Books
Memories
Russell L. Ackoff For the late Russell Ackoff, the important principles and qualities on which his work was based - clear-sightedness, looking at the bigger picture, working backwards to dissolve problems, radicalism - crossed over into most, if not all, other aspects of his life. "Ackoff's Memories" tell of his experiences of serving in the US Army during World War II; of bringing up a young family; of encountering different cultures whilst working abroad. From analyzing birth rates in India, to a fireside chat with the Queen of Iran, to introducing theme parks to the US, the stories collected in this book lay bare the workings of a number of well-known businesses and other organizations - and the people who run them. They describe common attitudes, behaviors and assumptions, which, if left unchallenged, can destabilize or even destroy an organization. This book shows how thinking systemically leads to real organizational improvements in a variety of academic and workplace settings and - just as important - how failure to do so can be both personally embarrassing and damaging to the organization. Each story is used to illustrate a belief, principle or conclusion central to Ackoff's theories of Systems Thinking and Design Thinking. And each of them is told with his customary generosity, wit and wisdom. http://www.triarchypress.com/pages/Ackoff_Memories.htm |
Differences That Make a Difference
Russell Ackoff Towards the end of his life, Russ Ackoff determined to explain how some of the apparently insignificant misinterpretations of language and meaning he observed during his long years of research can, in practice, have far-reaching consequences - especially for our organizational health. His aim was to dissolve (not solve or resolve) some of the many disputes in professional and private life that revolve around such misunderstandings. In Differences that Make a Difference (the last manuscript that he was to complete before his death) he does exactly that. This book brings together 57 definitions of important terms and concepts, many of which underpin Ackoff's contribution to organizational learning. http://www.triarchypress.co.uk/pages/Differences-that-make-a-Difference.htm |
The Turning Point: Science, Society, and the Rising Culture
Fritjof Capra A compelling vision of a new reality. A reconciliation of science and the human spirit for a future that will work. In The Turning Point, the author expands his focus to show how the revolution in modern physics foreshadows a similar revolution in many other sciences and a corresponding transformation of world views and values in society. In particular, he explores paradigm shifts in biology, medicine, psychology, and economics. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/150999.The_Turning_Point |
The "Thinking" in Systems Thinking: Seven Essential Skills E-book
Barry Richmond In this newest volume in Pegasus’ bestselling Toolbox Reprint Series, Barry Richmond demystifies the "thinking" in systems thinking. The volume opens with an overview of the seven skills necessary to becoming a true systems thinker. Then, each two-page spread takes an in-depth look at an individual skill. The seven thinking skills--dynamic, system-as-cause, forest, operational, closed-loop, quantitative, and scientific—are also mapped onto the four-step process that underpins the systems thinking method, so you know when to best employ each skill. Includes plenty of examples of the skills in action, tips for honing the skills, and diagrams to capture key concepts. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-thinking-in-systems-thinking-barry-richmond/1015914086?ean=9781883823481 |
Baby Boomers: The Emerging Market - Creating Baby Boomer Relevance in a Social Media World
Jeri Denniston A guide on how to use social media to network for freelance and full time work...aimed at helping Baby Boomer generation become more comfortable with being online. The book is filled with resource information as well as step-by-step instructions on setting up Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter profiles. http://www.strategysd.com/ebooks.php |
Redesigning Society
Russell L. Ackoff and Sheldon Rovin Health care, education, welfare, law—the perceived success or failure of these social institutions is constantly being debated in the public arena. In this book, Ackoff and Rovin join the discussion, using systems theory to develop new approaches to governance, the structure and function of our cities, and civic leadership in general. Each chapter tackles a different, important, and timely issue. The authors develop and present specific solutions, with the intention of starting a national dialogue about the structure and organization of American society. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60855.Redesigning_Society |
Management f-Laws
Russell L. Ackoff Find out the uncomfortable truths about how organizations really work, what's wrong with the way we design and manage businesses, what makes managers tick…and how we can make things work better. The brainchild of business guru and Systems Thinker, Russell Ackoff, Management f-Laws skewer many of the behaviours and practices organizations take for granted. http://www.f-laws.com/content/management_f-laws.php |
Re-Creating the Corporation
Russell L. Ackoff Over the last three decades, the average life expectancy of a corporation in North America has dipped well below 20 years. In fact, by 1983 a full third of the 1970 Fortune 500 companies had been acquired, merged, or broken apart. In this landmark book, one of the business world's foremost pioneers, Russell L. Ackoff, delivers this indispensable guide for those hoping to beat these odds—and to better navigate the corporate challenges of the next millennium. http://global.oup.com/academic/product/re-creating-the-corporation-9780195123876;jsessionid=DB6FA03B9603D50E2C2E13E6617395A6?cc=us&lang=en& |
Systems Thinking for Curious Managers: With 40 New Management f-Laws
Russell L. Ackoff, Herbert J. Addison, Jamshid Gharajedaghi This gem of a book introduces the extraordinary world of Systems Thinking and its "Dean", Russell Ackoff, to curious and enquiring managers, teachers, business people - anyone, anywhere who works in an organisation. Finished just before Professor Ackoff's death late in 2009, Systems Thinking for Curious Managers opens the door to a joined up way of thinking about things that has profoundly influenced thinkers and doers in the fields of business, politics, economics, biology, psychology. Although Systems Thinking was 'invented' early in the 20th century, even Peter Senge's best-selling The Fifth Discipline (Systems Thinking is the fifth discipline) failed to popularise the term. But now, in business and academia, in the public sector and in the search for solutions to the environmental problems we face, Systems Thinking is being talked about everywhere. This timely book presents 40 more of Russ Ackoff's famously witty and incisive f-Laws (or flaws) of business - following on from his 2007 collection Management f-Laws. http://www.f-laws.com/content/systems_thinking_for_Curious_Managers.php |
Beating the System: Using Creativity to Outsmart Bureaucracies
Russel L. Ackoff and Sheldon Rovin This title shows how anyone who feels mistreated by any system can beat the system and get what they want. It presents numerous tactics and strategies that can be applied to a broad range of abusive situations - practical, easy-to-use advice for how to beat any system that is trying to beat you. It is written by two people with extensive experience working with and in a wide variety of organizations (systems) including airlines, education, healthcare, manufacturing, financial and service organizations, and government. http://www.bookdepository.com/Beating-System-Ackoff/9781576753309 |
Creating the Corporate Future: Plan or be Planned For
Russell L. Ackoff Presents a participative, systems approach to corporate development, called Interactive Planning. Shows how to formulate the problems and opportunities of corporate growth, as well as presenting objectives and ideals to be pursued and the means toward those ends. Also stresses the implementation and control of the planning function. http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0471090093.html |
Managing by Projects for Business Success
John Parnaby, Stephen Wearne, and Ashok K. Kochhar Managing by Projects for Business Success develops a detailed appreciation of the approach to practical application, together with a parallel set of detailed methodology sections, tools and techniques, to help put the principles into practice. It provides the professional change manager with a wide range of practical methodologies and case examples from leading international service and manufacturing companies, comprehensively backed up by extensive source literature references. It will also be an invaluable supporting text for university business and engineering courses, as well as for in–service courses for senior managers and professionals with its distillation of a wide range of practical experiences illustrated by best–price case examples from a wide range of industries. http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1860583415.html |
Growing Wings on the Way: Systems Thinking for Messy Situations
Rosalind Armson Systems Thinking offers a range of good ways to approach these situations and unravel them. Rosalind Armson is one of the world's foremost teachers and practitioners of Systems Thinking, and her remarkable book explains how these messes happen and what to do about them. Specifically, she sets out a series of sophisticated and challenging - but practical and easily learned - skills and techniques for thinking better when you're 'in a mess'. http://www.triarchypress.com/pages/Growing_Wings_on_the_Way.htm |
Complexity Demystified: A Guide for Practitioners
Patrick Beautement and Christine Broenner Complexity Demystified focuses on how to apply complexity insights in practice and appreciates that human activity is a flow of changing experience, shaped by circumstances and events. The Guide indicates how to become adaptive, open and able to engage with evolving situations in order to influence and change things in the moment. http://www.triarchypress.com/pages/ComplexityDemystified.htm |
The Never Ending Quest
Dr. Clare W. Graves Psychologists searched for their own unified field theory since Einstein's forays in quantum physics. To reconcile the conflicting theories of Maslow, Freud, Jung, Skinner, Rogers and others, Dr. Clare Graves set out on a 30-year research project to explore and explain human nature. http://spiraldynamics.org/sd-store/ |
Systems Thinking
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Publishers
Berrett-Koehler Publishers
Berrett-Koehler is an independent publisher dedicated to an ambitious mission: Creating a World that Works for All. We believe that to truly create a better world, action is needed at all levels--individual, organizational, and societal. At the individual level, our books help people align their lives with their values and with their aspirations for a better world. At the organizational level, our books promote progressive leadership and management practices, socially responsible approaches to business, and humane and effective organizations. At the societal level, our books advance social and economic justice, shared prosperity, sustainability, and new solutions to national and global issues.
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Berrett-Koehler Publishers
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650 San Francisco CA 94104 United States Web: http://www.bkconnection.com/ Phone: 415-288-0260 Fax: 415-362-2512 |
Systems Thinking Press
Systems Thinking Press is the premier publisher of Systems Thinking resources. This includes Planning, Strategy, Change, Leadership, Management, and Human Resource products to Create Customer Value – all based on The Systems Thinking Approach®. There are over 500 practical applications of Systems Thinking.
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