Systems Thinking in Europe

Proceedings of the United Kingdom Systems Society Conference on [title], held in Huddersfield, UK, September 1991. In addition to sections devoted to applications of systems thinking, applications of methodology (both hard and soft), problem structuring and critical systems, thinking, information systems, and information systems development, plenary papers address issues fundamental to systems theory, an application of systems ideas in bringing about change, the fundamentals of critical systems thinking, and important aspects of information systems. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

About the authors Robert L. Flood, born 1955, is Professor of Management Sciences at the University of Hull, UK. He worked for 8 years in management with Paramount Pictures, National Opinion Polls and the Berkshire Area Health Authority, and actively pursues his management interests through consultancy, mainly in commercial organisations. He has authored 4 books, edited 2 others, is founding editor of the journal Systems Practice and has published in many other learned journals. Professor Flood holds a PhD in Systems Science and is also a Chartered Engineer. Michael C. Jackson, born 1951, is Professor of Management Systems at the University of Hull, UK. Prior to entering academic life he worked for 4 years in the civil service. He enjoys diverse consultancy interests with a particular focus on community projects and non-profit-making organisations. He has authored 2 books, edited 6 others, is deputy editor of the journal Systems Practice and has published in many other learned journals and contributed to several books. Professor Jackson holds a Masters degree in Systems and is currently Chair of the UK Systems Society.

Michael C. Jackson graduated from Oxford University and has since worked in public sector management, in academia, and as a consultant. He is Professor of Management Systems at the University of Hull, United Kingdom, and Director of its business school. Mike is author of "Systems Methodology for the Management Sciences," Plenum, 1991; "Creative Problem Solving," Wiley, 1991 (with R.L. Flood); "Systems Approaches to Management," Kluwer/Plenum, 2000; and numerous articles in academic and professional journals, including some of the most cited in the field. He is also editor-in-chief of "Systems Research and Behavioral Science" and associate editor of "Systems Practice and Action Research," Mike has been Chair of the UK Systems Society and President of the International Federation for Systems Research and the International Society for the Systems Sciences. His work has been translated into six languages and he has given invited lectures in over twenty countries. He is a Fellow of the British Computer Society, the Chartered Management Institute, and the Cybernetics Society.