Discordant pluralism: A new strategy for critical systems thinking

Systems science is characterised by a huge diversity of theories and practical applications which have arisen since its inception. Each of these theories and ways of practising systems science has legitimate claims for its ability to handle certain kinds of systems problems. Dealing with this diversity can be seen as a critical issue for systems thinking and practice. One approach to handling this rich diversity has been to attempt to capture it in frameworks which align features and positions in a “complementarist” fashion. By reviewing work undertaken by systems thinkers who have advocated such a stance, it will be demonstrated that complementarism has its faults, and can be perceived as an imperialist strategy. A route out of the impasse will be suggested through the use of a form of discordant pluralism, which, if taken up, has the potential for bringing together conflicting perspectives in a new constellation.     

Total systems intervention: A practical face to critical systems thinking

This is the first exposition of a new methodology (or perhaps meta-methodology) for systems practice known as Total Systems Intervention (TSI). Designed to overcome the weaknesses of hard, cybernetic, and soft systems approaches and build on their strengths, TSI represents a practical face of critical systems thinking. It advocates combining three building blocks-systems metaphors, system of systems methodologies, and individual systems methodologies—in an interactive manner which is deemed to be particularly powerful and fruitful. In this paper the philosophy, principles, and phases of the TSI methodology are set out and two very different examples of its use are provided.     

Systems thinking,systems practice,and practical philosophy: A program of research

IfSystems Practice is to serve the cause of socially rational decision making, its understanding of systems approach must open itself up to the communicative dimension of rational practice uncovered by contemporary practical philosophy. This programmatic paper argues that building the bridge between the two traditions of systems thinking and practical philosophy is a key challenge to be faced by the systems community. A three-level framework of rational systems practice is suggested as a point of departure for a program of research.     

Action research and critical systems thinking: Two icons carved out of the same log?

My intention in this paper is to make sense of the relationship between Action Research (AR) and Critical Systems Thinking (CST). On the surface, the two strands of thinking do not seem to have much in common. There is hardly any common reference in texts written within each tradition. Deeper down, however, there may be common concerns. The point of departure is to focus on how professionals interact with real-world problems and to clarify the underlying values for professional practice. To facilitate a discussion on the relationship between AR and CST, a frame of reference is developed based on analyzing the meaning construction process. Based on this platform, the relationship among theory, practice, and people shapes the ground for the discussion. Within this discussion three questions are raised: (1) Is the theory understood by the people and based on their interests? (2) Are the research questions relevant for the people? and (3) Are people emancipated to act in their own interests? The relationship between AR and CST can be examined based on these three questions. In concluding, I argue for the potential of a mutual and fruitful dialogue between AR and CST.     

大数据视角下的采购风险评估--基于某服务采购企业的案例分析

在经济全球化和专业化分工的背景下,企业供应链管理的各个环节面临着越来越大的风险.跨界的大数据及其分析技术通过提升数据的可视性,为企业的风险管理带来了新的工具和手段.本文聚焦企业运营管理中的采购环节,分析如何利用大数据来评估采购风险.通过梳理一家典型服务采购企业采购流程中面临的各种风险,我们提出了一个5+X的采购风险分类框架;其中包括环境风险、竞争风险、道德风险、财务风险、履约风险以及内控风险.我们给出了测度各类风险可能的数据来源以及处理方法.通过一个案例研究我们展示了基于大数据的采购风险评估的具体实施.     

The roots of reductionism: A counter-ontoepistemology for a systems approach

Both an ontoepistemology for reductionist modern science (counter-ontoepistemology) and an ontology for interpretive Systemology have been outlined in the two preceding papers in this special issue ofSystems Practice. In the present article, the notion of truth is interpreted in terms of both the ontoepistemology of reductionism and the ontology of interpretive systemology. Both interpretations are discussed. Such a discussion represents the objective of this paper, that is, to outline the epistemological face of the ontoepistemology of interpretive systemology. In order to design that epistemological face, the relation between ontology and epistemology must be clarified. Such a relation is seen from the standpoint already provided by the ontology. After the discussion on the notion of truth, the general shape of a systemic-interpretive inquiring process is outlined.     

The road to emancipation is through organizational development: A critical evaluation of total systems intervention

Total Systems Intervention (TSI) has been claimed to be the practical face of critical systems thinking. This article reviews the central principles of TSI, describes its theoretical base, and outlines its logic. It is argued that, far from being the way forward for management science, as its supporters claim, TSI is beset by logical and conceptual problems which render its use problematic. More specifically, TSI appears to confuse logical types; its use of metaphors tends to be circular and unnecessary; and its avowed complementarism is insufficiently thought out. It is also argued that TSI is only contingently linked to critical systems thinking and that the latter's assumptions are not followed through in practice. TSI, in the final analysis, appears to be relying on commonsense, eclectically drawing on other problem-solving methods, but in itself unable to present a distinctively new, theoretically sound, and methodologically consistent approach.     

Exploration of opportunity costs and consideration exploration of opportunity costs and consideration for future generations: Two lasting contributions to systems thinking

In his numerous writings C. West Churchman has shown how the systems approach can be used to secure improvements in the human condition. Specifically one must think holistically. Two concepts—exploration of opportunity costs and consideration for future generations—underline whole systems thinking. The author argues based on his own experience that these tools of the human intellect are among the most lasting contributions Churchman has made to systems thinking.     

Critical Systems Thinking and “new social movements”: A perspective from the theory of communicative action

The purpose of this paper is to review recent developments in critical theory on the political function of the public sphere and the emancipatory potential of new social movements. This work is shown to be relevant to systemic decisions made under conditions of public conflict. Normative models for the self-understanding of actors engaged in self-limiting emancipatory struggles in modern societies are reviewed and related to the concerns of Critical Systems Thinking.     

Knowledge elicitation for systems practitioners: A constructivist application of the repertory grid technique

This paper deals with the question of knowledge elicitation from a constructivist perspective. Repertory grids are examined as a means of exploring the perspectives of actors concerned with a problem situation. The issue of how to select a method to capture expert knowledge is dealt with and a practical application is provided of how the proposed approach might serve to inform the elicitor about the organization.     

Some Common Ground That Can Provide a Basis for Collaboration Between Action Researchers and Scientists: A Philosophical Case That Works in Practice

By analysing 22 case studies of good research, both action research and agricultural science, I believe I have found some criteria of good research that is common to all of them. These criteria match the philosophical pragmatists argument that the best a researcher can do is to provide a warranted assertion from a methodology which is fit for the specific research purpose and is internally consistent. They also include Popper's requirement that a methodology needs to seek disconfirming evidence and Habermas's requirement that subjective data is important in all research. These criteria have provided me with a basis for collaboration with my scientific colleagues and can provide a basis for collaboration between other researchers, whatever their methodology.     

Revitalizing the Concept of Public Procurement for Innovation (PPI) from a Systemic Perspective: Objectives,Policy Types,and Impact Mechanisms

Systemic Practice and Action Research - Recently, demand-side innovation policies for securing new driving-force for economic growth centered on developed countries, especially on the importance of...     

How To Develop Visions: A Literature Review,and a Revised CHOICES Approach for an Uncertain World

This paper reviews the visioning literature along five key dimensions: analysis of an organization's current situation, assessment of the external environment, identification of desired future vision, connection of the future to the present state, and testing the vision. It then describes one particular participative visioning methodology, which has largely been used in the public sector, the CHOICES approach. The paper then analyzes the CHOICES approach along the five key dimensions identified earlier. Gaps in the approach are identified and a revised methodology is outlined. The paper ends with a summary of results from a pilot study which tested the revised methodology.     

The culpabliss error: A calculus of ethics for a systemic world

This paper examines the inadequacy of managerial models to manage our world, especially in ethical matters. It starts by illustrating the reductionistic nature of these models. They gradually take the place of the real world in our minds and become a surrogate world. While this surrogate world seems to perform perfectly well, the real world is far out of control. Next the paper states that understanding and, therefore, models are timeless. The article explains how ancient misconceptions about change find their correspondence in modern misconceptions about ethical decisions. This is the culpabliss error. The author finally argues that the ethical relationships between a decision or action and its consequences must be dealt with in a cybernetic way.     

技术创新网络结构演变模型:基于网络嵌入性视角的分析

技术创新网络是当代技术创新过程组织的主要形式.技术创新网络结构随着外部创新企业的加入、网络内部企业间关系的增加和内部企业间关系的重新生成而发生演变.本文从网络嵌入性的测度出发,考察了技术创新网络的结构变化,导出网络企业合作关系数目变化的微分方程,引入时间刻画,求出了技术创新网络结构特征的演变方程.研究表明：（1）技术创新网络不是缩小而是拉大了企业合作关系数目的差距; （2）技术创新网络结构演变的不均衡性为技术创新提供了更多机会.     

Guidelines for a constructivist approach: Steps toward the adaptation of ideas from family therapy for use in organizations

Constructivist family therapy offers a model for the application of Maturana's theories to practice. This paper describes key concepts of a constructivist approach and draws on family therapy to provide guidelines for applying them in an organizational setting. It offers a view of the organization as a network of conversations in which change occurs through the coconstruction of new conversations which widen or change the rational domain in which a problem occurs.     

统计数据质量检查与异常点识别的模型与方法

证明在社会经济系统中,反映研究对象规模大小的统计数据近似服从对数正态分布。基于此,提出对这类数据的质量进行检查和评价,对数据中的异常点进行识别的对数正态分布检验法。