Systems information management: graph theoretical approach

This study proposes a new method for characterising the underlying information structure of a multi-sector system. A complete characterisation is accomplished by identifying information gaps and cause-effect information pathways in the system, and formulating critical testable hypotheses. Graph-theoretical concepts and principles of systems theory are heavily exploited in this characterisation. The application of the method is illustrated with an experimental workshop in which a multi-voting scheme is carried out to identify the gaps, pathways, and hypotheses. The method should find wide applications in modelling information structures implied by qualitative expert knowledge