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Article
Qualitative Equationless Models as Simple Integrators of Vague Sustainability Knowledge Items
Alena Kocmanova, Mirko Dohnal, Tomas Meluzin
ABSTRACT. Qualitative variables are quantified using three values only – positive (increasing), zero (constant) and negative (decreasing). Knowledge items of qualitative nature (e.g. if productivity goes up then profit does not decrease) are often the only available information. The classical quantitative tools cannot deal with such information items. However, qualitative models can absorb shallow qualitative knowledge and generate all possible scenarios i.e. qualitative solutions. The complete list of scenarios guarantees that any analysis (decision making) based on it does not ignore any promising solution. A multidimensional case study - coal mining, 37 qualitative relations and 24 variables is presented in detail. No prior knowledge of qualitative analysis is required.
KEYWORDS: qualitative, complex, scenario, equationless, ecology.
JEL classification: C25, Q56.