Using Critical Systems Heuristics to Guide Second‐Order Critique of Systemic Practice: Exploring the Environmental Impact of Mining Operations in Southern Peru

Abstract

A framework based on Ulrich's critical systems heuristics (CSH) is presented to organize second‐order critical inquiry in systems practice and action research. It is argued that such an approach not only improves the rigour of systems methodologies in action in a specific ‘situation of interest’ but also brings rigour to research aimed at improving systems practice. The paper draws on critical systems heuristics and illustrates its application in the context of an intervention using Checkland's soft systems methodology to discuss the environmental impact of mining operations in southern Peru. We sketch the context in which the systemic intervention was carried out, reporting on the initial soft systems methodology stages (relevant systems, root definitions and CATWOE analysis) produced in workshops with stakeholders. The paper illustrates how learning about improvement in systems practice can be guided with the use of second‐order boundary critique. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Critical Systems Heuristics: The Idea and Practice of Boundary Critique

“…Reflective practice: CSH/boundary critique is often used for reflective practice alongside mainstream, as well as other systems approaches, to intervention (cf. Hart and Paucar-Caceres 2014;and Setianto et al 2014). Using ideas from boundary critique has been particularly evident in areas of professional and business ethics (Schwandt 2015).…”

Systems thinking concepts within a collaborative programme evaluation methodology: The Hermes Programme evaluation

“…However, reflexivity extends beyond the personal domain and includes exploring the multiple identities/actors involved in the evaluation, their interrelationships and the evolving power dynamics between them (see Wilkinson, 1988). Moreover, it also involves analysing the role and function of the evaluation within the broader systems and contexts within which the evaluand is immersed (Gough, 2003; Hart & Paucar‐Caceres, 2014). During an evaluation, reflexivity can also be encouraged among all participants, particularly during ‘collaborative evaluations’, as it will be discussed later on.…”

“…This can become a form of participant reflexivity in which participants become self‐reflexive and ‘use insights gained through the reflections for data analyses and group discussion in their participatory inquiries’ (Yang, 2015, p.456). The idea of reflexivity has been associated with second‐order inquiry, which involves looking‐back at an inquiry process (this type of reflexivity is included in the evaluation methodology discussed in this paper) (Hart & Paucar‐Caceres, 2014).…”

Societal, policy and academic ‘visions’ for the future of the marine environment and its management, exemplified in the Northern and Western Isles of Scotland.

“…Actors were persons, with their agency influenced by their world-views. Prompted by the need (Hart and Paucar-Caceres 2014) for a second-order critique of action research, we briefly reflect, here, on our adaption of CATWOE as an analytical framework for change in SES.…”

“…For example, in their application of CATWOE to the effects of copper mining in southern Peru, Hart and Paucar-Caceres (2014) characterise the desired transformation as "contaminated water to uncontaminated water" and the environment in which this takes place as that of "general mistrust; uninterested; ignorance/lack of information; corruption; different cultural values from different strata of society; personal/corporate interests". In our case studies we have observed that what might initially be seen as a simple transformation, for example from one form of biophysical energy (in waves) to another (in electricity), in fact required, or led to, wider changes in the SES.…”