Morphological Analysis of general system–environment complexes: Representation and application

This study conceptualised self‐help groups (SHGs) from the behavioural systems perspective. It adopted the grounded theory approach for data collection and analysis; and the development of structural frameworks through causal inferences. The behavioural system of the SHGs had psychological and behavioural input (interest, motivation, intention, value, belief and need), psychological and behavioural process (adaptability, receptibility and cognitive ability), psychological and behavioural output (social behaviour, psychological behaviour, economical behaviour and ecological behaviour), and environment (macroeconomic environment, policy environment, social–cultural–political environment of village, and institutional environment of the village). The psychological and behavioural input, process, and output exhibited interdependencies. The conceptual categories within them showed causal interactions. The study provided a new lens to the debate on self‐help group‐based microentrepreneurship and group dynamics. The study found the systemic approach of SHG functioning and the peer pressure mechanisms built upon psychological and behavioural characteristics.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An application of systems thinking to group‐based organisations

Panda

2024

“…A system is a set of interrelated entities with a purpose (Hariharan et al, 2022). A system/model is defined by the observer, based on the purpose of the endeavour.…”

Section: Causal Loop Diagrammentioning

confidence: 99%

Archetypal representations of dilemmas concerning invasive alien species management—A case of invasive Lantana camara in the protected areas of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India

Hariharan,

Ganesh,

Vijayalakshmi

et al. 2024

Self Cite

This multi‐site case study on the invasive alien plant Lantana camara in protected areas of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India, addresses the reasons for inadequate institutional responses from stakeholders in managing the species despite the seriousness. The study uses thematic analysis and qualitative systems approach. The themes are converted into a qualitative‐system‐dynamics model and are then abstracted into system archetypes. The study identified three major themes: the dilemma involving stakeholders, the dilemma of alternative and commercial use of Lantana, and the Lantana management conundrum. The study translated these dilemmas into four generalisable archetypes: ‘drifting goals’, ‘modified‐shifting‐the‐burden’, ‘fixes‐that‐fail’ and ‘substitution rebound’. The latest is a novel contribution to the systems literature. Practically, the study helps understand the recurring undesired behavioural patterns in invasive species management and suggests policy and governance changes to tackle them. The study also points towards building stakeholder relationship protocols, focussing on fundamental solutions and having clear Lantana management targets.

“…Put differently, systems thinking is a holistic approach to analysis that focuses on how a system's constituent parts interrelate and how they perform over time within the context of larger systems. Systems thinking scholars often refer to system properties that include responsiveness, emergence, evolution, autopoiesis, and allopoiesis to describe this phenomenon (Hammond, 2019 ; Hariharan et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Theoretical Premisesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Expanding the Von Bertalanffy's ( 1968 ), p. 55) definition of a system, Hariharan et al ( 2021 ) elucidated systems thinking as (i) a system will always consist of at least two interacting parts (elements), (ii) a system is different and distinct from its environment, and (iii) the system as a whole or some of its parts interacts with the environment. A deeper look at this definition focuses on examining the social systems.…”

Section: Theoretical Premisesmentioning

confidence: 99%

State and citizen responsiveness in fighting a pandemic crisis: A systems thinking perspective

Prashar

2022

Management scholars have recognized organizational responsiveness among the essential capabilities of social organizations. It becomes essential for a social change to occur during a crisis, where the uncertainty or environmental dynamism is high. However, a social change cannot be successful unless constituent subsystems of a social organization exhibit responsiveness. Using systems theory, we conceptualize ‘nation’ as a social system and examine its responsiveness towards environmental uncertainly, taking an example of the COVID‐19 pandemic. How can state and citizen community responsiveness help fight a pandemic crisis? We test these direct and moderating effects on data representing 14 countries. We perform a hierarchical regression analysis on the restructured, balanced country‐wise panel data. Our findings highlight the importance of state and community interaction effects in controlling pandemic growth. Accordingly, we claim that only a collaborative approach by citizen communities with the respective governments will enable handling an uncertain situation.