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| 2. |
- Eriksson, Darek, 1969-, et al.
(författare)
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On the Usefulness of the Ackoff–Gharajedaghi Model of System Types for the Design of Business Systems
- 2004
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Ingår i: Systemic Practice and Action Research. - London : Springer. - 1094-429X .- 1573-9295. ; 17:2, s. 75-81
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Ackoff–Gharajedaghi Model of System Types distinguishes 3 fundamental empirical systems: deterministic, animate, and social, with regard to their purpose. It has been formulated as a meta-model to support understanding, selection, and formulation of management models and theories. It is argued here that this model is also valuable for the interpretation and design of actual, empirical business systems. A study of a malfunctioning business is presented and interpreted with the Ackoff–Gharajedaghi Model, which supports this argument. Additionally, the study shows a pragmatic value of the proposed “Imperative of Goals Alignment” for the design of business systems, which is an operationalization of the Ackoff–Gharajedaghi Model. Furthermore, the investigation illustrates the importance of clear goals and incentives in business design; and it supports the thesis of the Ackoff–Gharajedaghi Model that management models and theories, founded upon empirical observations of deterministic and animate systems, impose limitations on the design of business systems.
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| 3. |
- Haftor, Darek, 1969-, et al.
(författare)
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A framework for the constitution of modelling processes : a proposition
- 2003
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Ingår i: European Journal of Operational Research. - : Elsevier. - 0377-2217 .- 1872-6860. ; 145:1, s. 202-215
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Given that the quality of models significantly affects the outcome of their application, it is important to reflect on the process by which they are actually constructed. This is addressed by the proposed Framework for the Constitution of Modelling Processes, which is presented here along with a few examples of its practical application. This framework is founded on Projective Constructivist Epistemology and provides a generic description of modelling processes, including their purpose, behaviour and structure. The framework may serve as a meta-model for the understanding, classification, use and development of the many different contributions to the field of modelling. Over the past five years, the framework has been actively researched, developed and applied in a variety of practical contexts, including the public, military and business sectors.
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| 4. |
- Haftor, Darek, 1969-, et al.
(författare)
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Multimodal investigation of a business process and information system redesign : a post-implementation case study
- 2001
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Ingår i: Systems research and behavioral science. - London : John Wiley & Sons. - 1092-7026 .- 1099-1743. ; 18:2, s. 181-196
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Multi-modal systems thinking (MST) has emerged in recent years as an alternative scientific paradigm to the more established ones, founded on positivistic, hermeneutic and critical bases, respectively. Among others, MST offers a system researcher and practitioner the multi-modal theory as an analysis and design tool. An attempt to use this is presented in this article. More specifically, a situation where an implementation of a new business process, supported by a new computerized information system, has taken place causing some unpredicted and unwanted consequences is presented. This case is analysed with the help of multi-modal theory, leading to an identification of system design shortcomings. This exercise shows that the employed theory is a powerful tool for construction of multi-perspective models; it provides plausible intelligibility for why unexpected consequences emerged. Further, its use generated some heuristics for future systems modelling, analysis and design. The study also shows that the theory is ambiguous in its application; this in turn calls for its further development and operationalization.
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| 5. |
- Haftor, Darek, 1969-
(författare)
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An Identification of Normative Sources for Systems Thinking : an Inquiry into Religious Ground-Motives for Systems Thinking Paradigms
- 2003
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Ingår i: Systems research and behavioral science. - London : John Wiley & Sons. - 1092-7026 .- 1099-1743. ; 20:6, s. 475-487
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In celebration of C. West Churchman's work, this article investigates one of the most cherished endeavours of his thinking: to provide a normative meaning for the conduct of human affiars. Churchman has always emphasized ‘What-Ought-To-Be’, at the expense of the ‘What-Is’. To achieve this purpose, four Systems Thinking paradigms, namely Hard Systems Thinking, Soft Systems Thinking, Critical Systems Thinking, and Multimodal Systems Thinking, are investigated with regard to their foundations for normative guidance. This investigation is made by identifying their respective basic convictions in the form of so-called ‘religious ground-motives’, which are based on the assumption that all human thinking and acting starts with a credal conviction, be it Christian, Jew, Islamic, Buddhist, or other. As a result it is found that these systems thinking paradigms are either founded on an inherent contradiction or provide a normative foundation that lacks a social contract for their implementation, and therefore these paradigms do not provide a stable and satisfactory normative guidance for system design.Note: The key claim of this author is that, to be normative, an ethical theory must be grounded in a transcendental justification which is based on some religious faith. The opinions presented in this paper are strictly the author's, who does not claim that his beliefs have more merit or are more ethical than those of any competitive faiths.
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| 6. |
- Haftor, Darek, 1969-
(författare)
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Making a Useful ‘Model’ for Managers : A Projective Constructivist Account
- 2004
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Ingår i: Philosophy of Management. - : Libri Publishing. - 1740-3812 .- 2052-9597. ; 4:2, s. 19-34
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Models and modelling are central not only to management but to all human affairs. Models providegrounds for decision making and action-taking. This paper investigates the concept of ‘model’, showingthat the conventional notion of a model as understood in management science, a notion founded onpositivism and realism, is insufficient for the complex practical needs of management models. To remedythis situation, an alternative notion founded on Projective Constructivist Epistemology (PCE) isproposed. Some of the implications of the new notion for modelling practice and model validation are alsodiscussed. The new notion results from theoretical investigations and empirical experience gleaned over thelast five years in public-sector, military and business contexts. The paper concludes with a brief discussionof areas that might merit investigation in the future.
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