Advanced topics in systems thinking
Dr Charles Osborne, Mr Tim Haslett
6 points * 39 hours * Caulfield * Prerequisites: MGM7500, MGM7521
Objectives On completion of this subject students will: have gained an insight into the nature of unstable systems as they might apply to social systems; have an experience of a range of models relating to the behaviour of organisations and to learning based on the general ideas of bifurcation, chaos and self-ordering systems; be capable of recognising and identifying possible sources of instability in organisational systems; be able to demonstrate an ability to build simple models exhibiting bifurcation and chaos using System Dynamics software.
Synopsis Turbulence and organisational behaviour; impact on organisational systems; bifurcation and chaos in the behaviour of dynamic systems; introduction to self-organising systems; applications to learning; simulation of bifurcations and chaotic behaviour; review of the current status of bifurcation and chaos theory.
Assessment Written examination (3 hours): 60% * Assignment and seminar presentation: 40%