> Date: Tue, 3 Oct 1995 23:20:29 -0400 (EDT)
> From: CAVALERI@CSUSYS.CTSTATEU.EDU
<<< some deletions here >>>
> My own conclusion is
> that people in organizations must be facile in their use of 'soft' systems
> thinking as a prerequisite to organizational learning. In an article
> titled, 'Soft Systems Thinking: A Pre-Condition for Organizational
> Learning" (in HUMAN SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT, 13, 4, pp.259-268 I suggest that
> only the soft systems approach is sufficient to support learning since
> 'hard' systems thinking is bound to short-circuit any learning process by
> making the presumption that problems are eminently solvable. The
> perception that a problem has been solved, ie the symptoms have fallen
> below the relevant threshold, serve to divert attention away from the
> underlying dynamic structures and from self...two essential elements for
> organizational learning in my view.
I have to say that soft systems approach must be used even as a
support to hard approaches. I consider TQM to be a hard approach. It
looks at processes, collects data, analyze data, make decisions,
implements, etc.... But the essence of TQM is continuous improvement. CI
demands learning, if we want continuous improvement to be sustained for
the long-run. Continuous improvement demands learning, and learning ...
Ivan,
-- *************************************************************** R. IVAN BLANCO, Ph.D. Voice 305 899-3515 Assoc. Prof. & Director Fax 305 892-6412 International Business Programs Andreas School of Business _________E-Mail Addresses________ Barry University Bitnet: Blanco%bu4090@Barryu Miami Shores, FL 33161-6695 Internet: Blanco@bu4090.barry.edu <<<<< ---------------- >>>>> "Las naciones marchan hacia el termino de su grandeza, con el mismo paso que camina su educacion." "The nations march toward their greatness at the same pace as their educational systems evolve." Simon Bolivar ===============================================================