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The Social Fabric Matrix Approach to Policy Analysis: An Introduction

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Institutional Analysis and Praxis

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the reader to the Social Fabric Matrix approach to policy analysis (SFM-A) as laid out in Hayden (2006). This chapter is better understood as a “how to” chapter rather than as a more traditional summary or discussion of the rest of the contributions in the volume. The chapter describes the foundations of the SFM-A approach in general systems theory and instrumentalist philosophy. It then describes the process of building an SFM, and presents extensions of the SFM-A to normative systems analysis, analysis of time and timeliness, quantitative modeling, and social indicators. The chapter concludes with a brief summary of the rest of the chapters.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wartburg College, Waverly, IA, USA

    Scott T. Fullwiler

  2. Institute for Institutional and Innovation Economics-iino, Faculty for Economics and Business Studies, University of Bremen, Hochschulring 4, D-28359, Bremen, Germany

    Wolfram Elsner

  3. Saint Michael’s College, Winooski Park, Box 234, 05439, Colchester, VT, USA

    Tara Natarajan

Authors
  1. Scott T. Fullwiler
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  2. Wolfram Elsner
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  3. Tara Natarajan
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. St. Michael's College, Colchester, 05439, U.S.A.

    Tara Natarajan

  2. FB Wirtschaftsfwissenschaften, Universität Bremen, Hochschulring 4, Bremen, 28359, Germany

    Wolfram Elsner

  3. Wartburg College, Wartburg Blvd. 100, Waverly, 50677, U.S.A.

    Scott Fullwiler

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Fullwiler, S.T., Elsner, W., Natarajan, T. (2009). The Social Fabric Matrix Approach to Policy Analysis: An Introduction. In: Natarajan, T., Elsner, W., Fullwiler, S. (eds) Institutional Analysis and Praxis. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-88741-8_1

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