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Broadening the boundaries: an application of critical systems thinking to IS planning in Colombia

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  • J-R Córdoba

    (University of Hull)

  • G Midgley

    (Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR)
    Victoria University)

Abstract

Most current information systems (IS) planning methodologies are focused on achieving plans that provide competitive advantage to business and solve the problems of information needs by using the latest technologies available. This paper presents an alternative approach to IS planning based on critical systems thinking—a research perspective that encourages the analysis of stakeholders' understandings of social contexts prior to the selection and/or design of planning methods. The approach is underpinned by a combination of the systems theories of autopoiesis and boundary critique, and it enables participants to reflect on different concerns and values during IS planning. This approach was applied in a project with a Colombian University, and it helped participants to uncover and address important human issues not usually seen as relevant by traditional approaches to IS planning. In addition, it led the authors to undertake further research on ethics after the project had been concluded.

Suggested Citation

  • J-R Córdoba & G Midgley, 2006. "Broadening the boundaries: an application of critical systems thinking to IS planning in Colombia," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 57(9), pages 1064-1080, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jorsoc:v:57:y:2006:i:9:d:10.1057_palgrave.jors.2602081
    DOI: 10.1057/palgrave.jors.2602081
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    Cited by:

    1. Sydelko, Pamela & Midgley, Gerald & Espinosa, Angela, 2021. "Designing interagency responses to wicked problems: Creating a common, cross-agency understanding," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 294(1), pages 250-263.
    2. Pinzon-Salcedo, Luis Arturo & Torres-Cuello, Maria Alejandra, 2018. "Community Operational Research: Developing a systemic peace education programme involving urban and rural communities in Colombia," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 268(3), pages 946-959.
    3. J-R Córdoba, 2008. "The Javeriana Case: Systems Thinking, Power and Ethics in IS (and OR?) Strategy," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 59(5), pages 721-724, May.
    4. Weaver, Miles W & Crossan, Kenny & Tan, Hock B & Paxton, Steven E, 2018. "A systems approach to understanding the perspectives in the changing landscape of responsible business in Scotland," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 268(3), pages 1149-1167.
    5. Walsh, Mike & Kittler, Markus G. & Mahal, Dawn, 2018. "Towards a new paradigm of healthcare: Addressing challenges to professional identities through Community Operational Research," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 268(3), pages 1125-1133.
    6. Alberto Paucar‐Caceres & Melissa Franchini Cavalcanti‐Bandos & Silvia Cristina Quispe‐Prieto & Lucero Nicole Huerta‐Tantalean & Katarzyna Werner‐Masters, 2022. "Using soft systems methodology to align community projects with sustainability development in higher education stakeholders' networks in a Brazilian university," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(4), pages 750-764, July.
    7. Gregory, Amanda J. & Atkins, Jonathan P. & Midgley, Gerald & Hodgson, Anthony M., 2020. "Stakeholder identification and engagement in problem structuring interventions," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 283(1), pages 321-340.
    8. R J Ormerod, 2008. "The history and ideas of Marxism: the relevance for OR," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 59(12), pages 1573-1590, December.
    9. B Lehaney & D Malindzak & Z Khan, 2008. "Simulation modelling for problem understanding: a case study in the East Slovakia Coal Industry," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 59(10), pages 1332-1339, October.
    10. Daniel E. Ufua & Odunayo P. Salau & Owais Saleem & Mercy E. Ogbari & Adewale O. Osibanjo & Evans Osabuohien & Anthonia A. Adeniji, 2022. "Systems Approach to Address Human Resource Issues: A Case in a Commercial Livestock Farm in Southern Nigeria," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, May.
    11. Hector, Donald & Christensen, Carleton & Petrie, Jim, 2009. "A problem-structuring method for complex societal decisions: Its philosophical and psychological dimensions," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 193(3), pages 693-708, March.
    12. G Midgley & L A Pinzón, 2011. "Boundary critique and its implications for conflict prevention," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 62(8), pages 1543-1554, August.
    13. Johnson, Michael P. & Midgley, Gerald & Chichirau, George, 2018. "Emerging trends and new frontiers in community operational research," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 268(3), pages 1178-1191.
    14. Gerald Midgley & Luis A. Pinzón, 2013. "Systemic Mediation: Moral Reasoning and Boundaries of Concern," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(5), pages 607-632, September.
    15. Midgley, Gerald & Johnson, Michael P. & Chichirau, George, 2018. "What is Community Operational Research?," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 268(3), pages 771-783.
    16. R J Ormerod, 2010. "OR as rational choice: a decision and game theory perspective," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 61(12), pages 1761-1776, December.
    17. Daniel Ebakoleaneh Ufua, 2020. "Exploring the Effectiveness of Boundary Critique in an Intervention: a Case in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 33(5), pages 485-499, October.
    18. Foote, J. & Midgley, G. & Ahuriri-Driscoll, A. & Hepi, M. & Earl-Goulet, J., 2021. "Systemic evaluation of community environmental management programmes," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 288(1), pages 207-224.
    19. Gerald Midgley & Erik Lindhult, 2021. "A systems perspective on systemic innovation," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(5), pages 635-670, October.
    20. R J Ormerod, 2008. "Comments on Córdoba and Midgley: the Javeriana case," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 59(5), pages 719-721, May.
    21. Sydelko, Pamela & Espinosa, Angela & Midgley, Gerald, 2024. "Designing interagency responses to wicked problems: A viable system model board game," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 312(2), pages 746-764.
    22. Ufua, Daniel E. & Papadopoulos, Thanos & Midgley, Gerald, 2018. "Systemic Lean Intervention: Enhancing Lean with Community Operational Research," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 268(3), pages 1134-1148.
    23. Cronin, Karen & Midgley, Gerald & Jackson, Laurie Skuba, 2014. "Issues Mapping: A problem structuring method for addressing science and technology conflicts," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 233(1), pages 145-158.
    24. Helfgott, Ariella & Midgley, Gerald & Chaudhury, Abrar & Vervoort, Joost & Sova, Chase & Ryan, Alex, 2023. "Multi-level participation in integrative, systemic planning: The case of climate adaptation in Ghana," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 309(3), pages 1201-1217.

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