Title: The value of group model building: a stakeholder perspective

Authors: Anna Hulda Olafsdottir; Gunnar Stefansson; Helgi Thor Ingason

Addresses: Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, Hjardarhaga 2-4, IS-107 Reykjavik, Iceland ' Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, Hjardarhaga 2-4, IS-107 Reykjavik, Iceland; School of Technology Management and Economics, Chalmers University of Technology, Vera Sandbergs Alle 8 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden ' School of Science and Engineering, Reykjavik University, Menntavegi 1, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland

Abstract: Stakeholder group model-building (GMB) is often used as an approach to form a model in system dynamics (SD) and increasingly also to support strategic decisions in organisations. In this study, grounded theory approach is used to study how eight participants in GMB experienced the process and to increase understanding of the value of the method. A number of strategies were coded and analysed and a theoretical model was developed describing: 1) the causal conditions that underlay the development of value adding strategies; 2) phenomena that arose from these causal conditions; 3) the context that influenced strategy development; 4) intervening conditions that influenced strategy development; 5) value adding strategies; 6) the consequences of these strategies. Subcategories of each component were identified and are illustrated and implications for GMB projects are addressed. A discussion section is presented based on the results and the author's experience of stakeholder GMB workshops.

Keywords: system dynamics; group model building; stakeholder GMB; grounded theory; stakeholder perspective; value adding strategies; strategy development; modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2017.080694

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2017 Vol.20 No.1, pp.99 - 115

Received: 18 Apr 2015
Accepted: 05 Jun 2015
Published online: 04 Dec 2016 *

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