This is an introduction about the goal, key concepts and the method of the Integrative Analysis. The Integrative Analysis seeks to clarify complex problem situations and conceive changes coherent with adjacent ecosystems. It inquires conceptual systems in relation to a broadened concept of ecological patterns and energy transformations in society and integrates them with the personal experience and viewpoints of practitioners. Thereby it ensures the integrity of resulting actions, extending them with ulterior perspectives and an ethic of earth and people care.

1. The Integrative Analysis
how ttoo ddeessiiggnn ssoocciioo--eeccoonnoommiicc eeccoossyysstteemmss
Based on the working paper:
Schlauch, Michael (2014): The Integrative Analysis of Economic Ecosystems:
Reviewing labour market policies with new insights from permaculture and
systems theory. http://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/53757/
Michael Schlauch, 09/2014
michael@rhizomaticdesign.net
Rhizomatic Design
transdisciplinary
Problem solving
rhizomaticdesign.net

3. The Problem
original relationship ecology-economy
...logy
-λογία: the study and
explanation of the functioning
of the household
..nomy
-νόμος: laws and rules for
good management of the
household
Eco...
Οἶκος: the (global) household
Relationship of mutual
exchange

4. The Problem²
current relationship ecology-economy
..nomy
How do we satisfy unlimited wants
with limited resources?
...logy
the science of providing increased
natural resources (ecosystem
services) while sustaining natural
productivity (sustainability)
Eco...
Οἶκος: which household?
One way relationship:
ecosystems deliver
services

5. The Goal of this Talk
new approaches to socio-economic problems
● synthesis with ecosystems
● dynamic, iterative
● open, viewpoint-conscious
● macroscopic, wholistic
● qualitative
● adaptive, locally valid
● dichotomy: human ↔ nature
● static
● deterministic
● reductionist
● quantitative
● prescriptive, universally valid (?)

6. The Integrative Analysis
overview
(Checkland 2000)
(Odum 2007)
(Holmgren 2011)

7. Step 1: Find Conceptual Models
the “hard“ approach (classic engineering)
presumed system
prescripted methods
conceptual
model
no clear distinction between reality and thought

8. Step 1: Find Conceptual Models²
following the “Soft Systems Methodology“ (Checkland 2000)
system, here seen different viewpoints as the process of inquiry
interactions
problem situations
complex reality thought

9. SStteepp 22 VViissuuaalliizzee MMooddeellss
with energy diagrams (Odum 2007)
ecosystem compatible expression of elements and processes
(Schlauch 2014)

10. SStteepp 22 VViissuuaalliizzee MMooddeellss²
preparation
● emergy: The amount of available energy of one type (usually solar) that is directly or indirectly
required to generate a given output flow or storage of energy or matter.
(amount of energy of a lower quality grade required to develop the higher grade)
● processes: flows and lifecycles become longer
● elements: increasing territory of control and support
??
?? ??
??
??

11. SStteepp 22 VViissuuaalliizzee MMooddeellss³
example of a socio-economic ecosystem
Original brainstorming, collection of elements and flows: unemployed,

12. SStteepp 33 IInnqquuiirryy
enhancing the SSM in the Integrative Analysis
Root definitions (Checkland): help
elaborate the problem situation and
draw energy diagrams
● Clients: beneficiaris and victims
● Actors: carry out system activities
● Transformation that happens
● Worldview necessary for meaning
● Owner: can abolish or change
system
● Environmental contrains: external
limits
● Enhancements in the integrative
analysis:
should enable us to adopt key
principles of healthy
ecosystems
?

13. SStteepp 33 IInnqquuiirryy22
main energy laws, system ecology (Odum et. al.)
Entropy law and
thermodynamics: living
systems deal with omnipresent
energy degradation
Feedback along the energy
hierarchy: pulses from units that
control energy of higher quality as
positive (reinforcing) and negative
(limiting) feedback
Maximum Power (Lotka 1922), restated as principle for
Maximum (Em)Power (Odum 2007):
Because designs with greater performance (emergy throughput)
prevail, self-organization selects network connections that feed back
transformed energy to increase inflow of resources or to use them
more efficiently

14. SStteepp 33 IInnqquuiirryy33
implementation in Permaculture as wholistic practice by
means of design principles and ethics (Holmgren, 2011)

15. SStteepp 33 IInnqquuiirryy44
...META-analysis: the system of inquiry LESLY-DAMIU

16. SStteepp 33 IInnqquuiirryy55
...for the principles of ecological functioning: LESLY-DAMIU
● Limited or scarce
ressources, can they
be replaced or made
renewable?
● Excessive inputs
produce waste and
inefficiency.
● Spaces (time,
place...) that are the
most dynamic offer
insights and
opportunities.
● Yields that are ● ...
neglected offer
valuable opportunities
of transformation.
● Long term: speculating
of where the system is
going in 20-100 years
often gives hints about
slow but strong changes

17. SStteepp 33 IInnqquuiirryy66
...for the principles of ecological functioning: LESLY-DAMIU
● Distance (time, space...)
between the system and
the origin of the problem
that it copes with: the
nearest interventions are
the most effective.
● Adaptation: when
conditions change,
the system should be
able to adapt in time
and continuously
● Motivation, extrinsic
and intrinsic: what actions
depend on external
incentives and what gets
done autonomously?
● Unkown knowns
and unknowns: what
are the limitations of
the current
viewpoint?
● Interaction and
sharing: what is
blocking and what can
reinforce interaction
and sharing?

18. SStteepp 33 IInnqquuiirryy77
...META-analysis: the system of inquiry LESLY-DAMIU

19. SStteepp 44 CChhaannggeess aanndd AAccttiioonnss
...possible viewpoint responses (labour market situation)
● Limitations: job opportunities
● Excess: unemployed
● Space: job ads, recruiters
● Long term: growing unemployment
● Yields neglected: creativity, interconnected social
relations (village), housework (predominantly provided
by women)
● Distance: production-related problems to be
approached in other ways (right diagram)
● Adaption, continuous: unemployment census
● Motivation intrinsic-extrinsic: unsubsidized vs. subsidized
branches
● Interaction: can be promoted by efforts for more
transparency, self-employment...
● Unknown knowns/unknowns: skills, earnings, working
atmosphere,
diagram of the
next iteration, including
responses that triggered
viewpoint changes

20. SStteepp 44 CChhaannggeess aanndd AAccttiioonnss22
...ideas for new proposals
Often, one
question leads to
multiple answeres
● With these new flows
and elements, we can
form a pattern-language
(cf. Christopher
Alexander 1977)
Example,
labour
market:
→ new set of patterns:
● promote informal and socially valuable
productive activities (e.g. community gardening)
● in order to strengthen social relations, team
skills and trust that will increase the amount of
possible jobs offered by local small businesses
to committed people living nearby.
● Intrinsic motivation:
informal (money-free)
economy
● Neglected yields: social
relations
● Distance to original
problems: lack of
access to job offerings
and skill acquisition

21. CCoonncclluussiioonn
...uniting SSM, Systems Ecology, Permaculture and Economics
● 1) Think of a complex problem
situation as a „soft system“,
brainstorm main elements and
flows
● 2) Create eco-compatible
conceptual models/socio-economic
ecosystems, e.g.
with energy-diagrams
● 4) Use responses to elaborate
patterns of change and/or
viewpoint corrections,
● 5) (recommence from the
beginning)
● 3) Do an inquiry that
confronts your observations
with reality and ecologically
favorable functioning

22. CCoonncclluussiioonn
...uniting SSM, Systems Ecology, Permaculture and Economics
The Integrative Analysis seeks
to clarify complex problem
situations and conceive
changes coherent with adjacent
ecosystems.
It inquires conceptual systems in
relation to a broadened concept of
ecological patterns and energy
transformations in society and
integrates them with the personal
experience and viewpoints of
practitioners.
Thereby it ensures the integrity of resulting actions,
extending them with ulterior perspectives and an
ethic of earth and people care.

23. TThhaannkk yyoouu ffoorr yyoouurr aatttteennttiioonn!!
LLiitteerraattuurree
● Michael Schlauch (2014). The Integrative Analysis of Economic Ecosystems,
http://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/id/eprint/53757.
● Checkland, P. (2000). Soft Systems Methodology: A Thirty Year
Retrospective. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 17(1): 11–58.
● Odum, H. T. (2007). Environment, Power, and Society for the Twenty-First
Century. Columbia University Press.
● Holmgren, D. (2011). Permaculture: Principles and pathways beyond
sustainability. Hampshire UK: Permanent Publications, first uk edition.
● Alexander, C. (1977). A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction.
Oxford University Press.