Group relations conferences in China 2014 to 2019: theory and dynamics

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Seth Harkins ◽  
Xiaohua Lu
Keyword(s):  
Systems Theory ◽  
Open Systems ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Cultural Learning ◽  
Organisational Development ◽  
Group Relations ◽  
Open Systems Theory ◽  
Field Notes ◽  
Learning Institutions

This is a longitudinal inquiry into the theory and dynamics of four group relations conferences in China from 2014 to 2019. The study triangulates field notes, document artefacts, and verbatim transcribed interviews to investigate the application of Wilfred Bion's basic assumption (BA) group theory in the context of temporary learning institutions devoted to the examination of authority, leadership, and conscious/unconscious processes in groups. Given that group relations theory and practice in the Tavistock tradition is grounded in psychoanalysis and open systems theory, the study integrates psychoanalytic and psychodynamic systems theory in the analysis and interpretation of conference dynamics. The study concludes that group relations has important implications for psychoanalysis in China in light of: 1) the "psycho boom" in contemporary China; 2) the possibilities of cross-cultural learning and knowledge transfer; 3) cross-cultural trust building; 4) professional development of human services, mental health, and organisational development professionals; and 5) the application of psychoanalytical theory and practices to the understanding of organisational development in China.

scholarly journals Transforming Conflict: A Group Relations Perspective

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy Wallach
Keyword(s):  
Systems Theory ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Open Systems ◽  
Psychoanalytic Theory ◽  
Conflict Transformation ◽  
Human Condition ◽  
Group Relations ◽  
Open Systems Theory ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Role Boundaries

This article offers a group relations perspective of conflict and conflict transformation and explores how conflict manifests on the individual, interpersonal, group, and inter-group levels. Conflict and aggression are defined as normal aspects of the human condition. Current theories and practices in the field of conflict transformation tend to be more rationally based. The author uses concepts from psychoanalytic theory, such as defense mechanisms; and concepts from open systems theory, such as task, role, boundaries, and authority, to argue that in order to transform conflict, it is essential to understand the non-rational and often unconscious emotional elements that operate in groups and systems.

scholarly journals Category Theory for Autonomous and Networked Dynamical Systems

Entropy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Charles Delvenne
Keyword(s):  
Dynamical Systems ◽  
Systems Theory ◽  
Ergodic Theory ◽  
Category Theory ◽  
Open Systems ◽  
Topological Dynamics ◽  
Control Problems ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
Discussion Paper ◽  
Open Systems Theory

In this discussion paper we argue that category theory may play a useful role in formulating, and perhaps proving, results in ergodic theory, topogical dynamics and open systems theory (control theory). As examples, we show how to characterize Kolmogorov–Sinai, Shannon entropy and topological entropy as the unique functors to the nonnegative reals satisfying some natural conditions. We also provide a purely categorical proof of the existence of the maximal equicontinuous factor in topological dynamics. We then show how to define open systems (that can interact with their environment), interconnect them, and define control problems for them in a unified way.

Extending the Tavistock model: bringing desire, danger, dread, and excitement into a theory of organisational process

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-133
Author(s):  
Larry Hirschhorn
Keyword(s):  
Systems Theory ◽  
Open Systems ◽  
Classical Model ◽  
Public Domain ◽  
The Public ◽  
Psychosocial Experiences ◽  
Open Systems Theory ◽  
The Future ◽  
Case Vignettes ◽  
Organisational Process

This article develops some novel extensions of the classical Tavistock model of organisational psychodynamics. The classical model privileges the emotion of anxiety as the primary trigger for psychosocial experiences in organisations. While this approach has been very generative, it has also been limiting, since there are several other important emotions that shape how people take up their work and their roles in organisations. The article shows how open systems theory and sociotechnical thinking emerge logically from the anxiety model by highlighting how organisations become functional, and work becomes satisfying. The article goes on to explore how desire as a feeling for the future, stimulates such feelings as danger, dread, and excitement. When these feelings become dispositive, they generate experiences associated with anxiety, and the primary risk, as well as the potential for developmental politics. Politics can be developmental rather than defensive when executives create settings where conflict is seen as transaction and rationality as an achievement. This article explores these issues through the use of case vignettes in the public domain, including a skunk works project in Data General, and leadership struggles and strategy dilemmas in Apple, IBM, and Polaroid.

scholarly journals Entrepreneurial ecosystems: A study of organizational interactions and interrelations in entrepreneurial ecosystems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Yoseph S. Ayele
Keyword(s):  
Open Systems ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Management Theory ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Unit Of Analysis ◽  
Open Systems Theory ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystems ◽  
The World ◽  
Ecosystem Level ◽  
Business And Management

<p>Entrepreneurial ecosystems are emerging around the world, and their relevance in business and management is increasing. Practitioners and researchers are using biological metaphors to understand collaborative aspects of entrepreneurial ecosystems. This thesis explores the use of bio-ecological metaphors to study interactions and interrelations taking place in entrepreneurial ecosystems. Specifically, it examines the characteristics of an ecosystem that influence interactions and interrelations within ecosystems. This thesis is part of a qualitative ethnographic research that employs an inductive approach to data analyses. It studies a New Zealand based ecosystem and presents findings on three characteristics that influence interactions and interrelations in ecosystems: interdependence, diversity, and organizational birth and death cycles. In doing so, this thesis makes a number of contributions to management theory and practice. Firstly, it combines aspects of organizational ecology and open-systems theory to develop an ecosystem-level unit of analysis. By using an ecosystem lens, researchers can better observe collaborative aspects of organizations. Secondly, findings suggest that increasing the degree of interdependency and diversity and facilitating organizational birth and death cycles can enhance levels of interaction and interrelations in ecosystems. This implies that more skills, knowledge, ideas, resources, and different forms of support can be exchanged within ecosystems. Such exchange can enrich ecosystems.</p>

scholarly journals Entrepreneurial ecosystems: A study of organizational interactions and interrelations in entrepreneurial ecosystems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Yoseph S. Ayele
Keyword(s):  
Open Systems ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Management Theory ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Unit Of Analysis ◽  
Open Systems Theory ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystems ◽  
The World ◽  
Ecosystem Level ◽  
Business And Management

<p>Entrepreneurial ecosystems are emerging around the world, and their relevance in business and management is increasing. Practitioners and researchers are using biological metaphors to understand collaborative aspects of entrepreneurial ecosystems. This thesis explores the use of bio-ecological metaphors to study interactions and interrelations taking place in entrepreneurial ecosystems. Specifically, it examines the characteristics of an ecosystem that influence interactions and interrelations within ecosystems. This thesis is part of a qualitative ethnographic research that employs an inductive approach to data analyses. It studies a New Zealand based ecosystem and presents findings on three characteristics that influence interactions and interrelations in ecosystems: interdependence, diversity, and organizational birth and death cycles. In doing so, this thesis makes a number of contributions to management theory and practice. Firstly, it combines aspects of organizational ecology and open-systems theory to develop an ecosystem-level unit of analysis. By using an ecosystem lens, researchers can better observe collaborative aspects of organizations. Secondly, findings suggest that increasing the degree of interdependency and diversity and facilitating organizational birth and death cycles can enhance levels of interaction and interrelations in ecosystems. This implies that more skills, knowledge, ideas, resources, and different forms of support can be exchanged within ecosystems. Such exchange can enrich ecosystems.</p>

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