A review of the recent contribution of systems thinking to operational research and management science

Mingers, John; White, Leroy

doi:10.1016/j.ejor.2009.12.019

Cited by 361 publications

(259 citation statements)

References 312 publications

(356 reference statements)

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“…The ideas of complexity theory have been used by many authors to study organisations, based on the argument that organisations are complex, nonlinear, self-organising systems. Mingers and White (2010), for example, in their review of systems thinking, discuss how complexity theory has been applied to strategic decision making, development of information systems within organisations, and understanding of organisational structures and processes, within sectors as diverse as agriculture, environment and health care.…”

Section: The Cynefin Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A strategic approach to making sense of the “wicked” problem of ERM

McLeod

Childs

2013

Records Management Journal

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Abstracts should contain no more than 250 words. Write concisely and clearly. The abstract should reflect only what appears in the original paper.Purpose of this paper: What are the reason(s) for writing the paper or the aims of the research? This article provides an approach to viewing the 'wicked' problem of electronic records management (ERM), using the Cynefin framework, a sense-making tool. It re-conceptualises the ERM challenge by understanding the nature of the people issues. This supports decision-making about the most appropriate tactics to adopt to effect positive change.Design/methodology/approach: How are the objectives achieved? Include the main method(s) used for the research. What is the approach to the topic and what is the theoretical or subject scope of the paper? Cynefin was used to synthesise qualitative data from an empirical research project that investigated strategies and tactics for improving ERM.Findings: What was found in the course of the work? This will refer to analysis, discussion, or results. ERM may be thought of as a dynamic, complex challenge but, viewed through the Cynefin framework, many issues are not complex; they are simple or complicated and can be addressed using best or good practice. The truly complex issues need a different approach, described as emergent practice. Cynefin provides a different lens through which to view, make sense of and re-perceive the ERM challenge and offers a strategic approach to accelerating change. Research limitations/implications (if applicable):If research is reported on in the paper this section must be completed and should include suggestions for future research and any identified limitations in the research process. Since Cynefin has been applied to one data set the findings are transferrable not generalisable. They, and/or the approach, can be used to further test the propositions. Practical implications (if applicable):What outcomes and implications for practice, applications and consequences are identified? Not all papers will have practical implications but most will. What changes to practice should be made as a result of this research/paper? The resultant ERM framework provides a practical example for information and records managers to exploit or use as a starting point to explore the situation in particular organisational contexts. It could also be used in other practical, teaching and/or research related records contexts. Social implications (if applicable):What will be the impact on society of this research? How will it influence public attitudes? How will it influence (corporate) social responsibility or environmental issues? How could it inform public or industry policy? How might it affect quality of life? Not all papers will have social implications. None What is original/value of paper: What is new in the paper? State the value of the paper and to whom. 1This paper provides a new strategic approach to addressing the wicked problem of ERM which is applicable for any organisational context.

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Section: The Cynefin Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A number of authors have criticised the way that complexity thinking has been applied to organisations (Burnes, 2005;Mingers and White, 2010;Stacey, 2011). Wallis (2009, p.26) "finds more conflict than agreement between definitions" of complexity theory in the organisational field.…”

Section: Is Complexity Thinking An Appropriate Theory For Erm?mentioning

confidence: 99%

A strategic approach to making sense of the “wicked” problem of ERM

McLeod

Childs

2013

Records Management Journal

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“…Problem structuring methods (PSM) are comprised of interactive and participatory modelling approaches where the aim is to assist groups with diverse composition to alleviate a complex, problematic situation of common interest (Mingers & White, 2010). The problem structuring stage relevant to the automotive industry is highly sophisticated in terms of the technical complexity, the degree of uncertainty, and the divergence of values and interests.…”

Section: Problem Structuringmentioning

confidence: 99%

A decision support methodology to enhance the competitiveness of the Turkish automotive industry

Ülengin

Önsel

Aktaş

et al. 2014

European Journal of Operational Research

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Three levels of competitiveness affect the success of business enterprises in a globally competitive environment: the competitiveness of the company, the competitiveness of the industry in which the company operates and the competitiveness of the country where the business is located. This study analyses the competitiveness of the automotive industry in association with the national competitiveness perspective using a methodology based on Bayesian Causal Networks. First, we structure the competitiveness problem of the automotive industry through a synthesis of expert knowledge in the light of the World Economic Forum's competitiveness indicators. Second, we model the relationships among the variables identified in the problem structuring stage and analyse these relationships using a Bayesian Causal Network. Third, we develop policy suggestions under various scenarios to enhance the national competitive advantages of the automotive industry. We present an analysis of the Turkish automotive industry as a case study. It is possible to generalise the policy suggestions developed for the case of Turkish automotive industry to the automotive industries in other developing countries where country and industry competitiveness levels are similar to those of Turkey.

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“…The Triple Bottom Line provides a framework for measuring and reporting corporate performance by using economic, social and environmental parameters, Elkington (1997). Research is being conducted into developing frameworks in organisations, Mingers and White (2010).…”

Section: Social Impact Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Credit Score System for Socially Responsible Lending

2014

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Ethical banking, microfinance institutions or certain credit cooperatives, among others, grant socially responsible loans. This paper presents a credit score system for them. The model evaluates both social and financial aspects of the borrower. The financial aspects are evaluated under the conventional banking framework, by analysing accounting statements and financial projections. The social aspects try to quantify the loan impact on the achievement of Millennium Development Goals such as employment, education, environment, health or community impact. The social credit score model should incorporate the lender's know-how and should also be coherent with its mission. This is done by using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique. The paper illustrates a real case: a loan application by a social enterprise presented to a socially responsible lender. The decision support system not only produces a score, but also reveals strengths and weaknesses of the application. AbstractEthical banking, microfinance institutions or certain credit cooperatives, among others, grant socially responsible loans. This paper presents a credit score system for them. The model evaluates both social and financial aspects of the borrower. The financial aspects are evaluated under the conventional banking framework, by analysing accounting statements and financial projections. The social aspects try to quantify the loan impact on the achievement of Millennium Development Goals such as employment, education, environment, health or community impact. The social credit score model should incorporate the lender's know-how and should also be coherent with its mission. This is done by using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique. The paper illustrates a real case: a loan application by a social enterprise presented to a socially responsible lender. The decision support system not only produces a score, but also reveals strengths and weaknesses of the application.

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A review of the recent contribution of systems thinking to operational research and management science

Cited by 361 publications

References 312 publications

A strategic approach to making sense of the “wicked” problem of ERM

A strategic approach to making sense of the “wicked” problem of ERM

A decision support methodology to enhance the competitiveness of the Turkish automotive industry

A Credit Score System for Socially Responsible Lending

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