Soft Systems Approach Research Articles

New horizons in systems engineering and thinking to improve health and social care for older people.

Existing models for the safe, timely and effective delivery of health and social care are challenged by an ageing population. Services and care pathways are often optimised for single-disease management, while many older people are presenting with multiple long-term conditions and frailty. Systems engineering describes a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to change that is focused on people, system understanding, design and risk management. These principles are the basis of many established quality improvement (QI) tools in health and social care, but implementation has often been limited to single services or condition areas. Newer engineering techniques may help reshape more complex systems. Systems thinking is an essential component of this mindset to understand the underlying relationships and characteristics of a working system. It promotes the use of tools that map, measure and interrogate the dynamics of complex systems. In this New Horizons piece, we describe the evolution of systems approaches while noting the challenges of small-scale QI efforts that fail to address whole-system problems. The opportunities for novel soft-systems approaches are described, along with a recent update to the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety model, which includes human-centred design. Systems modelling and simulation techniques harness routine data to understand the functioning of complex health and social care systems. These tools could support better-informed system change by allowing comparison of simulated approaches before implementation, but better effectiveness evidence is required. Modern systems engineering and systems thinking techniques have potential to inform the redesign of services appropriate for the complex needs of older people.

Model of collaborative organizational learning using soft systems and storytelling

Collaborative learning in the organization promotes interaction among participants to achieve common learning objectives and shared goals, based on peer interdependence, personal and group responsibility, skills and teamwork, through direct communication and purposeful reflection of members. In this context, this paper proposes a model of collaborative learning using the narrative provided by the storytelling as a mechanism for externalizing tacit knowledge in complex organizations. Storytelling is considered as an important tool, since stories have the virtue of connecting participants emotionally, providing them with a shared meaning in the concepts to be analysed, and stimulating reflection, creativity, memorization and retention of data in the resolution of complex problems. Relevant factors of collaborative learning and storytelling were developed and also the role of the actors and readers participating in the story and the context. A methodology of soft systems was implemented, as a problem-solving approach that aims to understand and address the complexity of human systems, in this case collaborative learning groups in the organization. Factors influencing the learning process were identified. The soft systems approach helps participants understand the multifaceted nature of educational challenges and consider a variety of perspectives and factors that influence the learning process. A collaborative learning method using storytelling and soft system methodology was used that brings the organizational professional closer to the reality of strategic business management, sectioning three case studies: a company from the productive sector, another from the services sector and a start-up company.

Developing a strategic planning model for developing, monitoring and evaluating digital transformation initiatives: a soft system approach

PurposeThis research aims to develop a strategic planning model for developing, monitoring and evaluating digital and sustainable transformation initiatives in organizations. The purpose of this model is to provide a useful tool for managers and practitioners in the field of digital transformation.Design/methodology/approachThis research draws on the soft systems literature and combines the reference models of the balanced scorecard and the logical framework approach to develop the model. The model identifies the key dimensions to be considered in the planning, monitoring and evaluation phases of a digital transformation initiativeFindingsThis research makes important theoretical and practical contributions to the literature on digital transformation. This study enriches the literature and proposes a model that is useful both in the strategic planning phase and in the ex-post evaluation. The model identifies the key dimensions to be considered in the planning phase of a digital transformation initiative and describes the dimensions to be taken into account when monitoring the development of the initiative and the final evaluation of the impact achieved.Originality/valueThis model is original in its approach, as it draws on the soft systems literature and combines the reference models of the balanced scorecard and the logical framework approach. The model provides a useful tool for managers and practitioners that has normative and prescriptive value. The research makes important contributions to the literature on digital transformation by proposing a model that considers both the theoretical and practical aspects of digital transformation initiatives.

A soft systems approach for innovation in the fruits and vegetables market in Uruguay

"Systems thinking" approaches include some techniques and methods developed by social scientists to encourage debate, recognising that their practice is inevitably full of value and that research is a part of intervention. In general, systems theories explain the need to transcend disciplines to increase our understanding of a situation by considering different levels of impact, especially through visualisation tools. In a very complex environment such as the fruit and vegetable market in Uruguay, especially focusing on the roles of agents and the interactions between them, "soft systems methodologies"contributed to building a representation integrating different perspectives with consensual and conflicting aspects, delving into the particularities and opportunities for technological innovations and collaborative management for the fruit and vegetablechain, ending in important reflections on opportunities for positive change and the risks of marginalisation or social exclusion. Commercial channels for farm products and main agents Particularities of Uruguayan consumption Alternative channels, collaborative management and other innovations: for whom? It is considered that this approach contributes to building a holistic vision of the situation that will facilitate our understanding of the commercial circumstances in rural Uruguay (Checkland 1999). In particular, we discuss innovations promoted by the recent crisis linked to the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and the challenges posed by climate change, questioning the proposal of generating " value added " with the idea of "integral valuation".

A conceptual model for energy management in the steel industry: A Soft System Methodology (SSM) approach

This paper aims to use Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) to develop the steel industry's energy management framework. It proposes a soft system approach to analyze the complex situation of developing a support system for energy management. This approach consists of identifying the system scope, discovering underlying problems within, deriving a conceptual model from the complex situation, and identifying possible actors and activities to bring the conceptual model closer to reality. The identified activities could serve as a guideline for designing and developing an effective energy management framework in the steel industry. The result might also be further developed to drive the feasible, desirable changes into real implementation strategies and action plans. Currently, there is very limited SSM academic research in energy management. Hence the researchers sincerely hope that this study might help to drive the SSM methodology application in this field, in conjunction with the body of knowledge of Industrial and Systems Engineering (IISE).

Using systems perspectives in evidence synthesis: A methodological mapping review.

Reviewing complex interventions is challenging because they include many elements that can interact dynamically in a nonlinear manner. A systems perspective offers a way of thinking to help understand complex issues, but its application in evidence synthesis is not established. The aim of this project was to understand how and why systems perspectives have been applied in evidence synthesis. A methodological mapping review was conducted to identify papers using a systems perspective in evidence synthesis. A search was conducted in seven bibliographic databases and three search engines. A total of 101 papers (representing 98 reviews) met the eligibility criteria. Two categories of reviews were identified: (1) reviews using a "systems lens" to frame the topic, generate hypotheses, select studies, and guide the analysis and interpretation of findings (n=76) and (2) reviews using systems methods to develop a systems model (n=22). Several methods (e.g., systems dynamic modeling, soft systems approach) were identified, and they were used to identify, rank and select elements, analyze interactions, develop models, and forecast needs. The main reasons for using a systems perspective were to address complexity, view the problem as a whole, and understand the interrelationships between the elements. Several challenges for capturing the true nature and complexity of a problem were raised when performing these methods. This review is a useful starting point when designing evidence synthesis of complex interventions. It identifies different opportunities for applying a systems perspective in evidence synthesis, and highlights both commonplace and less familiar methods.

A Soft Systems Approach to Knowledge Worker Productivity: A Purposeful Activity Model for the Individual

This research attempted to find and define holistic systems that affect the productivity of the knowledge worker (KW), using the soft systems methodology (SSM). It is not enough to look at the management and improvement of knowledge worker productivity (KWP) from the viewpoint of the organization. The viewpoint of the individual KW needs to be considered as well. The KW owns the means of production; they carry their knowledge in their heads and take it with them when changing jobs. This paper proposes a conceptual framework that describes the process in which the KW uses resources to execute actions to create tangible or intangible artifacts with the intention of generating value. It was based on interpretations and inferences made from an extensive literature review using the snowballing method. This paper highlights what implications the lessons learned from the conceptual framework have on managing and improving KWP and delves deeper into four key concepts: value in knowledge work, knowledge, personal resources, and competencies.

SYSTEM APPROACH TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT IN CONDITION OF BEHAVIORAL ECONOMY

Human behavior is the most common cause of project management failure. Behavioral economics is interdisciplinary in nature and allows you to identify the psychological basis for making a project manager decisions that lead to success or failure in projects. The personality of the project manager, project teams, and a special project environment continue to dominate the analysis of human behavior in project management. The article may be of interest to scientists and project management practitioners. The aim of the work is to study the principles of decision-making in project management and the influence of behavioral economics on them. The objectives of the article are to determine the impact of behavioral economics on project management as a system, to compare the methods of hard and soft systems approaches in planning and decision-making, to develop principles and sequence of actions for project integration. Methods. When writing the article, a behavioral approach, a systematic approach, decision-making methods, heuristic methods, a soft systemic approach, a hard systemic approach, a logical-structural approach, and integration methods were used. The results of the work are to harmonize the principles of PMBoK project management standards of the announced 7th edition, ISO 21500, ISO / IEC 15288 with the principles of the management economics approach. Providing system integration based on a soft systemic approach to management, allows to more fully take into account the human factor when making decisions and serve as a tool for implementing the principles of behavioral economics. A comparative analysis of the hard and soft systemic approaches is carried out and their main differences are identified. Effective integration requires organizational, administrative and behavioral skills in managing people. The principle of innovation, the principle of flexibility to change, the principle of combined compensation and the principle of combined value are the four principles of integration. Scientific novelty. The work further developed methodological approaches to substantiating the creation and further formation of a unique mental space for project activities, by ensuring the using of methods and approaches of behavioral economics. Practical significance. The results obtained are aimed at improving methodological approaches to decision-making in project activities based on ensuring the implementation of the principles of behavioral economics. Ensuring the principles and sequence of actions for the integration of the project is aimed at increasing the number of successfully implemented projects.

A Soft Systems Approach to ELT Research: Team Learning and Exploratory Practice

A Soft Systems Approach to ELT Research: Team Learning and Exploratory Practice

The COVID‐19 crisis and complexity: A soft systems approach

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic is a crisis with high complexity and should be understood as such by scholarship. A complexity science approach situates increasingly divergent ideological and epistemological perspectives about the crisis within the practical exigencies of containment and mitigation measures. We ask which of the seven stages of soft systems methodology contributes to deeper understandings about COVID‐19 as a policy issue, beyond the contributions of current and conventional perspectives. The discussion outlines implications for practice and places them within broader debates about tensions between scientific facts and political values.

Institutional Analysis on Palm Oil-based Bioenergy for Rural Community Electricity Development in Indonesia: A Hybrid of Soft System and Hard System Approach

The program of palm oil-based bioenergy development and utilization is one solution that can be applied to meet the electricity needs of the rural community in Indonesia. However, various needs and obstacles faced by related stakeholders have caused the program to not be implemented. The objectives of this study were to identify institutional issues that begin with identifying the needs and fundamental issues of program implementation, to identify key elements of the program's success, and to the determination of an adaptive institutional model. A total of 12 experts were involved and provided an assessment. The analysis was performed with the implementation of the seven stages in the Soft System Methodology. To get more structured and measurable analysis results, the analysis was also supported by Hard Systems Methodology techniques, such as the Interpretive Structural Modeling and Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process. The result of the study obtained 7 key sub-elements, consisting of 3 sub-elements in the program needs element, 1 sub-element in the major constraint element, 1 sub-element in the objective element and 2 sub-elements in the supporting factor element. The study also gained and adaptive institutional model that plays a role in the provision of raw materials, infrastructure construction, energy transformation, operational and management, distribution and commercialization of electricity to rural communities.

Gaming Exercise for Rights-Conversion-Type Urban Redevelopment Project in International Cooperation Context

Background. The rights conversion is an emerging approach on international cooperation that aims to solve the urban renewal problems in the 21st century. Previous research centred on the development of a rights-conversion-type urban redevelopment project game (URPG) for rights holders considering a project in Japan. Here, we focus on the application of URPG into Kabul City in Afghanistan, being presented with an opportunity for transfer by interuniversity collaboration. We introduce a gaming exercise herein as part of an action research to solve Kabul’s current urban renewal problems. Aim. Our paper is especially focused on the international transfer of the URPG. The content includes the background, process and formalisation of the rights conversion and reports on the outline of the two versions of URPG and a play content analysis of the Kabul version. It also mentions the implications of international differences in social systems highlighted from the episodes of the debriefing. Method. Our action research is evolved from the soft system approach by adding the gaming exercise, which is regarded as its main component. Results. The implications of the action research are summarised as follows: (1) URPG is a game that deals with the core mechanism of the rights conversion. Herein, we confirmed the basic performance of the Kabul version for undergraduate education in specialised courses. (2) Through a debriefing discussion, we revealed the cultural differences for rights notions on lands, which were subsequently taken into the legislative preparation of the rights conversion by the Afghanistan government. (3) Moreover, we revealed that URPG can deal with a project implementation problem in a given case, although the institutional design of the legislative project framework is a significant problem. Thus, a new gaming exercise based on these two-layered formulations is required.

A Systemic Exploration of the Risk Factors in Zimbabwean Information Technology Projects

This paper explores the risk factors threatening Zimbabwean Information Technology (IT) projects and build a systemic model demonstrating how the identified risk factors are interconnected. Drawn on systemic thinking, a soft systems approach called Interactive Management (IM) was adopted to identify the risk factors. The Interactive Management session involved the relevant stakeholders to interactively produce the systemic model through four major phases: idea generation, idea clarification, idea structuring, and interpretation of the structured ideas. The output of the Interactive Management process is a digraph showing the causal relationships between the identified risks. Six risk drivers were identified through the Interactive Management process: limited computer literacy, poor communication, lack of executive support, complexity of design, bureaucracy, and employee turnover. The constructed model demonstrates how the identified risk factors are interconnected. It also shows that non-linear relationships exist between risk factors. The output from this exploration has the potential to be used as a starting point to mitigate the risks impacting on Zimbabwean IT projects. Different from the output of frequently used approaches, the risk drivers identified in the systemic model inform decision makers to exploit the effective strategies in preventing other risks from materializing.

Development of Learning Material for the Livestock Production System at the Beef Cattle Farmers

The activity aimed to arrange the learning materials for farmer based on the cattle production system. The learning materials or curriculum is developed based on system theory perspective. In the system theory, there are two approaches which are hard system and soft system. The hard system refers to a quantitative perspective with rigid indicators such as technology implementation, productivity, and efficiency. Meanwhile, the soft system considers problem-solving based on the level of understanding, attitude and participation, teamwork, and motivation. This community services focused on applying soft system approach to arrange learning materials through farmer participation. The Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) technique was conducted to stimulate farmers to identify their production problems and to prioritize the problem solving for learning materials. This article concluded that cattle farmers were able to identify and to prioritize the problem better through PRA stages.

Systems Approach for Modeling Interactions Among the Sustainable Development Goals Part 1

This article advocates for a systems approach to analyzing the SDGs, categorized as an anthropocentric network. Cross-impact analysis, a semi-qualitative, soft-systems approach is used to explore the connections among the SDGs. This approach can better capture the science underlying the SDGs' interactions in a generic manner compared to existing methods. The suggested approach enables users to: (1) get a better qualitative and quantitative understanding of how the SDGs interact; (2) detect emerging patterns resulting from those interactions; (3) use context-specific information about direct impacts to identify indirect effects; and (4) identify leverage points hidden within the SDGs. The article also discusses how network analysis complements cross-impact analysis as a mathematical approach to understanding patterns of interactions among the SDGs. The term cross-impact network analysis is proposed to describe the synergy between these two analytical methods. This article is the first of two papers systematically analyzing the interactions between the SDGs.

Contextual Analysis of Educational Monitoring and Progression as a Service (EMPaaS) System in Higher Education

The arrival of new technologies has opened a window of opportunity for UK higher education institutions. Although UK Higher education (HE) has recently become a huge phenomenon owing to an increase in students attending University, many UK universities are not investing enough in technology to facilitate teaching, management and research practices that aim to improve the student experience. This paper discusses the potential for an information system solution, which can facilitate the institutional practices in UK HEIs from multiple stakeholder perspectives. An existing system employed at a UK University known as “MyPGR” was evaluated in order to shed some light on the existing technical problems UK Universities are currently facing, with the support of a soft systems approach (CATWOE). The proposed solution is the Educational-Monitoring-and-Progression-as-a-Service (EMPaaS), which is based on the Cloud Computing model. EMPaaS has the potential to monitor student progression and key milestones relating to their PGR programme, in addition to enabling students to use free cloud applications to keep track of milestones and progressions. The highly accessible and flexible nature of cloud applications adds to the cost-effectiveness of adopting cloud services, which in turn frees up additional funds for UK Universities to pursue other important investments.

A soft systems approach to identifying barriers to cancer screening programmes. Methodology and application in seven European countries

A soft systems approach to identifying barriers to cancer screening programmes. Methodology and application in seven European countries

A soft systems approach to identifying barriers to cancer screening programmes. Methodology and application in seven European countries

A soft systems approach to identifying barriers to cancer screening programmes. Methodology and application in seven European countries

Applying Systems Thinking to Coastal Infrastructure Systems

Coastal communities have an uncertain future as municipalities grapple with an increase in the frequency of coastal flooding. This article offers a simple approach to make decisions based on systems thinking. The objective of this article is to explore how to represent the coast as a system, how to apply systems thinking to coastal infrastructure, and to offer a framework to employ an integrated systems approach. The framework aids a community to map its future in the face of the changing coastal waters and a way to assess if they are moving toward a solution. It also provides a disciplined way of structured thinking to judge a problem and determine whether a hard or soft systems approach is appropriate. This kind of thinking is necessary for a community to plan capital improvement investments that are compatible with an uncertain future brought about by climate change.

Governance as a Conceptual Paradigm for Institutional Reform and Transformation

Due to the inherent weaknesses of colonialism, traditional cultures and liberation movements, neither colonial nor traditional regimes nor liberation struggles prepare leaders for good governance. The paper is a descriptive narrative that aims to integratethe Ackoff-Gharajedaghi five-dimensional design of institutional development with the normative principles of good governance as a paradigm for changing systemically corrupt institutions to promote integrity-driven performance. The research methodology isthe ‘soft systems approach’ (SSA) to systems thinking. Some of the findings are that obstructions to development are inherently part of governance failures. Corruption is, amongst other things, deviant human behaviour, a breakdown of the integrity of systems, which in turn leads to serious development failures that cannot be rectified by piecemeal reforms, but only by a complete transformation of the whole institution. From the research executed, it is possible to say that governance is an open system andinclusive approach. The aspiration to obtain influence and power in decision-making is one of the most critical drivers of development. Another finding from the study is that good governance as a construct goes beyond decision-making to promote integrity and has the potential to guide policies, strategies and values. The study also found that good governance can provide strategic, operational and technical direction necessary for changing corrupt institutions. Good governance is a conceptual paradigm for institutional reform and transformation of systemically corrupt institutions towards ones with integrity-driven performance.