This core textbook provides a practical, holistic introduction to systems thinking. Blending theory and practice, Systems Thinking for Business reviews the fundamentals and includes a wide range of global cases and examples from business, showing how systems thinking can be applied to real-world organizational contexts. Students will learn to apply their knowledge to solve business system problems, carry out systemic organizational analysis and design solutions to address complex organizational problems. They will build valuable skills in systems analysis, business process modelling, problem solving and decision making. Features include: · An evaluation of the different models, theories and frameworks for generic systems, system properties and system classifications · An overview of the different methods used for modelling and analysing different systems, specifically hard systems, soft systems and complex systems · Discussion of how system thinkers can imagine and model future systems · Experiential, engaging pedagogy, such as a running case study, practical activities and reflective exercises in each chapter · Online resources to support teaching and learning, such as a customizable set of PowerPoint slides and video links The book's approach has been tried and tested over ten years of postgraduate and executive teaching. It will be an essential text for introductory modules on systems thinking at undergraduate, postgraduate and MBA levels. It will also be of interest to practitioners looking to apply systems thinking to improve their organizations.

The fundamental reason for the existence of any manufacturing organization is to generate wealth by adding value to the products and services it offers. In this new global industrial environment, value is generated from many sources, such as rapid and flexible fulfillment of orders, developing new innovative products and services, providing rapid and responsive product and service support, delivering innovative turn-key solutions to customers, and so on. In the 21st century most manufacturing organizations will have to respond to these challenges through innovative partnerships, by creating virtual enterprises, by operating in agile networks to generate value by exploiting their existing competencies in design, manufacturing, distribution and customer service, whilst building new competencies in information systems, communications and knowledge management. Just as no man is an island, so no business can operate without being part of a network of businesses, which we call the manufacturing value chain. This book brings together the works of leading researchers to present state-of-the-art research and development on the strategic management of the manufacturing value chain' in the broadest sense. The objectives of Strategic Management of the Manufacturing Value Chain are: To provide insights into potential strategies, methods, tools and techniques which could facilitate competitiveness through innovation agility and partnership. To explore the use of enabling technologies, such as IT, in meeting the challenges of the 21st century. To provide practical case studies which demonstrate the use of new approaches to the generation and management of value in manufacturing. Strategic Managementof the Manufacturing Value Chain is suitable as a secondary text for graduate-level courses of management and manufacturing, and as a reference for researchers and practitioners in industry, commerce and government.

The fundamental reason for the existence of any manufacturing organization is to generate wealth by adding value to the products and services it offers. In this new global industrial environment, value is generated from many sources, such as rapid and flexible fulfillment of orders, developing new innovative products and services, providing rapid and responsive product and service support, delivering innovative turn-key solutions to customers, and so on. In the 21st century most manufacturing organizations will have to respond to these challenges through innovative partnerships, by creating virtual enterprises, by operating in agile networks to generate value by exploiting their existing competencies in design, manufacturing, distribution and customer service, whilst building new competencies in information systems, communications and knowledge management. Just as no man is an island, so no business can operate without being part of a network of businesses, which we call the manufacturing value chain.This book brings together the works of leading researchers to present state-of-the-art research and development on 'the strategic management of the manufacturing value chain' in the broadest sense. The objectives of Strategic Management of the Manufacturing Value Chain are: * To provide insights into potential strategies, methods, tools and techniques which could facilitate competitiveness through innovation agility and partnership. * To explore the use of enabling technologies, such as IT, in meeting the challenges of the 21st century. * To provide practical case studies which demonstrate the use of new approaches to the generation and management of value in manufacturing. Strategic Management of the Manufacturing Value Chain is suitable as a secondary text for graduate-level courses of management and manufacturing, and as a reference for researchers and practitioners in industry, commerce and government.

This core textbook provides a practical, holistic introduction to systems thinking. Blending theory and practice, Systems Thinking for Business reviews the fundamentals and includes a wide range of global cases and examples from business, showing how systems thinking can be applied to real-world organizational contexts. Students will learn to apply their knowledge to solve business system problems, carry out systemic organizational analysis and design solutions to address complex organizational problems. They will build valuable skills in systems analysis, business process modelling, problem solving and decision making. Features include: · An evaluation of the different models, theories and frameworks for generic systems, system properties and system classifications · An overview of the different methods used for modelling and analysing different systems, specifically hard systems, soft systems and complex systems · Discussion of how system thinkers can imagine and model future systems · Experiential, engaging pedagogy, such as a running case study, practical activities and reflective exercises in each chapter · Online resources to support teaching and learning, such as a customizable set of PowerPoint slides and video links The book's approach has been tried and tested over ten years of postgraduate and executive teaching. It will be an essential text for introductory modules on systems thinking at undergraduate, postgraduate and MBA levels. It will also be of interest to practitioners looking to apply systems thinking to improve their organizations.