in the form of research reports, media reports, and other documents related to the topic of writing. Furthermore, with a systems thinking framework, the author will carry out an analysis based on predetermined dimensions referring to the documentation study conducted. Findings – For the exhibition industry to generate lasting value, innovative concepts that take into account their capabilities and prospects are needed. One method is to implement synergy collaborations that leverage crossnetwork efforts to strengthen the exhibition business ecosystem. In this work, the co-evolution implementation process is carried out using the systems thinking methodology. It is the term used to advancements in collaboration between organizer and visitors. Co-evolution could improve the quality of visitors and elevate the perspective, contribution and role of visitors in the exhibition. Research limitations/implications – The concept of co-evolution with a systems thinking approach may not be widely used in the MICE sector at the moment. In order to address the needs of exhibitors and create a sustainable exhibition, it is envisioned that co-evolution with a systems thinking approach would lead to an increase in visitor quality and quantity. Studied co-evolution using a systems thinking approach in the exhibition industry are still in their early phases. The necessity for further co-creation research that more precisely articulates the modalities businesses can employ to progress towards co-creation is supported by this synthesis of earlier studies. Practical Implication – Co-evolution with this system thinking method seeks to increase the 'excellence service' of exhibition organizing activities and fulfill exhibitors' satisfaction for visitor quality and quantity to accomplish long-term IndoBuildTech show activities. R eferring to the strategic actions taken by Debindo-ITE on the system thinking process by identifying causal processes, as a result, the relationship between co-evolution and the systems thinking process approach is intertwined. Originiality/value – Studied co-evolution using a systems thinking approach in the exhibition industry are still in their early phases. The necessity for further co-creation research that more precisely articulates the modalities businesses can employ to progress towards co-creation is supported by this synthesis of earlier studies. This paper

Purpose – The growing complexity of social systems and the faster technology evolution make central the role of the innovative information technology in complex organisations, geared towards collective intelligence processes among the various social actors and analytical tools. These are able to foster the participant knowledge, manage the feedback through a holistic approach and hence shift organisations from a plurality of voices to an interactive intelligence representing the ultimate identity of the organisation itself. In this regard, the aim of this paper is to offer a model for managing external and internal knowledge in order to support the viability of the organisation (system) in the longer term. Design/methodology/approach – The paper adopts the interpretative lens provided by Systems Thinking, System Dynamics and Viable System Approach (vSa) to investigate the challenging domain of the knowledge and information management for complex systems as organisations. Therefore, a qualitative and interpretative approach is carried out to reflect upon Big Data approaches and Collective Knowledge Systems (CKS), embracing a system perspective. Findings – The proposed conceptual model shows the crucial role covered by the holistic managing of the external and internal knowledge that permits to align the information variety of the organisation to the context and the entities that compose it in order to create harmonic relations. Leveraging on the concepts of vicariance, bricolage and exaptation, several advantages emerge that are correlated to the capacity of the complex system to reach a greater level of survival, by adapting and dynamically evolving itself. Originality/value – The paper shows how Systems Thinking and Viable System Approach can provide deep insights into the field of information technology, evidencing the systems thinking contribution in analysing, understanding and managing dimensions and paths of social dynamics. A contribution to previous studies is provided with reference to themes as Big Data, information and knowledge management.

The growing complexity of social systems and the fast technology evolution make central the role of innovative information technologies in complex organisations geared towards collective intelligence processes among the various social actors and analytical tools. These are able to foster participants’ knowledge, manage the feedback through a holistic approach and, hence, shift organisations from a plurality of voices to an interactive intelligence representing the ultimate identity of the organisation itself. In this regard, this paper aims to offer a model for managing external and internal knowledge to support the viability of the organisation (system) in the longer term. The study adopts the interpretative lens provided by Systems Thinking, System Dynamics and Viable System Approach (vSa) to investigate the challenging domain of knowledge and information management for complex systems such as organisations. Therefore, a qualitative and interpretative approach has been chosen to reflect upon Big Data approaches and Collective Knowledge Systems (CKS), embracing a system perspective. The proposed conceptual model shows the crucial role played by the holistic managing of the external and internal knowledge that permits the alignment of the information variety of the organisation to the context and the entities that compose it in order to create harmonic relations. Leveraging on the concepts of vicariance, bricolage and exaptation, several advantages emerge that correlate to the complex system’s ability to reach a greater level of survival by adapting and dynamically evolving itself. The ensuing investigation shows how Systems Thinking and Viable System Approach can provide deep insights into the field of information technology, evidencing the systems thinking contribution in analysing, understanding and managing dimensions and paths of social dynamics. A contribution to previous studies is provided with reference to themes such as Big Data, information and knowledge management.

Interest within the chemistry education community in incorporating sustainability into chemistry education has converged on a systems thinking approach, and efforts to implement this are ongoing. One challenge to implementation is the different amenability to systems thinking approaches of topics that are important in chemistry at the secondary–tertiary interface. To identify low-hanging fruit, we developed a repertory grid consisting of five poles mapped to elements of systems thinking. Secondary and tertiary educators completed the grid during workshops, to measure the amenability of 12 chemistry topics that are important in both secondary and tertiary chemistry education to teaching through systems thinking approaches. Three of the 12 topics analyzed were considered highly amenable to systems thinking approaches by both secondary and tertiary participants. The level of teaching experience was found to be most significant in determining a participant’s perception of amenability of topics. The relationship of these topics to the curriculum structure at the secondary and tertiary level is discussed.

The fast-paced lifestyle in India today accompanied by rapid globalization and rampant urbanization along with recent the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the manner in which people lead their lives. The transition from conventional joint families to nuclear families has also become the norm now. All these factors cumulatively are causing several health problems mainly related to mental health issues amongst children and adolescents during this pandemic. The need of the hour is to tackle the issue of mental health amongst children and adolescents through a system thinking approach which takes into account diverse factors that can eventually improve or enhance mental health outcomes. A system thinking approach would consider the role of factors such as food, sports, music, yoga and spirituality in addressing mental health challenges amongst children and adolescents. Studies have been conducted by researchers in the past which indicate that there is a positive correlation between the kind of food that is being consumed, mindful eating, physical activity, physical literacy, music, yoga, mindful meditation, spirituality, which together lead a greater sense of awareness and thereby creates positive emotions by buffering the negative emotions such as anxiety and depression levels. As a public health emergency, the COVID-19 outbreak, there is a dire need to adopt a system thinking approach by not only with schools but also emphasized on parents or caregivers. The government should adopt systems thinking approach asa mandatory part of the curriculum of schools while parents and children as key stakeholders.

Decent Life is a presidential initiative that was launched in Egypt in the year 2019. The initiative targets complex problems facing underprivileged villages in Egypt. This paper uses a systems thinking approach to gain a holistic view of the initiative dimensions and address the interlinkages between these dimensions from the perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The paper used a causal loop diagram (CLD) as a visualization of the systems thinking approach to analyze the interactions and interlinkage between all the components of the system. The Decent Life Initiative works on improving economic, social, and environmental infrastructures, which are related to SDGs. To achieve the initiative’s goals effectively, this paper suggests working under the umbrella of three important factors: Raising awareness, adopting technology, and putting in place supportive policies and legislations. Finally, the paper suggests using system dynamics as a quantitative method, which uses stock-flow diagrams, to measure the impacts of the initiative on the achievement of the SDGs in Egypt.

The civil engineering profession has been undergoing an identity search. With the advent of information technology and the global market, competition from engineering offices elsewhere and from other local professions is unprecedented. Technical engineering knowledge is no longer a guarantee for career success; rather a combination of numerous professional skills is required. The growing unease of civil engineers about their undefined role in the knowledge economy has led many to question civil engineering education. Although there is a push to enhance the humanistic and business aspects of the curriculum, there is a shove in the opposite direction to strengthen the technical content and keep abreast of technical change. Discussion of this socioeconomic problem within the ASCE forum has often used linear deterministic thinking that is characteristic of technical problems. Social and economic systems are usually more complex and harder to understand than technological systems. If we start making new policies to address the problems of the profession based on fuzzy, incomplete, and imprecise mental models, we may end up with counterintuitive results. This paper proposes a systems thinking approach to the reform of civil engineering education based on System Dynamics modeling, a feedback-based object-oriented modeling paradigm. Such a tool can capture the dynamic nature of complex systems and the nonlinear feedback loops that are often responsible for counterintuitive results of policy making.

The biggest challenge for today’s organisations is to address the growing complexity of their internal and external environment while gaining a competitive advantage. To do this, the leaders of the organisations must be able to understand this complexity through the knowledge of the environment and the implementation of a governance system based on a decision-making process that considers the enormous amount of data available. Such data must lead to the availability of information that guides the organisations themselves in the learning process. Sustainable development requires organisations to rethink their goals and/or business models, with effects on their day-to-day activities. Pursuing to become more sustainable is not only a need for marketing reasons but also an opportunity for growth and alignment with emerging trends. However, managing the complexity of sustainability is not straightforward and requires cognitive and practical tools that are able to capture and jointly consider a wide variety of interrelated factors. Modelling the processes that characterise complex organisations is not an easy task. The aim of this contribution is thus to identify a methodology that helps managers in tackling the challenges that organisations have to adopt when faced with a growing complexity of their internal and external environment, and that might help managers at all levels when analysing various business and management situations, to account for non-linearities, path-dependency and time lags, and that may allow also for organisational and social learning. The study shows how the System Dynamics approach, identified as a methodology for modelling and simulation, is able to lead to the development of effective skills and strategic learning for the management of organisations and hence support the dynamic evaluations of strategies and performance. The System Thinking and System Dynamics approach may prove a useful combined tool for next-generation decision-makers, but this approach needs to be understood and learned in order to develop the necessary skills. In particular, this study will show the results of a test conducted with the collaboration of undergraduate university students, who have attended a course about System Dynamics, in order to test their ability to understand the dynamics underlying counterintuitive system behaviour.

Learning process innovation with a system thinking approach can improve the quality of learning through analysis of the relationship between learning problem variables and problem-solving. The purpose of this study to implement a system thinking approach to improving creative thinking, and problem-solving skills by thinking in a systemic way that can be developed in the learning process. Community Service uses a descriptive method with a qualitative approach. Data collection techniques are carried out by observing and documenting students in the learning process. System thinking in the learning process provides an overview of the interrelationships of problems in learning so that it can be used as a basis for developing problem-solving strategies through learning innovation. Learning Innovation with a System Thinking approach through interactive and student-centered learning can improve creative thinking skills, and problem-solving abilities to identify and find solutions to problems in the learning process.