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One of the great challenges we face today is coming to grips with "forces of power/' in both theoretical and methodological terms, in a way that prepares us for action—action that is not totally subject to existing forces. The literature has some excellent theoretical accounts of power, but these say little about what we should do. Most often they are abstract and out of reach of all but a select few. In this book, however, we have a clear-cut account of power, ideology, and control that paves the way for practic- minded people to make a genuine attempt at tackling issues of power on both organizational and societal levels. John C. Oliga suggests a division between what he calls "objectivist," "subjectivist," and "relational" perspectives. With objectivism, he refers to theories that focus on power as capacities located in social structures. These tend to be either synergistic (e.g., Parsonian collective) or conflictual (e.g., Marxian conflictual view) theoretical orientations. With subjectivism he discusses theories that focus on power possessed by agents. With rela tional approaches he places theories that conceive power as a property of interaction among social forces.
Metadecisions: Rehabilitating Epistemology constitutes an epistemological inquiry about the foundations of knowledge of a scientific discipline. This text warns contemporary scientific disciplines that neglecting epistemological issues threatens the viability of their pronouncements and designs. It shows that the processes by which complex artefacts are created require a pluralistic approach to artefact design. It argues that viable solutions to fundamental problems in each discipline require cooperation, creativity and respect for contributions from all walks of life, all levels of logic and all standards of rigor - be they in the natural sciences, the social sciences, engineering sciences,...
The author of this volume explores questions of mind, reality, knowledge and signification in a provocative, stimulating and humorous way. Drawing on various domains such as systems research, semiotics, philosophy, and complexity sciences, he touches basic questions of our Being-in-the-World as cognate creatures, and presents a novel theory of the mind as a boundary phenomenon.
Learn how to compete in international markets! The nature of business has changed, and Global Marketing Co-Operation and Networks explains how and why former competitors are now joining forces. Exploring co-operation, networks, and internationalization, this collection provides you with an indispensable framework for grasping the ongoing changes in global business. In addition, it includes a new, broad-based theory of international entrepreneurship that will help you master the intricacies of global marketing. Global Marketing Co-Operation and Networks features both empirical research and conceptual studies. It provides you with important research findings about the impact of internationaliz...
This book aims to rethink systemic intervention to enhance its relevance for supporting social change in the 21st century. It offers a new systems philosophy and methodology, focusing upon the fundamental importance of exploring value and boundary judgements as part of the intervention process. It includes four detailed examples of the practice of systemic intervention.
The term "sustainability" has entered the lexicon of many academic disciplines and fields of professional practice, but to date does not appear to have been seriously consid ered within the systems community unless, perhaps, under other guises. Within the wider community there is no consensus around what sustainability means with some authors identifying 70 to 100 definitions of the term. Some see sustainability as the precise and quantifiable outcomes of biological systems whilst others see it in terms of processes rele vant to personal and organizational change with the potential to effect changes in our rela tionships with out environments. Internationally it has been increasingly used in...
Entrepreneurs are now internationalising, and many more are likely to internationalise in the future. Yet, most small firms expand in an opportunistic fashion, because entrepreneurs seldom have the time and resources to gather reliable data about opportunities in foreign countries. Leo-Paul Dana has conducted extensive international field research with a view to compiling key information on the business environment throughout Pacific Asia. Thus, the book is not just another “how to” guide. It reflects what is happening in an important region of our global economy. With this book, businessmen and business analysts, investors, academics and business students will gain invaluable insights into the conditions and opportunities for enterprise in these countries in this region. Request Inspection Copy
In this original text/reference, Bela H. Banathy discusses a broad range of design approaches, models, methods, and tools, together with the theoretical and philosophical bases of social systems design. he explores the existing knowledge bases of systems design; introduces and integrates concepts from other fields that contribute to design thinking and practice; and thoroughly explains how competence in social systems design empowers people to direct their progress and create a truly participative democracy. Based on advanced learning theory and practice, the text's material is enhanced by helpful diagrams that illustrate novel concepts and problem sets that allow readers to apply these concepts.
This introductory text provides a comprehensive and detailed introduction to the theory and practice of quality in the context of 20th century management thinking. Intended primarily for students the text will also be of assistance to practising managers. Key features include: * a complete introduction to quality * an in-depth review of the work of the Quality Guru's methods, tools and techniques * international case studies drawing on public and private sectors * coverage of features both service and manufacturing industry * a Tutor Guide of OHP bases * case studies, summarized key learning points and assignment questions.
Sociopolitical Ecology introduces the concept of `ecological field' to replace that of `ecosystem' and extends the boundaries of self-referential systems to a new, more complex level of analysis. Ecological field refers to an overarching system that contains many self-referential (or autopoietic) systems that interact in a common space, with human beings placed squarely in the middle of all natural ecological networks. The focus of this fascinating study is the interlocking pattern of relations among human beings within an ecological field - what the author designates as `sociopolitical ecology'. The book argues that most societies are not self-contained systems, but rather ecological fields, that is complexes of several interacting systems.