Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Soft System Dynamics Methodology in Action: A study of the Problem of Citizen Insecurity in an Argentinean Province

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Systemic Practice and Action Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper illustrates an application of soft system dynamics methodology (SSDM). SSDM arose as a fusion of two well-known methodologies in the systems movement: system dynamics (SD) and soft systems methodology (SSM). SSDM includes 10 steps to orchestrate and implant change in social systems, based on a multimethodological and multiparadigmatic approach as an outcome of the combination of the mentioned methodologies. After a brief introduction, the paper starts by briefly explaining SSM and SD, their stages and their problematical issues as systemic methodologies, then goes on to explain SSDM, its philosophical roots and stages, ending with a comparison among the three. It then introduces the citizen insecurity problem in Argentina, specifically in Mendoza Province, where SSDM was applied to analyze this issue. The paper concludes with an explanation of the learning points that arose from the use of SSDM in this study and suggestions for further research on citizen security and SSDM.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22
Fig. 23
Fig. 24
Fig. 25
Fig. 26
Fig. 27
Fig. 28
Fig. 29
Fig. 30
Fig. 31
Fig. 32
Fig. 33

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Reference System: Part of the real world that the observer decides to take as the focus of systemic study. Depends and serves the supra systems.

  2. Supra system: System that, being in the reference system environment, influences the reference system.

  3. Infra system: System that, being in the reference system environment, depends of the reference system.

  4. Hetero system: System that being at a hierarchical level similar to the reference system, does different things.

  5. Iso system: System that, being at a hierarchical level similar to the reference system, does similar things.

  6. Epistemological Description: A description of a concrete or abstract entity by what it supposedly “does” instead of describing it by its intrinsic characteristics. This depends on the interpretation by the observer of what the concrete or abstract entity is doing in a given place and time. Thus for example, a “pen” may usually be interpreted as an “instrument to capture ideas on paper,” however, depending on how it is used, it may also be interpreted as an “instrument of personal protection.”

  7. Phenomenological Description: Philosophical framework proposed by Edmund Husserl in which it is proposed that in order for us to describe the object (in the real world), there must be a subject (observer) that describes it. In this sense, the subject–object relationship is essential to describe the existential phenomenon. But that is not all, the subject that observes the object interprets it subjectively, more particularly, suggesting the intention.

  8. Hermeneutical: Philosophical framework proposed by Hans-Georg Gadamer. Hermeneutics is the combination of three philosophical frameworks, namely: the historicism of Dilthey, Sartre’s existentialism and phenomenology of Husserl. The hermeneutic view of the real world involves a dynamic and phenomenological view of the real world, in which both the evolutionary process of the subject being observed and the evolutionary process of the observed object are relevant, thus giving rise to complex interpretation that impedes the understanding of phenomena occurring in the real world.

  9. Systemic description: Multi-interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary description of the real world.

  10. Taking a phenomenological philosophical position, Weltanschauung means the “filter” under which the observer interprets the events happening in the real world at a given space and time.

  11. Those who have the power to allow or not the implementation of the transformation process (T).

  12. For example, the use of concepts such as weltanschauung, human activity systems, infra systems, hetero systems, supra systems, iso systems, reference system, political climate, cultural issues, ethical issues, etc.; helps considerably to structure problematic situations.

  13. For example, the use of colors and different signals to express different types of relationships (i.e., considering and expressing the level and kind of influence of the problem owners, clients and actors, the informal relationships, the family and friendship links, and so on), as well as to add cause–effect relationships to events or to specify links describing the hermeneutic phenomena occurring in the problematic situation analyzed through time. Also used were different problem structuring methods and techniques in order to have a clear third party understanding of the problematic situation, such as: mind mapping, causal diagrams, SD, synectics, brainstorming, Regnier Abacus, Delphi Method, Structural Analysis, Cross Impact Matrix, Morphological Analysis, Nominal Group Technique, System Definition Matrix, Interaction Matrix Diagramming and Scenario Analysis.

  14. Chambers of Crime are tribunals in the Argentinean Justice System in charge of carrying out criminal processes of those who have committed a crime.

  15. CLD: Causal Loop Diagram.

References

  • Aracil J (1981) Introducción a la Dinámica de Sistemas. Alianza Editorial, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Aracil J (1989) Sistemas y dinámica de sistemas. Rev Int Sist 1(2). Sociedad Española de Sistemas Generales, Valencia

  • Arriaga I, Godoy L (1999) Seguridad ciudadana y violencia en América Latina: Diagnóstico y políticas en los años noventa. Serie Políticas Sociales, vol 32. CEPAL, Desarrollo Social, Santiago

  • Ballvé AM (2000) Tablero de Control: Organizando la Información para Crear Valor. Ediciones Macchi, Buenos Aires

    Google Scholar 

  • Bianchi C, Montemaggiore GB (2006) Building “dynamic” balanced scorecards to enhance strategy design and planning in public utilities: key findings from a project in a city water company. Rev Din Sist 2(2)

  • Buzan T (1996) El Libro de los Mapas Mentales. Ediciones Urano, Barcelona

    Google Scholar 

  • Checkland PB (1971) Towards a systems-based methodology for real world problem-solving. J Syst Eng 3(2):87–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Checkland PB (1972) Systemic, not systematic. J Syst Eng 3(2)

  • Checkland PB (1979) The systems movement and the “failure” of management sciences. Paper presented at the 25th anniversary meeting of the General Society of Systems Research, London

  • Checkland PB (1981) Systems thinking, systems practice. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Checkland PB (1999) Systems thinking systems practice (includes a 30-year retrospective). Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Checkland PB, Holwell S (1998) Information, systems and information systems: making sense of the field. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Checkland PB, Poulter J (2006) Learning for action: a short definitive account of soft systems methodology and its use for practitioners, teachers and students. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Checkland PB, Scholes J (1990) Soft systems methodology in action. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Dammert L (2010) Violencia e Inseguridad Ciudadana en Las Americas. Ediciones El Virrey, Lima

    Google Scholar 

  • Delp P, Thesen A, Motiwalla J, Seshadri N (1977) Systems tools for project planning. International Development Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington

    Google Scholar 

  • Ford A (1999) Modeling the environment. Island Press, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Forrester JW (1965) Industrial dynamics. MIT Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Forrester JW (1993) System dynamics and the lessons of 35 years. In: De Green KB (ed) A system-based approach to policymaking. Kluwer, London, pp 199–240

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman MR (1988) Study notes in system dynamics. MIT Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassan Q-U (2009) Beyond the balanced scorecard: towards the dynamic balanced scorecard. In: UKSim 2009: 11th international conference on computer modelling and simulation, pp 317–321

  • Hassan Q-U, Chow C, Goh M (2007) Towards a dynamic balanced scorecard approach: the case of Changi General Hospital in Singapore. Int J Enterp Netw Manag 1(3):230–237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heidegger M (1966) Discourse on thinking. Harpertorch Books, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson MC (1988) Present position and future prospects of management science. Omega 15(6):455–466

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan RS, Norton DP (1992) The balanced scorecard: measures that drive performance. Harv Bus Rev 70:71–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan RS, Norton DP (1996a) Using the balanced scorecard as a strategic management system. Harv Bus Rev 74:75–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan RS, Norton DP (1996b) Translating strategy into action: the balanced scorecard. Harvard Business Review Press, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan RS, Norton DP (1997) Cuadro de Mando Integral [The balanced scorecard]. Ediciones Gestión 2000 S.A., Barcelona

  • Krauskpf D (1996) La crisis social: Desintegración familiar, valores y violencia social. Rev Parlam 4(3)

  • Lane D, Oliva R (1998) The greater whole: towards a synthesis of system dynamics and soft systems methodology. Eur J Oper Res 107:214–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martínez S, Requena A (1986) Dinámica de Sistemas, vols 1–2. Alianza Editorial, Madrid

  • Martínez S, Alvarez N, Barrón A, Rayego P, Gala M, Gonzáles G, Nieto C (1996) Modelos de Simulación Integral para Empresas: Una Aplicación al Sector de las Telecomunicaciones. Colección Gestión, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Mingers J, Gill A (1997) Multimethodology: theory and practice of combining management science methodologies. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Montbrun A, Porras L (1999) Mental map on the collapse of public security in Mendoza Province, Argentina. Internal exercise presented at the Mental Reengineering IAS’s Seminar, Lima, Peru

  • Olve N-G, Roy J, Wetter M (1999) Implantando y Gestionando el Cuadro de Mando Integral. Ediciones Gestión 2000 S.A., Barcelona

  • OPS (1996) La Violencia en las Américas: La Pandemia Social del Siglo XX. Serie de Publicaciones Comunicación para la Salud, Washington, DC

  • Paucar-Caceres A, Rodríguez-Ulloa RA (2007) An application of soft system dynamics methodology (SSDM). J Oper Res Soc 58:701–713

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richardson R, Pugh L III (1981) Introduction to system dynamics modeling with dynamo. MIT Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts E (1978) Managerial applications of system dynamics. MIT Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts E, Deal R, Andersen D, Garet M, Shaffer W (1983) Introduction to computer simulation: the system dynamics approach. Addison-Wesley, Massachusetts

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez-Delgado R (2006) Teoría de Sistemas y Gestión de las Organizaciones. Ebook, Instituto Andino de Sistemas—IAS, Lima

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez-Ulloa RA (1988) The problem solving system: another problem-content system. Syst Pract 1(3):243–257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez-Ulloa RA (1990) Metodología para definir la weltanschauung: Una intervención en una Empresa Peruana. Sistémica 1(1). Instituto Andino de Sistemas—IAS, Lima

  • Rodríguez-Ulloa RA (1993) Reglas para la Construcción de Diagramas Causales y de Forrester. Documento Interno, Instituto Andino de Sistemas, Lima

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez-Ulloa RA (1994) La Sistémica, los Sistemas Blandos y los Sistemas de Información. Universidad del Pacífico, Lima

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez-Ulloa RA (1995) Libro de la Conferencia SISTEMICA ’94. Instituto Andino de Sistemas, Lima

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez-Ulloa RA (1999) Soft system dynamics methodology—SSDM: a tool for social systems analysis and design. Paper presented at the 43rd international meeting of the International Society for the Systems Sciences, USA

  • Rodríguez-Ulloa RA (2001) Soft systems methodology—SSM. In: Encyclopedia of living support systems (EOLSS). UNESCO, Paris. www.eolss.net

  • Rodríguez-Ulloa RA (2002a) Informes Seguridad Ciudadana No. 1 y No. 2. Proyecto Programa de Seguridad Ciudadana, Proyecto BID AR-0247. Unidad de Seguridad Ciudadana, Ministerio del Interior, República Argentina, Buenos Aires

  • Rodríguez-Ulloa RA (2002b) The soft system dynamics methodology (SSDM): the fusion of soft systems methodology (SSM) and system dynamics (SD). Paper presented at the third international congress of electromechanics and systems engineering, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México DF

  • Rodríguez-Ulloa RA (2006) Metodología Sistémica para Elaborar y Mantener un Cuadro de Mando Integral y Dinámico—MSDBSC-EM (e-book). Instituto Andino de Sistemas, Lima

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez-Ulloa RA, Paucar-Caceres A (2005) Soft system dynamics methodology (SSDM): combining soft systems methodology (SSM) and system dynamics (SD). Syst Pract Action Res 18(3):303–334

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rose C, Malcolm JN (1997) Accelerated learning for the 21st century. Dell, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenhead J, Mingers J (2001) Rational analysis for a problematic world revisited: problem structuring methods for complexity, uncertainty and conflict. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Senge PM (1991) La Quinta Disciplina. Editorial Gránica, Buenos Aires

    Google Scholar 

  • Senge PM, Roberts C, Ross RB, Smith BJ, Kleiner A (1995) La Quinta Disciplina en la Práctica. Editorial Gránica, Buenos Aires

    Google Scholar 

  • Senge PM, Kleiner A, Roberts C, Ross R, Roth G, Smith B (2000) La Danza del Cambio. Editorial Norma, Bogotá

    Google Scholar 

  • Sterman J (2000) Business dynamics: systems thinking and modeling for a complex world. McGraw Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Warren K (2008) Competitive strategy dynamics. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson B (1984) Systems: concepts, methodologies and applications. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson B (2000) Soft systems methodology—SSM. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Honorable Provincial Council of the Province of Mendoza and City Council of the city of Godoy Cruz, Argentina, for their financial and logistical support during the research. We also thank all the stakeholders who participated in the discussion meetings that aided in applying SSDM and building the system dynamics models. Finally, our gratitude goes to the researchers from CEGESCO (Argentina), IAS (Peru) and CSIC (Spain) for their support in building and validating the system dynamics models, as well as to CENTRUM Católica Business School (Peru) for providing the facilities, academic and logistic support for writing this paper and we especially want to thank Prof. James Rudolph for his help in the proof reading of the manuscript, to Mr. Janek Kobylinski, Assistant in CENTRUM Future, for his support in the elaboration of many of the graphics in this paper and Prof. Jose Pereyra for his support in providing with the facilities and resources needed to write this paper.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CENTRUM Católica Business School, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Jr. Alomía Robles 125-129, Los Alamos de Monterrico, Santiago de Surco, Lima 33, Peru

    Ricardo A. Rodríguez-Ulloa

  2. Centro para la Gestión de Sistemas Complejos (CEGESCO), Mendoza, Argentina

    Alberto Montbrun

  3. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain

    Silvio Martínez-Vicente

  4. Instituto Andino de Sistemas (IAS), Lima, Peru

    Silvio Martínez-Vicente

Authors
  1. Ricardo A. Rodríguez-Ulloa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alberto Montbrun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Silvio Martínez-Vicente
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ricardo A. Rodríguez-Ulloa.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rodríguez-Ulloa, R.A., Montbrun, A. & Martínez-Vicente, S. Soft System Dynamics Methodology in Action: A study of the Problem of Citizen Insecurity in an Argentinean Province. Syst Pract Action Res 24, 275–323 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11213-010-9187-z

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11213-010-9187-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation