title: Valuing ecosystem services: A new paradigm shift

authors: Kaval, Pamela

subjects: ecosystem services

abstract: The ways in which economists value natural resources has been, and continues to be, a constantly evolving process. At first, only transactions that took place in the marketplace were considered. However, it was not long until it was realised that this concept was an incomplete way to value natural resources and hence the concept of non-market valuation was introduced. These non-market valuation methodologies prevailed for about 50 or 60 years, but, at the present time, it is being realised that the current methodologies are incomplete and it is time for another new paradigm shift. The market and non-market valuation calculations currently used only include anthropocentric (human related) values and have omitted ecocentric ecosystem service values such as the pollination of crops that takes place by bees and flies. The question we are posed with now is how to calculate the true value for ecosystem services in given this new paradigm shift?

text: Valuing ecosystem services: A new paradigm shift The ways in which economists value natural resources has been, and continues to be, a constantly evolving process. At first, only transactions that took place in the marketplace were considered. However, it was not long until it was realised that this concept was an incomplete way to value natural resources and hence the concept of non-market valuation was introduced. These non-market valuation methodologies prevailed for about 50 or 60 years, but, at the present time, it is being realised that the current methodologies are incomplete and it is time for another new paradigm shift. The market and non-market valuation calculations currently used only include anthropocentric (human related) values and have omitted ecocentric ecosystem service values such as the pollination of crops that takes place by bees and flies. The question we are posed with now is how to calculate the true value for ecosystem services in given this new paradigm shift?

year: 2006-10

title: Simplified system dynamics: a methodology for corporate modelling

authors: Craig, Grahame David

abstract: This thesis deals with the development and application of a methodology for constructing corporate planning models. The methodology is based on a framework of general systems concepts consisting of elements from the System Dynamics and Input-Output approaches to the modelling of complex systems. These concepts permit the use of explicit and efficient procedures for constructing corporate planning models, which support each of the conceptual, verbal, graphical and mathematical phases of the model abstraction process. 

Support for the model programming and computational phases is provided by a system of interactive computer programs, written in the ‘BASIC’ language, for a Digital PDP 11/70 timesharing computer. The technical details of these programs and their use, are contained in the Appendices.

Discussion of the methodology is preceded by reviews of both management science and corporate planning, which focus on their respective development histories, future development directions, and their inter-relationship. These reviews provide a foundation for examining the role of computer-based models in corporate planning. In particular, the importance of modelling in resolving the conflicts and problems of corporate planning is established.

Following appraisal of a selection of systems-based modelling methodologies, including System Dynamics, a simplified version of this methodology is presented. This version permits the construction of more open models in which priority is accorded to representation of the structured, mechanistic relationships of the system being modelled.

Introduction of the matrix algebra concepts of Input-Output Analysis enables systems to be represented as vectorised networks, which in turn facilitate the construction of less aggregated models. 

A series of ten applications of the simplified System Dynamics methodology, involving the construction of both financial and non-financial models, is then presented. These applications, together with a comparative study using a typical ‘non-systems’ approach to the construction of a benchmark financial model, provide the basis for assessment of the methodology. This assessment is made in terms of its strengths and weaknesses, and of some recent technological advances in computing. 

As a systems approach to corporate modelling, the methodology is found to meet the needs of corporate planners more closely than any of the existing systems methodologies. The representation of systems as open vectorised networks facilitates model-building and the construction of more flexible, understandable models. These advantages increase markedly as the scale of models constructed with the methodology increases.

The weaknesses of simplified System Dynamics are found to relate directly to the limitations of the current version of the computer software system which supports it. This software system must therefore be upgraded if these weaknesses are to be eliminated. This upgrading should proceed in a manner which takes maximum advantage of the data base management and graphics capabilities of modern time-sharing computers.

text: Simplified system dynamics: a methodology for corporate modelling This thesis deals with the development and application of a methodology for constructing corporate planning models. The methodology is based on a framework of general systems concepts consisting of elements from the System Dynamics and Input-Output approaches to the modelling of complex systems. These concepts permit the use of explicit and efficient procedures for constructing corporate planning models, which support each of the conceptual, verbal, graphical and mathematical phases of the model abstraction process. 

Support for the model programming and computational phases is provided by a system of interactive computer programs, written in the ‘BASIC’ language, for a Digital PDP 11/70 timesharing computer. The technical details of these programs and their use, are contained in the Appendices.

Discussion of the methodology is preceded by reviews of both management science and corporate planning, which focus on their respective development histories, future development directions, and their inter-relationship. These reviews provide a foundation for examining the role of computer-based models in corporate planning. In particular, the importance of modelling in resolving the conflicts and problems of corporate planning is established.

Following appraisal of a selection of systems-based modelling methodologies, including System Dynamics, a simplified version of this methodology is presented. This version permits the construction of more open models in which priority is accorded to representation of the structured, mechanistic relationships of the system being modelled.

Introduction of the matrix algebra concepts of Input-Output Analysis enables systems to be represented as vectorised networks, which in turn facilitate the construction of less aggregated models. 

A series of ten applications of the simplified System Dynamics methodology, involving the construction of both financial and non-financial models, is then presented. These applications, together with a comparative study using a typical ‘non-systems’ approach to the construction of a benchmark financial model, provide the basis for assessment of the methodology. This assessment is made in terms of its strengths and weaknesses, and of some recent technological advances in computing. 

As a systems approach to corporate modelling, the methodology is found to meet the needs of corporate planners more closely than any of the existing systems methodologies. The representation of systems as open vectorised networks facilitates model-building and the construction of more flexible, understandable models. These advantages increase markedly as the scale of models constructed with the methodology increases.

The weaknesses of simplified System Dynamics are found to relate directly to the limitations of the current version of the computer software system which supports it. This software system must therefore be upgraded if these weaknesses are to be eliminated. This upgrading should proceed in a manner which takes maximum advantage of the data base management and graphics capabilities of modern time-sharing computers.

year: 1982

title: Arts Festival: 'Moonwalking Backwards Into The Future: "Poi E", Music Video and Documentary'

authors: Perrott, Lisa

subjects: Art

abstract: Research presentation - an audiovisual presentation drawing upon my published research (book chapter: 'Moonwalking Backwards Into The Future: "Poi E", Music Video and Documentary'). This presentation presented a Matuaranga Maori perspective of the temporal travels of music video and documentary, framed by the concept of whakapap. This presentation took place as part of a panel of 4 presenters who represented Te Kura Toi at the Arts Festival during the University of Waikato Open Day, 2023. This was an oral presentation, which included projected slides and videos from a PPT presentation. The audience included prospective students, their teachers and family members, community members, and current students and academic staff from the University of Waikato. My presentation was documented and photographed.

text: Arts Festival: 'Moonwalking Backwards Into The Future: "Poi E", Music Video and Documentary' Research presentation - an audiovisual presentation drawing upon my published research (book chapter: 'Moonwalking Backwards Into The Future: "Poi E", Music Video and Documentary'). This presentation presented a Matuaranga Maori perspective of the temporal travels of music video and documentary, framed by the concept of whakapap. This presentation took place as part of a panel of 4 presenters who represented Te Kura Toi at the Arts Festival during the University of Waikato Open Day, 2023. This was an oral presentation, which included projected slides and videos from a PPT presentation. The audience included prospective students, their teachers and family members, community members, and current students and academic staff from the University of Waikato. My presentation was documented and photographed.

year: 2023-05-26