Participatory modelling with an influence matrix and the calculation of whole-of-system sustainability values Online publication date: Tue, 22-Apr-2008
by Anthony Cole, Will Allen, Margaret Kilvington, Andrew Fenemor, Breck Bowden
International Journal of Sustainable Development (IJSD), Vol. 10, No. 4, 2007
Abstract: This paper documents the results of a participatory modelling trial involving an influence matrix with a group of researchers and community members in the Motueka Catchment of New Zealand. In this trail, the influence matrix was used to calculate whole-of-system sustainability-values used to: (i) guide system dynamic model development, (ii) build understanding about the functional role of system factors, and (iii) contribute to method and theory development in a sustainability research context. This paper provides: (i) an historical account of the theoretical development of the influence matrix, (ii) theoretical justification for the use of this tool in the estimation of whole-of-system sustainability values, and (iii) a stepwise account of how the method has been trialled in a New Zealand case study, including an evaluation of its limitations and areas where future research is needed.
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