Vision and Relations: Elements for an Entrepreneurial Metamodel

Author(s):  
Louis Jacques Filion

Dr LOUIS JACQUES FILION WAS UNTIL recently director of the Master's programme in Small Business at the University of Quebec at Trois Rivieres. He has recently been appointed director of training and research at the Heart of Quebec Enterpreneurship Center attached to the same university. This research is based on a smaple of 59 enterpreneurs-51 in small firms and eight in large firms from five countries. The implict systemic model of each enterpreneur was mapped using the soft systems methodology developed by Peter Checkland at the University of Lancaster in Britain. Data was gathered through in-depth interviews with the enterpreneurs themselves and,in most cases, teh people around them. The metamodel presetned tin this paper is a result of superimposing the models derived from each enterpreneur studied. This model implies three categories of vision: emerging, central and secondary. Following presentation and explanation of each category, a visionary process is proposed, based on the study and analysis of what enterpreneur do. The main factor supporting both teh development of teh vision and visionary achievement seems to be the enterpreneur's relations systems. Although it is the man factor as far the development of the vision is concrened, theree otehr factors also contribute to the visionary process: leadership, energy and the perceptive system conditioned by each individual's own values. this latter is introduced as the concept of Weltancschauung. A visionary process presetns an interest for enterpreneurial activites as it offers as framework for reflection and actions. It also offers a way for the enterpreneurs to integrate a tam into what he is doing.

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-96
Author(s):  
Beni Rudiawan ◽  
Amarulla Octavian ◽  
Rizerius Eko Hadi Sancoko ◽  
Wayan Nuriada ◽  
Buddy Suseto ◽  
...  

The problem of the High Social Gap in Papua which is the cause of marginalization and discrimination against the Papuan people, as well as the different perceptions of some Indonesians at home and abroad towards armed separatist conflicts are push factors to corner the Indonesian government. In addition, the issue of internationalization of the 1969 referendum mechanism, violations of Human Rights (HAM), and the management of Natural Resources (SDA) by multinational companies that do not have an impact on improving the welfare of the Papuan people also complement the government's opinion of failure. Against the background of these problems, this study uses a quasi-qualitative research method and an exploratory approach with soft systems methodology (SSM) as a data analysis technique to answer the formulation of the problem and research questions. Research data were collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGD), in-depth interviews, and direct discussions with various informants (academics, practitioners, bureaucracy, and community leaders), plus a literature review as secondary data. The results of this study recommend the development of an Integrated Food Estate (IFE) in stages according to customary areas in Papua, which will indirectly support the realization of Territorial Resilience and the Universal Defense System (Sishta). Furthermore, to ensure that all these processes are carried out properly and continuously, this study recommends the establishment of an Integrated Solution Center (ISC). With the implementation of these recommendations, it is hoped that the peaceful and prosperous Papuan people will soon be realized.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 256-274
Author(s):  
Jenny Gilbert ◽  
Simon Pratt-Adams

Demand for a radical overhaul of teacher education in Kosovo led one Faculty of Education to modernize and improve the university-based preparation of teachers, and so deliver a new competence-based school curriculum. Moving to this learner-centered model of education required transformation in the culture of teacher educators. In order to evaluate the efforts to effect this cultural change, we adopted an unusual action research method, Soft Systems Methodology that recognizes the varying aims and perceptions of stakeholders. These data were holistically captured with the use of metaphors addressing what needs to be done and how things have happened.


Kybernetes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Stowell

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between Husserl’s phenomenology and soft systems. An important idea arising from the action research programme at the University of Lancaster is the notion of soft systems. The concept of soft systems, that distinguished it from other systems (holistic) thinking of the time, was the conscious link between soft systems thinking and phenomenology. Phenomenology is that the realm of intentional consciousness that enables the phenomenologist to develop a radically unprejudiced justification of his (or her) basic views of the world and of himself and explore their rational interconnections. Similarly, in soft systems, it is acknowledged that reality is formed by sensation and fashioned by experience. It is not exclusively a process of thought (although this may shape how we process our experience), for us the world exists as the result of a subjective appreciation of it. In Part 1, the author explores how phenomenology informs soft systems theory and practice through the work of Husserl and some of those that influenced him and were influenced by him. In Part 2, the author explores a possible relationship between Husserl and Gadamer as a possible intellectual grounding for organisational inquiry. Design/methodology/approach The research was conducted by examining published material relating to the development of soft systems ideas and Husserl's phenomenology. Findings An analysis of the ideas within the material suggests that phenomenology can be considered as a underpinning the notion of soft systems Research limitations/implications There is difficulty tracking down important papers that recorded the development of soft systems (i.e. 1970–1990) as Lancaster University had disposed of all issues. However, the author tracked down a source and was able to use this material as part of the research. In addition to helping research the origins of the idea, it also provides a paper trail for other researchers interested in these ideas. Practical implications Tracing the published material relating to soft systems necessitated visits to several universities as many of the important papers where no longer held by the University of Lancaster library. Social implications It seems apposite that the ideas behind soft systems are resurrected as they offer an alternative way of thinking about complexity – which the modern world seems increasingly creating Originality/value There is a lack of research into soft systems as the publications describing the Lancaster research programme have centred around soft systems methodology (SSM). Checkland remarked a decade or so ago that said SSM should be taken as given and other ideas explored. There is little evidence that the soft ideas have been explored outside variations of SSM, this paper is intended to encourage more research into ‘soft’ systems.


2003 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sely M.S. Costa

Este trabalho descreve a aplicação da Metodologia de Sistemas Flexíveis - Soft Systems Methodology a um programa de mudança organizacional no Departamento de Ciência da Informação da Universidade de Brasília. A metodologia em questão foi desenvolvida por Peter Checkland, como alternativa às metodologias de sistemas rígidos, como a pesquisa operacional. Tem sido aplicada nas mais diversificadas situações, entre outras, para projetos relacionados com situações-problema que ocorrem em organizações. Mais recentemente, aplicou-se com freqüência em pesquisas acadêmicas na área de Ciência da Informação, especialmente na Inglaterra, e agora, no Brasil, onde o Soft Systems Methodology foi introduzido como disciplina específica do programa de pós-graduação do Departamento de Ciência da Informação da Universidade de Brasília e da orientação de teses e dissertações. Este trabalho discute a Soft Systems Methodology e seus fundamentos, assim como a experiência de seu ensino na pós-graduação e sua aplicação em problemas da Ciência da Informação. A Soft Systems Methodology consiste de sete estágios e faz uso de ferramentas específicas, sendo fundamentada na abordagem sistêmica, na fenomenologia e na Pesquisa-Ação. Este trabalho descreve ainda, a partir do levantamento bibliográfico sobre o Soft Systems Methodology, a organização do conteúdo programático da disciplina, atendendo a alunos de mestrado e doutorado em Ciência da Informação, e a observação sistemática, tanto das percepções dos alunos e suas reações relativas à disciplina durante todo o período letivo, quanto da aplicação da Soft Systems Methodology em situações-problema reais. Incluem-se na discussão as ações desenvolvidas visando melhor interação entre alunos de graduação, bolsistas do PIBIC, e alunos de pós-graduação do citado departamento, cujo perfil educacional e profissional era variado: Engenharia, Ciência da Computação, Ciência da Informação e Administração. A interação entre graduandos e pós-graduandos levou a uma aproximação efetiva entre os dois âmbitos do depto. A metodologia e sua aplicação no programa acadêmico de Ciência da Informação despertaram grande interesse e motivação, além de contribuir para os conhecimentos da área e para sua interdisciplinaridade - não só pelo corpo teórico em que se baseia, como também pela mencionada diversidade dos alunos. Tal diversidade permitiu criar-se uma variedade de situações em que se aplicou a metodologia. Conclui-se que a Soft Systems Methodology é alternativa viável e adequada ao tratamento de diversos problemas, além de contribuir significativamente ao corpo de conhecimentos da Ciência da Informação.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-99
Author(s):  
Lewis Tsuro ◽  
Stan Hardman

The Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) was developed as a set of tools for identifying and making incremental steps to improve situations with poorly defined causes or solutions. The supply chain forms a key process of any construction project; however, on any given construction site, supply chain inefficiencies could arise from many different avenues. Opinions vary, though, on which of these avenues is more important for increasing supply chain efficiencies; whether any problem even exist across the different aspects of the supply chain; as well as what steps should be taken to resolve them. It was therefore studied, here, whether SSM could be employed as a useful tool to systematically apply in the supply chains of a construction project in South Africa, for understanding and targeting the problematic situations that arise. Following thorough cyclical open-ended interviews with 17 workers, supervisors, foremen, site clerks, senior managers, and the CEO of the principal contractor at a new office park construction project in Rosebank, Johannesburg, and a thematic analysis of the data, SSM was performed to understand the existing challenges, and develop a suitable model for improvement. The study found that SSM was a good tool for understanding the ‘messy’ circumstances surrounding the chosen construction project supply chain, as well as actions that could be taken to improve the supply chain’s efficiency on site. The findings add weight to the argument that SSM could be a good tool for project managers to systematically introduce into their project planning regimens


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document