A Growth and Underinvestment with a Drifting Standard structure is simply an elaborated Growth and Underinvestment structure where the growth inhibitor induces a decline of the standard over time. The real nasty thing about this structure is that the growth inhibitor influence sets up a Reinforcing Loop which even further promotes a drifting of the standard over time.
The growing action which initiates this structure
influences an increase in the growth. The resultant
growth then simply influences more of the same
growing action, producing the reinforcing growth
characteristic.
As was indicated in the Balancing Loop
areas of concern, nothing growth forever. Growth sooner or latter
produces some affect which tends to limit the growth. As
growth moves in the desired direction it also influences
an increase in some growth inhibitor. This growth
inhibitor subsequently impedes the growth.
This system can be enabled to grow more if the growth
inhibitor is reduced. As the growth inhibitor
interacts with a defined standard it develops
a perceived need for action to develop some sort
of inhibitor avoidance. This inhibitor avoidance
will, after some delay, reduce the growth inhibitor.
The annoying part of this structure is the delay associated with
the inhibitor avoidance interaction with the
growth inhibitor.
What happens is that the growth inhibitor works
in a shorter time frame reducing growth. The
reduced growth adds less to the growth inhibitor thus eliminating
the perceived need. As such the system is limited
in its growth because the perceived need
for action is actually undermined by the systems own actions.
By the time it is realized that inhibitor avoidance action
needs to be taken the need dissolves itself and growth
levels off at a level much lower than what could have been achieved.
And with the additional influence where the growth inhibitor subtracts from the standard the result is even less of a perceived need for inhibitor avoidance.