The systems thinking approach focuses on seeing a situation more fully in order to
recognize that we are interrelated, to acknowledge there can be multiple interventions to
solve a problem, and to explore and experiment with interventions that may be unpopular
(Goodman, 2018). Strategic planning is the ability to think on a temporal plane while
systems thinking is perceiving from different dimensions and perspectives (Zhu, 2017).
Systems thinking should be used when the problem is important, chronic, familiar with
know history, and have had unsuccessful attempts to be solved before (Goodman, 2018).
A real world example of systems thinking approach would be a company who not only
provides a good or service that people need, but also keep other aspects in mind they can
capitalize on. Subaru and it’s zero waste manufacturing facility is the only automotive
facility in the U.S. that takes this zero waste approach. There are many car makers, so in
order to stand out and appeal to a certain niche, Subaru attracts groups that are fond of
travel and the environment that gives them huge positive natural capital, increases the
brand and relationship capital, and is great for its financial capital from superior profit
margins (Adams, 2016). They used the systems thinking approach to not only make cars,
but appeal to the environmentally conscious.
A company utilizing the strategic plan approach knows what they do best and create a set
plan in order to capitalize. A real world example of strategic planning would be Netflix.
This company does movies and TV shows and knows that’s what they do best. They have
over 75 million members in over 190 countries by establishing itself as the world’s leading
internet TV (Kantan, 2016). They create local and global content done well to cater wo a
global platform and also include subtitles and dubbing for foreign films (Kantan, 2016).
The two approaches are not interchangeable but can be counterparts and work together.
The strategic planning approach is enhanced by systems thinking because it can look at all
aspects of the business in relation to profit and long-term success of the organization (Zhu,
2017).
References:
Adams, M. (2016). Three examples of systems thinking in action.
RESPONSE TO POST 2
Response to posts
Indeed, the post explicitly highlights the differences between the two approaches while
asserting their rationale through their use in different organizations for success. System thinking
approach focuses on refining the entire institution’s processes as part of a singular entity within
the organization. Google’s due to increased need for energy across the numerous data centres has
shifted focus towards investing in renewable energy as part of their initiative towards reducing
their overall costs of sustaining their business growth (Adams, 2016). Elsewhere, the strategic
thinking provides is different from systems thinking as an opportunity for firms to consider
specific issues comprehensively within the organizational processes through a focused situational
awareness of the market gaps (Arayesh et al., 2017). Amazon Company through redesigning of
its online consumer experiences in its products at competitive prices was critical in reaching out
to diverse markets. Through the strategic thinking approach, amazon capitalized on the Sunday
deliveries and the use of drones was part of the innovative approaches in promoting their market
success. Certainly, the two approaches are interchangeable relating to the situational needs in the
market. Besides, the organizational goal orientation for various in light of the dynamic economic
situations enhances the interchangeable usage of the two concepts across organizations.
RESPONSE TO POST 3
Reference
Adams, M. (2016). Three Examples of Systems Thinking in Action.
Arayesh, M. B., Golmohammadi, E., Nekooeezadeh, M., & Mansouri, A. (2017). The effects of
organizational culture on the development of strategic thinking at the organizational
level. International Journal of Organizational Leadership, 6, 261-275.