System Dynamics Glossary

What is the meaning of Shifting Feedback Loop Dominance?

In a system described by two or more feedback loops, where at least one has negative polarity and at least on has positive polarity, over a period of time changes its growth or decay tendencies can occur. This is described as a shift in loop dominance. Shift in loop dominance is created by the differential equations, which describe loop behaviour. No outside influence causes the change. The shift is a consequence of the non-linear structure of the differential equations (Richardson, 1991: 33-34).

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