Maturana’s Notion of Phenomenic Reductionism and Its Implications for SSM

John Brocklesby and John Mingers
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John Brocklesby: University of Warwick
John Mingers: University of Warwick

Chapter 68 in Synergy Matters, 2002, pp 403-408 from Springer

Abstract: Conclusion This paper presents some preliminary thoughts about the implications for SSM that arise out of a careful demarcation of the phenomenal domains that are involved in observing, and consideration of the relationship between them. There are numerous practical implications that follow this analysis for which space limitations preclude discussion here. These implications draw attention to the extent to which intervention methodologies such as SSM can deliver on their promise, and they provide plausible explanations as to why the organisational outcomes achieved do not always meet the expectations of sponsors. On a more positive note Maturana’s work offers insights that may assist practitioners in using SSM with greater finesse and skill. These insights provide a better understanding of the basic pre-conditions that are necessary for meaningful conversations to occur, and a clearer picture of the dynamics that must be present to maximise the chances that there will be an emergent shared understanding of the problem situation among the various participants. Finally clarification of the matter under discussion here can promote a better idea of what can be done to maximise the chances of bringing about enduring change not only in the people involved in the debate but also in the organisational situations that the intervention is designed to ‘improve’. These issues will be discussed in a follow-up paper.

Keywords: Living System; Problem Situation; Structural Coupling; Relational Domain; Soft System Methodology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2002
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-0-306-47467-5_68

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DOI: 10.1007/0-306-47467-0_68

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