2891. Systemic change: Drama with the Machine
Invited abstract in session WB-50: Systems Thinking 4, stream Systems Thinking.
Wednesday, 10:30-12:00Room: Parkinson B11
Authors (first author is the speaker)
| 1. | Jose-Rodrigo Cordoba-Pachon
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| Royal Holloway Business School, Royal Holloway, University of London | |
| 2. | Alberto Paucar-Caceres
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| Manchester Metropolitan University | |
| 3. | Toni Burrowes-Cromwell
|
| Business School, Manchester Metropolitan University |
Abstract
Emerging developments in critical systems thinking and practice and complexity place systemic change as an afterword of the use of systems methodologies or methods. Whilst this might be a consequence of encountering machine-like situations where it is difficult to promote joined up thinking, cooperation or mutual learning, there is room to further problematise change and how to deal with it. This paper brings possibilities to help facilitators enact change and survive in the attempt. These possibilities include revisiting what is currently understood by systemic leadership as becoming (Boulton, 2024), and enriching it with insights from drama (Bryant, 2003) and ritual (Córdoba-Pachón 2024). A 'play' in aiming to bring about change after a systemic intervention about food waste in a university campus is written and reflected upon. Insights would suggest that facilitators could go with the flow of events, letting go of their 'ownership' of change and their identity as systems thinkers, whilst critically supporting others who operate within a machine like type of organisation. These insights could contribute to discussions about the value of pragmatism in operational research practice and critical systems thinking.
Keywords
- Practice of OR
- Soft OR
- OR in Sustainability
Status: accepted
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