System Thinking For Waste Management In Australia - Assignment Solution

Introduction 

Business and societies operate in a highly complex environment wherein they have to address complex problems (Meadows 2008). The present growth trends in globalization, world population, food production, pollution and resource depletion is on rise (Jolly 2015). Meadows et al. (1972) has mentioned in early 70s that traditional growth trends can be altered to establish a condition of economic and ecological stability, which would enable sustainable future (Donaldson 2017). Systems thinking is one of the approaches, which is believed to contribute significantly towards sustainability challenges (Meadows 2008). A system refers to collection of components that are organized in a manner that they work together as part of interconnecting network to achieve a common purpose (Dominici 2012). Systems thinking can be referred to as a set of synergistic analytic skills that are used to improve capability of identifying and understanding systems, predicting behaviors of the systems and determining changes required in them to produce desired effects (Donaldson 2017). Sustainability challenges are complex and addressing them requires analyzing various aspects (Onat et al. 2017). The essay first analyzes the effectiveness of systems thinking in addressing sustainability challenges. The essay then discusses the role systems thinking plays in addressing the wicked problem of waste management in Australia due to China’s ban on recycling of Australia’s waste. 

Systems Thinking

Critical systems thinking is an approach for organizations and practitioners to conceptualize and act towards integrating social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability (Donaldson 2017). This further supports communities and addresses challenges of improving human and ecosystem conditions and ensure their well-being (Song & Kralj 2009). Systems thinking fosters creativity through holism by integrating all methods and perspectives with respect to a system. In this approach the processes of solving a problem begins with realization that there is no inherent end to a system (Jolly 2015). Systems thinking involves viewing a system from a broader perspective, which includes seeing overall patterns, structures and cycles in the system rather that viewing only specific events in the system (Dominici 2012). A broader view can help in quickly identifying actual causes of the issues in organizations and determine which area to work on to address the issues (Donaldson 2017). Systems thinking includes variety of tools and principles for analyzing and changing the system and to achieve a balance across the elements of the system. Systemic thinking addresses limitations through the strategy of approaching phenomena from different perspective by looking at whole rather than parts (Onat et al. 2017). The systemic thinkers focus on interrelationships and connections between the functions, organizations, trends, people and cultures and allows them to develop and support innovative, sustainable solutions and reintegrate, social, political and ethical perspectives into management (Pavie & Carthy 2014). 

System thinking helps in examining patterns and events from broader perspectives, which help in creating solutions that are more comprehensive (Meadows 2008). The author of this report believes systems thinking as a good approach to problem solving and change management as it takes a wider view about the system that is being analyzed. A problem in a system can be caused due to internal or external inefficiency and as systems thinking believes in considering all the elements and in their interactions with system being analyzed, it helps in determining a more effective and long-term solution (Song & Kralj 2009). System thinking as per the author of this report enables the thinker to view the problem for various perspectives ad be aware that there is no perfect solution to the complex problem (Jolly 2015). By anticipating the impact of each of the element on the system, the severity of the problem can be minimized or can use the element to create certain benefit. Systems thinking allows the users to make informed choices (Soderquist & Overaker 2010).