Abstract
This chapter shows how qualitative data can inform building computational models. The general issue is illustrated with the example of a model of structural shirking in organisations, i.e. insufficient time and effort stemming from the structure of the performed work. The first attempt to build a model of shirking with the use of assumptions present in social scientific theories displayed many shortcomings. Thus, a mixed-methods approach was chosen to inform the development of a second computational model. Conceptualising the second model began with performing individual IDIs with managers and lower-level employees and augmenting them with analyses of Polish legislation regulating employment relationships. Initial findings were enriched with theoretical assumptions. The complete concept of the mechanism of structural shirking was operationalised as a computational model. Having developed both models, we discuss the phenomenon of shirking informing theories and real-world practices, as well as ways to study these practices in novel forms.
Keywords
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- 1.
Other contractual forms, such as project contract or a contract of mandate, are regulated by the Civil Code and do not evoke an employment relationship and therefore are excluded from the presented analyses.
- 2.
Act of 26 June 1974 on the Labour Code (J.L. 1974 No. 24, item 141), consolidated text of 4 November 2014 (J.L. 2014 No. 0, item 1502). Translations of the Labour Code after Agnieszka Jamroży [16].
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Acknowledgements
The project was supported by the National Science Centre in Poland, granted on the basis of agreement no. UMO-2014/13/N/HS6/02979.
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Antosz, P., Verhagen, H. (2020). Qualitative Data in the Service of Model Building: The Case of Structural Shirking. In: Verhagen, H., Borit, M., Bravo, G., Wijermans, N. (eds) Advances in Social Simulation. Springer Proceedings in Complexity. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34127-5_4
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