Critical Systems Thinking: A Creative Approach to Organizational Change

Abstract

This article argues that change initiatives often fail to meet anticipated objectives as a result of change approaches not being holistic or creative enough. The study takes the position that managers must adopt a systemic approach, based on the creative use of different systems methodologies and methods and explains how critical systems thinking can provide a creative approach to organizational change. Critical systems thinking, through its commitments to critical awareness, improvement, and methodological pluralism, provides a way of being both holistic and creative at the same time, and could therefore provide a suitable alternative to change approaches. Viewing the problem situation from a holistic perspective, adopting systems concepts and perspectives, and being creative in the choice and use of methodologies and methods will provide a new approach to organizational change and make a significant contribution to improving organizational performance.

KEYWORDS:

• creativity
• critical systems thinking
• holism
• organizational change