The importance of eliciting stakeholders' system boundary perceptions for problem structuring and decision-making.

Area of Science:

• Operational Research
• System Dynamics
• Organisational Studies
• Decision Science

Background:

• Multi-organizational decision-making faces challenges due to differing system boundaries and problem framings among stakeholders.
• Unstructured problems, like grand challenges, involve multiple actors with diverse perspectives and conflicting interests, necessitating coordinated action.

Purpose of the Study:

• To understand stakeholder perceptions of system boundaries and problem framings.
• To analyze the effects of these perceptions on decision-making processes.
• To systematically compare causal maps across different stakeholder groups for a shared concern.

Main Methods:

• Developed a novel thematic analysis of Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs) constructed from stakeholder perceptions.
• Integrated qualitative and quantitative analyses, including variable centrality and CLD structure.
• Employed a qualitative participatory System Dynamics modeling process for replicability.

Main Results:

• CLD comparisons visually highlighted differences and similarities in thematic variable clusters influencing a shared concern.
• The integrated approach facilitated a more holistic perception of the system among stakeholders.
• Identified key problem aspects for each stakeholder group to support collaborative decision-making.

Conclusions:

• Comparing stakeholder CLDs can foster shared understanding and more integrated system perceptions.
• This approach can lead to more systemic and effective multi-organizational decision-making.
• The methodology provides a replicable framework for collaborative problem-solving in complex urban regeneration contexts.