In order to configure a valid I-US scenario (I-US build) and to explore and experiment with the decision case study using FCM modelling, it is first necessary to define the current situation of your environment.
A specific fuzzy map showing the relationships between the different elements characterising the social dynamics related to the three guiding dimensions in an I-US context (employment and working conditions, living conditions, community development) is already predefined in the system. It looks like the following image.
This map shows the causal links between key factors (shaded grey), o higher-level concepts (shaded orange or yellow) and the main social guiding dimensions (shaded blue).
Each experiment is run in a specific context for which it is necessary to establish the baseline. Once the initial configuration is in place, it is possible to set up experiments and run simulations.
The first step is therefore to weight both the variables involved and their relationships (influences) by answering the following survey.
In this section we ask you to define the influences of key factors that shape the higher-level concepts that impact on the three guiding dimensions of the social perspective. Please remember that every single element used here has a precise meaning. In order to avoid misunderstandings, we strongly recommend that you consult the help of our
Controlled vocabulary/Thesaurus,
that you can access by simply clicking on the individual links, where available, relating to the element you are investigating.
Please answer the following question:
How much do you think the following key factors INFLUENCE the related higher-level concepts in your I-US setting?
Please note that in all statements across the different sections the influencing key factor comes first and the related concept affected follows.
To answer properly you should formulate the statement for example as follows: The factor "New jobs created" [decreases or increases] the "Dynamics of labour market",
using the slider to indicate the level of INFLUENCE (how much?). To assert that a factor decreases the related concept, use the minus sign.
The minus sign means that as the factor increases, the related concept decreases.
Please answer the following question:
How much do you think the following key factors INFLUENCE the following higher-level concepts in your I-US setting?
Editor's note: please note that in all statements across the different sections the influencing key factor comes first and the related concept affected follows.
To answer properly you should formulate the statement for example as follows:
The "Access to services of public utility" [decrease or increase] the quality of "Human habitat", using the slider to indicate the level of INFLUENCE (how much?).
To assert that a factor decreases the related concept, use the minus sign.
The minus sign means that as the factor increases, the related concept decreases.
Please answer the following question:
How much do you think the following key factors INFLUENCE the following higher-level concepts in your I-US setting?
Please note that in all statements across the different sections the influencing key factor comes first and the related concept affected follows.
To answer properly you should formulate the statement for example as follows:
The "Population size and migration resulting from the implementation of the Ecosite model considered" [decrease or increase] the "Population dynamics in the area and over the period covered by the analysis", using the slider to indicate the level of INFLUENCE (how much?).
To assert that a factor decreases the related concept, use the minus sign.
The minus sign means that as the factor increases, the related concept decreases.
In this section we ask you to evaluate the current state of the key factors of the system of your experiment.