How to tease out the complex dynamics of systems change. Too often, todays managers are sold simple solutions to complex pr. Creative holism for managers stems from the emphasis placed, as we have already discussed, on the creative use of systems approaches. Finally, in a short conclusion he sums up creative holism, which he says is a new development in systems thinking which wants to provide managers with the joint benefits of holism and creativity so that they can do their jobs better. Wolfgang hofkirchner, president, bertalanffy center for. Creative problem solving is comprehensive in scope, offering a brief introduction to all main holistic approaches to management and demonstrating, with case. Processoriented thinking, holism, strategic thinking, system thinking creative thinking, understanding the complexity type investigating the causes of complexity.
Managers and leaders to take advantage of various subjective thinking features and capabilities including. Creativity is made possible by this book because it presents a full range of systems approaches and discusses how they can be used together. Systems thinking creative holism for managers issuu. Nov 14, 2003 in all cases you will achieve competency in creative holism, emerge better equipped to solve complex problems, and ultimately become a more effective systems thinking manager.
This book is different from existing texts in the systems field it provides a clear. And if you are expert in some approaches but not in others, then it will expand your knowledge and provide you with more choice. Save up to 80% by choosing the etextbook option for isbn. Creative holism for managers 1st edition by michael c. By karl north w ell never be able to go back again to the way we used to think. You will also be able to use the book as a guide to further reading about systems thinking. The best introduction to the breadth of systems thinking you will find anywhere. Management and organizational complexity sciencedirect. Managers, although increasingly interested in systems thinking, have reached di. I used this text for an advanced course on systems science, but also have used it for introductory courses as well. Despite apparent promise, quickfix panaceas fail because they are not holistic or creative enough. The format is excellent and shows the strengths and limitations of many different types of systems thinking rather than treating it as a singular thing. It is also creative, because its development has produced a range of approaches that can be used in powerful combinations. Finally, in a short conclusion he sums up creative holism, which he says is a new development in systems thinking which wants to provide managers with the.
But, as many soon discover, simplicity is rarely effective in the face of complexity, change and diversity. Systems thinking creative holism for managers emerald insight. Systems thinking creative holism for managers 1st edition. Jackson mentions that an inspiration for his work was the success of an earlier work by flood and himself, the well known creative problem solving. Creative holism for managers, jackson systems thinking creative holism for manager. Placing a central emphasis on such creative holism, this groundbreaking book draws on a host of examples to cover the development, implementation and integration of all major systems approaches.
Too often, todays managers are sold simple solutions to complex problems. T he insight that the world functions in complex, interdependent wholes drives a growing revolution in the way people are examining, understanding, and trying to manage our. Jackson the business school, university of hull, cottingham road, hull, uk. In all cases you will achieve competency in creative holism, emerge better equipped to solve complex problems, and ultimately become a more effective systems thinking manager. Mike jackson also discusses this to some extent in his book. Creative holism for managers has 1 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace. Systems concepts in action provides a toolbox of methods for harnessing systemic thinking to instigate custom tailored, creative solutions. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. Jacksons new book responds to the growing interest in systems ideas and their application, and builds on the success of his previous work with bob flood creative problem solving. Systems thinking creative holism for managers emerald. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. Citeseerx document details isaac councill, lee giles, pradeep teregowda. If you ever felt that systems theory is abstract and noninstructive, then have a read.
In a grand conclusion, jackson claims that creative holisma new development in systems thinkingwants to provide managers with the joint benefits of holism and creativity so that they can do their jobs better. Oct 23, 2003 in all cases you will achieve competency in creative holism, emerge better equipped to solve complex problems, and ultimately become a more effective systems thinking manager. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. But as many soon discover, simplicity is rarely effective in the face. Rent systems thinking creative holism for managers 1st edition 9780470845226 and save up to 80% on textbook rentals and 90% on used textbooks. Jackson too often, todays managers are sold simple solutions to complex problems. It does not try to break down organizations into parts in order to understand them and intervene in them. Its focus is on ensuring that the parts of the organization function properly together to serve the needs of the whole. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
If you are a manager or someone aspiring to be a manager, at whatever stage you are in your study of systems thinking, this book is designed to systems thinking. Systems thinking is the discipline for discerning relationships and context that are not obvious. What are the best introductory books on systems thinking. This is an important aspect to be covered, as many assume that systems must be technical and rigid. It proves that systems thinking has come a long way from its modest beginnings of 50 years ago. But as many soon discover, simplicity is rarely effective in the face of complexity, change and diversity.
Holism puts the study of wholes before that of the parts. More generally critical systems thinkers have been attacking the concept of the system for understanding the organisational world and have been attempting to find something better. Among the solutions that can be used in complex organizations are. Indeed, being systemic increasingly means resolving problems from multiviewpoints and using multitechniques. This is followed by a look at applying systems thinking and in particular the creative nature of developments over the last couple of decades. This book is different from existing texts in the systems field it provides a clear introduction to the origins of systems thinking, concepts and the development of applied systems thinking and offers an account of. This book emanates from the business school at the university of hull, uk and is written by professor michael jackson who is well known for his contributions to management systems and to. Studystore systems thinking creative holism for managers. Nov 25, 2014 absolutely start with the fifth discipline by senge. Creative holism evolved with critical systems thinking cst its philosophy and theory, and critical systems practice csp the latest version of its metamethodology of practice. Creative holism for managers 9780470845226 by jackson, michael c.
If you want more technical systems theory, systems thinking. What are the best introductory books on systems thinking, and. Contents preface introduction part i holism and systems practice 1 the systems language 2 applied systems thinking 3 creativity and systems part ii systems approaches type a improving goal seeking and viability 4 hard systems thinking. Systems thinking michael c jackson bok 9780470845226. Unique focus on creative holism the employment of different systems approaches in powerful creative combinations michael c jackson was awarded obe in the 2010 new year honours list for services to higher education and to business.
Michael c jackson systems thinking, systems practice whether by design, accident or merely synchronicity, checkland appears to have developed a habit of writing seminal publications near the start of each decade. Creative holism for managers too often, todays managers are sold simple solutions to complex problems. Sep 01, 2004 creative holism, which covers total systems intervention. This book is different from existing texts in the systems field. Absolutely start with the fifth discipline by senge. Wolfgang hofkirchner, president, bertalanffy center for the study of systems science, vienna. Creative holism for managers by jackson, michael c. They focus on parts of the organization rather than the whole, take little account of interaction, and pander to. A critical systems approach to complex problem situations michael c.
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