A Traceable Integration of Soft Systems Methodology and Theory of Constraints–Thinking Processes for Stakeholder Conflict Resolution and Organisational Alignment

Journal of Systems Thinking in Practice

مقالات آماده انتشار، پذیرفته شده، انتشار آنلاین از تاریخ 17 آبان 1404

نوع مقاله: Research Article

شناسه دیجیتال (DOI): 10.22067/jstinp.2025.94291.1160

نویسندگان

Sasan Sepasi¹؛ Azim Zarei^{* 2}

¹PhD Student, Faculty of Economics, Management and Administrative Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.

²Full Professor, Faculty of Economics, Management and Administrative Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran

چکیده

Through a systemic intervention grounded in critical realism, this study integrates Soft Systems Methodology and the Theory of Constraints-Thinking Processes in a participatory inquiry aimed at achieving stakeholder consensus and designing a conceptual model aligned with strategic objectives. This critical-realist systemic design addresses organisational complexity by acknowledging both socially constructed perceptions and underlying generative mechanisms, fostering actionable understanding in a real-world context. Conducted in a family-run firm in Iran’s lubricant supply chain, the study focuses on resolving stakeholder tensions surrounding performance evaluation and strategic misalignment. Participatory workshops elicited multiple viewpoints and synthesised them using Customers-Actors-Transformation-Weltanschauung-Owners-Environment analysis and Evaporating Clouds, supported by a Current Reality Tree to make causal logic explicit. These dialogues led to a shared root definition and a collaboratively constructed Future Reality Tree—a conceptual artefact designed to clarify performance criteria, realign incentive mechanisms, and strengthen strategic coherence. Rather than pursuing immediate implementation, the study concludes at the conceptual modelling stage, emphasising shared understanding and logical transparency as precursors to sustainable organisational change. Methodologically, it bridges interpretive and analytical paradigms and offers a replicable approach for scholars and practitioners navigating complex socio-technical dilemmas where consensus-building and causal clarity are jointly required.

کلیدواژه‌ها

Critical realism؛ Systemic design؛ Stakeholder consensus؛ Strategic alignment؛ Soft Systems Methodology (SSM)؛ Theory of Constraints (TOC)