Systems Thinking: An Analysis of Key Factors and Relationships

Behl, Divya Vohra; Ferreira, Susan

doi:10.1016/j.procs.2014.09.045

Cited by 51 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…An SsT approach recognizes different facets of operating systems as single but different entities and bridges the synergy through feedback loops. (Behl & Ferreira 2014). It builds upon the idea that a system is greater than the sum of its parts, and should be studied holistically (Behl & Ferreira 2014).…”

Section: Applying Se and Sst: Developing A System Reinforcing Model (mentioning

confidence: 99%

An Energy Poverty Case Study: A Whole Systems Perspective Applied to an Informal Settlement

Okoye

Lalk

2020

INCOSE International Symp

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This paper describes the novel application of a systems approach within the context of energy poverty mitigation. This is enriched by using an informal human settlement situated in the Western Cape near Cape Town as case study. A systems approach is used to design and integrate system interfaces within an “energy poverty system” leading to a proposed new System Reinforcing Model (SRM) for Energy Access Sustainability (EAS) in energy‐poor communities. The proposed model identifies interrelated systems and elements, developed as design decisions and system designs grounded in energy‐use patterns and behavior, energy access options, sustainability, socio‐economic, cultural, technical, and environmental issues. The proposed new SRM is then applied to a typical energy‐poor community where the model's significance is effectively demonstrated. Based on its participatory sensitivity, the model reveals system parts instigating energy poverty and limiting energy access.

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Section: Applying Se and Sst: Developing A System Reinforcing Model (mentioning

confidence: 99%

An Energy Poverty Case Study: A Whole Systems Perspective Applied to an Informal Settlement

Okoye

Lalk

2020

INCOSE International Symp

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“…"If systems thinking leads to a deeper understanding through system dynamics, then the result will be positive", as asserted by Forrester [48]. The ability to understand interrelationships is highlighted in an important number of definitions related to systems thinking such as the case of [49][50][51][52].…”

Section: The Systems Thinking Approach As Support To Build Multiple Imentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the Environmental Quality Resulting from Damages to Human-Nature Interactions Caused by Population Increase: A Systems Thinking Approach

et al. 2019

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Multiple interactions between population increase-as driving force- and pressure factors can cause damage to human-nature interactions. In this paper, we aim to identify, understand, and assess those interactions that exert effects on environment quality. The assessments of multiple interactions will allow selecting management actions to reduce negative effects, such as the loss of vegetation cover, on the environment. However, multiple interactions hinder the understanding of such complex systems. The relevance of this study is related to the support of the systems thinking approach to achieve two objectives: (1) to build a conceptual framework that facilitates the construction of a network aimed at representing the multiple interactions; (2) to build a closed system for the sake of developing a sustainable environmental management system. Thus, the performance of the implemented management actions is assessed through the feedback loop of the closed system. The proposed conceptual framework and the closed system were applied to the state of Morelos, Mexico. We highlight the following results: the systems thinking approach facilitated the construction of a conceptual framework to build understandable causal network; a set of environmental pathways were derived from the causal network and then combined to define and assess a global environmental state. Environmental pathways are composed of relationships between population increase and pressure variables that exert effects on the environment quality; the feedback loop facilitated the performance analysis of implemented management actions related to natural protected areas. The current results suggest further research to apply this study to diverse systems where multiple interactions between drivers and pressure factors damage human-nature interactions, thus exerting effects on the environmental state.

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“…Furthermore, with the system-wide starting point comes the need to adopt a system-oriented approach (Rasmussen 1997). This type of approach, captured in engineering by the concept of systems thinking, involves being able to consider a complex system in a holistic way (Behl and Ferreira 2014). The enablers to the development of systems thinking among engineers include experience across external and internal boundaries, strong interpersonal skills, and curiosity and open-mindedness (Davidz 2006).…”

Section: Product Innovation and Safety Engineeringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Work functions shaping the ability to innovate: insights from the case of the safety engineer

Asplund

Ulfvengren

2019

Cogn Tech Work

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To perform as intended, firms are divided into work functions that contribute to the behaviour-shaping constraints under which individuals build their skills, knowledge and networks. These in turn provide a specialized perspective on organisational structure and culture. In a mixed methods study involving interviews and statistical analyses, we investigate whether a work function can thereby affect individuals' innovation foci and efficacy. Safety engineers, central to firms developing Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), are shown to play a significant role in identifying and supporting viable innovation related to organisational aspects. Results indicate that safety engineers could use the firm's collaborative innovation process to facilitate organisational learning, helping different work functions come together to construct working practices aligned with the organisational values of the firm. This is explained by their understanding of safety culture-a specialized understanding of organisational culture and complexity provided by their work function. We conclude that work functions that provide their members with a perspective well aligned with their firm's organisational values can instil the ability to identify and support organisational innovation. This suggests that safety engineers in CPS domains could be effective in a mediatory role, facilitating innovative changes to organisational structures and processes when introducing and operating safety management systems. Stronger aspects of organisational liaising and systems thinking could reinforce this ability-the former by a wider scope and motivation leading to an increased skill in communicating with dissimilar individuals, and the latter by providing the skills and tools needed to analyse the politics of complex organisations.

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Systems Thinking: An Analysis of Key Factors and Relationships

Cited by 51 publications

References 5 publications

An Energy Poverty Case Study: A Whole Systems Perspective Applied to an Informal Settlement

An Energy Poverty Case Study: A Whole Systems Perspective Applied to an Informal Settlement

Assessing the Environmental Quality Resulting from Damages to Human-Nature Interactions Caused by Population Increase: A Systems Thinking Approach

Work functions shaping the ability to innovate: insights from the case of the safety engineer

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