Using Soft Systems Methodology for the Analysis of Sustainable Energy Initiatives

2021 ◽  
pp. 211-232
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Problem Structuring ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Energy Efficiency Analysis

The chapter is devoted to the energy efficiency analysis as a prerequisite for sustainable use of energy. In this regard, the current study is focused on the application of soft systems methodology (SSM) and its role as a problem structuring approach to analyze the energy efficiency initiatives. For this purpose, four research works were addressed. The mentioned researches employed a combination of multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and (SSM) to assess the energy efficiency initiatives. The obtained results included the role of key players in rich pictures with a potential interest in a system for energy efficiency initiatives evaluations, the definition of the root, CATWOE components, and a conceptual model. The results of such processes could be applied in the establishment of a sufficiently accurate decision model capable of offering structured support giving rise to a more informed decision in terms of the energy efficiency measures implementation.

Improving the Role of Organisational Culture in Change Management through a Systems Approach

2015 ◽  
pp. 230-271
Author(s):  
N. Gökhan Torlak
Keyword(s):  
Change Management ◽  
Corporate Culture ◽  
Culture Change ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Organisational Culture ◽  
Organisational Performance ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems

The chapter assumes organisational culture, which is most valuable resource of organisation, cannot often be treated coherently by managers in change management that ultimately leads to ineffectiveness and failure. In order to make organisational culture a powerful managerial instrument in change management resulting in high organisational performance the chapter proceeds through the following sequence. At first, it elaborates chief characteristics of organisational culture in order to underline its value; secondly, portrays significance of interpreting and managing organisational milieu; thirdly, emphasises necessity and difficulty of organisational culture change; and then offers a systems approach called two strands model of soft systems methodology to improve the effect of corporate culture on organisational performance. The last part describes the methodology in depth and shows how it is applied to a private hospital that generates its improved version dealing with the major issue of open, full and equal participation in organisational culture change management.

Cultural Problems in Applying SSM for IS Development

2011 ◽  
pp. 104-116
Author(s):  
Trevor T. Moores ◽  
Frank H. Gregory
Keyword(s):  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Problem Structuring ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Eastern Culture ◽  
Stakeholder Views ◽  
High Staff Turnover ◽  
Open Discussion ◽  
Is Development

Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) is a general problem structuring approach that seeks to incorporate multiple stakeholder views in the analysis of a given problem. When applied to IS development, the method requires negotiation and debate between the stakeholders when exploring the feasibility of developing an information system. The applicability of this approach depends, however, on the willingness of participants to enter into such an open discussion. This paper reports on a case study that highlights the problems of applying such a confrontational method in an Eastern culture, such as Hong Kong. Three main problems were identified: Group discussions were avoided; Interviews were conducted in multiple languages; and, High staff turnover made it difficult to develop and maintain mature stakeholder views.

scholarly journals PREFABRICATION AS A SUSTAINABLE MODEL IN RAIL CONSTRUCTION: A RESEARCH ENQUIRY

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arash Ahmadi ◽  
Maged Georgy ◽  
Malik Khalfan ◽  
Tayyab Maqsood
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Waste Reduction ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Definition Of

In many construction projects, prefabrication has proven to benefit sustainability. This innovative construction practice can virtually extend the life of assets while minimizing costs and time and enhancing quality and safety. In rail construction, prefabrication has long been utilized for certain elements of the rail assets but not all. The paper reports on the initiation of a research to investigate the contribution and potential of prefabrication to increasing sustainability and the whole lifecycle benefits in the rail construction industry in Australia. Paper embraces a broad definition of the term “sustainability” which includes energy and water efficiency, health and safety, durability and quality, pollution and waste reduction, overall cost and time efficiency, and sustainable society/community. The research adopts a qualitative case study approach that employs Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) for examining the research enquiry. A variety of stakeholders will be interviewed in each project case besides reviewing the archived content. Stakeholders including construction contractors, rail operators and maintainers, end-users, government bodies, and those involved with the project’s supply chain will benefit from having a more transparent and clear understanding of the effect of prefabrication on the sustainability of rail assets.

scholarly journals Hacia una autogestión sustentable de playas turísticas desde un Enfoque Sistémico

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-58
Author(s):  
O.L. Jiménez Arenas ◽  
R. Tejeida Padilla ◽  
J. Ramos Sáenz Pardo ◽  
V.R. Oliva Aguilar
Keyword(s):  
Social Reproduction ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Environmental Conservation ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Coastal Zones ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Leading Role

Coastal zones are important for the development of human activities, their use has transcended by the goods and services that provide for society ranging from support, climate regulation and economic use to recreation. So tourism should be an example of good and service provided by the coasts that involves economic and recreational purposes, but also for environmental conservation and responsible social use. The use of beaches as tourist spaces, derived an important socio-environmental dynamic that has not always been beneficial for the environment. The urban growth and the massification of these spaces has caused pollution and environmental pressure on coastal environments, especially in the beaches that had a traditional growth lacking in planning. The coastal zone for tourist activity represents complex social reproduction scenarios that must be studied from methodologies that allow the involvement of the multiple actors involved to improve the management of these spaces. In this sense, it is considered that the connection between the socio-environmental peculiarities of the coasts should be based on local studies that allow giving a leading role to the community towards a sustainable use of the coasts. For this reason, the case of Puerto Escondido Oaxaca is taken as an example, with the aim of developing a management proposal based on the Soft Systems Methodology for sustainable self-management. This methodology, due to its flexibility, allowed generating a participatory diagnosis to create improvement proposals. The results show a conceptual model of self-management as an approach to the improvement of beach management, using these beaches in Oaxaca as an example. Keywords: Tourist beaches, Self-management, Systemic Approach.

scholarly journals Domain-Driven Design and Soft Systems Methodology as a Framework to Avoid Software Crises

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 191-204
Author(s):  
Nikitas A. Assimakopoulos ◽  
Panagiotis Papaioannou
Keyword(s):  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Common Language ◽  
Creative Collaboration ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Complex Projects ◽  
Use Of Models

Crisis is considered to be an issue concerning complex systems like societies, organizations or even families. It can be defined as the situation in which the system functions poorly, the causes of the dysfunction are not immediately identified and immediate decisions need to be made. The type and the duration of a crisis may require different kinds of decision making. In a long-term crisis, when system changes may be required, the active participation of the affected people may be more important than the power and dynamics of the leadership. Software crises, in their their contemporary form as oganizational maffunctions, can still affect the viability of any organization. In this contribution we highlight the systemic aspects of a crisis, the complexity behind that and the role of systemic methodologies to explore its root causes and to design effective interventions. Our focus is on modeling as a means to simplify the complexity of the regarded phenomena and to build a knowledge consensus among stakeholders. Domain-Driven Design comes from software as an approach to deal with complex projects. It is based on models exploration in a creative collaboration between domain practitioners and solution providers. SSM is an established methodology for dealing with wicked situations. It incorporates the use of models and, along with Domain-Driven Design and other systemic methodologies can be employed to develop a common perception of the situation and a common language between interested parties in a crisis situation.

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