A multi-modal systems extension to soft systems methodology

This thesis develops a design method for social systems that do not fit the conventional industrial pattern and that consequently are not apt for regulation through mechanical means. It builds upon Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), one of the most widely used and well regarded of design methodologies....

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Main Author: Mirijamdotter, Anita
Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
Language:English
Published: Luleå 1998
Subjects:
Online Access:http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-18309
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spelling ftluleatu:oai:DiVA.org:ltu-18309 2023-05-15T15:25:44+02:00 A multi-modal systems extension to soft systems methodology Mirijamdotter, Anita 1998 application/pdf http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-18309 eng eng Luleå Doctoral thesis / Luleå University of Technology 1 jan 1997 → …, 1402-1544 1998:06 http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-18309 Local 7ef02b10-6f4f-11db-962b-000ea68e967b info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess Information Systems Social aspects Systemvetenskap informationssystem och informatik med samhällsvetenskaplig inriktning Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis text 1998 ftluleatu 2022-10-25T20:55:48Z This thesis develops a design method for social systems that do not fit the conventional industrial pattern and that consequently are not apt for regulation through mechanical means. It builds upon Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), one of the most widely used and well regarded of design methodologies. Yet, the systems science literature has identified some weaknesses in this methodology, and these have been confirmed in the critical evaluation and the empirical study of this thesis. It was found that SSM tends to be relativistic in normative issues, that its modelling is at times reductionistic and that there are philosophical inconsistencies between its different phases of design. THe task in this thesis has been to preserve the methodological strengths of SSM while at the same time attempt to correct its weakness by combining it with another systems sience approach: Multi-modal Systems Thinking. This approach incorporates a multi-dimensional framework of life and a management model to attain viability in social systems. The combination of SSM with this new framework results in a Multi-modal Soft Systems Methodology (Arvidsjaur Method for short) that has been tested empirically in a project for unemployed youth in Arvidsjaur, a small municipality in the north of Sweden. The Arvidsjaur Method is an effective tool in four ways. Firstly, it incorporates normative standards that overcome the criticisms regarding SSM's relativistic stance. Secondly, it enhances philosophical consistency in the complete design process. Thirdly, it provides a managerial design structure and fourthly, it offers a potential for designing systems that support a holistic, complete and dignified human life. Such an approach is also likely to assist us in appreciating different perspectives of our post- modern society and in making appropriate choices. Godkänd; 1998; 20060928 (evan) Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis Arvidsjaur Luleå University of Technology Publications (DiVA) Arvidsjaur ENVELOPE(19.167,19.167,65.590,65.590)
institution Open Polar
collection Luleå University of Technology Publications (DiVA)
op_collection_id ftluleatu
language English
topic Information Systems
Social aspects
Systemvetenskap
informationssystem och informatik med samhällsvetenskaplig inriktning
spellingShingle Information Systems
Social aspects
Systemvetenskap
informationssystem och informatik med samhällsvetenskaplig inriktning
Mirijamdotter, Anita
A multi-modal systems extension to soft systems methodology
topic_facet Information Systems
Social aspects
Systemvetenskap
informationssystem och informatik med samhällsvetenskaplig inriktning
description This thesis develops a design method for social systems that do not fit the conventional industrial pattern and that consequently are not apt for regulation through mechanical means. It builds upon Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), one of the most widely used and well regarded of design methodologies. Yet, the systems science literature has identified some weaknesses in this methodology, and these have been confirmed in the critical evaluation and the empirical study of this thesis. It was found that SSM tends to be relativistic in normative issues, that its modelling is at times reductionistic and that there are philosophical inconsistencies between its different phases of design. THe task in this thesis has been to preserve the methodological strengths of SSM while at the same time attempt to correct its weakness by combining it with another systems sience approach: Multi-modal Systems Thinking. This approach incorporates a multi-dimensional framework of life and a management model to attain viability in social systems. The combination of SSM with this new framework results in a Multi-modal Soft Systems Methodology (Arvidsjaur Method for short) that has been tested empirically in a project for unemployed youth in Arvidsjaur, a small municipality in the north of Sweden. The Arvidsjaur Method is an effective tool in four ways. Firstly, it incorporates normative standards that overcome the criticisms regarding SSM's relativistic stance. Secondly, it enhances philosophical consistency in the complete design process. Thirdly, it provides a managerial design structure and fourthly, it offers a potential for designing systems that support a holistic, complete and dignified human life. Such an approach is also likely to assist us in appreciating different perspectives of our post- modern society and in making appropriate choices. Godkänd; 1998; 20060928 (evan)
format Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
author Mirijamdotter, Anita
author_facet Mirijamdotter, Anita
author_sort Mirijamdotter, Anita
title A multi-modal systems extension to soft systems methodology
title_short A multi-modal systems extension to soft systems methodology
title_full A multi-modal systems extension to soft systems methodology
title_fullStr A multi-modal systems extension to soft systems methodology
title_full_unstemmed A multi-modal systems extension to soft systems methodology
title_sort multi-modal systems extension to soft systems methodology
publisher Luleå
publishDate 1998
url http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-18309
long_lat ENVELOPE(19.167,19.167,65.590,65.590)
geographic Arvidsjaur
geographic_facet Arvidsjaur
genre Arvidsjaur
genre_facet Arvidsjaur
op_relation Doctoral thesis / Luleå University of Technology 1 jan 1997 → …, 1402-1544
1998:06
http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-18309
Local 7ef02b10-6f4f-11db-962b-000ea68e967b
op_rights info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
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