Quantitative Methods For Comparing Managers' Mental Models Of Dynamic Systems
Type
conference paper
Date Issued
2010-05-20
Author(s)
Abstract
Mental models about dynamic systems are representations of reality in the mind of managers and are the basis for decision making. Research has demonstrated that more comprehensive and dynamic mental models seem to be at the foundation for improved policies and decisions. Eliciting and comparing such models can systematically explicate key variables and their main underlying structures. In addition, superior dynamic mental models can be identified. This paper reviews the properties of mental models which have been measured by existing approaches. It shows that these methods lack to account for relevant aspects of dynamic systems, such as, time delays in causal links, feedback structures, and the polarities of feedback loops. The elicitation of mental model with only those properties yields mostly static models. To overcome them, we enhance the distance ratio approach (Markóczy and Goldberg, 1995) so as to comprehend these characteristics and detect differenced among mental models at three levels: the level of elements, the level of individual feedback loops, and the level of the complete model. An application of the method shows that this previously non-existent information is essential for understanding differences in mental models of managers. The method opens up a path to elaborate the models managers use in real world decision making. We discuss the benefits and limitations of our approach and conclude by identifying directions for further research.
Language
English
Keywords
mental model
dynamic system
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Book title
EURAM 2010: Back to the Future
Publisher
EURAM
Publisher place
Brüssel
Event Title
10th Annual European Academy of Management Conference (EURAM) 2010
Event Location
Rom
Event Date
19.-22.05.2010
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
70106