Revisiting Critical Systems Thinking: Enhancing the Gaps Through Sustainability and Action Methodologies

Mohammed Albakri and Trevor Wood‐Harper

Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 2025, vol. 42, issue 1, 157-170

Abstract: Critical systems thinking (CST) is a holistic framework that has proven instrumental in understanding and addressing complex problems across various domains, including social, environmental, and economic systems. Despite its longstanding reputation for fostering a comprehensive approach, its limitations in effectively addressing contemporary sustainability issues necessitate a critical reassessment. This paper aims to explore the CST paradox, reconciling the need for critical engagement with practical constraints, while proposing a novel framework designed to enhance the efficacy of CST in practice. Insights from prominent systems thinkers, such as Jackson, Checkland Flood, and Midgley, are drawn upon to trace the evolution of CST, employing a critical analysis of existing frameworks and methodologies. Sustainability, which encompasses environmental, economic and social dimensions, serves as an appropriate backdrop for the application of CST, reflecting a complex‐pluralist ethos. Furthermore, the importance of addressing power dynamics, inequalities, and the ethical‐political dimensions inherent in sustainability challenges aligns with the complex‐coercive nature of CST. This paper advocates for the incorporation of action research, participatory action research and action learning (AR/PAR/AL) into CST, resulting in a more comprehensive toolkit for confronting today's pressing sustainability imperatives. Ultimately, the proposed framework seeks to strengthen the relevance and effectiveness of CST in tackling contemporary societal challenges.

Date: 2025
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