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Participatory development and analysis of a fuzzy cognitive map of the establishment of a bio-based economy in the Humber Region

Penn, Alexandra S.; Knight, Christopher J.K.; Lloyd, David J.B.; Avitabile, Daniele; Kok, Kasper; Schiller, Frank; Woodward, Amy; Druckman, Angela; Basson, Lauren

Participatory development and analysis of a fuzzy cognitive map of the establishment of a bio-based economy in the Humber Region Thumbnail


Authors

Alexandra S. Penn

Christopher J.K. Knight

David J.B. Lloyd

Daniele Avitabile

Kasper Kok

Frank Schiller

Amy Woodward

Angela Druckman

Lauren Basson



Abstract

Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM) is a widely used participatory modelling methodology in which stakeholders collaboratively develop a ‘cognitive map’ (a weighted, directed graph), representing the perceived causal structure of their system. This can be directly transformed by a workshop facilitator into simple mathematical models to be interrogated by participants by the end of the session. Such simple models provide thinking tools which can be used for discussion and exploration of complex issues, as well as sense checking the implications of suggested causal links. They increase stakeholder motivation and understanding of whole systems approaches, but cannot be separated from an intersubjective participatory context. Standard FCM methodologies make simplifying assumptions, which may strongly influence results, presenting particular challenges and opportunities. We report on a participatory process, involving local companies and organisations, focussing on the development of a bio-based economy in the Humber region. The initial cognitive map generated consisted of factors considered key for the development of the regional bio-based economy and their directional, weighted, causal interconnections. A verification and scenario generation procedure, to check the structure of the map and suggest modifications, was carried out with a second session. Participants agreed on updates to the original map and described two alternate potential causal structures. In a novel analysis all map structures were tested using two standard methodologies usually used independently: linear and sigmoidal FCMs, demonstrating some significantly different results alongside some broad similarities. We suggest a development of FCM methodology involving a sensitivity analysis with different mappings and discuss the use of this technique in the context of our case study. Using the results and analysis of our process, we discuss the limitations and benefits of the FCM methodology in this case and in general. We conclude by proposing an extended FCM methodology, including multiple functional mappings within one participant-constructed graph.

Citation

Penn, A. S., Knight, C. J., Lloyd, D. J., Avitabile, D., Kok, K., Schiller, F., …Basson, L. (2013). Participatory development and analysis of a fuzzy cognitive map of the establishment of a bio-based economy in the Humber Region. PLoS ONE, 8(11), Article e78319. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0078319

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Nov 7, 2013
Deposit Date Mar 16, 2014
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal PLoS ONE
Electronic ISSN 1932-6203
Publisher Public Library of Science
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 8
Issue 11
Article Number e78319
DOI https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0078319
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/719662
Publisher URL http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0078319

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