Theorizing Systems Methodologies Across Cultures

摘要

People across cultures solve problems differently, so do they theorize systems methodologies. Mainstream systems research has thus far managed to ignore the cultural dimension, which generates frustrations in cross-border conversation and application. Exploring how representative systems methodologies are theorized in different cultural settings, this paper aims to (1) stress that systems methodologies, like other management thoughts and practices, are cultural artefacts, (2) propose that a heightened sensitivity towards cultural differences is essential to systems research and practice in an era of deepened globalization.