Adopting Soft System Methodology for Improving Learning Organisation

Abstract

This paper presents a proposal for undertaking action learning. The case of Australian Steel Company Limited (ASC) is used to illustrate the application of csofte methodology to provide a new way of system thinking for creative problem solving. Interestingly, organisations face complex problematic situations, and there are influencing factors both internally and externally, which have effects to organisations operating in dynamic environments. To survive in rapidly changing environments, they need to continuously create a new way of system thinking to their people, and change them as a continual learner to adapt, flexibly respond, and effectively manage desirable change.

It initially examines definitions of soft system methodology (SSM). To gain insights on why organisations should be transformed and how. It discusses to transformation processes of an organisation. Before applying the SSM to the organization selected, it then explains an overview of ASCus background, including problematic situations which the organisation facing.

Soft System Methodology (SSM) cMode 1e is applied for the case; it then explains and discusses its general conceptual idea, before starting to examine the adoption of Change Program. Seven-stage learning system of Checkland (1975) is applied to guide and gain understanding and views more on the problematic situations of the organisation. Finally, after having applied the SSM cMode 1e to the case, it led to development of complete Change Program, which the organization can adopt efficiently and effectively.