1.4.1 Enterprise Systemics: Systems Thinking for plotting Strategy at the ‘Extended Enterprise’ level”

Abstract

AbstractThis paper demonstrates the value of various systems techniques, and the system of systems concept in particular, to the design and management of key Extended Enterprise activity. By the Extended Enterprise (EE) we mean the context for the complete set of activities undertaken by companies operating together in a competitive market environment to deliver commercially viable products and services to consumers. We have coined the term ‘Enterprise Systemics’ to describe the use of a portfolio of systems techniques that facilitates, inter alia, plotting strategy at the EE (or network) level – perhaps the most challenging of corporate activity.We describe what we mean by the Extended Enterprise and some of the difficult challenges that it presents for current design methods and techniques. We report on work done to develop an approach that draws from diverse sources of systems type thinking. Case Study material is provided, from work done with a shared learning group in the UK over the last two years and from the successful industrial development of a UK Government funded research project.