There is a widely held belief that systems thinking is an answer to the increasing complexity of the world as well as the workplace. Despite strong interest and assertions, however, the relationship between systems thinking and complex decision making has received scant attention in the literature. Using Richmond's (1997) classification scheme as the theoretical base, this paper investigates the link between systems thinking and complex decision making using Verbal Protocol Analysis (VPA) methodology. The findings of the study indicate that while the degree of systems thinking does matter, certain types of systemic thinking would be more relevant to performance. Further, evidence shows that the subject's approach to the problem is also a highly pertinent factor in task performance, in that better performers displayed a distinctive pattern of thought that differed from that of the poor performers. Better performing subjects attempted to gain an understanding of the system structure before they proceeded to develop strategies and take action. The findings revealed a cyclical thought pattern that was consistently followed by better performing participants. This pattern, termed the CPA cycle, consists of three distinct phases of conception, planning, and action. This research contributes to the fields of systems thinking and complex decision making by integrating knowledge and methodology from several disciplines including psychology, management and IT. Specific contributions include a novel research methodology and, in particular, operationalization of the systems thinking paradigm, as well as identification of disaggregated factors affecting complex decision making. The managerial and organizational implications of the research are compelling and invite further research in this nascent field.

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Data are reponed on the perception offouling in New Zealand based on 200 companies and the application of nearly 2000 heat exchangers. These data are discussed with respect to their occurrence for various heat exchanger application{. industries, and heat exchanger types. The fouling mitigation strategies applied in New Zealand are depicted and compared with the state of the an in fouling mitigation as found from an extensive literature search. Some comments are made as to the heat exchanger cleaning frequencies in NewiZealand industries. Finally, an attempt is made to provide a reasonably reliable estimate of the annual fouling-related costs in New Zealand. These results are then compared with those previously reponed from the United States and England.

The view that improved quality positively affects productivity and business performance is championed in the literature [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. Theories explaining the positive impacts of quality come in the main from isolated case histories, anecdotal experiences and single-industry empirical studies. Rigorous testing and empirical validation of the impacts of quality are fragmentary [8][9][10][11][12][13].It is somewhat of a surprise to theorists who have championed the adoption of a strategy of continuous quality improvement, that manufacturers have been slow to respond to their propositions. Surveys conducted in a number of countries in the past two decades, indicate that large proportions of manufacturers still do not use the quality improvement techniques generally believed to improve performance. Reported findings from North America [3,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20], Great Britain[21-23], Ireland[24], Australia[25-27], New Zealand[28] and India[29] confirm the existence of counter intuitive management behaviour.In the ordinary course of events, potentially rewarding new ideas take time to be disseminated and adopted. However, the benefits of improved quality have been hailed so loudly, so often and for so long that it is not easy to understand the lag in a widespread adoption.This investigation with its associated empirical verification into the operational and strategic value of quality improvement aims to narrow the gap between theory and practice. Research Objectives and ProceduresThis study focuses on direct and indirect relationships between quality, productivity and manufacturing performance. Assessing the flow-on effect of quality on business performance, despite the potentially confounding nature and complexity of interaction of the business function, has also been attempted in this study.The research domain for this article is manufacturing industries in New Zealand. A small island nation, but of international interest nonetheless having one of the more favourable economic policy climates among OECD countries [30].Results reported in this study derive from analysis of 184 New Zealand manufacturing enterprises surveyed.

This paper discusses the application of systems thinking concepts and tools in establishing ‘Learning Laboratories’ for Sustainable Development. It first presents a brief description of the potential value of utilising biosphere reserves for implementing the learning laboratories concept, followed by how systemic processes have been developed to establish a Learning Laboratory through a comprehensive pilot project in the Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve (CBBR) in Vietnam. In this project Causal Loop Modelling were used to determine the components and interactions between the policy, social, environmental and economic dimensions of the CBBR. The resultant model has been used to identify key leverage points and where systemic interventions will be most effective (potential research projects). The model also serves as a platform for learning and research collaboration through alliances and cross‐sectoral teams to address the various domains, leverage points, and interventions identified. The role and importance of systems thinking methodology and applications to deal with ever‐increasing complexities of sustainable development are discussed. The modelling approach and various processes that were used in this pilot project could be extended to other biosphere reserves in Vietnam and globally, in that way creating a worldwide network of ‘Learning Laboratories for Sustainable Development’. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This paper describes an approach to teaching systems thinking and associated capacity building for a team of professionals and managers from a developing country (Vietnam), engaged in the sustainable management of a world biosphere reserve. Vietnamese environmental and development managers and UNESCO were attracted to a systems approach to managing the Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve because it offered a way to address components of sustainability holistically, while transcending organisational and disciplinary ‘silos’. Key features of the training approach include learning as a group of professionals, with senior organisational support and commitment to apply systems approaches in the workplace; enjoyable adult learning approaches tailored to the needs of participants; complementing teaching of systems thinking and techniques with participatory methods for working with the participants in developing solutions to their sustainability issues; and building in evaluation at every stage, through participatory methods taught in the course. The paper highlights the importance of teaching systems thinking and provides an example curriculum and teaching strategy based on adult learning principles. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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