MGF5500

Systems thinking and theory

(BUS)

Mr John Barton

6 points + 3-hour class per week, block mode + Caulfield

Synopsis: Managing complexity, organisations as open systems, ways of thinking, approaches to systems thinking - in particular contributions from Emery, Forrester, Checkland, Beer, Flood and Jackson, etc., world views and outline of general systems theory, cognitive issues relating to systems thinking, and systems thinking and scientific method.

Assessment: Individual assignments and presentations: 30% + Group assignment and presentations: 30% + Examination (3 hours): 40%