Introduction
The Lori Suluk case study delves into a manufacturing enterprise grappling with a persistent slump in sales and profits lately. A solution to this problem has been decided on, which involves evaluating the situation to locate potential areas for improvement and running operations more efficiently. However, some employees have expressed worries about its effectiveness, feeling excluded from the process or not being provided with enough information.
In this case, various aspects of introducing the assessment process and its influence on the company will be explored. This case study uses a systems-based approach to analyze a third-world nation’s multifaceted socioeconomic and environmental issues to determine its origins, dynamics, and possible remedies (Gomes et al., 2020). Socioeconomic, political, legal, and ecological factors all come into play as the study defines the various individuals and their respective roles, desires, and dominance.
Furthermore, the study uses the soft systems approach and participatory action research. Stakeholder analysis will generate and assess potential courses of action regarding viability, efficiency, and longevity. As Anwar et al. (2019) highlighted, a multi-stakeholder strategy must address the problem’s core causes via coordinated local, national, and international activities. The study also stresses comprehensive stakeholder engagement in intervention design, implementation, and stakeholder capacity for effective decision-making. Hence, for practitioners and policymakers in comparable settings, the case study sheds light on the difficulties and potential rewards of taking a systemic approach to an issue of this complexity.
Systemic Understanding of the Different Elements at Play
Lori’s case study presents many challenges for decision-makers and system analysts, as numerous socioeconomic, political, legal, and environmental factors interact in complex ways. For example, according to Grazzini et al. (2021), employing system metaphors can prove advantageous to gain a deeper understanding of these issues. The “ecosystem” metaphor is an apt comparison highlighting the intricate interconnection between diverse elements in a system. As seconded by Ulrich & Reynolds (2020), for instance, the metaphor illustrates the interdependence and influence of various issues, including politics and the environment. As a result, political changes may indirectly impact the region’s economic situation, exacerbating environmental damage. Hence, this analogy highlights the value of taking an all-encompassing approach to tackling issues and making choices.
The ‘machine’ metaphor also encompasses the interrelated components of a system working towards a common goal. The analogy applies to the case study where government officials, environmental activists, residents, and business leaders are critical stakeholders in decision-making (Ulrich, 2021). Each stakeholder operates as a machine component, working towards individual objectives while contributing to the overall purpose. Thus, communication and coordination among stakeholders are essential to achieve the ultimate goal.
In the case study, employing the “organism” analogy articulates the intricate dynamics among various stakeholders and changing factors over time (Grazzini et al., 2021). As per the organism metaphor, the system behaves like a living organism that constantly adapts and evolves to sustain its surroundings. And in this scenario, the metaphor highlights the value of being able to adjust and be agile when making decisions, as it underscores the significance of reacting to environmental alterations.
Moreover, socioeconomic factors hold significant weight, especially in a region with a large population dependent on agriculture and natural resources for their subsistence (Grazzini et al., 2021). As a result, balancing economic growth should be supported by policymakers to be a symbol of the protection of natural resources. Again, Gomes et al. (2020) suggest that political factors come into play, with stakeholders harbouring different agendas and interests. For instance, business leaders may prioritize economic growth over environmental considerations, while ecological activists may prioritize preserving natural resources. Hence, legal concerns can significantly impact the case study (Hao, 2022). Therefore, key decision-makers must account for applicable regulations, including environmental protection laws and zoning ordinances.
To make legally sound decisions that can withstand legal challenges in Lori’s case, it’s crucial to comply with the regulations and laws. While making choices, it’s essential to consider how they can affect the world’s many ecosystems and supplies of natural materials (Anwar et al., 2019). Preserving the region’s forests, wetlands, and waterways is critical to the country’s economic growth and ecology now and in the future, where the setting in which a decision is made is also crucial.
Achieving a balanced and lasting outcome involves recognizing the critical factors at work and their intertwined relationships. Thus, one better grasps the issue’s complexity by adopting terms like ecosystem, machine, or organism (Wu et al., 2021). For example, every aspect requires thorough decision-making analysis, whether socioeconomic, legal, political, or environmental. Hence, the ingredients to success include willingness to be flexible, communication, and coordination between stakeholders, because these critical components are vital for reaching a sustainable solution.
Application of the Chosen Systems-Based Methodologies
Understanding the case study ideas, goals, and structure is crucial for successfully implementing the selected system-based techniques. Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) and Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH) are the preferred approaches (Ulrich & Reynolds, 2020). In the scenario of Lori’s case, for example, CSH seeks to discover and critique the system’s fundamental assumptions and ideals; SSM is a participative method focusing on problem-solving under challenging circumstances. Ulrich (2021) also contends that pluralism is permissible as long as a primary methodology leads the intervention and one or more methods are employed in a supporting capacity.
Establishing the direct approach driving the intervention is the initial step in implementing these practices. As SSM excels in encouraging group effort in solving complicated problems, it will be the primary approach used in this scenario (Ulrich, 2021). CSH will be the supportive approach since it complements SSM by highlighting and challenging systemic assumptions and values. Also, CSH will be included in each of the five phases of the implementation to offer essential insights, as described by soft system methodology.
Determining who is affected by the issue is seconded by the first step. At this phase of the system’s development, the spider web metaphor depicts the relationship between the issue scenario and its many stakeholders (Hao, 2022). By using CSH, the challenge is taken-for-granted beliefs about the issue and its stakeholders. Doing so will aid in illuminating any hidden motivations or power dynamics that may contribute to the topic. Again, the second step is analyzing the Loris case from a systems perspective. The issue scenario is modelled after a map, with each node representing an aspect of the system (Grazzini et al., 2021). Stakeholders will be helped in their comprehension of the system by the use of SSM. And with CSH’s help, the system’s values and assumptions are examined, especially as they pertain to the needs and goals of the many parties involved.
The third step is to create theoretical representations of the issue at hand. After analyzing a wide range of interested parties, a comprehensive picture of the problem may be built (Grazzini et al., 2021). For example, the stakeholders’ conceptual models will be developed with the help of SSM. Hence, any assumptions or values that may be shaping the models will be unearthed with the help of CSH. Moreover, the fourth step is to check the theoretical frameworks against empirical data (Gomes et al., 2020). At this phase, the conceptual models are inspected closely to find any inconsistencies with reality and the microscope metaphor, which is utilized to describe the process. Thus, the stakeholders will review the models with the help of SSM. Using CSH, probing the stakeholders’ worldviews for unquestioned assumptions and beliefs is significant.
The last step is to create solutions that can be implemented and are welcome by all parties involved. At this point in the process, stakeholders utilize their expertise and insight into the issue to chisel away at the system metaphor and reveal the improvements that can and should be made (Gomes et al., 2020). Changes will be more easily identified by the stakeholders engaging in the implementation of SSM. Therefore, assumptions and values impacting stakeholders’ change identification will be uncovered via CSH.
In analyzing Lori’s case, one must be intimately familiar with the foundations, goals, and architecture of SSM and CSH before attempting to put them into practice. As long as one primary technique is utilized to guide the intervention and one or more methods are employed in a supporting role, using a pluralistic approach, including these approaches, is permissible (Grazzini et al., 2021). Five phases are planned for the rollout and CSH, which should be included to offer essential feedback. Conversely, using the right system metaphors at the right time helps stakeholders see the big picture, uncover hidden assumptions and values, and create improvements that can be implemented and improved upon.
The Decision Maker’s Options and Their Expected Outcomes
The decision maker must consider the available alternatives, the resources needed, the repercussions of each course of action, and the human impacts or operations which require being altered or enhanced while determining the various potential steps to take (Gomes et al., 2020). And the oil leak in the coastal region has caused adverse effects on the environment, which the decision-maker must now remedy.
In this scenario, the decision-initial maker takes no action and lets events unfold naturally. However, the option may severely impact the local economy and will not likely improve environmental circumstances. Wu et al. (2021) again commented that the second choice is to begin cleanup to remove the oil. In Lori’s scenario, the resources needed to put this strategy into effect are substantial. For instance, properly arranging the cleaning effort would also be necessary to reduce the stress on the local population and animals. Therefore, the third choice is to take precautions to avoid leaks, which would need more regulation and better oil firm safety and maintenance practices.
Oil around the shoreline and in the water may be cleaned using skimmers and blowers. The employees would be required to operate the equipment and monitor the sanitation procedure (Anwar et al., 2019). Hence, the money would be required to pay for elements such as hiring staff and renting necessary equipment. The outcomes vary depending on the choice, and environmental deterioration will continue without intervention, threatening residents’ ability to earn a living (Gomes et al., 2020). The area animals and residents might be negatively impacted if a cleaning effort is launched. Also, the cleaning effort could not be successful, leaving some oil behind. The oil corporation and regulatory agencies may push back against any efforts to establish steps to avoid future disasters.
The safety and maintenance operations of the oil industry are examples of human activities or processes that might need some tweaking or fine-tuning. Hao (2022) revealed that the oil business would have to spend money on education and tools to ensure spills don’t happen again. Regulatory control must be strengthened to ensure the oil business adheres to safety norms and laws. Therefore, the decision-maker must weigh each option’s pros and disadvantages before choosing, including stakeholders in the discussion is crucial, such as locals and environmental groups (Wu et al., 2021). This will guarantee that the choice is well-informed by several viewpoints and addresses the concerns of all stakeholders.
Ultimately, the decision maker in this situation has several options, each with its repercussions, necessary resources, and human activities or processes that need adjusting or improving. A choice that addresses the environmental deterioration caused by the oil spill while also considering the requirements of the residents and animals would require a careful assessment of these considerations (Hao, 2022). Conversely, the case study’s decision-maker must weigh several factors to conclude. They may stick with the status quo of cleanup operations, increase the intensity of cleanup procedures, or look into other possibilities, such as bioremediation.
There will be repercussions, additional resource needs, and modifications to current human activities or processes with any of these choices (Ulrich, 2021). Hence, decision-makers must compare these factors with those of local people and animals to determine the best way to restore the oil spill’s damage. This calls for a holistic and coordinated strategy that weighs the immediate and long-term effects of all potential courses of action.
Conclusions and critique
In conclusion, many systems-based approaches were used in the case study’s systemic intervention, including the soft systems methodology, the feasible systems model, and the strategic alternatives formulation and analysis. In the case study’s setting, these approaches were utilized to dissect the decision-makers’ problems and provide potential solutions.
The intervention had a mixed impact, where decision-makers could comprehend the interconnected dynamics at play better and generate a variety of approaches thanks to the use of the systems-based methodology. To do this, identifying relevant parties and mapping the interests and concerns was the first step, and developing scenarios and potential solutions was vital. Nevertheless, the intervention also revealed some difficulties and restrictions in putting systems-based approaches into reality. The strategies were labour- and resource-intensive, making their implementation in real-world circumstances difficult. The analysis’s restricted focus and small sample size may have excluded some stakeholders.
In general, systems-based approaches may be an effective strategy for handling complicated situations, especially ones with several players and interdependent elements. The resources needed and the possible constraints of these approaches must be carefully considered. All stakeholders must be involved to achieve buy-in and ownership of the solutions reached.
Therefore, in complicated and ever-changing settings, a systems-based approach to problem-solving is stressed towards the conclusion of the case study. Using various methods and resources may help decision-makers understand and solve problems. The time and energy required to execute multiple strategies, and their relative merits, must be carefully considered. Eventually, decision-makers may better handle complex challenges and develop more sustainable and practical solutions by taking a systems-based approach and including all stakeholders.
References
Anwar, A., Anwar, S., Ayub, M., Nawaz, F., Hyder, S., Khan, N., & Malik, I. (2019). Climate Change and Infectious Diseases: Evidence from Highly Vulnerable Countries. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 48(12), 2187–2195. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6974868/
Gomes, L. A., Santos, A. F., Pinheiro, C. T., Góis, J. C., & Quina, M. J. (2020). Screening of waste materials as adjuvants for drying sewage sludge based on environmental, technical, and economic criteria. Journal of Cleaner Production, 259, 120927. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120927
Grazzini, L., Acuti, D., & Aiello, G. (2021). Solving the puzzle of sustainable fashion consumption: The role of consumers’ implicit attitudes and perceived warmth. Journal of Cleaner Production, 287, 125579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125579
Hao, Y. (2022). The relationship between renewable energy consumption, carbon emissions, output, and export in industrial and agricultural sectors: evidence from China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-20141-0
Ulrich, W. (2021). Critical system heuristics | BetterEvaluation. Www.betterevaluation.org. https://www.betterevaluation.org/methods-approaches/approaches/critical-system-heuristics
Ulrich, W., & Reynolds, M. (2020). Critical Systems Heuristics: The Idea and Practice of Boundary Critique. Systems Approaches to Making Change: A Practical Guide, 255–306. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-7472-1_6
Wu, J., Li, H., Zhang, J., Gu, Y., Zhou, X., Zhang, D., Ma, Y., Wang, S., Nian, X., Jin, W., Li, R., & Xu, Z. (2021). Microbial diversity and function in response to the occurrence and source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in combined sewer overflows. Journal of Cleaner Production, p. 279, 123723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123723
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