Search results

1 – 10 of over 4000
Article
Publication date: 1 April 2014

Mirjana Pejic Bach, Jovana Zoroja and Marjana Merkac-Skok

Tourism has become one of the world's major industries measured in terms of turnover, the number of employees and foreign currency earnings, having at the same time a huge impact…

1066

Abstract

Purpose

Tourism has become one of the world's major industries measured in terms of turnover, the number of employees and foreign currency earnings, having at the same time a huge impact on the environment. However, the future development of tourism depends on today's decisions that often do not take into account the positive and the negative impact on the tourism destinations' environment with long-term consequences that are not easily undone. System archetypes are generic structures that are responsible for generic patterns of behavior over time, especially behavior that is counterintuitive. The article aims to explore the possible use of system archetypes in order to increase socially responsible (SR), i.e. systemic thinking and behavior of tourism business organizations, based on the requisite holism theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The experimental design methodology has been used in order to test the assumption that individuals familiar with the system archetypes will be more likely to believe that tourism business organizations that operate in tourism destinations should be involved in attaining SR goals. Participants included managers, public authorities and community representatives and were divided into an experiment and a control group. The experiment group was exposed to a workshop on system archetypes, while the control group had no treatment. Structured quantitative interviews were used in order to test differences in attitudes and beliefs on SR of tourism business organizations among the experiment and the control group members.

Findings

Natural environment of tourism destinations as tourism's essential resource is often destroyed due to the lack of SR. The research results indicate that the exposure of individuals to system archetypes increased the understanding of importance of SR behavior of tourism business organizations. System archetypes increased individuals' comprehension of the fact that the non-linear causal relationship, time delay and hidden structures of the systems generate complex behavior resulting in damage to the natural environment of tourism destinations.

Research limitations/implications

The survey research on a restricted number of subjects was applied. In order to overcome limitations of such an approach, the rigor procedure for data collection and analysis was used.

Practical implications

Managers of tourism business organizations could use system archetypes to analyse the impact of their activities on tourism destinations environment and thus improve the social responsibility of their decisions. The authors propose the formation of system archetypes and their applications repository in an organized environment to enhance understanding of SR behavior of tourism business organizations.

Originality/value

The authors used experimental design in order to test whether exposure of stakeholders' to system archetypes changes their attitudes regarding SR, with the goal to increase the understanding of various conflicts that emerge from the fact that tourism depends on unspoiled environment and at the same time tourism is a potential polluter. Available literature offers no similar applications of the system archetype approach to systemic behavior via SR in tourism.

Article
Publication date: 14 March 2008

Alan Gillies and Mahendran Maliapen

Internationally, change in healthcare is often a result of a knee jerk reaction to high‐profile adverse events. Alternatively, change is driven by a reductionist set of targets…

1706

Abstract

Purpose

Internationally, change in healthcare is often a result of a knee jerk reaction to high‐profile adverse events. Alternatively, change is driven by a reductionist set of targets and indicators, which do not reflect the complexity of hospitals. This paper posits that hospitals would benefit from promoting organisational learning, and that system archetypes offer a mechanism for achieving this. It seeks to examine the application of healthcare system archetypes in an Australian hospital.

Design/methodology/approach

Archetypes do not describe any one problem specifically. They describe families of problems generically. Their value comes from the insights they offer into the dynamic interaction of complex systems. As part of a suite of tools, they are extremely valuable in developing broad understandings about the hospital and its environment.

Findings

Diagnostically, archetypes helped the hospital managers recognize patterns of behaviour that are already present in their organizations. They served as the means for gaining insight into the underlying systems structures from which the archetypal behaviour emerges. The application of system archetypes to the strategic analysis of the hospital case reveals that it is possible to identify loop holes in management's strategic thinking processes and it is possible to defy these fallacies during policy implementation as illustrated by the results of the archetype simulation model. In this study, hospital executives found that policy modification helped to avoid such pitfalls and avoid potentially cost prohibitive learning had these policies been implemented in practice.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates how system archetypes were deployed within a hospital to improve organizational learning, and provides an approach that may be deployed in other large complex health care organisations.

Details

Journal of Modelling in Management, vol. 3 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5664

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 November 2015

Virupaxi Bagodi and Biswajit Mahanty

The purpose of the paper is to demonstrate the short comings in decision-making in a complex system. An approach to coping with a complex decision-making task is to identify…

1033

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to demonstrate the short comings in decision-making in a complex system. An approach to coping with a complex decision-making task is to identify generic structures known as systems archetypes in a given decision situation. In the “shifting the burden” archetype, decision-makers fail to identify the fundamental solution early and are subjected to accumulated side effects as they resort to quick remedial solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

A system dynamics-based game has been built to highlight the pitfalls of “shifting the burden” systems archetype for a decision-making situation in the Indian two-wheeler industry. Participants of the game make strategic decisions for a company and receive feedback of their decisions and corresponding actions after every plan period.

Findings

The decision-makers who adopt short-term measures to alleviate the company’s problems, invariably fail in their endeavour. Success comes to those who realize the importance of having a long-term perspective in the form of pursuing fundamental solutions.

Practical implications

What could be a possible way of avoiding the pitfalls? The decision-makers should be aware of the pitfalls beforehand and identify the same – a decision support system possibly can aid them in this regard.

Originality/value

The complexity of the system increases as the business grows. The managers need to adopt systems thinking and embrace a long-term perspective. Decision support systems integrating models of systems archetypes provide an environment to simulate various decision situations and see the effects beforehand.

Details

Journal of Modelling in Management, vol. 10 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5664

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 August 2019

Patricio Vera, Christopher Nikulin, Monica Lopez-Campos and Rosa Guadalupe G. Gonzalez Ramirez

The purpose of this paper is to propose a combination of forecasting methods that enables a holistic understanding of a future situation, given certain influencing variables by a…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a combination of forecasting methods that enables a holistic understanding of a future situation, given certain influencing variables by a combination of real data and expert knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposal combines two well-known methods: first, system archetypes that correspond to generic structures, allowing us to handle model management issues, and second, system dynamics that offers technical support on a computational level to assess different scenarios or problem solutions.

Findings

The case study considers the situation of the mining industry in Chile and its related variables, including four different scenarios. Based on the proposed methodology, the results indicate that: first, the price of copper is paramount for the industry and its effects are not limited to company profits; second, a long period of downfall in copper prices could halt exploration and development projects.

Research limitations/implications

Systemic archetypes are still a subject of research and their application in different fields of knowledge continues to increase to improve this simulation approach.

Practical implications

The case study illustrates the combination of a Vester matrix and initial system archetype models that are enriched using the system dynamics approach. Indeed, the case study aims to understand the consequences of different scenarios based on the problem-driven approach provided by Vester.

Social implications

The goal of prospective studies of large-scale and complex situations is to model the real situation to obtain solutions that may enhance social welfare.

Originality/value

The proposed methodology contributes to the existing literature by integrating techniques such as the Vester matrix, system archetype modelling and system dynamics simulation, all of which were proposed previously in the literature as independent techniques.

Propósito

Este artículo propone una combinación de métodos de pronósticos que permite una comprensión holística de una situación futura, dadas ciertas variables de influencia mediante una combinación de datos reales y conocimiento de expertos.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

La propuesta combina dos métodos conocidos: (i) arquetipos de sistemas que corresponden a estructuras genéricas, lo que nos permite manejar los modelos, y (ii) la dinámica de sistemas que ofrece soporte técnico a nivel computacional para evaluar diferentes escenarios o soluciones de problemas.

Resultados

El caso de estudio considera la situación de la industria minera en Chile y sus variables relacionadas, incluidos cuatro escenarios diferentes. Según la metodología propuesta, los resultados indican que i) el precio del cobre es primordial para la industria y sus efectos no se limitan a las ganancias de la empresa; ii) un largo período de caída en los precios del cobre podría detener los proyectos de exploración y desarrollo.

Limitaciones en la investigación/implicaciones

Los arquetipos sistémicos siguen siendo un tema de investigación y su aplicación en diferentes campos del conocimiento continúa aumentando para mejorar este enfoque de simulación.

Implicaciones prácticas

El estudio de caso ilustra la combinación de una matriz de Vester y los modelos de arquetipos del sistema inicial que se enriquecen utilizando el enfoque de dinámica de sistemas. De hecho, el caso de estudio apunta a comprender las consecuencias de diferentes escenarios basados en el enfoque orientado a los problemas proporcionado por Vester.

Implicaciones sociales

El objetivo de los estudios prospectivos para situaciones de gran escala y complejas es modelar la situación real para obtener soluciones que puedan mejorar el bienestar social.

Originalidad/valor

La metodología propuesta contribuye a la literatura existente mediante la integración de técnicas como la matriz de Vester, el modelado de arquetipos del sistema y la simulación de dinámica de sistemas, todo lo cual se propuso anteriormente en la literatura como técnicas independientes.

Details

Academia Revista Latinoamericana de Administración, vol. 32 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1012-8255

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 27 July 2023

Oswald A. J. Mascarenhas, Munish Thakur and Payal Kumar

Systems thinking calls for a shift of our mindset from seeing just parts to seeing the whole reality in its structured dynamic unity and interconnectedness. Systems thinking…

Abstract

Executive Summary

Systems thinking calls for a shift of our mindset from seeing just parts to seeing the whole reality in its structured dynamic unity and interconnectedness. Systems thinking fosters a sensibility to see subtle connections between components and parts of reality, especially the free enterprise capitalist system (FECS). It enables us to see ourselves as active participants or partners of FECS and not mere induced factors of its production–distribution–consumption processes. Systems thinking seeks to identify the economic “structures” that underlie complex situations in FECS that bring about high versus low leveraged changes. A system is strengthened and reinforced by feedback of reciprocal exchanges that makes the system alive, transparent, human, and humanizing.

In Part I, we explore basic laws or patterns of behaviors as understood by systems thinking; in Part II we examine the basic archetypes or structured behaviors of systems thinking; in both parts we strive to see reality through the lens of critical thinking to help us understand patterns and structures of behavior among systems and their component parts. In conclusion, we argue for compatibility and complementarity of critical thinking and systems thinking to identify and resolve management problems created by our flawed thinking, and sedimented by our wanton assumptions, presumptions, suppositions and presuppositions, biases, and prejudices. Such thinking will also identify unnecessary economic and political structures of the self-serving policies we create, which imprison us.

Details

A Primer on Critical Thinking and Business Ethics
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-308-4

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2002

Robin Matthews

Organizational studies have been deeply influenced by three separate streams of research: the soft sciences; the hard sciences; and economics. This paper makes a case for an…

2201

Abstract

Organizational studies have been deeply influenced by three separate streams of research: the soft sciences; the hard sciences; and economics. This paper makes a case for an interdisciplinary approach, one that includes not only the social and physical and life sciences, but also methodologies that have a long history in mysticism. It illustrates how the similarities and relationships between depth psychology, in Jung’s theory of archetypes, and the “hard science” notion of complexity theory can reveal critical aspects of competition as expressed through capitalism. It also suggests that a methodology for accessing information about archetypes in general and capitalist competition in particular is through creative imagination.

Details

Journal of Organizational Change Management, vol. 15 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0953-4814

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 30 October 2018

FR. Oswald A. J. Mascarenhas, S.J.

Morality is primarily a system of values, meanings, convictions, beliefs, principles, and drivers of good behavior and good outcomes in any organization. Using systems thinking…

Abstract

Executive Summary

Morality is primarily a system of values, meanings, convictions, beliefs, principles, and drivers of good behavior and good outcomes in any organization. Using systems thinking concepts and applications introduced and developed during the last 50 years or so by various scholars from MIT, Stanford, and Wharton, such as Chris Argyris, Russell Ackoff, G. K. Forrester, Peter Senge, Stephen Covey, and Jim Collins, this chapter seeks to explore various past and contemporary market systems and challenges in terms of specific inputs, processes, and outputs. Systems thinking reckons everything in the cosmos (usually classified as subjects, objects, properties, and events) as a system (composed of two or more interactive parts with individual and interactive effects) that is connected to every other system in the universe. Various systems thinking laws and archetypes that have been developed thus far by systems thinkers will be introduced in order to identify basic patterns, structures, and constraints of human thinking and reasoning that create market phenomena. The academic and managerial challenge is to identify, explore, and capitalize such nonobvious connections for creating and developing new markets and corporate growth opportunities in the highly turbulent markets of today. In a globalized, digitized, and networked planet and universe, systems thinking is a very effective tool for analyzing turbulent market systems holistically and in an inclusive and integrated manner, with their specific inputs, processes, and outcomes. Several contemporary market cases will be included to illustrate the contents of this chapter.

Details

Corporate Ethics for Turbulent Markets
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78756-187-8

Article
Publication date: 14 December 2021

Virupaxi Bagodi and Biswajit Mahanty

Managerial decision-making is an area of interest to both academia and practitioners. Researchers found that managers often fail to manage complex decision-making tasks and system

Abstract

Purpose

Managerial decision-making is an area of interest to both academia and practitioners. Researchers found that managers often fail to manage complex decision-making tasks and system thinkers assert that generic structures known as systems archetypes help them to a great deal in handling such situations. In this paper, it is demonstrated that decision makers resort to lowering of goal (quick-fix) in order to resolve the gap between the goal and current reality in the “drifting the goals” systems archetype.

Design/methodology/approach

A real-life case study is taken up to highlight the pitfalls of “drifting the goals” systems archetype for a decision situation in the Indian two-wheeler industry. System dynamics modeling is made use of to obtain the results.

Findings

The decision makers fail to realize the pitfall of lowering the goal to resolve the gap between the goal and current reality. It is seen that, irrespective of current less-than-desirable performance, managers adopting corrective actions other than lowering of goals perform better in the long run. Further, it is demonstrated that extending the boundary and experimentation results in designing a better service system and setting benchmarks.

Practical implications

The best possible way to avoid the pitfall is to hold the vision and not lower the long term goal. The managers must be aware of the pitfalls beforehand.

Originality/value

Systems thinking is important in complex decision-making tasks. Managers need to embrace long-term perspective in decision-making. This paper demonstrates the value of systems thinking in terms of a case study on the “drifting the goals” systems archetype.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 52 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 January 2022

Kelum Jayasinghe, Chandana Wijesinghe, Chaminda Wijethilake and Raj Prasanna

This paper examines how the properties and patterns of a collaborative “networked hierarchy” incident command system (ICS) archetype can provide incident command centres with…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper examines how the properties and patterns of a collaborative “networked hierarchy” incident command system (ICS) archetype can provide incident command centres with extra capabilities to manage public service delivery during COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper illustrates the case of Sri Lanka's COVID-19 administration during its “first wave” (from 15 February to 1 September 2020). Primary data were collected through in-depth interviews with government officials who were directly involved in the administration of the COVID-19 outbreak. Secondary data sources were government publications and web sources. The data were analysed and interpreted by using narrative analysis and archetype theory respectively.

Findings

The findings highlight how Sri Lanka's public sector responses to COVID-19 have followed a collaborative “networked hierarchy” ICS archetype. More specifically, the government changed its normative ICS “properties” by incorporating a diverse group of intergovernmental agencies such as the police, the military, the health service and administrative services by articulating new patterns of collaborative working, namely, organisational values, beliefs and ideas that fit with the Sri Lankan public service context.

Originality/value

In responding to high magnitude healthcare emergencies, the flexibility of a collaborative networked ICS hierarchy enables different balances of organisational properties to be incorporated, such as hierarchy and horizontal networking and “patterns” in public service provision.

Details

Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting & Financial Management, vol. 34 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1096-3367

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 19 October 2021

Irina Anatolevna Krasyuk, Maria Vladimirovna Kolgan and Yuliya Medvedeva

Fundamental changes in economic relations, instability of the market environment in which enterprises operate and increased intensity of competitive influences to obtain better…

2149

Abstract

Purpose

Fundamental changes in economic relations, instability of the market environment in which enterprises operate and increased intensity of competitive influences to obtain better business conditions emphasize the importance of the nature of interaction for all participants of business processes in the distribution channel and the success of the chosen business structure. This circumstance determines the expansion of the content of the ecosystem approach to the organization of enterprise activities and the clarification of the participants' roles in such systems. The purpose of the study is to identify the key features and differences in business models of digital ecosystem participants that are critical to shaping the value of the distribution system.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, within the framework of the theoretical component, the authors analyze conceptual and empirical articles contained in the Web of Science database and also rely on information obtained from the study of articles by Russian academicians in specialized journals, monographs and conference abstracts. Using the method of content analysis, data on enterprises were collected and generalized into cases, which made it possible to propose possible classification properties of enterprise archetypes within the digital ecosystem and to determine the general properties of the objects under study and their interrelations.

Findings

The systematization of results allows us to present a co-competitive activity model for ecosystem participants, depending on their archetype, where they are segmented according to the dominant principle of role and activity within the system. From a practical point of view, the considered classification of the archetypes of recipient enterprises and their economic relations make it possible to structurally visualize a digital ecosystem, which significantly reduces the distance between the consumer of the product/service, the manufacturer and the seller. This reduces the time of delivery and waiting as well as the time to find a suitable option making the market more perfect. The proposed conceptual framework indicates the interdependence of the development of all participants in the product distribution and proves that successful business models take part in the market expansion. Finally, the authors' systematic review of the academic literature results in identifying certain promising directions for future research based on the consideration of open ecosystems with transparent infrastructure.

Research limitations/implications

The results are limited by the authors' sample data and the case study approach. The study does not show the further evolution of the digital ecosystem depending on the set and configurations of ecosystem participants. The authors introduce a possible new classification of archetypes of ecosystem participants and a co-competitive activity model for ecosystem participants depending on these archetypes.

Practical implications

From a practical point of view, the considered classification of the archetypes of recipient enterprises and their economic relations make it possible to structurally visualize a digital ecosystem, which significantly reduces the distance between the consumer of the product/service, the manufacturer and the seller.

Originality/value

From a practical point of view, the considered classification of the archetypes of recipient enterprises and their economic relations makes it possible to structurally visualize a digital ecosystem, which significantly reduces the distance between the consumer of the product or service and the manufacturer or the seller. This reduces the time of delivery and waiting as well as the time to find a suitable option making the market more perfect in this respect.

研究目的

經濟關係作根本性的變化、企業營運的市場環境日趨不穩定、以及為求達致更好的經營狀況,企業不得不面對日益劇烈的競爭,這都清晰顯示了在分銷渠道內、業務過程中,所有參與者之相互作用的性質是必須重視的。同樣地,被採用的企業結構之成效也不可忽視。這情況就決定了企業在如斯的系統裏,對其經營活動的籌劃及參與者角色的闡明會擴大其生態系統方法的內容。本研究擬確定數位生態系統參與者的各商業模式之主要特點及不同之處;而這些商業模式,對分配系統價值之塑造、至關重要。

研究設計/方法/理念

在本文中,我們在理論成分的框架裏,分析在Web of Science 資料庫內概念性和實徵性的文章。我們使用的資料,亦包括取自俄國院士在專業期刊、專著和會議摘要內發表的學術論文。研究人員透過內容分析,收集關於企業的數據,並概括為案例;這樣,研究人員就可以在數位生態系統裏提出企業原型可能的分類屬性,以及能夠判斷研究對象的一般屬性及它們之間的相互關聯。

研究結果

研究結果之系統化,讓我們能夠依賴生態系統參與者的原型,為它們展示一個共同競爭活動模型,而在這模型裏,它們會根據在系統內作用和活動的主導原則而被分割。從實際的角度來看,因受援企業的原型及其經濟關係得到分類,故數位生態系統的結構可被形象化,這可大幅縮短商品或服務的消費者、製造商和銷售者三者之間的距離;這可減少交貨和等候的時間,以及尋找合適選擇所需的時間,使市場更趨完善。被提出之概念性框架顯示了在產物分佈上,所有參與者的發展是相互依賴的;同時,亦證實了成功的商業模式在市場擴展上擔當著一定的角色。最後,我們詳盡而有系統的學術文獻探討,確定了今後研究的某些合適方向,這都是建基於對擁有透明基礎設施的開放生態系統之研究。

研究的局限/啓示

研究結果因樣本數據以及採用了個案研究法而有其局限,研究沒有顯示數位生態系統如何依賴生態系統參與者的設置和配置而進一步進化。我們引進一個生態系統參與者原型的可能新分類,以及仗賴這些原型,為生態系統參與者介紹一個共同競爭活動模型。

實務方面的啓示

從實際的角度來看,因受援企業的原型及其經濟關係得到分類,故數位生態系統的結構可被形象化,這可大幅縮短商品或服務的消費者、製造商和銷售者三者之間的距離。

研究的原創性/價值

從實際的角度來看,因受援企業的原型及其經濟關係得到分類,故數位生態系統的結構可被形象化,這可大幅縮短商品或服務的消費者、製造商和銷售者三者之間的距離;這可減少交貨和等候的時間,以及尋找合適選擇所需的時間,使市場就此而言更趨完善。

Details

European Journal of Management and Business Economics, vol. 31 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2444-8451

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 4000