Topic > Systems innovation and the circular economy

Strains on global systems, including social and economic ones, are becoming increasingly complex and complicated. These layers of complexity and complications, in turn, make it difficult to use a single solution or simple strategy to solve the associated problems. Systemic innovation is an approach that goes beyond a single organization or solution to bring together associated stakeholders of data systems to create an enabling environment to collaborate, innovate, and potentially change the nature of society. Some of the greatest innovations are believed to occur when you connect these groups of different stakeholders, from various points of leverage, and engage them using systems thinking (Midgley & Lindhult, 2017). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay It is more impactful to use innovation as a process that incorporates systems modeling to guide stakeholder conversations in understanding the “bigger picture” to help them start thinking more systematically. These types of conversations can describe what a future with innovative positive impacts would look like and what might happen with associated negative consequences (Colvin et al, 2014; Gannon and Monat, 2015; Ison, 2016; Laszlo, 2017). Professor Peter Checkland, of Lancaster University, after 25 years of research, developed what he called "Soft Systems Management", which is a methodology developed to tackle complex real-world problems using systems thinking. In his research, Checkland makes a clear distinction between what is referred to as 'hard' and 'soft' systems methodologies (e.g. Checkland, 1981). Hard systems methodologies take clearly defined problems and use structured methods and scientific approaches to develop calculated ideal solutions. In contrast, soft systems methodologies recognize that not all problems are clearly defined, can be complicated, and take into account the human and social influences of these systems. Some of these factors include the multitude of different stakeholder perceptions, a creative and more intuitive approach to problem solving, and the results of these methodologies may not necessarily be clear solutions but instead stronger common understandings. When addressing the circular economy, it is imperative to take into account systems thinking that incorporates both “hard” and “soft” methodologies in order to achieve desirable outcomes; however, this paper focuses on systemic innovation through the technique of soft methodological approach using three approaches: systems thinking, collaborative processes and thinking, and radical innovation. The order of these approaches should be considered as-is to guide stakeholders through specific exercises and maximize engaging activities. Beginning with systems thinking exercises, stakeholders begin to work collaboratively to identify and define the systems at hand to understand their complexities, complications, individual parts, leverage points, areas of tension, boundaries, feedback, as well as current positives and positives. existing negative consequences. From this, stakeholders engage in a series of activities around collaborative processes such as stakeholder mapping, thinking about values ​​and ethics (application of the Sustainable Development Goals), etc. Part of the goal of these first two processes is to address high-level questions that may seem abstract at first, but can begin to fundamentally change the interactions that arise from these discussions around problems,.