Understanding causal relationships within complex business environments represents an essential component in a decision-maker's toolset when evaluating alternative aquaculture production technologies. This article assesses the utility of employing signed digraph qualitative modeling to support technology selection decision-making through evaluating the adoption of three alternative production expansion strategies (offshore production, IMTA, or land-based RAS) by the Atlantic salmon industry. Results underlined the benefits of strategically understanding the dynamics of demand growth, emphasized the requirement to address societal concerns early; and indicated that levels of ambiguity are lowest with expansion offshore and highest with land-based RAS growout. The research suggests that signed digraph modeling can provide an objective perspective on the levels of uncertainty and causal linkages within a business environment when exploring aquaculture adoption technology scenarios.
History
Publication title
Marine Policy
Volume
91
Pagination
22-33
ISSN
0308-597X
Department/School
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies
Publisher
Elsevier Sci Ltd
Place of publication
The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, England, Oxon, Ox5 1Gb