A graph-theoretic perspective on the links-to-concepts ratio expected in cognitive maps

Ion Georgiou

European Journal of Operational Research, 2009, vol. 197, issue 2, 834-836

Abstract: Strategic options development and analysis (SODA) has maintained that it expects a links-to-concepts ratio of 1.15-1.20 in cognitive maps. This expectation is investigated from a graph-theoretic perspective in order to highlight two issues that the SODA literature has not mentioned. First, the ratio is impossible to achieve in tree-structured maps. Second, adherence to the expectation can result in minimally connected maps. Both issues are discussed with examples and calculations, and a conclusion is drawn that graph theory is a potentially rich, yet relatively untapped, source of insights for not only SODA, but for soft OR and systems thinking in general.

Keywords: Soft; OR; SODA; Cognitive; maps; Systems; thinking (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ejores:v:197:y:2009:i:2:p:834-836

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