System constellations as a tool supporting organisational learning and change processes

Abstract

Originally developed in the context of family therapy, system constellations are introduced using an organisational learning and system theoretical framework. Constellations are systemic group interventions using a spatial representation of the system elements. They correspond to deuterolearning processes and use higher-order systemic thinking. Several company cases are analysed where constellations were used to overcome organisational defensive routines of the participants of a change process. The analysis shows how a certain set of systemic principles, which is identified, is at work in situations where organisational defensive routines block learning and prevent the creation of sustainable solutions. It is shown that system constellations can help organisations deal with complex management situations.The relationship to other organisational intervention methods is discussed and possible directions of future research are highlighted in connection with a brief review of the relevant scholarly literature.

Exploring Cultural Issues for Constellation Work in South Africa

“…Issues relating to perpetrators, trauma and healing (Carnabucci & Anderson, 2012) were further significant topics. CW is acknowledged in organisational contexts and emphasised in international CW literature (Birkenkrahe, 2008;Stiefel et al, 2002).The study also confirmed that apartheid, race, racialised identities, relationships between perpetrator and victim, and sexual abuse and violence/crime (Payne, 2005) are important themes across cultural groups in CW. Culture and the cultural context (Dykstra, 2004) are viewed as influencing healing and constellations.…”

“…Issues relating to perpetrators, trauma and healing (Carnabucci & Anderson, ) were further significant topics. CW is acknowledged in organisational contexts and emphasised in international CW literature (Birkenkrahe, ; Stiefel et al., ).…”

“…Carnabucci and Anderson () discuss perpetrators, justice, trauma and healing as topics in CW whilst Stiefel et al. () use it in organisational settings and Birkenkrahe () for business‐related solutions. For South Africa, Payne () highlights that CW is an intervention to deal with the individual, the family and the ethnic conscience of apartheid, by focusing on relationships of victims and perpetrators, government and regimes, war, sexual abuse and crime.…”

Constellation work principles, resonance phenomena, and shamanism in South Africa

“…Principles in CW are defined as repeating patterns that are visible during different constellations (Birkenkrahe, 2008, p. 16). Principles are seen as underlying patterns of representative perception in CW (Podirsky & Würtenberger, 2011) and are strongly connected to phenomena of intuition and knowledge (Mayer, 2015).…”

“…Recent approaches aim at integrating shamanic healing principles (Payne, 2005; Van Kampenhout, 2003), indigenous knowledge (Mason Boring, 2004), neurobiology (Peyton, 2015), trauma healing (Levine, 2005), nature and earth constellations (Mason Boring & Sloan, 2013), or Kabbalist principles (Schusterman, 2003) into CW. CW has also found access to the field of organisational learning and change management processes (Birkenkrahe, 2008; Peterson, 2005; Roevens, 2008), and its approach has been broadened on the foundation of Hellinger’s pioneering work. Lynch and Tucker (2005) argue that since the first approaches of CW by Hellinger, a new generation of practitioners has developed and CW has undergone changes in perspectives and practices that are diverse and multiple.…”