Clarifying human agency in social systems, implications for large schools and workplaces and the Systems Thinking RoundTable

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Farr Gabriele
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Human Agency ◽  
Large Schools

Comparing Learning Organizations with Static Organizations

2014 ◽  
pp. 165-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor X. Wang ◽  
Bernice Bain
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Learning Organization ◽  
Learning Organizations ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Organizational Leaders ◽  
Global Society ◽  
Corporate Leaders ◽  
Transitional Process ◽  
Strategic Approach

A major challenge for organizations is remaining competitive in today's global society where sustainability is the most pressing problem (Ramirez, 2012). This chapter compares the characteristics of static and learning organizations, explains the systems thinking (the root of learning organizations), identifies the components required for transition from a static organization to a learning organization, considers two examples of learning organizations, and explores various critiques organizational leaders should consider. Leaders who strive to turn static organizations into learning organizations by changing corporate leaders' and employees' mindsets (Bennis, 1989; Bennis & Nanus, 1997) should consider the transitional process of that change. Learning organizations can permeate various social systems and industries including those that seem to need static traits such as construction. Organizational leaders should consider benefits and critiques as they develop a strategic approach to sustainability and growth.

scholarly journals A critical realist approach to systems thinking in evaluation

Evaluation ◽  
2022 ◽  
pp. 135638902110646
Author(s):  
Denise E. De Souza
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Critical Realism ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Social Structures ◽  
Social Psychological ◽  
Evaluation Practice ◽  
Work Program ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Closed Systems ◽  
Realist Perspective

Pawson and Tilley’s acknowledgment of programs embedded in multiple social systems has gained little traction in realist synthesis and evaluation practice. A practice focusing on fairly closed systems—explaining how programs work and do not work—has emerged. This article negotiates the boundaries of knowledge pertinent to have in program design and evaluation from a realist perspective. It highlights critical realism as another possible response to systems thinking in evaluation. Moving one level up a program, it theorizes about social structures, mechanisms, and causes operating in a complex system within which an education-to-work program is nested. Three implications of the approach are highlighted: it foregrounds the relational nature of social, psychological, and programmatic structures and mechanisms; enables policymakers to develop a broader understanding of structures needed to support a program; and enables program architects to ascertain how a planned program might assimilate and adapt to social structures and mechanisms already established in a context.

Paranoid Cognition in Social Systems: Thinking and Acting in the Shadow of Doubt

1998 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 251-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roderick M. Kramer
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognition ◽  
Social Organization ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Social Dynamics ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Psychological Theory ◽  
The Social ◽  
New Framework

Distrust and suspicion are common and recurring problems at all levels of social organization, ranging from the interpersonal to the collective. Unfortunately, our understanding of the origins and dynamics of such distrust and suspicion remains far from complete. A primary aim of this research, accordingly, was to articulate a new framework for conceptualizing a form of exaggerated distrust and suspicion termed paranoid social cognition. Drawing on recent psychological theory and research, this framework identifies the social cognitive underpinnings of paranoid cognitions. It also specifies some of the situational determinants of such cognition and elaborates on the psychological, behavioral, and social dynamics that sustain them.

scholarly journals Integrating Big Data Analytics, Systems Thinking and Viable Systems Approach Towards a Shift from Individual to Collective Intelligence and Collective Knowledge Systems

2021 ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Stefano Armenia ◽  
Francesca Loia
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Big Data ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
System Approach ◽  
Collective Intelligence ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Collective Knowledge ◽  
Viable System ◽  
Internal Knowledge

Purpose – The growing complexity of social systems and the faster technology evolution make central the role of the innovative information technology in complex organisations, geared towards collective intelligence processes among the various social actors and analytical tools. These are able to foster the participant knowledge, manage the feedback through a holistic approach and hence shift organisations from a plurality of voices to an interactive intelligence representing the ultimate identity of the organisation itself. In this regard, the aim of this paper is to offer a model for managing external and internal knowledge in order to support the viability of the organisation (system) in the longer term. Design/methodology/approach – The paper adopts the interpretative lens provided by Systems Thinking, System Dynamics and Viable System Approach (vSa) to investigate the challenging domain of the knowledge and information management for complex systems as organisations. Therefore, a qualitative and interpretative approach is carried out to reflect upon Big Data approaches and Collective Knowledge Systems (CKS), embracing a system perspective. Findings – The proposed conceptual model shows the crucial role covered by the holistic managing of the external and internal knowledge that permits to align the information variety of the organisation to the context and the entities that compose it in order to create harmonic relations. Leveraging on the concepts of vicariance, bricolage and exaptation, several advantages emerge that are correlated to the capacity of the complex system to reach a greater level of survival, by adapting and dynamically evolving itself. Originality/value – The paper shows how Systems Thinking and Viable System Approach can provide deep insights into the field of information technology, evidencing the systems thinking contribution in analysing, understanding and managing dimensions and paths of social dynamics. A contribution to previous studies is provided with reference to themes as Big Data, information and knowledge management.

scholarly journals Systems thinking for the transition of existing technologies to blockchain technologies

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 105-118
Author(s):  
Nikolaos Zoannos ◽  
Nikitas Assimakopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Data Science ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Technical Equipment ◽  
Electronic Money ◽  
Industrial Evolution ◽  
Learning Machine ◽  
New Generation

The 4th Industrial evolution has brought along a lot of technological achievements which can change the form of humanity. Peer-to-peer networks (Distributed networks), network of sensors (Internet of Things), algorithms capable to take decisions (Artificial Intelligence), computers with the ability of self-learning (Machine Learning), more complex queries for analyzing the data, that we are collecting since the birth of internet (Data Science) and new electronic money(cryptocurrencies) are some of the characteristics of those new technologies. But the adoption of those achievements (known as Digital Transformation or Digitization) demands Managers open-minded, well-educated on those technologies and ready to trace the new possible Risks. They must also be capable to use the Systems Thinking, as the Blockchain Technologies have created an Ecosystem (Sociotechnical Systems); the combination of Social Systems (Organizations - Companies), whose behavior is not predictable, and Mechanical Systems (technical equipment) with a predefined way of function. So, this kind of Systems (Sociotechnical) need a more delicate approach using a combination of, not only Systemic methodologies and technics, but also other theories and proper tools. We are going to publish a series of articles in which we are going to specify the proper theories and methodologies in each phase of the digital transformation. Thus, the purpose of this study is to explain to the new generation of Managers how the Systems Thinking, DCSYM Methodology and VSM Model, are applied on those Ecosystems.

scholarly journals Assessing the contribution of information technology to socio-economic development: A case study from rural South Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marita Turpin ◽  
Trish Alexander ◽  
Jackie Phahlamohlaka
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Total System ◽  
Socio Economic Development ◽  
Systems View ◽  
Systems Framework ◽  
Ict For Development

This paper addresses the challenge of assessing an ICT for development (ICT4D) project’s contribution to the socio-economic development of the broader community where it is implemented. It argues for using a systems approach to deal with this challenge, since systems thinking is concerned with the performance of the total system. Systems thinking is seldom used in ICT4D, and is lacking in existing ICT4D impact assessment frameworks.  In this paper, the authors apply a social systems framework in an ICT4D case study. The framework is used to describe and assess the contribution of the ICT4D project to the socio-economic development of the larger community. Since Community Informatics (CI) embraces a broad socio-technical systems view, the work is relevant to a CI audience.

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