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Core of System Dynamics

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Encyclopedia of Complexity and Systems Science

Definition of the Subject

System dynamics is a computer-aided approach to theory building, policy analysis, and strategic decision support emerging from an endogenous point of view (Nicholis and Prigogine 1977; Richardson 1991a). It applies to dynamic problems arising in complex social, managerial, economic, or ecological systems – literally any dynamic systems characterized by interdependence, mutual interaction, information feedback, and circular causality.

Introduction

The field of system dynamics developed initially from the work of Jay W. Forrester. His seminal book Industrial Dynamics (Forrester 1961) is still a significant statement of philosophy and methodology in the field. Within ten years of its publication, the span of applications grew from corporate and industrial problems to include the management of research and development, urban stagnation and decay, commodity cycles, and the dynamics of growth in a finite world. It is now applied in economics, public policy,...

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Abbreviations

Endogenous:

Generated from within. Contrasting with “exogenous,” meaning generated by forces external to a system or point of view.

Feedback Loop:

A closed path of causal influences and information, forming a circular-causal loop of information and action.

System Dynamics:

System dynamics is a computer-aided approach to theory building, policy analysis, and strategic decision support emerging from an endogenous point of view.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, USA

    George P. Richardson

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  1. George P. Richardson
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Correspondence to George P. Richardson .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Ramtech Ltd., Larkspur, CA, USA

    Robert A. Meyers

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Richardson, G.P. (2019). Core of System Dynamics. In: Meyers, R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Complexity and Systems Science. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27737-5_536-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27737-5_536-4

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-27737-5

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Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Core of System Dynamics
    Published:
    31 July 2019

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27737-5_536-4

  2. Original

    System Dynamics, The Basic Elements of
    Published:
    19 January 2015

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27737-5_536-3

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