Critical Systems Thinking: Directed ReadingsRobert L. Flood, Michael C. Jackson This collection of contributions is made necessary by the substantial new developments that have taken place in systems thinking over the last ten years or so. Major efforts in research and development have carefully worked out credible intellectual foundations for systems thinking, including important debates in philosophy and social theory. Key papers and a critical commentary document the changes which have occurred, covering shifts from hard (positivist) to soft (interpretive) to critical systems thinking (based on critical theory). |
Contents
Beyond Operational Reseach and Hard Systems Thinking | 13 |
Operations Research as a Profession | 19 |
The Future of Operational Research is Past | 41 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
acceptable achieve Ackoff action analysis applied argued argument assumptions attempt basic become called Checkland Churchman claims communicative complex concept concerned consider contexts critical systems thinking critique cybernetic deal debate decision discussion dominant effective emancipatory ends epistemological example exist Flood given Habermas hard hard systems human idea ideal ideology implications important inquiry interests interpretive involved issues Jackson judgments Keys knowledge logic Marxism means method nature normative objective Operational Research organisation organization paradigm particular philosophy planning political position possible practice present problem problem contexts question rationality reality reason reference reflection regard relations relevant requires scientific seeking situation social systems society soft systems solving structure systems approach systems methodologies systems science systems theory theoretical theory types Ulrich understanding University validity whole York