Thinking Critical In Developing Solutions †Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Systems Thinking Is Critical In Developing Solutions To Sustainability Challenges? Answer: Introduction Systems thinking is an approach pretends to be a difficult concept because it challenges traditional thinking but once this approach is clear is becomes helpful in problem solving and decision making. For understanding these concepts first we need to understand the concept of systems. Systems can be defined as the interconnection of various small parts that work together (Arnold and Wade, 2015.). Systems approach can be defined as thinking that focuses on the smaller parts separately and their interconnections to arrive at a solution (Smith, 2012). This essay critically examines the importance of systems thinking approach in developing solutions to sustainability challenges. The essay will also discuss the application of this approach in solving the problem of domestic violence. Domestic violence can be defined as the problem in which one partner in the relationship uses methods such as physical violence, sexual abuse, economic abuse, isolation and threats to control the other partne r. It also includes encounter between the people living in the same house (Cefrey, 2010). Domestic violence against women has now become a widespread problem in Australia. According to a report at least one woman dies in Australia every weak because of this problem. No fixed solution is available to this problem. In this essay systems approach will be applied to find the solution for the problem. System thinking approach in dealing with sustainability change This is a unique approach towards problem solving and decision making which focuses on the pattern of change rather than the snapshot of change. It studies in detail context of relationships in a particular system and evaluating the reasons for the pattern of behaviour over the period of time. The approach takes into account the macroscopic view of the problem to find the solution for the problem. Nature of sustainability challenges is so complex that traditional approaches are not able to provide the solution. These challenges require fresh concept therefore system thinking approach can be applied to deal with sustainability challenges (Nguyen and Bosch, 2013). Three elements of systems thinking approach make it possible to apply this approach in problem solving. These three elements are: Sustainability has emerged as a common term we hear almost every day. Sustainability involves various fields, areas and stakeholders. In has to take into consideration contrasting interest and perspectives of various parties. Sustainability impacts natural environment, social-political environment, business-economics, and policy-governance. Sustainability can be defined as something that is capable of being continuously identified (Santillo, 2007). Due to wide scope and divergent interests sustainability challenges are not easy to solve. They are complex and uncertain. Therefore no single science or method can solve the challenges of sustainability. Therefore traditional thinking is of no use in solving sustainability challenges. Systematic approach is the way that can be used to deal with the multi-dimensional issues in the sustainability (Kim, 2012). It provides with the new ways of thinking that help to eliminate age- old assumptions and finds the innovative solutions to the probl ems. The approach creates flexibility, collaboration and integration in the solution. In the era of globalisation world is facing so many complex problems related to sustainability, systematic thinking can be applied to arrive at the situation to those problems. According to Confino (2012) key components or essential ingredients for system thinking approach to work for sustainability include following: Clear mapping At the beginning it is essential to figure out that interest of all the stakeholders are considered, everyone is given equal opportunity. It also includes clearly identifying interconnections. Experienced system experts should undertake this activity because this activity is the main basis for whole process. Working as a whole After careful mapping of all the processes it is essential that representatives form part of system. There is a need to create a common language where everyone has the trust that they can be winners. A sense of trust is very important. Thinking differently The next step involves shifting focus from short term thinking to developing a positive long term vision of future. This involves thinking in such a way that ever the most ignorant factor can make a change. Problem of domestic violence (With reference to Australia) Domestic violence can be defined as the problem in which one partner in the relationship uses methods such as physical violence, sexual abuse, economic abuse, isolation and threats to control the other partner. This is emerging as one of the most wicked and serious problem of public health issue. According to reports more than 35.6 per cent women and 28.5 per cent men above the age of 18 years, lifetime bear the problem of domestic violence by immediate partner (Chibber, Cantor and Greenberg, 2016). More victims of this problem are women. According to the reports of WTO about 1 of every 3 women undergo the problem of domestic violence. Around 38 per cent of women around the globe are murdered by intimate male partners (WHO, 2017). According to the reports of Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS) at least one in every four women has experienced at least one incidence of domestic violence in Australia. It also identifies that among the victims of domest ic violence in Australia above the age of 15, 77 per cent were women and 23 per cent were men (ABC, 2016). The main causes of the problem are having some kinds of disagreements with the intimate partner, financial issues, facing humiliation or pressure at workplace, long period of unemployment or failures, effect of alcohol or drugs, brought up in the environment of violence, low education, short temperament, antisocial personality disorder, jealous or envy of success or appreciation of partner and any kind of frustration. Despite of so many causes actions of the abuser cannot be justified. The causes only help to determine what provokes an abuser to take the wrong step. Causes cannot be used as rationale for the behaviour of individual. It is not acceptable to abuse the partner physically, mentally or emotionally (Gluck, 2016). The problem is a serious threat to both physical and mental health of people. It leads to severe physical injuries, mental trauma and other chronic health issues. The major potential health issues to this problem include organ and bone damage, chronic illness, vulnerability to HIV/ AIDS, miscarriage and gynaecological problem. It also has impacts on mental health of the person such as sleep disorders, post-traumatic stress and depression. Domestic violence also has negative impacts on children. The children who grew up in the environment of violence are likely to have a range of emotional and behavioural disturbances. According to the reports one of the three abused child either becomes a victim or abuser in coming future (Chelala, 2013). Application of system approach in dealing with the problem of domestic violence The world is confronted by various complex and uncertain problems. This raises the demand for new approaches to deal with the problem. Systems approach can be applied to deal with the wicked problem of domestic violence. It identifies set procedures, methods and practices to deal with the problem. This approach needs to call for changes in the policy cycle. The approach can be implemented by using 6 steps to arrive at the solution of particular problem tell the story, draw behaviour over time graphs, draft a focusing question, identify the structure, going deeper into the issue and plan an intervention (Elmansy, 2017). System approach considers every minute detail of the circumstance even a small change in particular component can lead to big change. After looking deep into the problem and the pattern of change that has occurred over the years, it can be figured out that one of the major causes of domestic violence is gender inequality. In Australia, the two major places which report most number of domestic violence are Victoria and Queensland. After knowing the story the next step is analysing the recent trends .Recent trends show that the problem is becoming more prevalent day by day. It was also analysed that most of the men and women who were the victims of domestic violence never contacted the authorities. The basic reason behind t his was fear of revenge or further violence. The prevalence of the problem was figured out from research and surveys done by various organisations. After this the basic question arises what can be done to make the situation better. To make the situation better there is the need to deeply analyse the structure of the problem. Key causes and trends analysed in this situation are women are the most affected victims of the domestic violence and gender inequality is one of the root cause for the problem. The problem is spread worldwide. Here we take into consideration domestic violence in Australia. In Australia this problem is spread into various places at some places it is often known as family violence. Going deeper into the issue it was evident that problem has risen to such extent because police and government do not perform their job well in the beginning. Domestic violence was not considered as a crime and investigation was not detailed. After deep analysis the next step is design ing the intervention. This could be done by an agency that supports and ensures family safety. Focus of the agency should be on testing the capacity for change and ability of family members to achieve no violence contract. The agency should have consistent review meetings with the members of the society to take feedbacks (Cooper and Vetere, 2008.). Drawbacks and Recommendations In is recommended to apply systems thinking approach to find the solution of various complex problems today. Though the approach also has some drawbacks such as the process is time consuming and difficult to understand (Kumar and Pandey, 2016). The approach is considered too overwhelming and too focused on big picture. Despite of the disadvantages the theory but still this approach is best suited to deal with the sustainability challenges. To effectively utilise this approach and take it into regular practice to solve various issues it is recommended to make this approach a part of curriculum of the students. It is important for students to gain expertise in systems thinking approach to deal with the challenges of sustainability in the coming time. The course needs to make students enable to practically apply systems approach to various issues. In this paper only the wicked problem of domestic violence is discussed. But this is not the only problem to deal with; todays environment pr esents various challenges to deal with. It is also recommended to the government to build a national systems thinking approach to find various complex solutions to the problems of the population. It is recommended not only for Australia but for various countries to deal with the upcoming sustainability challenges. Only application of systems approach at national level is not essential it is also important to make sure that this approach is flexible enough to deal with the complex environment changes and uncertainties. Conclusion It can be concluded that though systems approach is bit difficult still it can used to develop suitable solutions to the complex and uncertain challenges of sustainability. The sustainability is an issue which affects various areas such as social, political, legal and environmental. Thus the issue involves various stakeholders and their divergent interests therefore it becomes very difficult to arrive at a solution of the problem related to sustainability. The approach of systems thinking provides an innovative insight to thinking it takes into consideration the macroscopic picture and pattern of changes in behaviours over the times. The problem of domestic violence is emerging as the wicked problem in todays environment. Domestic violence involves physical, mental or emotional abuse by one partner to other. It was evident from the researches that main victims of domestic violence are women. Domestic violence problem is prevailing in various countries across the globe. Traditional th inking approach in this problem failed to provide a suitable solution thus to deal with the situation thus various steps of systems approach can be applied to find the solution of given problem. It is recommended to make this approach a part of curriculum so that students become experts in finding the solution to various challenging issues. References ABC, 2016. Fact file: Domestic violence in Australia, viewed on 13 August 2017 from https://www.abc.net.au/news/factcheck/2016-04-06/fact-file-domestic-violence-statistics/7147938 Arnold, R.D. and Wade, J.P., 2015. A definition of systems thinking: a systems approach.Procedia Computer Science,44, pp.669-678. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877050915002860 Cefrey, H. 2008. Domestic Violence. The Rosen Publishing Group https://books.google.co.in/books?id=PVfWjOL1IswCprintsec=frontcoversource=gbs_ge_summary_rcad=0#v=onepageqf=false Chelala, C., 2013. 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A systems thinking approach to identify leverage points for sustainability: a case study in the Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve, Vietnam.Systems Research and Behavioral Science,30(2), pp.104-115. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/sres.2145/full Pandey, A. and Kumar, A. 2016. System Thinking Approach to Deal with Sustainability Challenges. Proceedings of International Conference on Science, Technology, Humanities and Business Management, Bangkok, viewed on 18 August from https://socrd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/17BKK125-System-Thinking-Approach-to-Deal-with-Sustainability-Challenges.pdf Santillo, D., 2007. Reclaiming the Definition of Sustainability (7 pp). Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 14(1), pp.60-66. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1065%2Fespr2007.01.375?LI=true Smith, B. 2012. Overview of Systems Thinking. 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