Applied Systems Theory 2nd Ed. 2017

Offering an up-to-date account of systems theories and its applications, this book provides a different way of resolving problems and addressing challenges in a swift and practical way, without losing overview and grip on the details. From this perspective, it offers a different way of thinking in order to incorporate different perspectives and to consider multiple aspects of any given problem. Drawing examples from a wide range of disciplines, it also presents worked cases to illustrate the principles. The multidisciplinary perspective and the formal approach to modelling of systems and processes of ‘Applied Systems Theory’ makes it suitable for managers, engineers, students, researchers, academics and professionals from a wide range of disciplines; they can use this ‘toolbox’ for describing, analysing and designing biological, engineering and organisational systems as well as getting a better understanding of societal problems. This revised, updated and expanded second edition includes coverage of abductive reasoning, the relevance of systems theories for research methods and a new chapter about problem analysis and solving based on systems theories. Front Matter....Pages i-xxxv Introduction....Pages 1-14 Basic Concepts of Systems Theories....Pages 15-39 System Approaches....Pages 41-81 Generic Approaches to Problem Analysis and Solving....Pages 83-115 Processes....Pages 117-143 Control of Processes....Pages 145-172 Steady-State Model....Pages 173-192 Autopoietic Systems....Pages 193-210 Complex Adaptive Systems....Pages 211-233 Organisations and Breakthrough....Pages 235-268 Applications of System Theories....Pages 269-299 Back Matter....Pages 301-315