Abstract
Language | English |
---|---|
Pages | 723-728 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of the Operational Research Society |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 8 |
Publication status | Published - Aug 1983 |
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Keywords
- halfway
- infinity
- systems theorizing
- practitioners
- transactional mind
- framework for thinking
- systems theory
- rational mind
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Halfway to infinity : systems theorizing for the practitioners. / Eden, Colin; Graham, Robert.
In: Journal of the Operational Research Society, Vol. 34, No. 8, 08.1983, p. 723-728.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Halfway to infinity
T2 - Journal of Operational Research Society
AU - Eden, Colin
AU - Graham, Robert
PY - 1983/8
Y1 - 1983/8
N2 - Systems theory is seen as stressing the rational mind (what we think about) to the detriment of the transactional mind (which we use day-to-day). This stress can be harmful to practitioners who must work in practical, transactional worlds. Rather than attempting to be infinitely rational, we propose a position halfway to infinity-rational and transactional combined. Much of systems theory is pleasing to hear and difficult to contradict. Much of the theory is about design of systems, but it is in the often non-rational process of implementation that the real system emerges. Also the theory tells us about systems but not how to identify the `correct' system that our O.R. efforts are impacting. The theory also tells about complexity, but the tools presented for handling it do not seem related to the theory. The halfway position is to build a body of contingent theory from reflection on experience, using systems theory as a framework for thinking rather than a guide for action.
AB - Systems theory is seen as stressing the rational mind (what we think about) to the detriment of the transactional mind (which we use day-to-day). This stress can be harmful to practitioners who must work in practical, transactional worlds. Rather than attempting to be infinitely rational, we propose a position halfway to infinity-rational and transactional combined. Much of systems theory is pleasing to hear and difficult to contradict. Much of the theory is about design of systems, but it is in the often non-rational process of implementation that the real system emerges. Also the theory tells us about systems but not how to identify the `correct' system that our O.R. efforts are impacting. The theory also tells about complexity, but the tools presented for handling it do not seem related to the theory. The halfway position is to build a body of contingent theory from reflection on experience, using systems theory as a framework for thinking rather than a guide for action.
KW - halfway
KW - infinity
KW - systems theorizing
KW - practitioners
KW - transactional mind
KW - framework for thinking
KW - systems theory
KW - rational mind
UR - http://www.jstor.org/stable/2581706
M3 - Article
VL - 34
SP - 723
EP - 728
JO - Journal of Operational Research Society
JF - Journal of Operational Research Society
SN - 0160-5682
IS - 8
ER -