Abstract:

Group Model Building (GMB) refers to a cluster of diverse techniques used to build System Dynamics (SD) Models. It is an inclusive method for implicating stakeholders in the process of developing those dynamic models. It is understood to be a methodology based on collaborative modelling to create SD models with groups of managers. It is a convergence of complex modeling and facilitation processes achieved through group work.

In this paper the development of a GMB for a specific Small and two Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) from the Basque Industrial Sector is presented. The model boundary in this process was based on the analysis of the commitment of workers to the organization. The session took place on five hours and involved eight people from the company and two facilitators.

This work aims to draw some preliminary conclusions about the effectiveness of SD modeling interventions, to clarify differences in definitions of outcomes, and to provide guidelines for more standardized assessments and reports. In addition, we build an SD model to help the company understand how commitment is influenced and what other factors are infuenced by it. In this way, managers can learn how to obtain a higher level of commitment and how to be more competitive.

The results suggests that models built using the SD technique efficiently present emergent knowledge about how to manage problems related to human resources management (HRM) systems and make effective decisions in order to be more competitive as an organization. More specifically, we have seen that commitment of workers is directly related to a number of factors including: the commitment of managers, human resources (HR) levers applied by those managers, steps of the physical execution processes followed by the company, available resources, and alignment of managers to the strategic objectives of the organization.

Keywords:

Group Model Building, Collaborative Modeling, System Dynamics.