IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bla/sysdyn/v39y2023i4p336-370.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Dynamics of interdisciplinarity: a microlevel analysis of communication and facilitation in a group model‐building workshop

Author

Listed:
  • Nici Zimmermann
  • Katherine Curran

Abstract

Participatory system dynamics is assumed to generate inter‐ and transdisciplinary understanding and whole‐system perspectives via scripted workshop structure, facilitation, and the use of visual boundary objects. However, there is little research into how exactly workshop activities and facilitators affect communication dynamics during a workshop and create an interdisciplinary perspective. Thus, we offer an innovative dynamic understanding via a rare microlevel analysis of facilitation and dynamics of communication and interdisciplinarity in a group model‐building workshop. We investigate how the conversation focus unfolds over time and examine in depth disciplinary transitions as well as the facilitator's role. We also analyse participants' perceptions of interdisciplinarity from the workshop and provide a research framework for workshop microlevel analysis. Based on the workshop's heritage science setting, we discuss the recursive nature of generating joint meaning and the use of participatory system dynamics for managing interdisciplinarity in a research project and make recommendations. © 2023 The Authors. System Dynamics Review published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of System Dynamics Society.

Suggested Citation

  • Nici Zimmermann & Katherine Curran, 2023. "Dynamics of interdisciplinarity: a microlevel analysis of communication and facilitation in a group model‐building workshop," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 39(4), pages 336-370, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:sysdyn:v:39:y:2023:i:4:p:336-370
    DOI: 10.1002/sdr.1743
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/sdr.1743
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/sdr.1743?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Franco, L. Alberto & Rouwette, Etienne A.J.A., 2011. "Decision development in facilitated modelling workshops," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 212(1), pages 164-178, July.
    2. Katharina Burger, 2021. "Understanding participant engagement in problem structuring interventions with self-determination theory," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 72(10), pages 2365-2379, October.
    3. Franco, L. Alberto & Greiffenhagen, Christian, 2018. "Making OR practice visible: Using ethnomethodology to analyse facilitated modelling workshops," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 265(2), pages 673-684.
    4. Alberto Franco, L., 2013. "Rethinking Soft OR interventions: Models as boundary objects," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 231(3), pages 720-733.
    5. Krystyna Stave & Michael Dwyer & Marcia Turner, 2019. "Exploring the value of participatory system dynamics in two paired field studies of stakeholder engagement in sustainability discussions," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(2), pages 156-179, March.
    6. Thompson, James P. & Howick, Susan & Belton, Valerie, 2016. "Critical Learning Incidents in system dynamics modelling engagements," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 249(3), pages 945-958.
    7. David C. Lane & Birgit Kopainsky & Nici Zimmermann, 2017. "The Contribution of Theory and Experience to Generic Meaning-making: A Reflection on Participatory System Dynamics Modelling," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(4), pages 489-493, July.
    8. L. Alberto Franco & Mie Femø Nielsen, 2018. "Examining Group Facilitation In Situ: The Use of Formulations in Facilitation Practice," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 27(5), pages 735-756, October.
    9. Elena Tavella & Thanos Papadopoulos, 2015. "Novice facilitators and the use of scripts for managing facilitated modelling workshops," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 66(12), pages 1967-1988, December.
    10. Haridimos Tsoukas, 2009. "A Dialogical Approach to the Creation of New Knowledge in Organizations," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 20(6), pages 941-957, December.
    11. Elena Tavella & Isabella Lami, 2019. "Negotiating perspectives and values through soft OR in the context of urban renewal," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 70(1), pages 136-161, January.
    12. Elena Tavella & Thanos Papadopoulos, 2015. "Expert and novice facilitated modelling: A case of a Viable System Model workshop in a local food network," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 66(2), pages 247-264, February.
    13. Kopainsky, Birgit & Hager, Gerid & Herrera, Hugo & Nyanga, Progress H., 2017. "Transforming food systems at local levels: Using participatory system dynamics in an interactive manner to refine small-scale farmers’ mental models," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 362(C), pages 101-110.
    14. Hugo J. Herrera & Marleen H. F. McCardle-Keurentjes & Nuno Videira, 2016. "Evaluating Facilitated Modelling Processes and Outcomes: An Experiment Comparing a Single and a Multimethod Approach in Group Model Building," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 25(6), pages 1277-1318, November.
    15. Nici Zimmermann & Irene Pluchinotta & Giuseppe Salvia & Marianne Touchie & Helen Stopps & Ian Hamilton & Ted Kesik & Kaveh Dianati & Ting Chen, 2021. "Moving online: reflections from conducting system dynamics workshops in virtual settings," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 37(1), pages 59-71, January.
    16. Elena Tavella & L. Alberto Franco, 2015. "Dynamics of Group Knowledge Production in Facilitated Modelling Workshops: An Exploratory Study," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 451-475, May.
    17. Franco, L. Alberto & Hämäläinen, Raimo P. & Rouwette, Etiënne A.J.A. & Leppänen, Ilkka, 2021. "Taking stock of behavioural OR: A review of behavioural studies with an intervention focus," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 293(2), pages 401-418.
    18. Brooke Wilkerson & Anaely Aguiar & Christina Gkini & Igor Czermainski de Oliveira & Lars‐Kristian Lunde Trellevik & Birgit Kopainsky, 2020. "Reflections on adapting group model building scripts into online workshops," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 36(3), pages 358-372, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Franco, L. Alberto & Hämäläinen, Raimo P. & Rouwette, Etiënne A.J.A. & Leppänen, Ilkka, 2021. "Taking stock of behavioural OR: A review of behavioural studies with an intervention focus," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 293(2), pages 401-418.
    2. Edoardo Fregonese & Isabella M. Lami & Elena Todella, 2020. "Aesthetic Perspectives in Group Decision and Negotiation Practice," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 29(6), pages 993-1019, December.
    3. Alexandre de A. Gomes Júnior & Vanessa B. Schramm, 2022. "Problem Structuring Methods: A Review of Advances Over the Last Decade," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 35(1), pages 55-88, February.
    4. Ormerod, Richard & Yearworth, Mike & White, Leroy, 2023. "Understanding participant actions in OR interventions using practice theories: A research agenda," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 306(2), pages 810-827.
    5. Franco, L. Alberto & Greiffenhagen, Christian, 2018. "Making OR practice visible: Using ethnomethodology to analyse facilitated modelling workshops," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 265(2), pages 673-684.
    6. de Gooyert, Vincent & Rouwette, Etiënne & van Kranenburg, Hans & Freeman, Edward & van Breen, Harry, 2022. "Cognitive change and consensus forming in facilitated modelling: A comparison of experienced and observed outcomes," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 299(2), pages 589-599.
    7. Lami, Isabella M. & Tavella, Elena, 2019. "On the usefulness of soft OR models in decision making: A comparison of Problem Structuring Methods supported and self-organized workshops," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 275(3), pages 1020-1036.
    8. Richard Ormerod, 2024. "Pragmatism as practice theory: The experience of systems and OR scholars," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(1), pages 52-81, January.
    9. Franco, L. Alberto & Hämäläinen, Raimo P., 2016. "Behavioural operational research: Returning to the roots of the OR profession," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 249(3), pages 791-795.
    10. Jorge Velez-Castiblanco & Diana Londono-Correa & Olandy Naranjo-Rivera, 2018. "The Structure of Problem Structuring Conversations: A Boundary Games Approach," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 27(5), pages 853-884, October.
    11. Smith, Chris M. & Shaw, Duncan, 2019. "The characteristics of problem structuring methods: A literature review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 274(2), pages 403-416.
    12. Elena Tavella & L. Alberto Franco, 2015. "Dynamics of Group Knowledge Production in Facilitated Modelling Workshops: An Exploratory Study," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 451-475, May.
    13. Engin, Ayşegül & Franco, L. Alberto & Rouwette, Etiënne A.J.A., 2024. "How groups manage conflict when using model-driven decision support: An epistemic motivation lens," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    14. L. Alberto Franco & Mie Femø Nielsen, 2018. "Examining Group Facilitation In Situ: The Use of Formulations in Facilitation Practice," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 27(5), pages 735-756, October.
    15. Laura Schmitt Olabisi & Amadou Sidibé, 2023. "Observations from a system dynamics modeling field school in Mali," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 39(1), pages 80-94, January.
    16. Francis Marleau Donais & Irène Abi-Zeid & E. Owen D. Waygood & Roxane Lavoie, 2021. "A Framework for Post-Project Evaluation of Multicriteria Decision Aiding Processes from the Stakeholders’ Perspective: Design and Application," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 30(5), pages 1161-1191, October.
    17. Lowe, David & Espinosa, Angela & Yearworth, Mike, 2020. "Constitutive rules for guiding the use of the viable system model: Reflections on practice," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 287(3), pages 1014-1035.
    18. Scott, Rodney J & Cavana, Robert Y & Cameron, Donald, 2016. "Recent evidence on the effectiveness of group model building," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 249(3), pages 908-918.
    19. Sondoss Elsawah & Elena Bakhanova & Raimo P. Hämäläinen & Alexey Voinov, 2023. "A Competency Framework for Participatory Modeling," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 32(3), pages 569-601, June.
    20. Brocklesby, John & Midgley, Gerald, 2016. "Boundary games: How teams of OR practitioners explore the boundaries of interventionAuthor-Name: Velez-Castiblanco, Jorge," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 249(3), pages 968-982.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bla:sysdyn:v:39:y:2023:i:4:p:336-370. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/0883-7066 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.