Strategic Options Development Research Articles

A Multimethodological Approach to Assist the Design of Systemic Governance in Agroextractivist Settlement Projects in the Brazilian Amazon Landscape.

Coping with complex landscape situations in the Anthropocene increasingly demands innovative governance practices that can be facilitated by investment in new epistemological and methodological approaches and capacities. This paper explores the use of a multimethodological research approach organized as a systemic co-inquiry to assist in the design of systemic governance for Agroextractivist Settlement Projects (PAEs) in the municipality of Abaetetuba, Pará, in the Brazilian Amazon. In the PAEs, the systemic co-inquiry was conducted alongside interested and influential stakeholders through the combined use of the Soft Systems Methodology and Strategic Options Development and Analysis problem structuring methods. The use of these methods and their tools allowed stakeholders to articulate major issues around the situation of concern, engaging in reflective practices about the opportunities of governing the PAEs systemically. By valuing stakeholder perspectives and participation in all phases of the research, the proposed multimethodology approach helped them express their views on the problem situation and allowed for their active engagement in the design of systemic governance of the PAEs. As a result of adopting a multimethodological approach, distinctive albeit coupled realms of governing are explored, a key issue when designing systemic governance practices of social-ecological systems such as the PAEs.

Brazilian Forest-Based Sector Perceptions and Contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—Developing Strategies Using the Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA) Approach

The Brazilian forest-based sector (FBS) has a complex and important role in leading local and global bioeconomy and sustainable development initiatives. Among these tasks is the improvement and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, key actors in the FBS still have different perspectives regarding their contributions to the implementation and achievement of the SDGs, and this shortage of understanding and complex problem structure may result in misleading strategic planning, which must be improved to increase and strengthen their participation. This study proposes a participatory assessment to comprehend the perceptions of the Brazilian forest-based sector’s key actors and their contributions to achieving the SDGs by using a problem structuring method (PSM). Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA), a method from PSM and soft operational research, was used to support the strategic decisions and assist in formulating the strategies. Following the SODA approach, this study interviewed 13 key actors from different forest sector institutions in Brazil and listed strategies to improve their contributions to the SDGs. As a result, 29 main goals and 68 strategic options were mapped. The goals reflect the key actor’s understanding of the main contributions of the Brazilian FBS to the SDGs, and the strategic options represent the main strategies that can be implemented to strengthen the participation and positioning of these institutions in Agenda 2030.

SAPEVO-H² a Multi-Criteria Systematic Based on a Hierarchical Structure: Decision-Making Analysis for Assessing Anti-RPAS Strategies in Sensing Environments

Regarding high-level and complex decision-making scenarios, the study presents an extensive approach to the Simple Aggregation of Preferences Expressed by Ordinal Vectors-Multi Decision Making method (SAPEVO-M). In this context, the modeling proposal, named SAPEVO-Hybrid and Hierarchical (SAPEVO-H²), the objective of this study, based on the concepts of multi-criteria analysis, provides the evaluation of alternatives under the light of multiple criteria and perceptions, enabling the integration of the objectives of a problem, which are transcribed into attributes and structured in a hierarchical model, analyzing qualitative and quantitative data through ordinal and cardinal entries, respectively. As a case study, a decision analysis concerning the defense strategies against anti-Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) strategies for the Brazilian Navy is carried out. Using the technique of the causal maps approach based on Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA) methodology, the problematic situation is structured for numerical implementation, demonstrating the performance of objectives and elements of a hierarchical structure. As a result, rankings concerning objectives and anti-RPAS technologies, based on the treatment of subjective information, are presented. In the end, the main contribution of the study and its limitations are discussed, along with the conclusions and some proposals for future studies.

Identificação de Prioridades Através do Método de Estruturação de Problemas Para Reduzir as Dependências dos Serviços Ecossistêmicos na Distribuição de Eletricidade

Abstract Electricity distribution is a fundamental activity for society. However, mitigating actions on risks and dependencies of this activity still need to be discovered concerning Ecosystem Services (ES). This fact can negatively influence its prosperity, especially in the long term. Within this context, this paper aims to identify actions that mitigate the risks and dependencies on ES associated with a company in the electricity sector in Brazil that performs electricity distribution services. The identification was based on the collection, analysis, and interpretation of stakeholders’ perceptions of the activity through an adaptation of the Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA) problem structuring method. As a result, a structured vision of actions that mitigate ES risks and dependencies of electric power distribution, enabling management focused on the longevity of both the ES and the economic activity.

Supporting collaboration and knowledge sharing in building SLEs for ageing well: Using cognitive mapping in KMS design

ABSTRACT This article seeks to contribute to the existing body of knowledge management systems (KMS) literature by using cognitive mapping and demonstrating its usefulness in terms of context analysis for identifying the knowledge needs of multiple stakeholders and the appropriate characteristics of a KMS technology solution. Empirical data were collected through two case studies conducted in Finland and Estonia that used knowledge panel meetings to bring together knowledgeable experts who represented quadruple helix (QH) regional innovation actors involved in building smart living environments for ageing well (SLEaws). Adopting a multi-criteria approach in both case studies, cognitive mapping as an important instrument of the strategic options development and analysis (SODA) methodology was used during the panel meetings of both cases to facilitate the decision making of the experts in developing an integrated framework or tool that can support KMS design.

Empowering digital creative ecosystem using problem structuring method and a service science perspective: A case study in Cimahi and Bandung, Indonesia

The digital creative economy in Indonesia has the potential to grow rapidly due to its large and skilled population. Although a goal was set in 2016 to make Indonesia the largest digital economy in ASEAN by 2020, the complexity of stakeholder interactions has become a major obstacle. Fostering a healthy business ecosystem and collaboration among stakeholders has been difficult to achieve due to a lack of funding, talent, and trust. This paper developed “should-be” and “as-is” models of feasible action plans to enhance value co-creation interactions among stakeholders. We investigated how stakeholders perceive their roles and interactions to construct an “as-is” model using a soft operational research method, namely strategic options development and analysis (SODA). Next, we developed a “should-be” model from a service science perspective. By comparing the two models, we derived action plans and recommendations to guide stakeholders in creating digital creative ecosystems (DCEs) in Indonesia. The action plans have been implemented by the government to improve the current strategies and validate our approach.

The Italian Roma, Sinti and Travellers Health Project for equity in access to care

Abstract Issue In 2015, Italy approved the National Action Plan for Health for and with Roma, Sinti and Travellers (RSC); however, it is still not fully applied at a local level. The INMP (funded by the National Operational Programme for Social Inclusion), implemented the “Health Project - Promotion of strategies and tools for equity in access to health care for RSC”, aimed to support the implementation of the Plan by Local Health Authorities (ASL). Description The project lasted from March 2019 to December 2021. INMP worked with 7 ASL to design interventions and develop tools to address RSC health needs. The SODA (Strategic Options Development and Analysis) method as a participatory process aimed at identifying strategies and models for the execution of the Plan among relevant stakeholders was used. Moreover, RSC communities’ engagement strategies and a community-based Proximity Public Health (PPS) approach were adopted in designing and developing health promotion interventions. Results INMP performed 38 interviews with ASL health operators highlighting barriers and strategies in the local implementation of the Plan. Tools orienting to social and health services and health education materials for hard-to-reach groups were produced. A training course for 14 RSC facilitators and 5 training courses attended by over 200 NHS operators have been organized. ASL were supported in developing health promotion initiatives, based on the engagement of both local RSC communities and third sector entities. Lessons The project has enabled the ASL to develop local protocols for the implementation of the Action Plan. In line with this capacity-building activity, the project trained both health operators and RSC facilitators fostering the dissemination of the PPS culture in designing and providing care for hard-to-reach groups. Given the positive results obtained, INMP is still collaborating with both ASL and the Third Sector on additional activities related to the Project in 2022. Key messages

Using Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA) to understand the simulation accessibility problem

Simulation modelling is applied to a wide range of problems, including defence and healthcare. However, there is a concern within the simulation community that there is a limited use and implementation of simulation studies in practice. This suggests that despite its benefits, simulation may not be reaching its potential in making a real-world impact. The main reason for this could be that simulation tools are not widely accessible in industry. In this paper, we investigate the issues that affect simulation modelling accessibility through a workshop with simulation practitioners. We use Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA), a problem-structuring approach that allows for the stakeholder views to be expressed and linked in a systematic way. The causal map derived represents the emerging concepts and their effects, with the view to identifying their impact on the accessibility problem. We present our analysis of the issues and options identified. Based on our findings, we discuss the implications and recommendations for the future uptake of simulation.

Spare parts management through Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA): a case study

Spare parts management through Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA): a case study

Review of problem structuring methods and its application in understanding the housing needs of slum dwellers in India

This paper provides an extensive review of commonly used Problem Structuring Methods (PSMs) and studies their possible applications for understanding the challenges faced by slum dwellers living in informal settlements across cities in India. The study highlights the role of PSMs as a group of analytical methods for identifying the problems faced by poor and vulnerable populations and looks for possible solutions to increase their efficiency. Subsequently, the paper describes and compares commonly used PSMs such as Soft Systems Methodology, Strategic Options Development and Analysis, Strategic Choice Approach, Robustness Analysis, and Value-Focused Thinking. The paper finally draws attention to the nature of challenges involved in the application of PSMs for slum dwellers which is different from its typical application involving people in managerial positions across organizations who generally are domain experts in their fields

A Multimethodology for Supporting the Boundary Selection of System Dynamics Models

System dynamics models can produce knowledge for decision-makers and, consequently, provide better choices. To be effective in its purpose, a model must reproduce an observed problem situation effectively. Hence, the compatibility between the observed problem situation and the created model is essential and represents a considerable challenge. In this context, this paper aims to describe an adaptation of the problem structuring method ‘Strategic Options Development and Analysis’ (SODA), used in the Problem Articulation (Boundary Selection) step of the system dynamics modelling process. In summary, this adaptation consists of: (1) Selecting of stakeholders; (2) Capturing, aggregating and interpreting the insights using cognitive and causal maps, and (3) Using the interpretation of the causal maps for building a system dynamics model. The method proved to be satisfactory since it was able to direct the construction of a System Dynamics model based on a problem situation perceived by stakeholders acting in the native forests of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil.

A Multimethodology for Supporting the Boundary Selection of System Dynamics Models

System dynamics models can produce knowledge for decision-makers and, consequently, provide better choices. To be effective in its purpose, a model must reproduce an observed problem situation effectively. Hence, the compatibility between the observed problem situation and the created model is essential and represents a considerable challenge. In this context, this paper aims to describe an adaptation of the problem structuring method ‘Strategic Options Development and Analysis’ (SODA), used in the Problem Articulation (Boundary Selection) step of the system dynamics modelling process. In summary, this adaptation consists of: (1) Selecting of stakeholders; (2) Capturing, aggregating and interpreting the insights using cognitive and causal maps, and (3) Using the interpretation of the causal maps for building a system dynamics model. The method proved to be satisfactory since it was able to direct the construction of a System Dynamics model based on a problem situation perceived by stakeholders acting in the native forests of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Understanding housing preferences of slum dwellers in India: A community-based operations research approach

A significant number of India's urban population living in slums face large-scale challenges to access adequate housing and essential services. However, the solutions implemented by government agencies have been inadequate as they fail to understand the diversity of challenges and preferences of slum residents. While the traditional prescriptive approaches to study slum communities do not capture the uncertainties that riddle slums, we explore this domain of inquiry alternatively through theories of Community Operational Research (COR) and Community Based Operations Research (CBOR) that develop an understanding of housing problems from slum resident perspectives. In this paper, we study slum communities’ housing priorities by learning how they structure their concerns and identify specific solutions that could enable access to improved housing facilities. This is one of the first studies to apply Strategic Options Development & Analysis (SODA) and Value Focused Thinking (VFT) to engage with slum residents and generate in-depth insights into the lives of slum communities. Our findings from a slum in the Indian state of Odisha highlight the diverse challenges and needs of the community with regard to housing and basic infrastructure facilities from the slum-dwellers’ perspective, a voice often missing in slum policymaking. We believe that our findings could inform policymakers about most valued preferences of slum residents among many possible slum upgrading interventions. The study contributes to the extension of Operations Research tools and methodologies for meaningful engagement of vulnerable communities to develop interventions for improving social welfare.

A model for key success factors for outsourcing in project-based companies: integrating soft and dynamic approaches

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to achieve the dynamic model of outsourcing success factors in project-based companies.Design/methodology/approachThis study is descriptive-survey in terms of method and practical in terms of purpose. To achieve the dynamic model of outsourcing success, 1,000 outsourcing articles published in high-status journals from 2017 to 2019 were first text-mining. Then, using the clustering technique, the factors affecting the success of outsourcing were obtained. To achieve the key variables, the variables obtained by interpretive structural modeling (ISM) were then leveled. Then, the strategic options development and analysis (SODA) technique has been used to achieve a consensus and coordination on factors relationships. Finally, the dynamic model of outsourcing success in GHODRAT CONTROL PARS Company has been modeled and implemented.FindingsIn total, five clusters and nine factors were extracted (strategy, management, performance, market, R&D, supplier, product, organizational data and outsourcing findings). In central and domain analysis, two factors, “Strategy” and “R and D,” were recognized as factors that have the most interaction and centrality. The result of the dynamic model indicate that the organization will significantly reduce the construction time of the power plant by improving the “R and D” factor.Originality/valueIn this study, various techniques have been combined. Therefore, one of the aspects of innovation in the present study is the combination of methods that have not been used earlier. The second aspect of this study’s innovation is using SODA technique to design the dynamic model of outsourcing success factors. Given that the scope of this study is the component affecting the success of outsourcing, so extensive research has been conducted in the field of articles worked in the field of outsourcing to get a comprehensive view of the components affecting the success of outsourcing, which has not been reviewed in other articles. In this study, in addition to identifying the effective factors, their identified and also how these variables affect the successful performance of outsourcing in the form of a dynamic model, and then analyzed.

Development of a Multi-Methodological Approach to Support the Management of Water Supply Systems

The benefits provided by a model of system dynamics are directly related to its correct construction. One of the main challenges in the process of building such models is that they must be able to effectively represent a specific problematic situation. Thus, the main objective of this study is to develop a multi-methodological approach, adapting the problem structuring method of strategic options development and analysis (SODA) in the initial stage of the system dynamics (SD) model. The role of each of them clearly represents the contribution of this study: the SODA in the structuring (representation) phase of the problem and proposition of alternatives and the SD in the evaluation phase of these alternatives. To illustrate its application, the multimethodological approach developed was used to simulate scenarios considering management strategies, and the various variables affecting a water supply system, including population growth, in order to evaluate more “assertive” water management strategy(s) that could have been adopted to address the water crisis (2012–2017) and analysis future scenarios. The results show that, based on the vision of specialists with enough experience for the case studied, it was possible to structure the problem, and therefore propose a set of strategies (alternatives), which were: water loss control, wastewater reuse, application of more efficient tariffs to reduce water waste, inter-basin water transfer, and awareness regarding the use of water resources. After the survey of alternatives, scenarios were simulated considering these water management strategies. Simulation results showed that actions taken on the demand side would only be effective for a short period of water scarcity, (for example, the impact of the scarcity-based tariff on water consumption reduction). For severe drought scenarios and with a water producing system heavily dependent on rainfall, such action would no longer be efficient. However, water supply management-oriented strategies, e.g., inter-basin water transfers (PISF) and wastewater reuse, are highly effective in securing water supply and preventing water supply collapse in the region. The development of this multi-methodological approach is expected to be useful to support managers in the decision-making and implementation of water management strategies.

Knowledge management visualisation in regional innovation system collaborative decision-making

PurposeThis study was developed in response to the need to develop age-friendly smart living environments due to the complex demands placed on society by the ageing of the population. This study aims to analyse the potential that knowledge visualisation offers collaborative decision-making applied to the development of a multiple criteria framework supporting knowledge management (KM) through knowledge collaboration (KC) and knowledge sharing (KS) in the context of regional innovation systems (RIS).Design/methodology/approachUsing a socio-technical approach, knowledgeable and experienced representatives of RIS innovation actors were brought together to develop a constructivist multiple criteria framework that integrates knowledge visualisation and collaborative decision-making techniques (i.e. cognitive mapping and system dynamics).FindingsThe study introduces a multiple criteria model supporting KM encompassing conditions and practices of RIS innovation actors facilitating and encouraging KC and KS. The potential for knowledge visualisation in collaborative decision-making is explored in great depth and illustrated in a case study setting.Practical implicationsThe panel members who participated in this study consider our methodological proposal to be extremely versatile and see great potential for further applications in RIS contexts.Originality/valueThe combined use of cognitive mapping and system dynamics according to the strategic options development and analysis (SODA) approach offers a holistic and well-informed perspective on the issue in question. The literature reports no prior work of this methodological combination in the same research context.

Strategic visualization: the (real) usefulness of cognitive mapping in smart city conceptualization

PurposeThe concept of smart city has recently become more topical in academic and policy discussions. This idea is considered a complex, non-consensual subject since its definition has not yet been agreed upon by most authors in the relevant fields. The need to identify and measure smart city indicators has also given rise to many different evaluation procedures. However, the available frameworks have yet to overcome challenges in structuring and measuring all the evaluation parameters of the cities in question. Thus, methods still need to be developed and applied that can structure criteria used to assess smart city success.Design/methodology/approachThis study sought to show cognitive mapping's tangible usefulness as an expedient tool for strategic analysis, using smart cities as a complex object of study. To this end, various cognitive maps were constructed and compared using the Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA) approach.FindingsCognitive mapping's advantages and limitations in the strategic visualization research context are analyzed and discussed.Originality/valueThe authors know of no prior work reporting comparative analysis of this methodological approach in the same research context.

Dynamics of Open Innovation in Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises: A Metacognitive Approach

Open innovation (OI) is clearly becoming increasingly important to organizations. Studying its impacts has become a challenge as assessing OI possible effects on not only performance but also processes, time, and people is difficult and complex. To move beyond these barriers, this article develops a metacognitive framework that combines cognitive mapping—supported by the strategic options development and analysis approach—and the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory technique. This dual methodology facilitates analyses of specific OI-related impacts on small- or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The data were collected from SME managers and entrepreneurs who agreed to participate in an expert panel in face-to-face group meetings. The findings include that the methodologies used facilitate the identification and understanding of cause-and-effect relationships among OI determinants in SMEs, and were validated by the participants and a project manager at COTEC Portugal— <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Associação Empresarial para a Inovação</i> (Business Association for Innovation). This organization is a leading think-and-action network for advancing technology diffusion and business innovation cooperation. The contributions and limitations of the proposed methodology are also analyzed.

Surveying applications of Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA) from 1989 to 2018

Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA) is a well-established problem structuring method (PSM) used to tackle problematic situations for at least 30 years within the discipline of Operational Research (OR) and other fields. The aim of this study is to assess the ways academics have been implementing SODA methodology in different fields of knowledge and practice. We started by exploring the SODA history followed by the evaluation of published articles associated with the practical applications of SODA from 1989 (publication date of Rational Analysis for a Problematic World) to 2018. We searched relevant databases and studied 200 SODA-related articles, we examined the scope of each application, whether as a sole SODA application or as a combination with other methodologies. We also investigated which elements of the methodology have been used. Our findings suggest that SODA through its associated technique of cognitive mapping has been used in conjunction with other methods. SODA is a participative methodology designed to provide dialogue, reflection, learning, consensus and commitment, but the sample of articles surveyed indicate that its use has been limited to helping modelling the problematic situation and providing a common understanding to participants. Other core activities, such as group negotiation support, have not been fully used. Our findings suggest that SODA is a methodology suitable to different contexts and its practice has grown steadily over time but that to exploit the full use of its activities, its creators need to produce a set of constitutive rules to guide the applications.

A multi-criteria-based hazard and operability analysis for process safety

Multi-criteria Decision Making (MCDM) is widely used for problem-solving in various research fields and has shown good results in risk analysis as well. However, given the gaps found in previous studies in the context of risk analysis, this article proposes and conducts a novel MCDM-based HAZOP analysis: a hybrid methodology with an MCDM approach, Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA), and Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets (IFS). We combine their advantages by using SODA with Intuitionistic Fuzzy Cognitive Maps and by reducing the inherent uncertainty and subjectivity of HAZOP with an IFS-based MCDM sorting algorithm. To demonstrate the usefulness and flexibility of this approach, a real application with a continuous pyrolysis system was conducted, and a comparative analysis was made of the main related studies to demonstrate the advantages of the approach now proposed. On applying it, 40 hazards were identified (seven more than a previous analysis conducted in 2016), and only 3 (7.5 %) of them required special attention. Among the positive points highlighted by the team, the most cited were the resource-saving, greater focus and objectivity, and a more realistic perception of hazards. In particular, we show that our methodology is more consistent and appropriate than those in previous related articles. To assist future users, we provide a framework for the application.