Topics

Starting Points/Questions/Assignments

Readings/References

History and Characteristics of Systems Thinking

Ludwig von Bertalanffy - founder of General Systems Theory

History of Systems Thinking - Fritjof Capra

Systems Thinking for Business and Management

What is a System?

Russell Ackoff

Systems Thinking as a Critical Skill

 

Dr. Russell Ackoff
The Buckminster Fuller Institute

 

1. If you have to explain three main contributions of Bertalanffy, what would these be?

2. Give two arguments of Bertalanffy from Chapter 2 of GST that bear "family resemblances" to the web-textual and videographic material that are in Sessions 1 and 2.

3. Draw a schematic timeline of the history of systems theory based on Capra's lecture.

4. If Systems Thinking skills are needed for the new century, how would you create two job interview questions for candidates to be able to draw out these skills? This assignment is a problem based assignment based on the comprehension by the student of the material in sessions 1, 2 and 3.

5. Using the essays of Bertalanffy, Lazlo and Fritjof Capra as background material, explain how a business firm will be altered if it used systems thinking? Describe one corporate process under a mechanistic view of the world and a replacement for this corporate process under a systems approach.

6. a. Russell Ackoff contrasts analysis with synthesis. Describe each.

b. He also makes a distinction between knowledge and understanding. What is the distinction?

Bertalanffy, 1968; Source unknown

Who was Ludwig von Bertalanffy?¹⁴

"Perspectives on GENERAL SYSTEM THEORY by Ludwig von Bertalanffy, A collection of essays gathered together and published two years after his death in 1972." Edited by Edgar Taschdjian with forwards by Maria von Bertalanffy and Ervin Laszlo, George Braziller, New York

History of Systems Thinking
Ludwig von Bertalanffy
Excerpts from Bertalanffy's General System Theory

The Web of Life¹⁶ - Schrodinger Lecture delivered by Fritjof Capra at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland on September 9, 1997.

ManagementWisdom.com

We are a group of individuals—journalists, producers, writers, and students of management—whose attention was captured years ago by the profound implications of the ideas of W. Edwards Deming and other pioneers in systems thinking and its application to management. This revolutionary way of thinking is seen as the foundation of a new approach to leading and managing organizations of all kinds—corporations, schools, hospitals, service agencies, even families. Its appeal lies in the recognition that cooperation yields better results than competition. Its economic utility consists of developing people to be most effective and enjoy their work; this is the surest means to sustainable success.

We continue to work on a series of documentary television reports for public television and an educational outreach service that will assist cooperating institutions and associations to explain and teach these principles and practices.

Refer to 'About Dr. Russell Ackoff' video and free video clips

Judgelink, Girls Link, "A Day with Dr. Russel L. Ackoff
Making a Difference: Systems Thinking / Systems Change" Session I archived video. Note: Start video at about 6 minutes

Schwartz, Peter: "Rethinking Everything"¹⁷. Business 2.0. September 26, 2000. Pp. 152-154.

Laszlo, Ervin: The Systems View of the World: A Holistic Vision for Our Time¹⁸, Hampton Press, Inc 1996. [Second printing, 1999]. Chapter 2: What is a System? Pp:16-20.

Why Systems Thinking is a Critical Skill¹⁹ - Prepared by Andrews, Clinton J.