Journal on Policy & Complex Systems Volume 4, Number 1, Spring 2018 | Page 191

Journal on Policy and Complex Systems
The integrated map in Figure 6 shows a great improvement in its Complexity . While that Complexity may be difficult to grasp in the short run , increased Complexity may be seen as contributing to the long-run development of theory . This is because we expect a short-term increase in Complexity before we improve Systemicity by identifying causal connections between the diverse components ( Wallis , 2010a ); or ,
more prosaically , we can ’ t bake the cake before the ingredients are combined .
Because of the overlaps , the map can be seen to show an increase in overall understanding or knowledge because those overlaps increased the number of concatenated concepts in the theory as a whole . To some extent , each map filled in some of the gaps from another map or maps . Graphically , we may see this improvement in Figure 7 .
Figure 7 : Complexity and Systemicity of individual and integrated models showing improvement .
While the process has resulted in a dramatic increase in the Complexity of the map , it has not increased the Systemicity . Additional work is needed on this body of theory if it is to rise to a significant level of usefulness . The process of integration is a valuable first step because it clarifies the gaps in knowledge . Importantly , for each concept / variable without two causal arrows pointing directly toward it , there is the opportunity for primary and secondary research to identify those causal connections and improve the usefulness of the map .
5.0 Challenge of Moving From Mapping to Modeling
5.1 What is Mapping and Modeling ?
The differences between mapping theories ( as presented above ) and computer
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