On the interpretive systems approach - a review agenda

Based on Jackson (2000), I produce the following review agenda on the interpretive systems approach (also known as soft systems thinking):

1. Introduction
• The "root metaphor" of contextualism
• The lack of a coherent interpretive systems theory
2. Specific interpretive systems approaches
• Interactive Management of Warfield
• Social Systems Design of Churchman
• Strategic Assumption Surfacing and Testing (SAST) methodology of Mason and Mitroff
• Social Systems Sciences of Ackoff
• Soft Systems Methodology of Checkland
• Soft Systems Thinking of Senge
• Soft Operational Research
3. Constitutive rules underlying the interpretive systems approach (re: Table 7.5 of Jackson (2000; pg. 282)
4. Critique of the interpretive systems approach

Overall, the Jackson (2000; chapter 7) provides a very good introductuon and review on the interpretive systems approach. From Jackson (2000), you could locate the relevant readings to pursue your study on this approach.


Reference
Jackson, M.C. (2000) "Chapter 7: The Interpretive Systems Approach", Systems Approaches to Management, Kluwer Academic/ Plenum Publishers