Structured dialogical design as a problem structuring method illustrated in a Re-invent democracy project: Difference between revisions

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Structured dialogical design as a problem structuring method illustrated in a Re-invent democracy project

Authors	Yiannis Laouris & Norma Romm
Journal	European Journal of Operational Research
Volume	301(3)
Pages	1072-1087
Year	2022

Link	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2021.11.046

Abstract

This article proposes the importance of admitting into the repertoire of Problem Structuring Methods for (Community) Operational Research, the methodology called Structured Dialogical Design (SDD). Problem Structuring Methods are described in the literature as facilitating transparent and participative ways of formulating and systemically modelling problems with a view to participants’ co-defining alternative fu- tures. We reflect upon the contribution of SDD as lying in its appreciation of “third phase science” and discuss links to other deliberative processes. We indicate why SDD can be classed as “problem structur- ing” despite the near absence of publicisation in the Operational Research (OR) literature to date. We discuss distinct contributions that the SDD offers to the OR world and indicate how it strengthens and extends Community OR, contributes to Critical Systems Thinking in OR, and offers new mathematical ap- proaches that the Community OR practitioners may wish to consider using. By way of illustration, we showcase the “European Initiative” as an aspect of a large-scale project across five geographical regions funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund, in conjunction with the Future Worlds centre (2016– 2018). It engaged as stakeholders five cohorts of youth pioneers concerned with formulating options for Re-inventing democracy in the digital age.

Citation

Laouris, Y., & Romm, N. R. (2022). Structured dialogical design as a problem structuring method illustrated in a Re-invent democracy project. European Journal of Operational Research, 301(3), 1072-1087.

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 {{Journal Publication
         |acronym=Structured dialogical design as a problem structuring method illustrated in a Re-invent democracy project
-        |logo=JOR_Paper_Laouris_CoverImage.png
+        |logo=SDD_EJOR2021.png
-        |authors=[[Yiannis Laouris]] & [[Marios Michaelides]]
+        |authors=[[Yiannis Laouris]] & [[Norma Romm]]
         |journal=European Journal of Operational Research
-        |volume=268: 3
+        |volume= 301(3)
-        |pages=918-931
+        |pages= 1072-1087
-        |year=2017 online, 2018 printed
+        |year=2022
-        |link=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0377221717303867
+        |link=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2021.11.046
 }}
 ==Abstract==
-This paper reports on a Community Operational Research (Community OR) project consisting of ten ap- plications of a problem structuring method (PSM) with the Local Government Authorities of Cyprus. The PSM, Structured Democratic Dialogue Process (SDDP), is a systemic methodology that sits somewhere between Soft OR and traditional OR methods. It uses natural language constructs to support stakehold- ers explore similarity and influence relations between their distinct observations, and directed graphs to illustrate and communicate the consensus results. Matrix operations that take place behind the scenes make it possible for people from all walks of life to deal with complex societal problems without needing to master systems science. The application of the SDDP methodology in the case of the Local Government Authorities of Cyprus created the trust and the momentum necessary to achieve large-scale consensus and facilitate envisioned societal reforms. SDDP may have value for Community OR more broadly because of its emphasis on meaningful stakeholder and community participation.
+This article proposes the importance of admitting into the repertoire of Problem Structuring Methods for (Community) Operational Research, the methodology called Structured Dialogical Design (SDD). Problem Structuring Methods are described in the literature as facilitating transparent and participative ways of formulating and systemically modelling problems with a view to participants’ co-defining alternative fu- tures. We reflect upon the contribution of SDD as lying in its appreciation of “third phase science” and discuss links to other deliberative processes. We indicate why SDD can be classed as “problem structur- ing” despite the near absence of publicisation in the Operational Research (OR) literature to date. We discuss distinct contributions that the SDD offers to the OR world and indicate how it strengthens and extends Community OR, contributes to Critical Systems Thinking in OR, and offers new mathematical ap- proaches that the Community OR practitioners may wish to consider using. By way of illustration, we showcase the “European Initiative” as an aspect of a large-scale project across five geographical regions funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund, in conjunction with the Future Worlds centre (2016– 2018). It engaged as stakeholders five cohorts of youth pioneers concerned with formulating options for Re-inventing democracy in the digital age.
-[[Media:Laouris Michaelides SDD cOR 2017.pdf|Download Paper]]
+==Citation==
+Laouris, Y., & Romm, N. R. (2022). Structured dialogical design as a problem structuring method illustrated in a Re-invent democracy project. European Journal of Operational Research, 301(3), 1072-1087.
+[[Media:LaourisRomm SDD as PSM EJOR.pdf|Download Paper]]
 [[Category:Journal Publication]]
+[[Category:Publications with SDDs]]