Dualism in Social Theory and Systems Practice

Abstract

A methodology is a body of knowledge that enables action to be taken, either to increase substantive knowledge of the world (as in the natural sciences), or to bring about some other desirable state of affairs, such as the solution of a practical problem (as in engineering or management science). Successful action depends on reliable theories both about the world, and how to intervene in it. Such theories can only be established, however, by action. In the history of a mature engineering discipline, theory and practice combine to progressively enhance the theory and increase the likelihood of successful practice. Not all engineering disciplines are equally mature. Management science, however, has more intractable problems to solve than even the most junior engineering discipline. There is no unified body of theory, and successful practice of management is possible without knowledge of any of it. This is due not to the incompetence of management scientists, but to the fact that management science is a form of applied social science. There is disagreement as to how to generate substantive knowledge in social science, and less agreement as to how to intervene effectively in social systems. One contribution to the methodology of management science has come from the systems movement.