Title: Systems information management: graph theoretical approach

Authors: Tugrul Temel

Addresses: Agricultural Economics and Rural Policy Group, Wageningen University, Mansholtlaan 10-12, 6708 PA Wageningen, The Netherlands

Abstract: This study proposes a new method for characterising the underlying information structure of a multi-sector system. A complete characterisation is accomplished by identifying information gaps and cause-effect information pathways in the system, and formulating critical testable hypotheses. Graph-theoretical concepts and principles of systems theory are heavily exploited in this characterisation. The application of the method is illustrated with an experimental workshop in which a multi-voting scheme is carried out to identify the gaps, pathways, and hypotheses. The method should find wide applications in modelling information structures implied by qualitative expert knowledge.

Keywords: graph theory; dynamic modelling; expert knowledge; systems analysis; systems information management; systems theory; information flow; malaria-agriculture interactions.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.2006.008640

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 2006 Vol.25 No.1, pp.15 - 21

Published online: 13 Jan 2006 *

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