Browsing by Author "Williams, Ddembe"

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    Integrating Action Research and System Dynamics: Towards a Generic Process Design for Participative Modelling
    (IEE, 2009) Oyo, Benedict; Williams, Ddembe; Barendsen, Erik
    The process of building system dynamics models ranges from linear iterative phases to the circular iterative phases. However, while all these process designs are well known and explicit to system dynamics modellers, they are not comprehensive for participative modelling involving clients/participants without prior modelling knowledge. This paper presents a detailed modelling process design of six phases from the prevalent system dynamics modelling literature. By clearly showing activities and outcomes of each phase, the paper posits that the purpose and benefits of participative modelling are entailed within the phases and not necessarily by the outcomes only. A new phase called action planning, derived from action research process is used to emphasise clients’ contribution in participative modelling. The interplay of the six phases during modelling results into three cycles namely; problem articulation cycle, modelling proficiency cycle, and solution refinement cycle, all of which address the diversity and legitimacy of contributions by all parties.
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    A System Dynamics Tool for Higher Education Funding and Quality Policy Analysis
    (International Conference of the System Dynamics Society, 2008) Oyo, Benedict; Williams, Ddembe; Barendsen, Erik
    Conceptually, the level of funding of higher education activities is directly proportional to its strategic directions/implementations and hence quality. In developing countries, these dependencies are far from straightforward due to ad-hoc reactions to reduced funding. This paper contributes to the development of tools for this management challenge. We investigate the dynamics of higher education funding and ensuing impact on part-time teaching, staff to student ratios, staff development, research productivity, and hence the perceived quality, using a system dynamics simulation model. The model developed is based on higher education literature in the developing world in general and Uganda in particular. We use the resulting model to review policies on funding and quality in higher education, and ultimately envisage that the model can easily be adapted to higher education in other environments.