Combining the methodologies of strategic assumptions surfacing and testing and organizational cybernetics in managing problem situations in enterprises

Abstract

The limitations of the individual use of systems methodologies in creative dealing with complex, dynamic and ambiguous problems, i.e. problem situations, caused by the increasing complexity and diversity of problem situations, indicate the necessity of a combined, i.e. synergistic use of systems methodologies. The aim of the research is to show how some limitations of the individual using of the interpretive systems methodology of Strategic Assumptions Surfacing and Testing (SAST) and Organizational Cybernetics (OC), as a functionalist systems methodology, can be eliminated by their combining. After identifying Critical Systems Thinking as a relevant conceptual framework for combining systems methodologies, the key features and limitations of SAST and OC are specified, and the assumptions, the conditions, the potential way, as well as the limitations of their combined, i.e. synergistic use are then determined. Despite the limitations, the methodologically appropriate combined use of these systems methodologies enables the improvement of managing problem situations in enterprises.