Workshop on Modelling

Workshop on Modelling

Instructor: dr.ir. P. Terlouw

Content:

Every Ph.D. researcher uses models during and in his/her research. For instance, (almost) every researcher constructs in his/her first year of research a conceptual model (these models seem to vary from rich pictures (compare soft systems methodology) to completely operationalised and very detailed schemes). And, usually one also uses one or more other (adjusted) models (the model of mister X, the 7A-model, the general Y model, and others). A tremendous amount of questions can posed with respect to the use of these models, and the conditions under which one can use them, the generalisability, the model language, the aim, do we really need the model in this research, and so on.

In the workshop on Modelling we will focus on comparing the models constructed and used by the participants, while applying general rules from systems theory. The aim of the workshop is to end the day, if possible, with suggestions for improvement of the different models used.

Pre-workshop assignment:

At least two weeks before the workshop every participant must have prepared two scientific posters. One on the conceptual model used in his/her Ph.D. research, and one on another model used in his/her research. The participant must bring both posters on A0-format to the workshop and must send it by e-mail to the NOBEM office not later than two weeks before the workshop. Each participant will receive copies of all posters on A4-format approximately one week before the workshop starts.

Date:

Friday, November 9, 2007

Venue:

University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands

Program:

10.30 – 11.00 Arrival, coffee & tea, installing posters

11.00 – 11.30 Getting to know each other model related

11.30 – 12.15 Lecture on the systems theoretical approach to modelling

12.15 – 13.00 Comparing the conceptual models

13.00 – 14.00 Lunch

14.00 – 14.45 Conclusions from the comparison

14.45 – 15.30 Comparing the other models

15.30 – 15.45 Break

15.45 – 16.30 Conclusions from the second comparison

16.30 – 17.15 Can we generalize from these comparisons? What did we learn?

Can we give suggestions for improvement?

17.15 – 17.30 Evaluation, closing

Post-workshop assignment:

Within two weeks after the workshop every participant must write one page (A-4) on the improvements of his/her presented models. If there are no improvements to be mentioned, the participant must defend this statement. If necessary, the workshop-leader will be personally available for each participant for a maximum of two hours for consultancy on improvements to be made.

Study load:

1 EC (± 25 hrs.)

Entry requirements:

Due to the topic of the workshop the participant must be at least in his/her second year of research. Participants must be researchers in business economics and/or management.

Registration:

Please keep in mind there is a two-week deadline for handing in the preparatory assignment. The maximum number of participants is 12. The minimum number of participants is 6.

Costs:

The internal fee is € 75,- The external fee is € 125,-. This fee includes coffee, tea and lunch.

Further information:

For further information you can contact the NOBEM-office,

phone: +31 (0) 53 489 47 09, fax: +31 (0) 53 489 21 59, e-mail: m.iliohan@utwente.nl.