According to the numerous critics all over the world, most business schools do not train their students on how to become effective decision makers. Several schools and management programs have tried to modify their teaching styles; however, it is clear that systemic thinking is tremendously missing in the systems. Today, the top business schools are beginning to incorporate systemic thinking in their curricular. Therefore, systemic thinking is an effective tool when generating business leaders.
The authors try to address three prime issues with regard to systemic thinking and future business leaders. It is evident that most business schools and faculties are unfamiliar with critical thinking hence seem to define it as uni dimensional. Secondly, it is also proved that some people consider systemic thinking as vital for managers’ education; however, half this percentage is not sure of its curricula coverage. Others consider systemic thinking to be similar to synthetic thinking, thus most people experience it, but other essential elements are left out. The authors also try to explain the benefits of systemic thinking and the reasons it is significant to business leaders with reference to its elements (Atwater et al., 9).
These claims about systemic thinking and business leaders are supported by Ackoff’s article about the same issue. Ackoff brings out a clear and recognizable element of systemic thinking. He suggests that business faculties working in dynamic and closed- loop thinking environments are bound to succeed. Therefore, it is substantial for business leaders to shift in their thinking methods with regards to constituents of a publishable research. He points out that everyone is an analyst and that systemic thinking makes use of soft variables like beliefs and attitudes (Atwater et al., 10). However, his use of research findings is found to be biased by Christensen and Raynor, who consider causation-, based research to be the best. This research method was suggested because it is known for developing good theories for management purposes. Ghoshal together with Bennis and O’Toole all suggested that human intentionality should also be incorporated in business research projects. This, in turn, has the effect of incorporating systemic thinking and the success that comes with its implementation. The contributing authors agreed on one thing that the structure of a system defines its failure or success. It is also evident that the traditional research methods are increasingly declining giving way to the systemic research methods. The coming future will hopefully be full of systemic thinking concepts and techniques (Atwater et al., 13). They will be better accepted, understood and utilized by business faculties than they are today.
Raising awareness on systemic thinking and appropriate manager’s education address the issues brought up by the authors. Systemic thinking is vital for business because it enables students realize the importance of strategy, operations research and management. Systemic thinking tools, for instance, system archetypes and CLDs are useful in understanding production and supply chain management conceptions (Atwater et al., 19). Incorporating systemic thinking concepts and approaches in business curricula is incredibly beneficial since every area in business is bound to succeed. Introducing these concepts at an early stage in the curricula encourages students to apply them in the consequent courses. This is in turn, significant in eliminating the most often experienced limited credit hours.
As a student, systemic thinking concepts enable one to continue with the education without the need for teachers. The ideas direct the students to a given direction essential in their business education, hence no need for professors or tutors (Atwater et al., 21). The systemic approach has been proved to enhance the learning experience of students since they gain effective exposure to the value and use of systemic thinking, thus into the business world. The approach is also easy since it does not involve much involvement of time. Focus is often shifted from learning tools and concepts to applying them in real life business situations and courses. The tools enable students understand and help professors in correcting their misperceptions of the concepts. It is, therefore, crucial to incorporate systemic thinking into the curricula because not understanding it can lead to failure of businesses (Atwater et al., 23). This is because such a business leader will not be well equipped with effective management tools and concepts to drive the business to success.
