System Thinking Sustainability Challenges †Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Thinking And Sustainability Challenges? Answer: Introduction System thinking can be defined as a management concept that is aimed at evaluating and understanding a system through examining the interactions and linkages between the components comprising the entirety of the defined system. On the other hand, a system is anything which can be separated into various functional units and reversely different strata arrangement that makes it financial. This paper is presented to adapt the application of skills and knowledge developed in evaluating the importance of system thinking in the local and worldwide sustainability challenges. With the aim of evaluating how system thinking can be adopted in finding solutions to various sustainability challenges, the paper focuses on poor family relationship as a wicked environmental problem. The concept of system thinking In a systematic study, Starks (2013) denotes that the approach of system thinking is aimed at providing solutions to various complex problems that can arise due to lack of the whole system understanding. Instead of focusing on smaller aspects or elements of the system, system approach focuses on larger system elements and drive conclusion while analyzing the interaction and relationship between different functional components. Frerichs, Hassmiller Lich, Dave, and Corbie-Smith (2016) denote that the problem encountered in solving system issues occurs since people often fail to focus on the system issue as a whole system and instead stress on a specific element that in turn makes the system challenge even more complex. The integration of system thinking is based on the belief that the parts of a system can act in a different manner when isolated from the systems environment. Consistent with the philosophy of the sustainability, Bell (2015) denotes that physical thinking focuses on the understanding of the whole system by examining and understanding the interactions and linkages between the elements comprising the system. In messy and complex situations, system thinking enables a systematic analysis and understanding of the situation to initiate effective arrival of solutions that are relevant and successful. In other words, system thinking enables an individual to see the bigger picture of a situation and identify multiple leverage points which when addressed will support a constructive change of the situation (Frerichs et al. 2016, p. 218). System thinking also enables us to evaluate and understand the connectivity between various aspects of the situation with the aim of supporting a joined-up act ion. System thinking is thus being able to see the environment as a complex system made up dynamic interactions as well as unfolding outcomes (Hart McGill 2015, p. 89). In other words, it deals with hidden complexity, mental models, and ambiguity. It thus helps decision makers to anticipate or understand sustainability challenges and long-term consequences of actions and decisions, strategies and policies, through a diverse course and effect relationship with time, an aspect that is essential in solving sustainability challenges. Wicked problem: Poor family relationship In a systematic study, Kelley and Nahser (2014) denote that life is often lived in relationship with one another. The interaction existing between two or more family members tend to be embedded in restricting problem-solving, three-person structure, and psychological change, with reciprocal emotional and interaction processes. In other words, issues such as marital discord and divorce, parenting problem, or poor functional relationship in a family often affect us in the society and cause sustainability challenges in our relationships. However, many people tend to fail in solving relationship challenges since the solution lies in the evaluation and understanding of the individual mutual influence that forms the system of a relationship. In many cases, tension in a relationship says marriages can begin as an acting behavior of a child and at the end stress the marital relationship. However, adopting a system thinking approach in the process will help couples to understand that the challenge is not the marriage itself but the different aspects or elements that make up the whole family system. System approach hence adopts a holistic problem-solving idea that will enable us to understand every element of the relationship that needs to be corrected to ensure sustainability of a positive relationship (Lake, Fernando, Eardley 2016, p. 39). In other words, adopting a holistic approach to the issue through system thinking will make it possible to restore the functioning of the relationship and resolve the relationship sustainability challenges. Though system thinking approach to solving relationship sustainability challenges, we realize that we live in a cultural or social context where the large extent of the system is dependent on other factors. These include regulations and rules of the environment, extended family origin, age, social, emotional, financial, and spiritual maturity among other factors that directly or indirectly affect family relationships. In a systematic study, Montana-Hoyos and Lemaitre (2011) denotes that resilience, strength, and vulnerability tend to be shaped by historical family experiences while current problems are precipitated by the Accounting disturbances within the family. In other words, if there is a low-income family relationship due to drunkenness among family members, there is the likelihood that the future families of children growing in that environment would as well be affected as they learn the behavior of drinking alcohol from their seniors. At the same time, children in a family tearing apart as a result of issues such as, domestic violence, divorce, drug abuse, etc. are likely to grow up with a negative mind that marriages dont work. They will believe that drug abuse, violence, etc. are the way to go in finding solutions to sustainability challenges affecting the family. A holistic understanding will thus help such families to understand the root course of poor relationship within the family, an aspect that calls for systematic thinking approach in solving the relationship sustainability challenges within the family. On the basis of the idea that adopting a change in any part of a system will consequently result in an adjustment of the rest of the system as pointed out by Deslandes and Barma (2016, p. 327). In other words, this is a systematic exploration of the life of an individual that can unlock the history of the family as well as the external and internal stressors of the family. It simply means that two-persons cannot exist in isolation. In the case of sustainability challenges between them, their emotional instability tends to produce triangles that are three-person interconnected within the relationship system (Montana-Hoyos and Lemaitre 2011, p. 89). It means that adopting system thinking in finding solutions to sustainability challenges within a family relationship can probably be among an essential technique adopted in a family council and system therapy. For instance, a holistic process will begin with taking an I-position as pointed out by Habyarimana and Nkunzimana (2017, p. 98). It is a clear statement that asserts ones feelings and thoughts without defending, attacking, or withdrawing from once mistakes. It is a time for personal reflection to understand where one has gone wrong or what can be the possible course of the challenges affecting the sustainability of the family. With this concept, the family members are helped to learn that every member has the ability to improve and make better decisions that are more thoughtful, considerate and loving. Such changes come from within and can help one get unstuck and develop a more productive relationship within the family. However, this is only possible when the family is helped to understand a holistic approach that will enable them to solve the course of the problem rather than dealing with poor relationship only as the problem. Traditional approaches, for instance, would focus on t he rights of someone against domestic violence (Deslandes and Barma 2016, p. 328). The solution will solve the problem just for a short while but leave the root course not solved at the end. However, systematic thinking approach will focus on the course of the domestic violence that will at the end course poor relationship between the family members. Unlike the daily challenges, complex sustainability issues cannot be solved through the adoption of traditional problem-solving ideas due to the complexity and the nature of the problems. In a systematic study, Lake, Fernando, and Eardley (2016) point out that systematic thinking is one of the theories with the aim of understanding complex sustainability challenges that are defined by some aspects, elements, or characters. As a result, there are six steps that are often adopted in exploring or solving complex challenges within the umbrella of system thinking that helps individuals to think and observe in a holistic ecosystem instead of individual parts. In other words, system thinking in solving sustainability challenges can be displayed in various domains in solving family relationship challenges such as poor relationships, divorce, and domestic violence. Doing so will require the adoption of the system thinking steps and procedures which include;Telling the story- according to Kuro nen, Heywood, Majamaa, and Weckroth (2017), the first step to solve a problem understands the issue involved an aspect that can only be achieved through a deep evaluation of not only the individual part but the whole system. The step requires meeting the people involved, in this, case the family members, who are then allowed to share their concept concerning the challenge. Behavior over time- it is a concept that is often presented in the form of a graph. While analyzing the challenge, people are often influenced by the current situation that is reflected in the analysis but the challenge tends to follow a time dimension. Observing the system by adopting the use of the graph will show that the consequences of the negative relationship in the family increases with time when the sustainability issues are not solved. Creation of a focusing statement- it is a point of a clear vision on the process of problem solving that defines what has been identified as the course of poor relationship in the family reasons for it persistence. Identifying the structure of the problem-after the identification a clear vision concerning the problem, the family system structure will be defined with a focus on the behavior patterns. The step will help us understand more about the family sustainability challenge and the best strategy to be adopted to solve the issue. Going deeper into the challenge- after the definition of the problems and system structures, going deeper into the issue help to evaluate and understand the underlying problem. It hence help the family members understand their personal role in solving the challenge, the relevant models or ideas that can be adopted, and the purpose of the holistic understanding of the situation. Planning an intervention- the information collected previously is used in starting the intervention phase where modifications to the challenge are adopted. The intervention helps in reaching the desired solution. Conclusion System thinking approach is a tool that is essential in different aspects of our life such as organization, business development, research, health, and environment among other aspects of life. As a result, it is essential to understand that life is cooperative and not competitive and different life forms may beneficially interact with each other as well as with the physical environment. System thinking is hence essential in solving sustainability challenges that directly or indirectly affect us as well as the environment around us. References Bell, K. B 2015, 'Strengthening the role of universities in addressing sustainability challenges: the Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions as an institutional experiment',Ecology Society, 20, 2, pp. 28-45, GreenFILE, EBSCOhost, viewed 12 August 2017. Deslandes, R, Barma, S 2016, 'Revisiting the Challenges Linked to Parenting and Home--School Relationships at the High School Level',Canadian Journal Of Education, 39, 4, pp. 1-32, Education Full Text (H.W. Wilson), EBSCOhost, viewed 12 August 2017. Frerichs, L, Hassmiller Lich, K, Dave, G, Corbie-Smith, G 2016, 'Integrating Systems Science and Community-Based Participatory Research to Achieve Health Equity',American Journal Of Public Health, 106, 2, pp. 215-222, Education Full Text (H.W. Wilson), EBSCOhost, viewed 12 August 2017. Habyarimana, J, Nkunzimana, T 2017, 'Policy Reforms and Rural Livelihoods Sustainability: Challenges and Opportunities - Empirical Evidence from the Adoption of the Land Use Consolidation (LUC) Policy in Rwanda',African Development Review, 29, pp. 96-108, Business Source Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 12 August 2017. Hart, D. McGill, B 2015, 'Strengthening the role of universities in addressing sustainability challenges: the Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions as an institutional experiment',Ecology Society, 20, 2, pp. 28-45, GreenFILE, EBSCOhost, viewed 12 August 2017. Kelley, S, Nahser, R 2014, 'Developing Sustainable Strategies: Foundations, Method, and Pedagogy',Journal Of Business Ethics, 123, 4, pp. 631-644, Education Full Text (H.W. Wilson), EBSCOhost, viewed 12 August 2017. Kuronen, M, Heywood, C, Majamaa, W, Weckroth, M 2017, 'Accountability and ecological sustainability challenges under NPM-based public sector-led urban development: four international comparative cases',International Planning Studies, 22, 3, pp. 273-288, Business Source Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 12 August 2017. Lake, D, Fernando, H, Eardley, D 2016, 'The social lab classroom: wrestling withand learning fromsustainability challenges',Sustainability: Science, Practice Policy, 12, 1, pp. 76-87, GreenFILE, EBSCOhost, viewed 12 August 2017. Montana-Hoyos, C, Lemaitre, F 2011, 'Systems thinking, disciplinarity and critical thinking in relation to creativity within contemporary arts and design education',Studies In Learning, Evaluation, Innovation Development, 8, 2, pp. 12-25, Education Full Text (H.W. Wilson), EBSCOhost, viewed 12 August 2017. 'Rethinking Environmental Protection: Meeting the Challenges of a Changing World' 2017,Environmental Healthcare Perspectives, 125, 3, pp. A43-A49, GreenFILE, EBSCOhost, viewed 12 August 2017. Starks, C 2013, 'Connecting Multiculturalism, Sustainability, Teacher Education',Multicultural Education, 21, 1, pp. 33-37, Education Full Text (H.W. Wilson), EBSCOhost, viewed 12 August 2017.