Discussion: Applying Systems Thinking - Assignment Example

DISCUSSION: APPLYING SYSTEMS THINKING Step Identify the Problem The credit union is currently facing the problem of scale challenges and performance pressures, which has created a major stakeholder’s dilemma of changing its “members-first” philosophy.Step 2: Major Factors involvedThe problem of scale challenges and performance pressure has come about due to a number of factors that have worked one against the order at Affinity. This is because as Senge (2006) noted, organizational problems are never isolated of independent causes.

Some factors involved are Organizational SystemsMacroeconomic PerformanceEmployee EngagementOrganizational PhilosophyLeadershipStep 3: Identify possible causesBen-Menachem and Gavious (2008) mentions that in the absence of the root cause of the problem known, any intervention given only treat the symptoms and not the problem. At Affinity, causes of the problem include what has been summarized in the table belowFactor Causes Why? Organizational systems?Lack of upgraded systemSystem not matching with current economic trendWhy?

Macroeconomic performance?Fear of pending recessionBad investment options by members Need to avoid inflation Why? Employee engagement? Employees given little room to functionPoor training for employees Insufficient employee base Why? Organizational philosophy?Philosophy sidelining employees Overemphasis on worth rather than how to create itUnchanged philosophy in a long timeWhy? Leadership? Lack of dynamic leadershipPoorly intrinsically motivated leadershipBased on the system analysis given above, the problem could be improved by focusing more on the economy and employees rather than putting members and the organization first.

This means that the entire organizational philosophy needs to change. This is because the role of employees in system thinking has always been trumpeted by Meadows (2008), who noted that in the absence of a well motivated and involved employee, organizations cannot get from its members and customers what it ought to. In my organization, I shall learn to make the employee the face of the company and put employees ahead of the organization in terms of organizational prioritization. ReferencesMeadows, D. H. (2008).

Thinking in systems: A primer. White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green.Senge, P. M. (2006). The fifth discipline: The art & practice of the learning organization. New York, NY: Doubleday.Ben-Menachem, M., & Gavious, I. (2008). Economic desirability and traceability of complex products. Electronic Journal of Information Systems Evaluation, 11(3), 155–166.