Business Finance - Management Week 5 Assignment- Improving Business Performance

Improving Business Performance

Week 5 Learning Resources

Casual Loop Modeling

Through these resources, you will explore causal loop modeling and how it is used as a method to illustrate a dilemma within a system. Once the causal elements are identified, circular diagrams provide visual representations of the cause-and-effect interrelationships and interactions of those elements. These diagrams serve as diagnostic tools as well as prospective tools that can illustrate unforeseen interactions or consequences of future actions.

· Johnson, L. K. (n.d.).  In search of the perfect causal loop variable Links to an external site. . The Systems Thinker. https://thesystemsthinker.com/in-search-of-the-perfect-causal-loop-variable/

· Kim, D. (n.d.).  From causal loops to graphical functions: Articulating chaos Links to an external site. . The Systems Thinker. https://thesystemsthinker.com/from-causal-loops-to-graphical-functions-articulating-chaos/

· Kim, D. (n.d.).  Graphical functions: “Seeing” the full story Links to an external site. . The Systems Thinker. https://thesystemsthinker.com/graphical-functions-seeing-the-full-story/

· Lannon, C. (n.d.).  Causal loop construction: The basics Links to an external site. . The Systems Thinker. https://thesystemsthinker.com/causal-loop-construction-the-basics/

Introducing the Archetypes

Using these resources, you will explore some of the common archetypes of causal issues that arise within business systems. If you can recognize which archetype is reflected in the system and illustrate a dilemma using the archetypes, you may be able to gain a stronger insight into the underlying behavior of the dilemma. By familiarizing yourself with archetypes, you can become more effective in using causal loop modeling, both as a diagnostic and remediation tool.

· Clancy, T. (2018).  Systems thinking: Three system archetypes every manager should knowLinks to an external site. .  IEEE Engineering Management Review,  46(2), 32–41. https://doi.org/10.1109/EMR.2018.2844377

· Kim, D. H. (2000).  Systems archetypes I: Diagnosing systemic issues and designing interventionsLinks to an external site. . The Systems Thinker. https://thesystemsthinker.com/systems-archetypes-i-diagnosing-systemic-issues-and-designing-interventions/

· Kim, D. H., & Lannon, C. (1997).  Applying systems archetypes Links to an external site. . The Systems Thinker. https://thesystemsthinker.com/applying-systems-archetypes/

· Senge, P. M. (2006). Nature’s templates: Identifying the patterns that control events. In  The fifth discipline: The art and practice of the learning organization (pp. 92–112). Doubleday.

· Senge, P. M. (2006). Self-limiting or self-sustaining growth. In  The fifth discipline: The art and practice of the learning organization (pp. 113–125). Doubleday.

· Senge, P. M. (2006). Systems archetypes. In  The fifth discipline: The art and practice of the learning organization (pp. 389–400). Doubleday.

· Wolstenholme, E. F. (2003).  Towards the definition and use of a core set of archetypal structures in system dynamicsLinks to an external site. .  System Dynamics Review,  19(1), 7–26.

Important Documents and Resources

· Landel, R. D. & Timoshin, D. (2001, March 8).  Rise and demise of the innovative entrant . Darden Business Publishing. http://hbr.org Note: This resource will be used for this week’s Discussion.

· Moon, Y., & Quelch, J. (2018).  Starbucks: Delivering customer service . HBS Case 9-504-016. Harvard Business School Publishing. http://hbr.org Note: This resource will be used for this week’s Assignment.

· Document:  How to Analyze a Business Case Study (PDF) Download How to Analyze a Business Case Study (PDF)

· Document:  Module 2 Assignment Template (Word document)