2891. Systemic change: Drama with the Machine

Description

Emerging developments in critical systems thinking and practice and complexity place systemic change as an afterword of the use of systems methodologies or methods. Whilst this might be a consequence of encountering machine-like situations where it is difficult to promote joined up thinking, cooperation or mutual learning, there is room to further problematise change and how to deal with it. This paper brings possibilities to help facilitators enact change and survive in the attempt. These possibilities include revisiting what is currently understood by systemic leadership as becoming (Boulton, 2024), and enriching it with insights from drama (Bryant, 2003) and ritual (Córdoba-Pachón 2024). A 'play' in aiming to bring about change after a systemic intervention about food waste in a university campus is written and reflected upon. Insights would suggest that facilitators could go with the flow of events, letting go of their 'ownership' of change and their identity as systems thinkers, whilst critically supporting others who operate within a machine like type of organisation. These insights could contribute to discussions about the value of pragmatism in operational research practice and critical systems thinking.

Period	25 Jun 2025
Event title	European Conference of Operational Research: EURO34
Event type	Conference
Location	Leeds, United KingdomShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International