Combined Use of Systems Methodologies in Creative Managing the Problem Situations: Key Features, Benefits and Challenges

Management problems in contemporary enterprises should be, according to their increasing complexity and diversity, observed and explored as the management problem situations, that is the systems of problems. Creative dealing with these complex, dynamic and ambiguous problem situations implied the development of a great variety of systems approaches to problem solving, i.e. systems methodologies for problem situations structuring. Since no methodology is able to explore all aspects of the complex problem situations in enterprises, the topic of the paper is combined use of systems methodologies in creative managing the problem situations. The goal of this paper is to highlight the key features, benefits and challenges of combining the systems methodologies in creative managing the problem situations in enterprises. Therefore, research in the paper is relied on Critical Systems Thinking as a conceptual framework for combined use of systems methodologies. Despite the limitations of combining the systems methodologies, methodologically appropriate combined use of systems methodologies enables improvement of managing the problem situations in contemporary enterprises. This work is licensed under a&nbsp;Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.</p

Methodological aspects of combined use of systems methodologies for managing the problem situations of business economics

Kombinovano korišćenje sistemskih metodologija u upravljanju problemskim situacijama poslovne ekonomije predstavlja relevantno i kompleksno istraživačko područje u savremenom systems science-u i management science-u. Oslanjajući se na kritičko sistemsko mišljenje kao koncepcijski okvir kombinovanja sistemskih metodologija, u doktorskoj disertaciji su posebno istraženi metodološki aspekti kombinovane upotrebe određenih interpretativnih i strukturalističko-funkcionalističkih sistemskih metodologija. Osnovni cilj istraživanja je identifikovati relevantne metodološke dimenzije i aplikativne moći kombinovanog korišćenja sistemskih metodologija generalno, a posebno određenih interpretativnih i funkcionalističkih sistemskih metodologija u unapređivanju upravljanja problemskim situacijama u preduzećima. Bazna pretpostavka i argument kombinovanog korišćenja sistemskih metodologija se ogleda u tome da nijedna metodologija ne može da istraži sve aspekte kompleksnih problemskih situacija u preduzećima. Istražujući teorijsko-metodološka i aplikativna svojstva određenih interpretativnih - Metodologije soft sistema (MSS) i Identifikovanja i testiranja strategijskih pretpostavki (ITSP) - kao i funkcionalističkih sistemskih metodologija - Sistemske dinamike (SD) i Organizacione kibernetike (OK) - identifikovana su bitna ograničenja njihove individualne upotrebe u upravljanju problemskim situacijama u preduzećima. Na osnovu utvrđenih ograničenja navedenih sistemskih prilaza i različitih mogućnosti kombinovanja sistemskih metodologija generalno, razvijeni su mogući prilazi njihovog kombinovanog korišćenja. Osim sinteze MSS-a i SD i Metodologije soft i dinamičkih sistema (MSDS), kao prilaza kombinovanju MSS-a i SD, predstavljen je i prilaz kombinovanja određenih metoda i tehnika MSS-a (bogate slike, izvorne definicije i konceptualni modeli) i SD (dijagrami nivoa i stopa i dijagrami sa uzročnim petljama). Dati prilaz primenjen je u ilustrovanju moguće kombinovane upotrebe MSS-a i SD u upravljanju problemskom situacijom - društvena odgovornost preduzeća kao pretpostavka održivog razvoja - na odabranom uzorku preduzeća u Republici Srbiji. Respektujući ograničenja individualne upotrebe ITSP-metodologije i OK i polazeći od pretpostavke da interpretativan prilaz treba upotrebiti kako bi se obezbedio kontekst u kome će se primeniti hard, tj. funkcionalistički prilaz, razvijen je mogući prilaz kombinovanju ITSP-a i OK i primenjen na istraživanje moguće kombinovane upotrebe ovih sistemskih prilaza u upravljanju problemskom situacijom formulisanja poslovne strategije u uslovima globalne finansijske krize u preduzećima u Republici Srbiji. Sveukupni rezultati istraživanja u radu su pokazali da se metodološki primerenom kombinovanom upotrebom sistemskih metodologija u strukturiranju upravljačkih problemskih situacija poslovne ekonomije kreativno unapređuje proces upravljanja problemskim situacijama u preduzećima.The combined use of systems methodologies for managing the problem situations of business economics is a relevant and complex research area in contemporary systems science and managеment science. Relying on the critical systems thinking as a conceptual framework for combining systems methodologies, the dissertation particularly explores the methodological aspects of combined use of certain interpretive and structuralist-functionalist systems methodologies. The primary objective of the research is to identify relevant methodological dimensions and applicative potential of the combined use of systems methodologies in general, and certain interpretive and structuralist-functionalist systems methodologies for improving the problem situations management in enterprises in particular. The underlying assumption and argument speaking in favour of combined use of systems methodologies is reflected in the fact that no methodology is able to explore all the aspects of complex problem situations in enterprises. Researching the theoretical, methodological and applicative properties of the certain interpretive – Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) and Strategic Assumptions Surfacing and Testing (SAST) - as well as the functionalist systems methodologies – System Dynamics (SD) and Organizational Cybernetics (OC) - some important limitations of their individual use in managing the problem situations in enterprises have been identified. Based on the determined limitations of the mentioned systems approaches and various possibilities of combining systems methodologies in general, the possible approaches to their combined use have been developed. Apart from the synthesis of SSM and SD and Soft System Dynamic Methodology (SSDM), as the approaches to combining SSM and SD, there has been presented an approach implying combining certain methods and techniques of SSM (rich pictures, root definitions and conceptual models) and SD (stock and flow diagrams and causal loop diagrams). The given approach has been applied to illustrate the possibility of combined use of SSM and SD in managing the problem situation – corporate social responsibility as a precondition for sustainable development – on a selected sample of enterprises in the Republic of Serbia. Respecting the limitations of individual use of SAST-methodology and ОC and assuming that the interpretive approach should be used to ensure a context in which the hard, i.e. functionalist approach will be applied, a possible approach to combining SAST and OC has been developed and applied in the research on potential combined use of these systems approaches in managing the problem situation of formulating business strategy during the global financial crisis in enterprises in the Republic of Serbia. The overall research results given in the dissertation have shown that methodologically appropriate combined use of systems methodologies for problem situations structuring in business economics enables creative improvement of managing the problem situations in enterprises

Challenges and barriers of new public management: empirical evidence from Serbia

Taking into account the requirements and challenges of dynamic business environment, New Public Management becomes a dominant paradigm in managing the public organizations. The paper aims to identify the main features, i.e., challenges and barriers of new public management generally, and particularly in Serbian public organizations. Therefore, the paper focuses on analyzing the NPM as a contemporary management paradigm in public sector which contributes to enhancing effectiveness and efficiency of public organizations.  The results of empirical research conducted in public sector organizations in the Republic of Serbia are presented with the aim to reveal employees’ perceptions regarding challenges and barriers of NPM implementation. The results demonstrate that, although some aspects of NPM can be observed, the practice of NPM is not sufficiently developed in Serbian public sector organizations. Additionally, the results indicate the need for emphasizing the employees as one of the main factors of success by public managers, with enabling the appropriate training for employees, effective communication as well as an adequate leadership style

Sinergije korporativnega upravljanja in družbene odgovornosti podjetij

Respecting the importance of corporate governance (CG), particularly various corporate governance mechanisms for improving corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, the paper highlights relevant CG–CSR synergies from the perspective of systems thinking. The paper further aims to demonstrate the ways in which selected systems methodologies can support CG–CSR synergies. Accordingly, we selected appropriate systems methodologies, such as dialectical systems theory, soft systems methodology, and system dynamics. We defined the dialectical system, consisting of essential corporate governance mechanisms, which contribute to CSRwe also identified the key stakeholders and their perceptions of CG–CSR relations through CATWOE analysisthus, the appropriate root definition and conceptual model, including the activities that are relevant for CG–CSR relations, were developed. Developed systemic framework provided a relevant methodological support to highlight the various issues of corporate governance, such as institutional framework, market for corporate control, ownership structure, board structure, and their contribution to CSR.Upoštevaje pomen korporativnega upravljanja, zlasti različnih mehanizmov le-tega za izboljšanje dejavnosti družbene odgovornosti podjetij, so v članku izpostavljene relevantne sinergije korporativnega upravljanja in družbene odgovornosti podjetij z vidika sistemskega razmišljanja. Namen prispevka je prikazati načine, kako lahko izbrane sistemske metodologije podpirajo te sinergije. V skladu s tem smo izbrali ustrezne sistemske metodologije, kot so dialektična teorija sistemov, mehkosistemska metodologija in sistemska dinamika. Opredelili smo dialektični sistem, ki ga sestavljajo bistveni mehanizmi korporativnega upravljanja, ki prispevajo k družbeni odgovornosti podjetijopredelili smo ključne deležnike in njihovo dojemanje odnosov korporativnega upravljanja in družbene odgovornosti podjetij s pomočjo analize CATWOEtako smo razvili osnovno definicijo in konceptualni model, ki vključuje dejavnosti, relevantne za odnose korporativnega upravljanja in družbene odgovornosti podjetij. Razvit sistemski okvir je zagotovil ustrezno metodološko podporo za poudarjanje različnih vprašanj korporativnega upravljanja, kot so institucionalni okvir, trg za obvladovanje podjetij, lastniška struktura, struktura upravnega odbora in njihov prispevek k družbeni odgovornosti podjetij

A Multi-Methodological Approach to Complex Problem Solving: The Case of Serbian Enterprise

Increasing complexity and diversity of management problems in modern enterprises requires the increasing diversity of models, methods, and methodologies. In creatively dealing with these complex, changeable and multidimensional management problems, i.e., problem situations, different systems methodologies for problem situations, structuring have been developed. Since no methodology is able to explore all aspects of the complex problems in enterprises, the topic of this paper is a multi-methodology approach that implies combining selected systems methodologies (Strategic Assumptions Surfacing and Testing, Team Syntegrity and Organizational Cybernetics) within a particular intervention. Therefore, research in the paper is relied on Critical Systems Thinking as a conceptual framework for combined use of systems methodologies. The paper aims to demonstrate how mixing the selected systems methodologies and tools can help managers in solving complex problems, such as the issues of strategy formulation and implementation in enterprises. Accordingly, combining these methodologies to support strategy formulation and implementation is applied to a Serbian enterprise

Corporate Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility Synergies: A Systemic Approach

Respecting the importance of corporate governance (CG), particularly various corporate governance mechanisms for improving corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, the paper highlights relevant CG–CSR synergies from the perspective of systems thinking. The paper further aims to demonstrate the ways in which selected systems methodologies can support CG–CSR synergies. Accordingly, we selected appropriate systems methodologies, such as dialectical systems theory, soft systems methodology, and system dynamics. We defined the dialectical system, consisting of essential corporate governance mechanisms, which contribute to CSR; we also identified the key stakeholders and their perceptions of CG–CSR relations through CATWOE analysis; thus, the appropriate root definition and conceptual model, including the activities that are relevant for CG–CSR relations, were developed. Developed systemic framework provided a relevant methodological support to highlight the various issues of corporate governance, such as institutional framework, market for corporate control, ownership structure, board structure, and their contribution to CSR

UTICAJ ORIJENTACIJE NA UČENJE NA PERFORMANSE KOMPANIJA: MEDIJATORSKA ULOGA INOVATIVNOSTI

Ensuring a workforce is up to date on the latest trends in a rapidly changing business environment is one of the main challenges facing modern companies. To achieve long-term profitability and encourage innovation, they tend to constantly improve employees’ knowledge and skills. This paper aims to identify the impact of learning orientation on company performance and to test the mediating role of innovativeness in this relationship. The empirical research was conducted on a sample of 79 companies in different industries in the Republic of Serbia. Descriptive statistical analysis, correlation, and regression analysis were applied to the data collected. The research results indicate that learning orientation significantly and positively affects performance and innovativeness in Serbian companies. In addition, the findings show that firm innovativeness partially mediates the relationship between learning orientation and performance, i.e., learning orientation leads to better company performance through increased innovation in all business aspects. The paper contributes to identifying practical implications for managers, pointing out the importance of creating a learning environment and employees´ innovative behaviour as a basis for achieving better business outcomes. Therefore, managers should take a proactive approach to their human resources, providing them with opportunities to acquire new knowledge and skills and develop innovative ideas.Prilagođavanje zaposlenih najnovijim trendovima u dinamičnom poslovnom okruženju jedan je od glavnih izazova sa kojima se susreću savremene kompanije. Da bi obezbedile dugoročnu profitabilnost i podstakle inovacije, one nastoje da konstantno unapređuju znanja i veštine zaposlenih. Cilj istraživanja u radu je identifikovati uticaj orijentacije na učenje na performanse kompanija, kao i medijatorsku ulogu inovativnosti u navedenoj relaciji. Empirijsko istraživanje sprovedeno je na uzorku od 79 kompanija iz različitih delatnosti u Republici Srbiji. Za potrebe analize podataka primenjene su deskriptivna statistika, korelacija, kao i prosta i višestruka regresija. Dobijeni rezultati su pokazali da orijentacija na učenje ima značajan pozitivan uticaj na performanse i inovativnost kompanija u Republici Srbiji. Dodatno, inovativnost ostvaruje parcijalni medijatorski efekat u odnosu orijentacije na učenje i performansi kompanija. Navedeno pokazuje da  orijentacija na učenje vodi ka boljim performansama kroz povećane inovacije u svim aspektima poslovanja. Doprinos rada se ogleda  u praktičnim implikacijama za menadžere, naglašavajući važnost kreiranja okruženja koje podstiče inovacije i inovativno ponašanje zaposlenih kao osnove za postizanje boljih poslovnih rezultata. Stoga, menadžeri treba proaktivno da pristupe upravljanju ljudskim resursima, pružajući im mogućnosti da steknu nova znanja i veštine i razviju inovativne ideje

Technology acquisitions as a supporting tool for improving companies' innovative potential

In line with the open innovation paradigm, technology acquisitions which seek to gain access to new technologies and knowledge are becoming an important strategic tool for enhancing the innovative potential of companies. This research study is aimed at showing how technology acquisitions can help companies be more successful in making an innovation a reality. In that sense, various possibilities of improving companies’ innovative potential after the implementation of technology acquisitions are analyzed in the paper. The challenges that companies are faced with in a period after technology acquisitions are explained and possible ways to overcome those challenges are indicated as well. The results of the conducted empirical research in the impact of technology acquisitions on a company’s innovation are presented. The paper confirms the fact that the process of acquiring technology and knowledge from external sources and the harmonization of external knowledge with the internally developed knowledge base improve a company’s innovative potential. Additionally, the research results show that acquisitions increase the likelihood of innovation in integration companies. Innovations are also made a reality much faster than they would be without the cooperation of companies.Publishe

Družbena odgovornost podjetij, obravnavana z dvema sistemskima teorijama: primer iz Srbije

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) becomes one of the prerequisites for success of contemporary organizations aimed at humankind's survival by sustainable development. As SR behavior can generate significant benefits, more and more organizations are developing SR strategic plans and implementing SR initiatives. In ISO 26000, CSR has three basic concepts: Responsibility for one's influences over society, interdependence and holistic approach. Therefore, authors focus on systemic approach to CSR. The purpose is to demonstrate how combined use of appropriate systems theories can help dealing with CSR. Accordingly, Dialectical Systems Theory (DST) and System Dynamics (SD), as relevant systems theories, i.e. methodologies stemming from different systemic paradigms, were selected. DST helped to identify some relevant aspects and components of CSR which were empirically tested in businesses in the Republic of Serbia. Hence, the following factors, i.e. groups of SR activities are selected as relevant for improving organizational performance: General CSR activities; CSR activities towards consumers; CSR activities towards environmental protection and beneficiaries' health, and Socially responsible after sales activities. In addition, empirical research results indicating the influence of the above factors on performance were the basis for using the tools of SD, such as stock and flow diagrams and causal loop diagrams. SD tools contribute to simulating the system's future behavior, i.e. future performance level after improving these CSR activities. Authors introduce a new, systemic approach to conceptualizing and researching CSR by providing appropriate methodological support for exploring relevant interdependencies of CSR aspects