CRITICAL SYSTEMS THINKING AND TOTAL SYSTEMS INTERVENTION: SYSTEMS-BASED RESEARCH AND CONSULTANCY IN THE DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND SCIENCES,HULL UNIVERSITY,UK

This paper is a brief overview of the current achievements of a substantial research and consultancy program, which is reflected in our undergraduate and postgraduate taught courses, at the University of Hull, UK. Our ideas are based on critique, which has been found useful in developing an open and conciliatory approach to the diversity of systems-based problem-solving methods. We label this critical systems thinking. The diversity is shown to be a strength as opposed to the failed conception of fragmentation and isolation, which is a weakness. Ail of this is brought together in a pragmatized form, which then provides a creative approach to systems-based problem solving for our consultancy work. We label this total systems intervention.