Sector: Business

Showing 10 of 493 results (by popularity)

A Journey Through Organizational Change

In the 1970s and 1980s, Digital Equipment Corporation was a successful, thriving computer manufacturer, second only to industry giant IBM. The company’s networking business,…

When to Simulate

Systems thinking offers an array of tools — from systems archetypes to computer models — for improving the quality of decision making. Knowing which…

Learning Histories: “Assessing” the Learning Organization

Anyone working to build a learning organization will, sooner or later, run up against the challenge of “proving” the value of what he or…

An Infrastructure for Organizational Transformation at Shell Oil

One of the most valuable insights I ever received on transforming organizations came from my study of physics. My early studies of classical physics…

Guidelines for Designing Systemic Interventions

The phones were ringing off the hook and the fax machine was humming 24 hours a day. The entire staff of the specialty goods…

Decision-Making: The Empowerment Challenge

Imagine that you work for a company that has created a powerful and compelling shared vision. Furthermore, you and your colleagues have established a…

Using Systems Thinking “On-Line”: Listening for Competing Hypotheses

A common approach for using systems thinking in a group setting is to set aside a specific time to explore a significant issue containing…

Lessons in Systems Thinking: A Tale from the Land of Middle Health

Microtown, a small community deep within the Land of Middle Health, isn’t much different from other towns. Its citizens are young and old, rich…

The Leader’s Journey

Much has been written over the years about leadership — the skills required, the dynamics involved, the characteristics displayed by outstanding leaders, and so…

Creating Business Results Through Team Learning

As of 1993, Sigma Tech (a fictional name) was one of the most successful small corporations in the U.S. The company’s business was both…