Keywords
participatory modeling approach; stakeholders; participatory methods; trust
Location
Session F3: Modeling with Stakeholders: Old Problems, New Solutions
Start Date
17-6-2014 9:00 AM
End Date
17-6-2014 10:20 AM
Abstract
Many participatory modeling approaches (PMA) aim at supporting social learning among stakeholders. Trust is one important requirement for successful social learning. We relate our experiences trying to improve participatory modeling with local experts in the identification of a region-specific strategy for renewable electricity generation. The PMA was implemented in Groβ-Gerau, a county in Germany. In the case study, we evaluated an innovative combination of methods that support the region-specific strategy identification. The methods applied are actor modeling (AM), scenario development and Bayesian Networks (BN). The evaluation of the case study and informal information shows that stakeholders do not trust each other. What would have been the design of the PMA that could positively influence the building of trust among stakeholders? Based on a literature analysis, we identified five factors that positively influence trust building among stakeholders in a PMA. These factors are: (1) mutual understanding of individual stakeholders' values, (2) enhanced fair, balanced, trustworthy communications during the PMA, (3) skilled facilitation and mediation, (4) availability of a core of mutual knowledge and (5) minimization of stakeholder turnover impacts. Finally, we present an enhanced design of the PMA to support trust building among stakeholders. This design includes an intensive get-to-know each other of the stakeholders and the engagement of a skilled facilitator during the PMA.
Included in
Civil Engineering Commons, Data Storage Systems Commons, Environmental Engineering Commons, Hydraulic Engineering Commons, Other Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons
Building trust while modeling with stakeholders as requirement for social learning
Session F3: Modeling with Stakeholders: Old Problems, New Solutions
Many participatory modeling approaches (PMA) aim at supporting social learning among stakeholders. Trust is one important requirement for successful social learning. We relate our experiences trying to improve participatory modeling with local experts in the identification of a region-specific strategy for renewable electricity generation. The PMA was implemented in Groβ-Gerau, a county in Germany. In the case study, we evaluated an innovative combination of methods that support the region-specific strategy identification. The methods applied are actor modeling (AM), scenario development and Bayesian Networks (BN). The evaluation of the case study and informal information shows that stakeholders do not trust each other. What would have been the design of the PMA that could positively influence the building of trust among stakeholders? Based on a literature analysis, we identified five factors that positively influence trust building among stakeholders in a PMA. These factors are: (1) mutual understanding of individual stakeholders' values, (2) enhanced fair, balanced, trustworthy communications during the PMA, (3) skilled facilitation and mediation, (4) availability of a core of mutual knowledge and (5) minimization of stakeholder turnover impacts. Finally, we present an enhanced design of the PMA to support trust building among stakeholders. This design includes an intensive get-to-know each other of the stakeholders and the engagement of a skilled facilitator during the PMA.
