Inter-work and Ethical Vigilance:Two Scenarios for the (Post-)Pandemic Future of Systems Thinking

For several decades, systems thinking has been a defined body of knowledge that has contributed to many areas of science. Its value has, critically, resided in (meta- or post-) paradigmatic and participative use of one or several systems approaches to help stakeholders’ structure and tackle complex problems. With renewed and (post-)pandemic interest in interdisciplinary work, this paper argues that to continue securing a future, system thinking requires a wider understanding of the dynamics and intertwining of knowledge unfolding and ethics in society. Two different but overlapping scenarios for systems thinking are proposed: (a) One based on inter-(disciplinary, para/professional, group) work and (b) another based on ethical vigilance. The first one is not so different from what has been envisaged for systems thinking in the last few years. Nevertheless, and following the ideas of the sociologist Andrew Abbott, this scenario proposes the explicit inclusion of the goal of knowledge rediscovery to promote a sense of solidarity, mutual understanding and compassion. For the second scenario, Michel Foucault’s notion of governmentality is used to problematize pandemic events and practices, and to offer possibilities for individual critical thinking and action, also leading us to consider the importance of (self-other) compassion. Features, implications, questions and examples of use are provided for each scenario

Knowledge and innovation management in agribusiness:A study in the Dominican Republic

To date and worldwide, most business activities in the agribusiness sectors have focused on increasing productive efficiency to the detriment of the environmental impact of these activities, despite close connection that exist between agribusinesses and natural resources. This paper argues that knowledge and innovation management (KIM) can play a key role in fostering and managing creativity in the agribusiness sector. To test this assumption, an empirical model linking KIM with employee creativity, responsible green innovation, and performance in the agribusiness sector of the Dominican Republic is proposed and tested with data from 110 agribusiness companies. We found that strengthening the relationships between the above constructs is needed, with a view to readjusting the meaning of firm performance in the light of emerging (post-pandemic) circumstances for agribusinesses. The statistical analyses yield important implications and recommendations for practice, management, and policy making in these areas in this country and elsewhere

Assessing online ethnography as a form of interpretive research in information systems

To date, the interpretive paradigm in information systems (IS) research has made important contributions in this field of knowledge, one of them to challenge taken-for-granted assumptions about the purpose and nature of the information systems and their roles in wider social or political contexts. Currently, the internet allows IS practitioners and researchers to gather data and facilitate online discussions, prompting a number of issues to be considered for the future of IS research. This paper identifies and assesses limits and possibilities of interpretive IS research in relation to online ethnography as a form of interpretation which helps us assess existing criteria to develop and evaluate interpretive IS research

Cloud computing for dummies? Identifying management assumptions of cloud computing adoption in organisations

Cloud computing (CC) is nowadays a fashionable term that embraces ideas, concepts and technologies which, together, could help organisations improve their information processing capabilities at reduced costs. CC offers distributed, flexible and scalable computing environments for organisations. In times of economic recession and spending cuts, efficiency makings or expansion these features could be very attractive. There are many flavours and configurations of CC term in practice in infrastructure, hosting services and specialised applications. There is a common trend to get into the CC bandwagon which is being advocated by many information technology providers and end customers and recently by mobile telecommunication providers. However, CC seems to be assessed from a short-term and cost-based perspective which could in the long term deliver other benefits. Part of the confusion is also seen as an opportunity, as CC could help companies become flexible whilst reducing their energy consumption costs and investments and thus implement green government policies. There is then a need to clarify existing confusion as to how cloud computing could generate both business value and medium-term benefits beyond capital gains. In this paper we aim to explore existing thinking about CC in order to identify and validate a number of assumptions from managers who are interested in it from different perspectives. We rank and test these assumptions to ascertain their importance and uncertainty, the latter in relation to how managers see their likelihood happening. Our insights indicate that the very same cost-related and short-term assumptions that could bring CC into further existence in organisations might hamper a wider understanding of its potential to address other business and environmental issues. In this regard, we see it as essential to translate government policy into specific action recommendations on how cloud computing can (and should) help companies meeting green targets