A Global Network of Systems Thinkers, newsletter #16, by Kent Myers

 

Consider this message very seriously.  Each of you receiving this message has at one time or another made a commitment to systems thinking.  Some have stuck with it, some have wandered off, but I suspect a large percentage of you have 'gone wobbly' and are looking for a reason to re-energize.  A conference in Philadelphia is a very good reason to re-energize. 

 

I would especially like S3 people to show up. Share your best current thinking.  From what I've seen so far in the abstracts, the current thinking is really interesting and it seems certain that I am going to learn something of permanent value.  I'm waking from my slumber and wondering what happened to the intellectual conviviality in my life.  I have to make it, and this is the best opportunity.  As Bill Smith points out (Bill, you are coming?), you should expect a three-times return on whatever you invest in any meeting of any size.  This one will make the grade.

 

So here's the pitch: on your commute, think about a topic (for a paper, talk, panel, activity) that interests you and shows how clever you are.  Take only 15 minutes to write up a paragraph on it.  E-mail the paragraph to the conference.  You may surprise yourself at how easy it was and how good it makes you feel.  There will be more work to do.  Take action now, and the process will draw you forward.

 

PS: If you come up with nothing on your commute, send in a "Homer Simpson" abstract anyway.  Make the deadline, then follow up with an idea.

 

Here's the official call:

 

3rd International Conference on Systems Thinking in Management (ICSTM 2004): Transforming Organizations to Achieve Sustainable Success

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, May 19 - 21, 2004 at the University of

Pennsylvania

 

CALL for PAPERS, SYMPOSIA and WORKSHOPS

 

The Global Community of Systems Thinkers, in conjunction with the

University of Pennsylvania's Ackoff Center for the Advancement of Systems Approaches (ACASA) and the Association for Enterprise Integration (AFEI), invites you to submit Papers, Symposia and Workshops to the 3rd International Conference on Systems Thinking in Management (ICSTM 2004).

 

Modern organizations exist in an increasingly networked, globalized world facing fast-paced technological, environmental, demographic, and cultural change. ICSTM 2004 will explore ways to be proactive in the midst of such powerful forces and rapid change.

 

A central premise of systems thinking is that we need neither accept change uncritically nor resist it blindly, but rather may strive to proactively shape our environment towards desired ends. The conference will explore how we can create our future rather than float powerlessly into it -- how we can stay true to central values, while remaining viable and creative.

 

ICSTM 2004 will provide a forum to share ideas about systems thinking and to discover new possibilities for organizations. We seek to attract strong academic contributions, especially empirical work. We also seek proposals for alternative formats and designs: workshops, practical exercises, and symposia which encourage participative development of thoughts and ideas.

 

The conference will attract a mixture of industry, government, and academic delegates. Contributions may address the interests and needs of any or all groups among this diverse audience. Along with rigorous empirical and theoretical work, we encourage submissions of practical applications guided by theory, success stories, learning experiences, and integrative approaches. We also encourage panel sessions addressing topical themes, and tutorial/workshop sessions in emerging systems approaches.

 

Abstract and subsequent paper submissions should comply with the following schedule:

·  October 15th, 2003: Submission of abstracts

·  November 15th, 2003: Invitation to submit full paper for review

·  December 15th, 2003: Submission of full paper

·  January 15th, 2004: Final acceptance

 

In preparing your submissions, consider the following questions:

·  Who is the audience and why should they care about the topic?

·  How does the paper incorporate systems thinking?

·  How does the paper relate to the transformation or sustainability of

organizations?

·  Does the paper present or explain aspects of theory of systems thinking?

·  Are the ideas/research/concepts applicable in the "real world" of

management? How?

·  Have they been applied already? What have been the results?

 

Abstracts should be between 200-400 words. Send them by email, in the body of the email, to the Review Committee at review@.... Please also provide the paper's title, contact information and key biographical data on the authors.

 

The organizing committee is negotiating to publish a special journal issue and a book on the conference theme.

 

Thank you for your submissions. We look forward to seeing you at ICSTM 2004 and enjoying a great conference together. For more information, please see our website: http://www.icstm.org, and contact us at info@....