| Description |
1 online resource (727 pages) |
| Contents |
Cover; Title Page; Copyright; Contents; Preface; Introduction; Part I Systems Thinking in the Disciplines; Chapter 1 Philosophy; 1.1 Introduction; 1.2 Kant; 1.3 Hegel; 1.4 Pragmatism; 1.5 Husserl and Phenomenology; 1.6 Radical Constructivism; 1.7 Conclusion; Chapter 2 The Physical Sciences and the Scientific Method; 2.1 Introduction; 2.2 The Scientific Method and the Scientific Revolution; 2.3 The Physical Sciences in the Modern Era; 2.4 The Scientific Method in the Modern Era; 2.5 Extending the Scientific Method to Other Disciplines; 2.6 Conclusion; Chapter 3 The Life Sciences |
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3.1 Introduction3.2 Biology; 3.3 Ecology; 3.4 Conclusion; Chapter 4 The Social Sciences; 4.1 Introduction; 4.2 Functionalism; 4.3 Interpretive Social Theory; 4.4 The Sociology of Radical Change; 4.5 Postmodernism and Poststructuralism; 4.6 Integrationist Social Theory; 4.7 Luhmann's Social Systems Theory; 4.8 Action Research; 4.9 Conclusion; Part II The Systems Sciences; Chapter 5 General Systems Theory; 5.1 Introduction; 5.2 von Bertalanffy and General System Theory; 5.3 von Bertalanffy's Collaborators and the Society for General Systems Research |
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5.4 Miller and the Search for Isomorphisms at Different System Levels5.5 Boulding, Emergence and the Centrality of "The Image"; 5.6 The Influence of General Systems Theory; 5.7 Conclusion; Chapter 6 Cybernetics; 6.1 Introduction; 6.2 First-Order Cybernetics; 6.3 British Cybernetics; 6.4 Second-Order Cybernetics; 6.5 Conclusion; Chapter 7 Complexity Theory; 7.1 Introduction; 7.2 Chaos Theory; 7.3 Dissipative Structures; 7.4 Complex Adaptive Systems; 7.5 Complexity Theory and Management; 7.6 Complexity Theory and Systems Thinking; 7.7 Conclusion; Part III Systems Practice |
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Chapter 8 A System of Systems Methodologies8.1 Introduction; 8.2 Critical or "Second-Order" Systems Thinking; 8.3 Toward a System of Systems Methodologies; 8.3.1 Preliminary Considerations; 8.3.2 Beer's Classification of Systems; 8.3.3 The Original "System of Systems Methodologies"; 8.3.4 Snowden's Cynefin Framework; 8.3.5 A Revised "System of Systems Methodologies"; 8.4 The Development of Applied Systems Thinking; 8.5 Systems Thinking and the Management of Complexity; 8.6 Conclusion; Part III Type A Systems Approaches for Technical Complexity |
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Chapter 9 Operational Research, Systems Analysis, Systems Engineering (Hard Systems Thinking)9.1 Prologue; 9.2 Description of Hard Systems Thinking; 9.2.1 Historical Development; 9.2.2 Philosophy and Theory; 9.2.3 Methodology; 9.2.4 Methods; 9.2.5 Developments in Hard Systems Thinking; 9.3 Hard Systems Thinking in Action; 9.4 Critique of Hard Systems Thinking; 9.5 Comments; 9.6 The Value of Hard Systems Thinking to Managers; 9.7 Conclusion; Part III Type B Systems Approaches for Process Complexity; Chapter 10 The Vanguard Method; 10.1 Prologue; 10.2 Description of the Vanguard Method |
| Summary |
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 for managing the complexity of the economic, social and environmental issues that confront decision makers. Systems thinking must be implemented more generally, and on a wider scale, to address these issues. An evaluation of different systems methodologies suggests that they concentrate on different aspects of complexity. To be in the best position to deal with complexity, decision makers must understand the strengths and weaknesses of the various approaches and learn how to employ them in combination. This is called critical systems thinking. Making use of over 25 case studies, the book offers an account of the development of systems thinking and of major efforts to apply the approach in real-world interventions. Further, it encourages the widespread use of critical systems practice as a means of ensuring responsible leadership in a complex world. Comments on a previous version of the book: Russ Ackoff: 'the book is the best overview of the field I have seen' JP van Gigch: 'Jackson does a masterful job. The book is lucid ... well written and eminently readable' Professional Manager (Journal of the Chartered Management Institute): 'Provides an excellent guide and introduction to systems thinking for students of management' |
| Notes |
10.2.1 Historical Development |
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Print version record |
| Subject |
Business.
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businesses (business enterprises)
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BUSINESS & ECONOMICS -- Management Science.
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Business.
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| Form |
Electronic book
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| ISBN |
9781119118381 |
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1119118387 |
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9781119118398 |
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1119118395 |
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9781119118404 |
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1119118409 |
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9781119118411 |
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1119118417 |
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