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Understanding Systems Science: A Visual and Integrative Approach

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  • Andreas Hieronymi

Abstract

Systems thinking is considered a much‐needed competence to deal better with an increasingly interlinked and complex world. The many streams within systems science have diversified perspectives, theories and methods, but have also complicated the field as a whole. This makes it difficult to understand and master the field. Short introductions to fundamental questions of systems science are rare. This paper is divided into three parts and aims to do the following: (1) to provide a broad overview of the structure and purpose of systems science; (2) to present a set of key systems principles and relate them to theoretical streams; and (3) to describe aspects of systems‐oriented methodologies within a general process cycle. Integrative visualizations have been included to highlight the relationships between concepts, perspectives and systems thinkers. Several new attempts have been made to define and organize system concepts and streams in order to provide greater overall coherence and easier understanding. © 2013 The Author. Systems Research and Behavioral Science published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Hieronymi, 2013. "Understanding Systems Science: A Visual and Integrative Approach," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(5), pages 580-595, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:srbeha:v:30:y:2013:i:5:p:580-595
    DOI: 10.1002/sres.2215
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kenneth E. Boulding, 1956. "General Systems Theory--The Skeleton of Science," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 2(3), pages 197-208, April.
    2. Ison, R. L. & Maiteny, P. T. & Carr, S., 1997. "Systems methodologies for sustainable natural resources research and development," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 55(2), pages 257-272, October.
    3. Ockie J. H. Bosch & Nam C. Nguyen & Takashi Maeno & Toshiyuki Yasui, 2013. "Managing Complex Issues through Evolutionary Learning Laboratories," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 116-135, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Christian Hugo Hoffmann, 2017. "Towards Understanding Dynamic Complexity in Financial Systems Structure-based Explanatory Modelling of Risks," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(6), pages 728-745, November.
    2. Yi Lu & Jiuping Xu, 2016. "Low-carbon Reconstruction: A Meta-Synthesis Approach for the Sustainable Development of a Post-Disaster Community," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(1), pages 173-187, January.
    3. Courtney Blair & Erica Gralla & Finley Wetmore & Jarrod Goentzel & Megan Peters, 2021. "A Systems Framework for International Development: The Data‐Layered Causal Loop Diagram," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(12), pages 4374-4395, December.

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