Table 1 Glossary of systems terminology
From: A systems framework for implementing healthy food retail in grocery settings
Key term | Representation in systems map | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
Factor | Factor 1 | Standard factor, also referred to as a variable. |
Shadow factor |
| A duplication of an existing factor in the map, used so that the map has fewer overlapping arrows and is easier to comprehend. |
Positive causal relationship |
| A positive relationship between two factors, where an increase in Factor 1 results in an increase in Factor 2 and a decrease in Factor 1 results in a decrease in Factor 2. |
Negative causal relationship |
| A negative relationship between two factors, where an increase in Factor 1 results in a decrease of Factor 2 and a decrease in Factor 1 results in an increase in Factor 2. |
Stock |
| Builds and reduces slowly over time relative to the factors in the map. If stock inputs were to decrease, the stock itself would retain its magnitude, depending on other outputs and inputs. |
Flow |
| Inputs to (arrow facing), or outputs from (arrow exiting), a stock, causing the stock to increase or decrease, respectively. |
A “stock and flow” |
| “Engaging customer in healthy changes” is a flow into (i.e. builds) “Customer acceptability of healthy options”. We also have the flow of “Customer resistance to change”, which flows out (i.e. reduces) “Customer acceptability of healthy options”. If both “Engaging customers in healthy changes” and “Customer resistance to change” were to stop, the levels of “Customer acceptability of healthy options” would remain the same, as a stock. |
Reinforcing loop |
| Pathway of relationships between factors that, when activated, amplifies the existing change in one direction. |
Balancing loop |
| Pathway of relationships between factors that, when activated, has a goal seeking behaviour, directing the value of factors to specific values. |
