Putting the system back into systems change: A framework for understanding and changing organizational and community systems

This paper provides one framework—grounded in systems thinking and change literatures—for understanding and identifying the fundamental system parts and interdependencies that can help to explain system functioning and leverage systems change. The proposed framework highlights the importance of attending to both the deep and apparent structures within a system as well as the interactions and interdependencies among these system parts. This includes attending to the dominant normative, resource, regulative, and operational characteristics that dictate the behavior and lived experiences of system members. The value of engaging critical stakeholders in problem definition, boundary construction, and systems analysis are also discussed. The implications of this framework for systems change researchers and practitioners are discussed.

 

Bibliographic Details
Author	Pennie G. Foster-Fishman, Branda Nowell, Huilan Yang
Publisher	Springer
Publication Date	May 18, 2007
Publication City	Lansing, MI
Publication Work
Resource Type	Research & Reports
Resource Focus	Advocacy Evaluation Initiatives/Referenda Advocacy/Public Policy Research and Publications Strategic Planning/Business Planning Analysis and Reflection
Audience	Practitioners Evaluators
Region	International or N/A
Keywords	Systems change System Mapping systems community development community change
Submitted to Point K	November 30, 2011 - 4:05pm