Large scale systemic change : theories, modelling and practices / Shamim Bodhanya, editor.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Bodhanya, Shamim, editor.

Series:

Business economics in a rapidly-changing world series.

Business Economics in a Rapidly-Changing World

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Managerial economics.

Social sciences--Mathematical models.

Social sciences.

System theory.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (325 p.)

Place of Publication:

New York, [New York] : Nova Publishers, 2016.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

We face a world of increasing turbulence and uncertainty. As a result, social systems at every level including countries, government institutions, business organisations, labour and civil society have to operate in situations of high causal ambiguity and complexity. This is a world characterised by turmoil, conflict, and seemingly insurmountable social, technological, political and ecological problems. It is a world where cause and effect are not easily separated in space and time, where problem-solving approaches relying on knowledge and skills from individual disciplines is incapable of addressing multi-faceted problems and difficulties, and our attempts at problem solving and improvement are short-lived resulting in transitory change accompanied by more problems and unintended consequences. It is therefore imperative that academics, executives, professionals, managers and other practitioners be equipped with conceptual tools, methodologies, and practices for working under such conditions. Conventional analytical approaches (though useful) are insufficient to handle high levels of complexity, mutual and circular causality and inter-dependence. There is a need for more holistic, pluralistic and participatory approaches in order to survive in a highly interconnected, complex, turbulent environment. This calls for a shift in understanding and working with complexity. It requires a trans-disciplinary mindset, a focus on wholism as opposed to reductionism, a people-centered value orientation, a blend of analytical skills with synthesis, the rationality of science combined with intuitive understanding and appreciation of the art of being human, and a posture of intellectual humility that promotes collective endeavours in learning, living, relating and working in a complex world. The main purpose of this book, which consists of thirteen double blind peer reviewed chapters, is to draw on systems thinking and complexity theory to present and develop theoretical frameworks, conceptual models, methodologies and practical techniques to promote the understanding of complex systems, and to identify ways of intervening to bring about systemic change for improvement. These will apply to all kinds of social systems and organisations, and hence will be appropriate for public sector organisations, corporations, non-government institutions and civil society in general.

Contents:

Introduction

Theory and philosophy

Philosophy of systems thinking / Robert Taylor, Retired former Professor from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Complexity / Jan Hendrik Roodt, Industry Research and New Initiatives, Centre for Transdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Hamilton, New Zealand

People of the South : a call to jihad / Shamim Bodhanya, Graduate School of Business and Leadership, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

On using the viable systems model / Stanley Hardman, Durban University of Technology (DUT), South Africa

Systems methodologies

Systemic intervention / Cecile N. Gerwel Proches and Vishal Sharma, Graduate School of Business and Leadership, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and others

Wicked problems can't be tamed : a complex adaptive systems methodology for working with complexity / Shamim Bodhanya, Graduate School of Business and Leadership, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

Participatory organisation development / Rod G. Le Roux, Associate Lecturer, Bucks New University, UK

Applications

The wisdom of the undivided system: constructing an alternative view of leadership / Kriben Pillay, College Dean of Teaching and Learning, College of Law and Management Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

On the delusion of deliberate strategy : strategy is always emergent / Shamim Bodhanya, Graduate School of Business and Leadership, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

Systemic competitiveness and local economic development / Jorg Mayer-Stamer, Shawn Cunningham, Co-founder of Mesopartner Incorporated, and others

Modelling

Systems diagramming and modeling / Andy Lane, Professor of Environmental Systems and Programme Director for Postgraduate Technologies and Computing, Department of Engineering and Innovation, The Open University, United Kingdom

Agent-based modelling of complex systems / Cornelius J Willers, Airbus Defence and Space, Airbus DS Optronics (Pty) Ltd, Development Research and Technology

Concluding remarks

Index.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references at the end of each chapters and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-63485-010-6