scholarly journals The role of evaluation in supporting action on a hazardous world, a call for critical systems thinking

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 148-157
Author(s):  
Mat Walton ◽  
Virginia Baker
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Critical Systems Thinking ◽  
Critical Systems

A commentary on “Confronting storms, fires and pestilence: Meaningful evaluation for a hazardous world” by Juha I. Uitto

Furthering systems theory towards social theory by revisiting critical systems thinking: connecting problem-solving and theory-building

Kybernetes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shih-Hui Lo ◽  
Cheng-Da Liu
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Systems Theory ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Social Theory ◽  
Critical Systems Thinking ◽  
Theory Building ◽  
Systems Science ◽  
Critical Systems ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe purpose is to forward systems theory one more step towards social theory and integrate problem-solving and theory-building, and search for the integration and unity of science by revealing the nature and role of critical systems thinking (CST).Design/methodology/approachThis article describes relations between systems theory and social theory in three parts. First, it examines the links of systems methodologies with three social science approaches as well as the role of CST. Second, the focus of theory and the form of explanation are discussed from critical social science (CSS) perspective. Third, the direction of theorizing of a CST-based systems theory is investigated.FindingsFirst, CST is a hidden assumption of system dynamics (SD)/systems thinking (ST). Second, systems theory is positioned in CSS. Third, CST integrates traditional and soft systems methodologies (SSM), and connects systems science and social science. Fourth, this article reveals hidden links between systems approaches and three corresponding social science approaches. Fifth, the theoretical focus of a CST-based systems theory could be formal/structure theory and/or substantive/content theory. Sixth, the form of explanation could be structural/mechanismic explanation combining causal and interpretive explanations. Seventh, a CST-based systems theory may adopt abduction, which complements a defect in deduction and induction in a difficulty of nonlinearity.Originality/valueIt illustrates a graph of the competing approaches in systems science corresponding to paradigms in social science.

Critical Systems Perspective of Strategic Decision Making

2020 ◽  
pp. 55-80
Author(s):  
Jelena Nikolić ◽  
Dejana Zlatanović
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Critical Systems Thinking ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Strategic Decision Making ◽  
Critical Systems ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Factors Affecting

Growing complexity and diversity of strategic decisions indicate the need for applying the appropriate holistic tools in strategic decision making. Thus, the chapter deals with the process of strategic decision making from the viewpoint of critical systems thinking, with emphasis on the role of values and context in strategic decision making. The main purpose is to show how systems thinking generally and critical systems thinking particularly can help decision makers involve different perceptions and values in the process of strategic decision making, as well as take into account context in which the strategic decisions are made. Considering the key internal and external factors affecting strategic decision making, the authors have selected three systems methodologies stemming from different paradigms: soft systems methodology as interpretive, team syntegrity as emancipatory, and organizational cybernetics as functionalist systems methodology. The way in which they can be combined, aimed at improving effectiveness of strategic decision making, has been presented.

scholarly journals How We Understand “Complexity” Makes a Difference: Lessons from Critical Systems Thinking and the Covid-19 Pandemic in the UK

Systems ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Michael C. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Cognitive Complexity ◽  
Critical Systems Thinking ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Critical Systems ◽  
The World ◽  
Key Features ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Systems Thinking Approach ◽  
The Way

Many authors have sought to summarize what they regard as the key features of “complexity”. Some concentrate on the complexity they see as existing in the world—on “ontological complexity”. Others highlight “cognitive complexity”—the complexity they see arising from the different interpretations of the world held by observers. Others recognize the added difficulties flowing from the interactions between “ontological” and “cognitive” complexity. Using the example of the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK, and the responses to it, the purpose of this paper is to show that the way we understand complexity makes a huge difference to how we respond to crises of this type. Inadequate conceptualizations of complexity lead to poor responses that can make matters worse. Different understandings of complexity are discussed and related to strategies proposed for combatting the pandemic. It is argued that a “critical systems thinking” approach to complexity provides the most appropriate understanding of the phenomenon and, at the same time, suggests which systems methodologies are best employed by decision makers in preparing for, and responding to, such crises.

Critical Systems Thinking: Directed Readings.

1992 ◽  
Vol 43 (12) ◽  
pp. 1183
Author(s):  
John Holt ◽  
R. L. Flood ◽  
M. C. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Critical Systems Thinking ◽  
Critical Systems
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document