A systems thinking study of retention and recruitment issues for the New Zealand Army electronic technician trade group

Abstract

AbstractSince the mid‐1990s, the NZ Army has experienced difficulty retaining personnel in the electronic technicians trade. A systems thinking study, using the qualitative system dynamics approach, was undertaken to establish a better understanding of the causal factors of poor retention and recruitment, their interconnections and complex relationships and to identify leverage points to develop a turn‐around strategy. Separate group model building workshops were held with the apprentices, tradesmen, management and external stakeholders. Causal loop diagrams (CLDs) were developed for each stakeholder group and the three internal stakeholder group CLDs were merged for further analysis. The combined internal stakeholders' CLD and external stakeholders' CLD were used as the basis for the analysis of leverage points within the system, and to facilitate the development of action plans for the trade group. The paper outlines this systems thinking study and the subsequent implementation of the recommendations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.