IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bla/sysdyn/v36y2020i2p158-190.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Understanding model behavior using the Loops that Matter method

Author

Listed:
  • William Schoenberg
  • Pål Davidsen
  • Robert Eberlein

Abstract

The relationship between structure and behavior is central to system dynamics, but effective tools required to understand that relationship still elude us. The current state of the art in the field of loop dominance analysis relies on either practitioner intuition and experience or complex algorithmic manipulation in the form of eigenvalue analysis or pathway participation metrics. This article presents a new and distinct numeric method based on a different measure, the loop score, to determine the contribution of a loop to a model's behavior at each instant in time. This allows us to discover the origin of model behavior. The method was inspired by observations of the patterns in the changes of the values of variables during simulations and has been tested and refined using empirical evaluation on a variety of models. The method also offers a promising approach to the visualization and aggregation of simulation results. © 2020 The Authors System Dynamics Review published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of System Dynamics Society

Suggested Citation

  • William Schoenberg & Pål Davidsen & Robert Eberlein, 2020. "Understanding model behavior using the Loops that Matter method," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 36(2), pages 158-190, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:sysdyn:v:36:y:2020:i:2:p:158-190
    DOI: 10.1002/sdr.1658
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/sdr.1658
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/sdr.1658?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. Rogelio Oliva, 2016. "Structural dominance analysis of large and stochastic models," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 32(1), pages 26-51, January.
    2. Saleh, Mohamed & Oliva, Rogelio & Kampmann, Christian Erik & Davidsen, Pål I., 2010. "A comprehensive analytical approach for policy analysis of system dynamics models," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 203(3), pages 673-683, June.
    3. Rogelio Oliva, 2020. "On structural dominance analysis," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 36(1), pages 8-28, January.
    4. Frank M. Bass, 1969. "A New Product Growth for Model Consumer Durables," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 15(5), pages 215-227, January.
    5. John Hayward & Paul A. Roach, 2017. "Newton's laws as an interpretive framework in system dynamics," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 33(3-4), pages 183-218, July.
    6. John Hayward & Graeme P. Boswell, 2014. "Model behaviour and the concept of loop impact: A practical method," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 30(1-2), pages 29-57, January.
    7. Erling Moxnes & Pål I. Davidsen, 2016. "Intuitive understanding of steady-state and transient behaviors," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 32(2), pages 128-153, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. William Schoenberg & John Hayward & Robert Eberlein, 2023. "Improving Loops that Matter," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 39(2), pages 140-151, April.
    2. Lu, Jinfeng & Dimov, Dimo, 2023. "A system dynamics modelling of entrepreneurship and growth within firms," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 38(3).
    3. Aboah, Joshua & Enahoro, Dolapo, 2022. "A systems thinking approach to understand the drivers of change in backyard poultry farming system," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    4. John Hayward & Paul A. Roach, 2022. "The concept of energy in the analysis of system dynamics models," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 38(1), pages 5-40, January.
    5. Aboah, Joshua & Setsoafia, Edinam Dope, 2022. "Examining the synergistic effect of cocoa-plantain intercropping system on gross margin: A system dynamics modelling approach," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    6. Penny R. Breeze & Hazel Squires & Kate Ennis & Petra Meier & Kate Hayes & Nik Lomax & Alan Shiell & Frank Kee & Frank de Vocht & Martin O’Flaherty & Nigel Gilbert & Robin Purshouse & Stewart Robinson , 2023. "Guidance on the use of complex systems models for economic evaluations of public health interventions," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(7), pages 1603-1625, July.

    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. William Schoenberg & John Hayward & Robert Eberlein, 2023. "Improving Loops that Matter," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 39(2), pages 140-151, April.
    2. John Hayward & Paul A. Roach, 2022. "The concept of energy in the analysis of system dynamics models," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 38(1), pages 5-40, January.
    3. Edward G. Anderson & David R. Keith & Jose Lopez, 2023. "Opportunities for system dynamics research in operations management for public policy," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 32(6), pages 1895-1920, June.
    4. John Sterman, 2018. "System dynamics at sixty: the path forward," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 34(1-2), pages 5-47, January.
    5. Steven E. Wallis, 2021. "Understanding and improving the usefulness of conceptual systems: An Integrative Propositional Analysis‐based perspective on levels of structure and emergence," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(4), pages 426-447, August.
    6. Navid Ghaffarzadegan & Richard C. Larson, 2018. "SD meets OR: a new synergy to address policy problems," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 34(1-2), pages 327-353, January.
    7. Turner, Benjamin L., 2020. "Model laboratories: A quick-start guide for design of simulation experiments for dynamic systems models," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 434(C).
    8. Rogelio Oliva, 2020. "On structural dominance analysis," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 36(1), pages 8-28, January.
    9. Abram, Joseph J. & Dyke, James G., 2018. "Structural Loop Analysis of Complex Ecological Systems," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 333-342.
    10. Oscar Gutiérrez & Francisco Ruiz-Aliseda, 2011. "Real options with unknown-date events," Annals of Finance, Springer, vol. 7(2), pages 171-198, May.
    11. Shari, Babajide Epe & Dioha, Michael O. & Abraham-Dukuma, Magnus C. & Sobanke, Victor O. & Emodi, Nnaemeka V., 2022. "Clean cooking energy transition in Nigeria: Policy implications for Developing countries," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 44(2), pages 319-343.
    12. Cambier, Adrien & Chardy, Matthieu & Figueiredo, Rosa & Ouorou, Adam & Poss, Michael, 2022. "Optimizing subscriber migrations for a telecommunication operator in uncertain context," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 298(1), pages 308-321.
    13. Tiruwork B. Tibebu & Eric Hittinger & Qing Miao & Eric Williams, 2024. "Adoption Model Choice Affects the Optimal Subsidy for Residential Solar," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-19, February.
    14. Simon P. Anderson & André de Palma, 2012. "Competition for attention in the Information (overload) Age," RAND Journal of Economics, RAND Corporation, vol. 43(1), pages 1-25, March.
    15. Van, Tien Linh Cao & Barthelmes, Lukas & Gnann, Till & Speth, Daniel & Kagerbauer, Martin, 2021. "Addressing the gaps in market diffusion modeling of electrical vehicles: A case study from Germany for the integration of environmental policy measures," Working Papers "Sustainability and Innovation" S05/2021, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI).
    16. Ma, Peng, 2021. "Optimal generic and brand advertising efforts in a decentralized supply chain considering customer surplus," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    17. Sergio Currarini & Carmen Marchiori & Alessandro Tavoni, 2016. "Network Economics and the Environment: Insights and Perspectives," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 65(1), pages 159-189, September.
    18. Klingler, Anna-Lena & Luthander, Rasmus, 2018. "Market diffusion of residential PV and battery systems driven by self-consumption: A comparison of Sweden and Germany," Working Papers "Sustainability and Innovation" S18/2018, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI).
    19. Robertson, Alastair & Soopramanien, Didier & Fildes, Robert, 2007. "A segment-based analysis of Internet service adoption among UK households," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 29(3), pages 339-350.
    20. Edgardo Arturo Ayala Gaytán, 2009. "Social network externalities and price dispersion in online markets," Ensayos Revista de Economia, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Facultad de Economia, vol. 0(2), pages 1-28, November.

    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:36:y:2020:i:2:p:158-190. 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.