Systems Concepts in Action: A Practitioner's ToolkitSystems Concepts in Action: A Practitioner's Toolkit explores the application of systems ideas to investigate, evaluate, and intervene in complex and messy situations. The text serves as a field guide, with each chapter representing a method for describing and analyzing; learning about; or changing and managing a challenge or set of problems. The book is the first to cover in detail such a wide range of methods from so many different parts of the systems field. The book's Introduction gives an overview of systems thinking, its origins, and its major subfields. In addition, the introductory text to each of the book's three parts provides background information on the selected methods. Systems Concepts in Action may serve as a workbook, offering a selection of tools that readers can use immediately. The approaches presented can also be investigated more profoundly, using the recommended readings provided. While these methods are not intended to serve as "recipes," they do serve as a menu of options from which to choose. Readers are invited to combine these instruments in a creative manner in order to assemble a mix that is appropriate for their own strategic needs. |
From inside the book
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Page 21
Perceptions are more than how people look at a situation; these perceptions
generate behaviors that impact on the way the situation operates. Multiply these
individual trade-offs up to a family, group, or organizational level, and it is no
wonder ...
Perceptions are more than how people look at a situation; these perceptions
generate behaviors that impact on the way the situation operates. Multiply these
individual trade-offs up to a family, group, or organizational level, and it is no
wonder ...
Page 26
Act in a Responsible Manner In simple systems, where the relationship between
cause and effect is clear and predictable, the notion of “accountability” and blame
at the individual level is plausible and valid. For complicated and complex ...
Act in a Responsible Manner In simple systems, where the relationship between
cause and effect is clear and predictable, the notion of “accountability” and blame
at the individual level is plausible and valid. For complicated and complex ...
Page 58
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Systems Concepts in Action: A Practitioner's Toolkit Bob Williams,Richard Hummelbrunner Limited preview - 2010 |
Systems Concepts in Action: A Practitioner's Toolkit Bob Williams,Richard Hummelbrunner No preview available - 2010 |
Common terms and phrases
achieve activity system Activity Theory actors analysis analyzing application Appreciative Inquiry approach aspects assessment Assumption-Based Planning assumptions behavior boundary partners causal loop diagrams Chapter Checkland circular dialogues CLDs complex complex adaptive systems components context contradictions Cynefin decisions diagram dialectical effects elements emerge environment evaluation explore feedback Figure focused hedging action Holon identify impact individual influence insights interrelationships intervention interview involved issues learning logic models loop maps methodology methods monitoring options organization organizational outcomes outputs participants patterns perspectives planning problem questions References and Further relationships relevant response role self-organizing sex workers situation social Social Network Analysis Soft Systems Soft Systems Methodology Solution Focus specific stakeholders step Stock and Flow strategy structure systems thinking thinking systemically tion understanding variables VECO Viable System Model Whole Fruit
Bibliographic information
| Title | Systems Concepts in Action: A Practitioner's Toolkit Stanford Business Books |
| Authors | Bob Williams, Richard Hummelbrunner |
| Edition | illustrated |
| Publisher | Stanford University Press, 2010 |
| ISBN | 0804776555, 9780804776554 |
| Length | 336 pages |
| Subjects | › Business & Economics / Decision-Making & Problem Solving Business & Economics / Management Science Business & Economics / Organizational Development |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |