Abstract
AbstractThis paper aims to investigate characteristics of recent ‘soft’ problem solving approaches in OR as well as in systems science. A general scheme is first developed in which the inquiry processes of systems approaches are discussed. This scheme also reveals the essential ingredients of a systems approach which determine the ‘softness’. Then, three soft systems approaches are analyzed, i.e. hypergame analysis, cognitive mapping analysis and soft systems methodology. Finally, the properties, in terms of general systems theory and cybernetics, of these soft systems approaches are discussed assuming that their inquiry processes are directed at producing improvement as well as explanation and accommodation to the real world situation.
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