Systemic decision analysis approaches

Abstract

Purpose – To complete the general multi-criteria decision-analysis process and extend it to the process of requisitely holistic generating ideas and developing them into innovations. Also, in terms of dialectical systems thinking, to recommend the use of individual and group methods and software supporting this process. Design/methodology/approach – In 1974, Mulej invented and introduced the “Dialectical System” concept (DS), and in 1998 Mulej and Kajzer fortified DS with “the Law of Requisite Holism.” The concept was well-verified in practice, but lacked the support of quantitative versions of systems thinking. In this paper, we eliminate that deficiency: we complete and extend Belton and Stewart’s general multi-criteria decision-analysis process to a process of generating ideas and developing them into innovations. Findings – Methods and software supportive of creativity can help generate ideas. Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods can be used to complement intuition, verify ideas, and support their development into innovations. The point is in reaching the requisite holism with only a requisite effort by applied systems thinking and innovation. Research limitations/implications – Quantitative methods are considered necessary and helpful, but are not sufficient conditions for innovations or for holism. Practical implications – This paper demonstrates that the modern operations research methods can help strengthen innovation and holistic thinking capacity much more than traditional ones. Originality/value – The innovative aspect of this paper is that it extends a general multiple criteria decision-analysis process to the process of generating ideas and developing them into innovations. It combines the Dialectical Systems Theory and the MCDM methods, which provides an interesting new synergy.