Integrating problem structuring methods with formal design theory: collective water management policy design in Tunisia

H. Berkay Tosunlu, Joseph Guillaume, Alexis Tsoukiàs (), Emeline Hassenforder (), Samia Chrii, Houssem Braiki and Irene Pluchinotta
Additional contact information
H. Berkay Tosunlu: LAMSADE - Laboratoire d'analyse et modélisation de systèmes pour l'aide à la décision - Université Paris Dauphine-PSL - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Joseph Guillaume: Fenner School of Environment and Society - ANU - Australian National University
Alexis Tsoukiàs: LAMSADE - Laboratoire d'analyse et modélisation de systèmes pour l'aide à la décision - Université Paris Dauphine-PSL - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Emeline Hassenforder: INAT - Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie, Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, UMR G-EAU - Gestion de l'Eau, Acteurs, Usages - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - BRGM - Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - AgroParisTech - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro Montpellier - Institut Agro - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement - UM - Université de Montpellier
Samia Chrii: INAT - Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie
Houssem Braiki: INAT - Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie
Irene Pluchinotta: UCL - University College of London [London]

Post-Print from HAL

Abstract: Groundwater management, especially in Mediterranean regions such as Tunisia, is challenging due to diverse stakeholder interests and the arid climate, which makes the sustainability of water resources extremely difficult. This paper proposes an innovative approach to the design of decision and policy alternatives by combining Problem Structuring Methods (PSMs) and the participatory tool based on the Concept-Knowledge (C-K) theory, named Policy-Knowledge, Concepts, Proposals (P-KCP). In a multi-methodological perspective, using Cognitive Maps and Value Trees in combination with P-KCP, the study aims to innovatively generate alternatives to address the sustainability issue of the case study, namely collective groundwater management. The paper provides a practical and adaptable guide to fostering innovation for policy design and generation of alternatives. By bridging decision theory and design theory, the study addresses the methodological gap in alternatives generation and highlights the role of C-K theory for supporting innovative design processes. Integrating PSMs and C-K theory, the multi-methodology advocates participatory approaches to address complex sustainability challenges, provides an adaptable, replicable tool, and encourages the creation of unconventional solutions. Ultimately, this paper offers new collective practices for groundwater management, expanding the set of alternatives through the integration of PSMs and C-K theory and reflecting on the applied multi-methodology.

Keywords: Value Trees; Cognitive Maps; Stakeholders; Sustainability; Policy Analytics; Design Theory; Conflict Transformation and Management; Alternatives; Problem Structuring (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ara and nep-env
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-05345369v1
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Published in Journal of the Operational Research Society, In press, ⟨10.1080/01605682.2025.2576627⟩

Downloads: (external link)
https://hal.science/hal-05345369v1/document (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05345369

DOI: 10.1080/01605682.2025.2576627

Access Statistics for this paper

More papers in Post-Print from HAL
Bibliographic data for series maintained by CCSD ().