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Critical Systems Thinking
This volume offers comprehensive treatment of the latest developments in critical systems thinking and practice. The book features contributions by researchers at the prestigious Centre for Systems Studies at the University of Hull, England. The emphasis is on rigorous analysis of the wide range of approaches to problem solving reported in the research literature. This work will enhance the studies of researchers and students in the areas of systems problem solving, action research, management science, and operational research.
Systems Thinking
This Systems Thinking Special Issue contains 12 papers on the nature of systems thinking as it applies to systems engineering, systems science, system dynamics, and related fields. Systems thinking can be broadly considered the activity of thinking applied in a systems context, forming a basis for fundamental approaches to several systems disciplines, including systems engineering, systems science, and system dynamics. Although these are somewhat distinct fields, they are bound by common approaches in regard to systems. Whereas systems engineering seeks to apply a multidisciplinary, holistic approach to the development of systems, systems science seeks to understand the basics related to systems of all kinds, from natural to man-made, and system dynamics seeks to understand system structures in order to influence its dynamics. Man-made systems have become more ubiquitous and complex. The study of systems, both natural and engineered, presents new challenges and opportunities to understand emergent, dynamic behaviors that inform the process of sense-making based on systems thinking.
Reframing the Social
Drawing extensively on the research findings of natural and social sciences both in America and Europe, Reframing the Social argues for a critical realist and systemist social ontology, designed to shed light on current debates in social theory concerning the relationship of social ontology to practical social research, and the nature of 'the social'. It explores the works of the systems theorist Mario Bunge in comparison with the approach of Niklas Luhmann and critical social systems theorists, to challenge the commonly held view that the systems-based approach is holistic in nature and necessarily downplays the role of human agency. Theoretically sophisticated and investigating the work of a theorist whose work has until now received insufficient attention in Anglo-American thought, this book will be of interest to those working in the field of social theory, as well as scholars concerned with philosophy of social science, the project of analytical sociology, and the nature of the relationship between the natural and social sciences.
Operational Research in War and Peace
This invaluable book provides an account of Operational Research in Britain, the country of its inception, from the late 1930s to 1970. Originating in response to the country's air defence needs against the Luftwaffe, Operational Research had outstanding achievements as part of the 'secret war' against Nazi Germany. After 1945, the discipline began to be adopted in an increasing range of industries and services. In the 1960s -- by which time it was being incorporated in to university curricula -- the discipline began to penetrate into civil government departments. The history of Operational Research provides unique insights into the conduct of modern warfare, the professionalisation of business management and the modernisation of the civil service. The chronological coverage, from the late 1930s to 1970, coincides with 'golden age' of Operational Research, when the discipline was presented as a means of achieving optimum solutions to complex managerial problems. The book will be of interest to military and business historians, as well as to historians of public administration and higher education.
The Dynamics of Change
Giving a fascinating insight into the world of change and transition, this radical book, aimed at both organizational change practitioners and academics, tackles the fundamental question ‘what is change?’ The answers it seeks will significantly improve attempts to manage change more effectively. Innovative and absorbing, it charts a journey through a range of subjects including complexity science, nuclear physics, climatology, chemistry and chaos theory examining the change phenomena and the lessons it has to offer organizational and system thinkers. Key features include: * a review of the organisational change literature * an introduction to systems thinking * a change framework built up from key change building blocks * examples of change dynamics from the natural and physical sciences, and how they apply to our understanding of change within organisations * numerous summary tables and illustrative graphics This book, the first devoted entirely to exploring what change is as a phenomenon, has a uniquely rigorous scientific approach. It will be a valuable resource for students and professionals alike in the field of business and organizational change.
Critical Systems Thinking and the Management of Complexity
From the winner of the INCOSE Pioneer Award 2022 The world has become increasingly networked and unpredictable. Decision makers at all levels are required to manage the consequences of complexity every day. They must deal with problems that arise unexpectedly, generate uncertainty, are characterised by interconnectivity, and spread across traditional boundaries. Simple solutions to complex problems are usually inadequate and risk exacerbating the original issues. Leaders of international bodies such as the UN, OECD, UNESCO and WHO — and of major business, public sector, charitable, and professional organizations — have all declared that systems thinking is an essential leadership skill f...
Knit a Vintage Christmas
Nothing sparks nostalgia like Christmastime. We watch the holiday classics like It's a Wonderful Life and pull out our same decorations each year because we love the memories they bring. The patterns in Knit a Vintage Christmas will both evoke memories of bygone eras and become heirloom decorations you will use year after year. Some of the patterns in this book are classics--vintage patterns updated for the modern knitter--and some are new patterns with a vintage feel. All will inspire your Christmas spirit--now and for years to come!
Systems: from science to practice
Conversation were introduced by Bela H. Banathy at around 1980 as an alternative to the classical conferences. They reflect the insight that the greatest benefit for participants of a meeting were due to the discussions and conversations between participants and not so much as a result of the formal presentations of papers. The participants of Conversations follow the concepts and design of Bela Banathy. They discuss face-to-face (without formal presentation) in a self-guided way topics of scientific and social importance. The IFSR Conversation 2018 was held in St. Magdalena, Linz Austria, April 8 to 13, 2018. The overarching theme ('Systems: from science to practice') was the interaction be...
Critical Systems Thinking
CRITICAL SYSTEMSTHINKING Understand the full range of systems approaches and how to use them with this innovative overview. Leaders and managers face increasing complexity and uncertainty because technical, organizational, socio-cultural, political, and environmental issues have become intensely interconnected. Systems thinking is recognized as the essential competence for managing complexity. As the demand for systems thinking grows, however, the fragmentation of the field into different methodologies has become a potential liability. Critical systems thinking (CST) shows how this diversity can be a strength rather than a weakness by revealing how different systems methodologies address var...
The Manager's Guide to Systems Practice
This book is an ideal resource on the subject of systems practice for busy managers whose time is scarce. It provides a rapid introduction to straightforward, yet powerful ideas that enable users to address real world problems. Systems theory and practice is predominantly a framework for thinking about the World, in which holistic views are maintained. In this respect it contrasts with some familiar techniques of management science, in which problem situations are broken down into their constituent parts with resultant loss of coherence.
