by Michael C. Jackson (Author)

Jackson's 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. 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 'critical systems practice' which demonstrates how other systems methodologies, model and methods can be used in combination.

Creative Problem Solving is comprehensive in scope, offering a brief introduction to all main 'holistic approaches to management' and demonstrating, with case studies, how each is used in practice. This straightforward and clear text from an established author in the field will be welcomed by students and academics as the 'new' Creative Problem Solving - a comprehensive, practical guide to a potentially difficult subject.

Front Jacket

Systems Thinking is holistic. Its focus is on ensuring that the parts of the organization function properly together to serve the needs of the whole. It is also creative, because its development has produced a range of approaches that can be used in powerful combinations. Indeed, being systemic increasingly means resolving problems from multi-viewpoints and using multi-techniques. 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:

Hard Systems Thinking

System Dynamics

Organizational Cybernetics

Complexity Theory

SAST

Interactive Planning

Soft Systems Methodology

Critical Systems Heuristics

Team Syntegrity

Postmodern Systems Thinking

Total Systems Intervention

Critical Systems Practice

Back Jacket

Systems Thinking is holistic. Its focus is on ensuring that the parts of the organization function properly together to serve the needs of the whole. It is also creative, because its development has produced a range of approaches that can be used in powerful combinations. Indeed, being systemic increasingly means resolving problems from multi-viewpoints and using multi-techniques. 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:

• Hard Systems Thinking
• System Dynamics
• Organizational Cybernetics
• Complexity Theory
• SAST
• Interactive Planning
• Soft Systems Methodology
• Critical Systems Heuristics
• Team Syntegrity
• Postmodern Systems Thinking
• Total Systems Intervention
• Critical Systems Practice

Author Biography

About the Author

Michael C. Jackson graduated from Oxford University and has since worked in public sector management, in academia, and as a consultant. He is Professor of Management Systems at the University of Hull, United Kingdom, and Director of its business school. Mike is author of Systems Methodology for the Management Sciences, Plenum, 1991; Creative Problem Solving, Wiley, 1991 (with R.L. Flood); Systems Approaches to Management, Kluwer/Plenum, 2000; and numerous articles in academic and professional journals, including some of the most cited in the field. He is also editor-in-chief of Systems Research and Behavioral Science and associate editor of Systems Practice and Action Research. Mike has been Chair of the UK Systems Society and President of the International Federation for Systems Research and the International Society for the Systems Sciences. His work has been translated into six languages and he has given invited lectures in over twenty countries. He is a Fellow of the British Computer Society, the Chartered Management Institute, and the Cybernetics Society.

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