Russell Ackoff

Russell Ackoff (usually known as ‘Russ’) was a pioneer of the application of systems approaches to management, both through theoretical developments and through a deep and practical engagement with many different organisations. He was a strong advocate of the need for systems approaches to take full account of the complexity of inter-related problems and not simply to present glib technical solutions

Effects of Re-Grown Forest Habitat on Lemur Catta Behavior

This study examines the effects of re-grown forest habitat on L. catta behavior at Berenty Private Reserve in Southern Madagascar during the early wet season. Evaluation of the reforested area versus natural forest revealed significant differences in species composition and food availability. Though the re-grown forest showed signs of forest regeneration and total greater food availability, the natural forest of Malaza proved to contain more preferred food sources for L. catta. Behavioral observations were collected over eight full-day troop follows and showed significant differences in feeding behavior, activity budget, and intra-troop and inter-troop aggressions. The WELL troop in Ankoba, the re-grown forest, experienced a greater percentage of time spent moving and feeding in search of quality food products, less time resting, heightened levels of intra-troop competition, and a larger home-range. CX troop in Malaza benefited from an abundance of native species with high food-availability, such as Tamarindus indica and Rinorea greveana. Despite disparities in behavior between the groups, the re-grown forest of Ankoba is successful in supporting lemur populations. Reforestation, if done correctly and with special regard to introduced species, is a conservation strategy necessary for the island of Madagascar

The horse: structure and form in nature

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A Revolution in Organizational Concepts

The postwar period has been variously referred to as the postindustrial age or the age of the computer. However, to best appreciate the fundamental changes characteristic of our era, we must address ourselves to the revolutionary new kinds of thinking being considered and adopted throughout our society

Methodological challenges of trans-disciplinary research: Some systemic reflections

This essay was written in response to an invitation by the editors of NSS issued after the author had reviewed the paper entitled 'Methodological challenges of trans-disciplinary research' submitted by Christian Pohl and Gertrude Hirsch-Hadorn (see Pohl and Hirsch Hadorn, 2008). The essay provides an accounting for the transformation in my emotioning as I read the submitted paper by introducing three sets of distinctions: (i) a model of research practice; (ii) an explication of the nature of research situations and (iii) an exploration of the different intellectual lineages that give rise to contemporary systems approaches. I then return to the paper that was under review through the lens of trans-disciplinary research as social learning