Tadeja Jere Lazanski and Miroljub Kljajić
The importance of context dependent modelling of complex systems, depending on the observer's point of view will be discussed. Thus, context is synonymous for the content of a…
Abstract
Purpose
The importance of context dependent modelling of complex systems, depending on the observer's point of view will be discussed. Thus, context is synonymous for the content of a problem in a frame of the goals, starting points and ways to achieve these aims. In this light, difficulties of model validation and a general method how to overcome them was discussed. The relations among subject – object – model in the light of a systems approach; Charles Sanders Peirce's triad principle and the semiotic principle of communication was presented.
Design/methodology/approach
The appropriateness of a system dynamics methodology, which is due to its transparency and clarity an excellent tool for modelling of complex systems.
Findings
In the paper the equivalence of different methodologies was shown, whose differences and similarities can be judged only in context of a problem and the aims of researches. For illustration, the methodology is applied to a tourism system, which possesses the typical properties of global and local organisations. A verbal description of a tourism problem is followed by a causal loop diagram, which helps to discuss the problem categorically.
Practical implications
As the methodology is implemented using quantitative model and POWERSIM tools; it offers the solution of national tourism strategy implication, selected from different scenarios.
Originality/value
This paper presents a simulation model of the tourism in a frame of system dynamics, developed from qualitative models, as an illustration of the discussed methodology.
Details
Keywords
Marko Ropret, Tadeja Jere Jakulin and Borut Likar
This paper aims to analyse whether and how the Development Plan and Policies of Slovenian Tourism (SiPlan) could be improved systematically and systemically, enabling more…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyse whether and how the Development Plan and Policies of Slovenian Tourism (SiPlan) could be improved systematically and systemically, enabling more comprehensive management of innovation.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were obtained within a comprehensive national innovation study. Data analysis was performed in four phases. In the initial phase, a link between the innovation project and SiPlan was established. In the next phase, which of the innovation factors are significantly correlated with the tourism destination development concept was identified. In the third phase, further policy potential for improving the innovation factors was identified. In the last phase, a systems approach was applied to develop a qualitative systems model, a causal loop diagram, taking into consideration the empirically identified strengths and weaknesses of the current SiPlan and other pertinent factors.
Findings
The results of empirical research indicate that SiPlan represents a valuable, but not optimum development model of Slovene tourism development. Therefore, the authors propose a qualitative tourism development model based on the research results and a systems dynamics methodology.
Originality/value
The work is important from the scientific point of view, i.e. as a methodology and research results that could be applied in further research activities. In addition, the results could be usefully used by policy makers by way of focusing on the most influential factors: policies that have a potential for the systems (holistic) and socially responsible development of tourism in Slovenia.