Dealing with Complexity

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xvi

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2. Systems

   • Robert L. Flood, Ewart R. Carson

   Pages 1-22

3. Systems and Complexity

   • Robert L. Flood, Ewart R. Carson

   Pages 23-38

4. Systems and Measurement

   • Robert L. Flood, Ewart R. Carson

   Pages 39-48

5. Systems and Modeling

   • Robert L. Flood, Ewart R. Carson

   Pages 49-75

6. Systems View of Management and Organizations

   • Robert L. Flood, Ewart R. Carson

   Pages 77-96

7. Systems Approach to “Problem Solving”

   • Robert L. Flood, Ewart R. Carson

   Pages 97-140

8. Systems Theory in International Relations

   • Robert L. Flood, Ewart R. Carson

   Pages 141-149

9. Building Models of Dynamic Processes

   • Robert L. Flood, Ewart R. Carson

   Pages 151-224

10. Quantitative Cybernetics

    • Robert L. Flood, Ewart R. Carson

    Pages 225-233

11. System and Model Decomposition

    • Robert L. Flood, Ewart R. Carson

    Pages 235-244

12. Systems Science

    • Robert L. Flood, Ewart R. Carson

    Pages 245-255

13. Back Matter

    Pages 257-280

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Contents 11. 2. 2. Four Main Areas of Dispute 247 11. 2. 3. Summary . . . 248 11. 3. Making Sense of the Issues . . 248 11. 3. 1. Introduction . . . . 248 11. 3. 2. The Scientific Approach 248 11. 3. 3. Science and Matters of Society . 249 11. 3. 4. Summary . 251 11. 4. Tying It All Together . . . . 251 11. 4. 1. Introduction . . . . 251 11. 4. 2. A Unifying Framework 251 11. 4. 3. Critical Systems Thinking 253 11. 4. 4. Summary 254 11. 5. Conclusion 254 Questions . . . 255 REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257 INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267 Chapter One SYSTEMS Origin and Evolution, Terms and Concepts 1. 1. INTRODUCTION We start this book with Theme A (see Figure P. I in the Preface), which aims to develop an essential and fundamental understanding of systems science. So, what is systems science? When asked to explain what systems science is all about, many systems scientists are confronted with a rather daunting task. The discipline tends to be presented and understood in a fragmented way and very few people hold an overview understanding of the subject matter, while also having sufficient in-depth competence in many and broad-ranging subject areas where the ideas are used. Indeed, it was precisely this difficulty that identified the need for a comprehensive well-documented account such as is presented here in Dealing with Complexity.

• Cybernetics
• System
• Viable System Model
• model
• modeling
• ontology
• organization
• system identification
• systems theory
• complexity

from a review of the first edition:
`A good introduction to systems science ... suitable as an introductory text for students in systems science and related areas. ... The book is well written and the text is supplemented with useful figures.'
International Journal for General Systems

• The University of Hull, Hull, England

  Robert L. Flood

• City University, London, England

  Ewart R. Carson

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