Large Scale Systemic Change

We face a world of increasing turbulence and uncertainty. As a result, social systems at every level including countries, government institutions, business organisations, labour and civil society have to operate in situations of high causal ambiguity and complexity. This is a world characterised by turmoil, conflict, and seemingly insurmountable social, technological, political and ecological problems. It is a world where cause and effect are not easily separated in space and time, where problem-solving approaches relying on knowledge and skills from individual disciplines is incapable of addressing multi-faceted problems and difficulties, and our attempts at problem solving and improvement are short-lived resulting in transitory change accompanied by more problems and unintended consequences. It is therefore imperative that academics, executives, professionals, managers and other practitioners be equipped with conceptual tools, methodologies, and practices for working under such conditions. Conventional analytical approaches (though useful) are insufficient to handle high levels of complexity, mutual and circular causality and inter-dependence. There is a need for more holistic, pluralistic and participatory approaches in order to survive in a highly interconnected, complex, turbulent environment. This calls for a shift in understanding and working with complexity. It requires a trans-disciplinary mindset, a focus on wholism as opposed to reductionism, a people-centered value orientation, a blend of analytical skills with synthesis, the rationality of science combined with intuitive understanding and appreciation of the art of being human, and a posture of intellectual humility that promotes collective endeavours in learning, living, relating and working in a complex world. The main purpose of this book, which consists of thirteen double blind peer reviewed chapters, is to draw on systems thinking and complexity theory to present and develop theoretical frameworks, conceptual models, methodologies and practical techniques to promote the understanding of complex systems, and to identify ways of intervening to bring about systemic change for improvement. These will apply to all kinds of social systems and organisations, and hence will be appropriate for public sector organisations, corporations, non-government institutions and civil society in general.