Assessing the Participatory Potential of Systems Mapping†. (14th October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Király, Gábor; Köves, Alexandra; Pataki, György; Kiss, Gabriella
• Is Part Of: Systems research and behavioral science. Volume 33:Number 4(2016)
• Page Start: 496
• Page End: 514
• Publication Date: 2015-10-14
• Subjects: participation -- post‐normal science -- system dynamics -- systems mapping -- sustainable consumption; Psychology -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Periodicals; System theory -- Periodicals; 003
• DOI: 10.1002/sres.2374
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1092-7026

Abstract

Abstract : The complexity of sustainability issues prompts both science and policy‐making to broaden their methodologies in finding solutions to problems of environmental, social and economic sustainability. In the realms of post‐normal science, quests to find adequate answers to everyday challenges happen in an issue‐driven, policy‐oriented manner where the issue of involving the widest possible range of stakeholders is of utmost importance. Participatory systems mapping is a new type of participatory technique, which has emerged in the last few years. In such a process, participants jointly devise diagrams on a topical issue and develop policy recommendations. The paper discusses an experiment applying this method concerning the issue of sustainable consumption. The authors point out that systems mapping has many significant features that can enrich participatory methodologies. However, the participatory potential of systems mapping might be limited because it can be demanding for groups with lower levels of knowledge capital. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.