This paper probes the relationship between systemic thinking and ethics. A distinction is made between systemic thinking and systems thinking to illustrate debates around the ethical issues of tackling societal issues in a systemic way. Drawing on three prominent ethical theories, namely utilitarianism, deontological theory and virtue ethics, the argument that systemic thinking should embrace ethics is developed. This article suggests that systemic thinking fosters the virtue of toleration; defends the autonomous human right; and promotes good for the people in an equitable fashion.

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the delay factors in South African electrical distribution projects and demonstrate the interlaced relationship between the identified project delay factors. Design/methodology/approach This research employs interactive management (IM) methodology to construct a model achieving the research purpose. The IM methodology is anchored in the soft systems thinking. Its inquiry process mainly comprises four phases: idea generation, idea clarification, idea structuring and interpretation of the structured ideas. The IM methodology allows the relevant stakeholders to collaboratively develop a digraph displaying the interrelationship among the system elements. Findings The participants of the IM session structured a systemic model showing that a loop comprising three factors is the driver leading to the delays in the electrical distribution projects. The three delay factors in the loop are “poor communication”, “poor planning” and “project scheduling not properly done”. Originality/value The findings show that a loop comprising three delay factors is the driver leading to the project delays. This result is different from the outputs of the commonly used approaches. The three identified root causes serve as the starting point for eradicating delays in the electrical distribution projects.