CRITICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SYSTEMS THINKING AND PRACTICE

This paper is concerned with the development of 'Systems Thinking.' In particular, it considers and critiques 'traditional Systems Thinking' within the framework of Critical Systems Thinking. Before embarking o n such a venture it is necessary to derive a base context from which t o develop argument and analysis. Therefore the outline of this paper i s as follows: A contextual setting for Systems Thinking, Theoretical C onsiderations, Soft Systems Thinking and Methodology, and A Critical S ystems Thinking (CST) approach. The account of the development of Syst ems Thinking is followed by a synopsis of a theoretical framework for Systems Thinking which will allow us to gain an understanding of conte mporary views. The paper then goes on to review SSM and CST in order t o provide a platform for a critique of traditional forms of Systems Th inking. The final section briefly discusses the applicability of CST t o the 'real-world' context by outlining some current studies being und ertaken by the author.