Clarifying human agency in social systems, implications for large schools and workplaces and the Systems Thinking RoundTable

• Published in: Systems research and behavioral science 2021-10, Vol.38 (5), p.583-593
• Main Author: Gabriele, Susan Farr
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: education; general systems theory; Human agency; Knowledge base; Knowledge bases (artificial intelligence); management; Management methods; Occupational roles; Pandemics; Renewal; Social systems; Sustainable development; System theory; Systems theory; transdisciplinarity; Workplaces
• ISSN: 1092-7026; 1099-1743
• DOI: 10.1002/sres.2812

The aim of this paper is to return to goals of systemic renewal and sustainable development by clarifying agency or causal factors in complex organizations. To begin this journey, we identify conflicts and flaws underlying common management theory and practice and then correct them using a wider knowledge base underpinned by general systems theory and relevant disciplines. Updated theory is that agency of organization behaviour is not in the leader, nor the employee, but in both. Each system member learns and performs according to their own willingness and ability, resulting in infinite variety. Thus, a provide/pickup paradigm is proposed. In other words, the leader's role is to provide input, resources and tasks; the learner/employee role is pickup of input, each at their own rate. The investigative journey complete, the Systems Thinking RoundTable is proposed to circumvent many of the challenges in modern social systems today—the ever‐increasing demands, the silo effect and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.