Revisiting the Social Reality Implied by Soft Systems Methodology

Luke Houghton; Paul W J Ledington

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Revisiting the Social Reality Implied by Soft Systems Methodology

Conference paper

Peer reviewed

Revisiting the Social Reality Implied by Soft Systems Methodology

Luke Houghton and Paul W J Ledington

Proceedings of the 7th Annual ANZSYS Conference, pp.83-94

Annual ANZSYS Conference: Systems in Management: The relevance of systems thinking in the contemporary world, 7th (Perth, Australia, 27-Nov-2001–28-Nov-2001)

Edith Cowan University

2001

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http://ro.ecu.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7894&context=ecuworksView

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Abstract

Information Systems

soft systems methodology

social reality

critical systems

It is 20 years since the first discussions of the social reality implied by Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) attempted to lay the foundation for the development of Critical Systems Theory. Yet SSM itself has progressed dramatically since those first critiques of its underpinning social theory were first developed. The contention of this paper is that revisiting this area will reveal both weaknesses in the original analyses and show how the development of SSM has been affected. Revisiting the area also provides a focus for considering new directions for research and development. SSM is introduced and examined according to the primary literature and reevaluated using Burrell and Morgan 's four-paradigm matrix in order to understand the social reality implied by SSM The rest of the paper examines the criticisms of SSM, the recent evolution of SSM, and suggests fature directions for SSMs development.

Details

Title: Revisiting the Social Reality Implied by Soft Systems Methodology
Authors: Luke Houghton (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Business
Paul W J Ledington (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Business
Contributors: W Hutchinson (Editor)
M Warren (Editor)
Publication details: Proceedings of the 7th Annual ANZSYS Conference, pp.83-94
Conference details: Annual ANZSYS Conference: Systems in Management: The relevance of systems thinking in the contemporary world, 7th (Perth, Australia, 27-Nov-2001–28-Nov-2001)
Publisher: Edith Cowan University
Date published: 2001
ISBN: 072980550X
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450578002621
Output Type: Conference paper

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