How to improve strategic decision-making in complex systems when only qualitative information is available

• Published in: Land use policy 2016-01, Vol.50, p.83-101
• Main Authors: Corral-Quintana, Serafín, Legna-de la Nuez, David, Legna Verna, Carlos, Hernández, Jesús Hernández, Romero-Manrique de Lara, David
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Complex issues; Desertification; Integrated methodologies; Policy strategies
• ISSN: 0264-8377; 1873-5754
• DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2015.09.004

•More accountable and inclusive governance styles reject the concept of a single decision maker.•Integrated methodologies are useful when designing strategies to address desertification processes.•Qualitative methodologies allow stakeholders to be aware of the directions their decisions could lead the system. This paper continues a line of research on improving strategic decisions (SD). The nature of governance issues (complex and uncertain world, lack of information, consideration of qualitative and quantitative information, participation of different actors in the decision making processes, etc.) implies that there is no unique solution or strategy in a complex system. On the contrary, there are a range of alternative strategies, which could lead to different futures (scenarios). Working with the qualitative methodology proposed allows decision makers and social actors to be more aware of the directions their decisions could lead the system; and what the key variables are for the implementation of public policies to achieve the desired (or agreed) scenario. An integrated methodology is discussed, and the process of desertification in the Canary Islands is used to illustrate it.