Chapter 3

CONCEPTUAL
MODEL / FRAMEWORK

Properties, Construction, Function(s) and Use

 Introduction

 Representation of a ‘system’ intentionally

constructed to study some aspect of that system
or the system as a whole.
 An organization is understood to be a complex
system.
 The word 'system’ means: an ordered entirety of
elements.
 Systems tend to become complex when the
elements interact in a variety of ways with each
other as a result of specific and dynamic
relationships
 Defining a (Conceptual) Model

 Architects, consultants, designers, academics,

managers and nurses all use various models.

 Models serve to visualize ideas, bring to the fore

key properties of a phenomenon and help to guide
a specific pattern of actions or how things hold
together in illustrating relationships.
 Defining a (Conceptual) Model

 In positivistic traditions, in models hypothetical

causal relationships are depicted,
operationalized and then tested and verified.

 In constructivist traditions, models are not

depicted upfront but are often the result of a
study. The models provides theory and then
can be tested.
 Maps and Models
 Closely related to models are maps.
 Any map is based on signatures representing
certain properties of the depicted terrain.
 These properties do not have anything physical to
do with the terrain itself, but are constructed,
commonly agreed symbols, signs and definitions.
 They serve to help the user to reconstruct the
‘terrain’ in his mind and are aimed at fulfilling
specific purposes.
 Maps and Models
 A map never represents a reality – it is a
reconstruction according to purpose and
task. Symbols used in the map are
deliberately chosen and depend upon that
purpose.

 The pivotal function is highlighting certain

things and leaving other things out another
words: a map is an abstract reduction of a
complexity in a perceived reality.
 Maps and Models
 The usefulness of a map exists in what it
omits. Since our world is infinitely complex,
acting with a purpose in mind requires
persistently disregarding certain factors in
order to reduce this complexity.

 The core of a map is to decide once – and not

time and again – what is, or is not, important
in a given context given certain problems,
criteria and requirements.
 Every map delineates (implicitly) the borders of
perceived problems, thus, highlighting what deserves
attention and what lies outside the scope of that
problem.

 A kind of ‘one map fits all’ does not exist. Maps are
created or selected according to a goal and task to be
accomplished – we naturally use different maps for
different situations.

 There are neither right nor wrong maps. Maps are

more or less appropriate and functional according to
a specific context and problem
 Properties of Conceptual Models
 They are verbal or visual ‘constructions’ helping
to differentiate between what is important and
what not. By definition models are based on
choice.

 A model offers a framework illustrating (logical)

causal relationships between factors that matter
(at least in the eyes of its creator). They, thus,
promote ‘sense making’ or meaning in various
situations.
 Properties of Conceptual Models
 Models serve to direct focus, thus, facilitating
(organizational) communication which leads to
speedier if not better understanding.

 They create reality in the sense of collective

understanding. Since they are based on (a)
language derived from theoretical notions they
offer access to these notions.

 As a sophisticated linguistic (and) (or) visual

construction it strengthens anorganisation’s
ability to act collectively once understood.
 Theory and Conceptual Models

 Key(1999) Theory: “A systematic attempt to understand what

is observable in the world. It creates order and logic from
observable facts that appear tumultuous and disconnected”.
 A ‘good’ theory in the social sciences:
(a) Falsifiable
(b) Logically coherent
(c) Operational stable
(d) Useful
(e) Possess sufficient explanatory power in terms of scope
and comprehensiveness.
 Conceptual models are inescapably based on theory or at
least theoretical notions
 Without theory, we cannot make meaningful sense of
empirically generated data or distinguish useful results
The Functions of a Conceptual Model in Designing Research

 Relates the research to the existing body of literature.

 Researcher can indicate in what way he is looking at the phenomenon

of his research.
 Introduce a perspective: a way of looking at empirical phenomena.
Using scientific concepts provides the world with a specific order and
coherence that wasn’t there before conceptualization.

 Indicates which factors will be taken into consideration and which not -
thus showing what he thinks is important.

 Researcher can start looking for (additional) literature providing

arguments for his in of reasoning – hence the importance of adequate
referencing.

 Researcher also connects his research with research results and

 Building a model can be helpful in structuring the
problem, identifying relevant factors and then
providing the connections that make it easier to
map and frame the problem.

 If done properly the model is then a truthful

representation of the phenomenon being studied.

 Furthermore, the model will help to simplify the

problem by reducing the number of properties that
have to be included, thus making it easier to focus
on the essentials.
 Conceptual models builds links with system theory
 In most systems, theories entails two components:
elements and relationships
 Understanding a system means
 Identifying the elements
 Describing the relationships among the elements
 Understanding how the elements and relationships
dynamically interact to result in different states of the system

 If done properly the model is then a truthful

representation of the phenomenon being studied.

 Furthermore, the model will help to simplify the problem

by reducing the number of properties that have to be
included, thus making it easier to focus on the
Display of Conceptual Model:
Role of a Conceptual Model with a Closed Question:

 Crucial is where the theoretical model and the

empirical reality are related is when they are
translated into observable constructs. This
process is called “operationalisation”.
 Process: Steps:
Firstly, a definition of the concept
the construct as intended.
Secondly, a translation into indicators.
Thirdly, a translation of each of the indicators into
questions (the construct as meant).
The Process of
Operationalisation:
The Process of
operationalisation:
 Role of a Conceptual Model with an Open
Question
 In the context of research guided by an open
question the conceptual model plays a different
role. Research guided by an open question leads
to concepts and local theory emerging from the
data in the process of the research.
 The aim of producing such a model is (re-)
constructed understanding between the actors
involved which possibly lead to better
communication about a specific situation such as
actionable alternatives.
 Constructing a Conceptual Model
1. Maybe the best advice to start with is: make a quick
scan of relevant models in a specific field.
2. If you start with the (open) description of a (social)
situation or the management problem a good
question to ask is whether it is possible to provide an
indication of how the people involved see the
problem? And also to find out which label or heading
fits the problem.
3. The third tip is again simple. If you want to construct a
model, simply start by making an image with a few
concepts and depict relations. Instead of
using(disciplinary) language that needs to be learned
and forces you to express ideas in a specific way this
 Constructing a Conceptual Model
4.The fourth piece of advice is that in the final conceptual
model the researcher should use as few concepts as
possible. In relation to that he also should use equally few
relations between the concepts.
5. In drawing a simple picture of the concepts in relation to
each other the concept that will be explained will be put on
the right side of the picture. The concepts that will be used
to explain will be put at the left side of the picture. In
between concepts can be placed between these positions,
these concepts are called ‘intervening concepts’.
6. Each of the concepts has to be operationalised (at least in
research with a closed research question). In the picture
this must be added below the concepts. At the level of
operationalised concepts researchers make use of the
term: variable for the operationalised concepts.
Constructing a Conceptual Model
7. A seventh and final piece of advice is: do not
let yourself be fooled by your own model. If
you go back in this chapter we have warned
you already that models tend to start living a
life of their own. It looks as if that model
dominates everything you do in your
research. We have called that one of the blind
spots. So, if you sense you are falling into this
trap try to analyze very critically why this is
happening.