Skip to main content
Log in

Intelligence systems methodology: a systemic approach to the organizational intelligence function

  • Article
  • Published:
Knowledge Management Research & Practice

Abstract

Organizational intelligence can be seen as a function of the viable structure of an organization. With the integration of the Viable System Model and Soft Systems Methodology (systemic approaches of organizational management) focused on the role of the intelligence function, it is possible to elaborate a model of action with a structured methodology to prospect, select, treat and distribute information to the entire organization that improves the efficacy and efficiency of all processes. This combination of methodologies is called Intelligence Systems Methodology (ISM) whose assumptions and dynamics are delimited in this paper. The ISM is composed of two simultaneous activities: the Active Environmental Mapping and the Stimulated Action Cycle. The elaboration of the formal ISM description opens opportunities for applications of the methodology on real situations, offering a new path for this specific issue of systems thinking: the intelligence systems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akgün AE, Byrne J and Heskin H (2007) Organizational intelligence: a structuration view. Journal of Organizational Change Management 20 (3), 272–289.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Albrecht K (2002) The Power of Minds at Work: Organizational Intelligence in Action. AMACOM, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allee V (1997) The Knowledge Evolution: Expanding Organizational Intelligence. Butterworth-Heinemann, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Argyris C (1999) On Organizational Learning. Blackwell Publishing, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ashby WR (1964) An Introduction to Cybernetics. University of Michigan, Michigan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asimakou T (2009) The knowledge dimension of innovation management. Knowledge Management Research & Practice 7 (1), 82–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bakhtin M (1997) Estética da Criação Verbal. Martins Fontes, São Paulo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beer S (1979) The Heart of Enterprise. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beer S (1981) Brain of the Firm. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beer S (1985) Diagnosing the System for Organizations. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester.

    Google Scholar 

  • Checkland P (1981) Systems Thinking, Systems Practice. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester.

    Google Scholar 

  • Checkland P and Scholes J (1990) Soft Systems Methodology in Action. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester.

    Google Scholar 

  • Culler J (1983) On Deconstruction. Independent, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deutsch KW (1956) Towards an Unified Theory of Human Behavior. Basic Books, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixon NM (1999) The Organizational Learning Cycle: How We Can Learn Collectively. Gower Publishing, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Donaires OS (2008) Uma Abordagem Sistêmica ao Mapeamento e Melhoria do Processo de Desenvolvimento de Software. Anais do IV Congresso Brasileiro de Sistemas. UNIFACEF, Franca.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dutka AF (1999) Competitive Intelligence for the Competitive Edge. McGraw-Hill Professional, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Espejo R, Schuhmann W, Schwaninger M and Bilello U (1996) Organizational Transformation and Learning: A Cybernetic Approach to Management. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferrari FM, Fares CB and Martinelli DP (2002) The systemic approach of SSM: the case of a Brazilian company. Systemic Practice and Action Research 15 (1), 51–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glyn MA (1996) Innovative genius: a framework for relating individual and organizational intelligences to innovation. The Academy of Management Review 21 (4), 1081–1111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gregolin R (2005) Foucault e Pêcheux na análise do discurso: diálogos e duelos. Editora Claraluz, São Carlos.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson MC (1991) Systems Methodology for Management Sciences. Springer, New York.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson MC (2000) System Approaches to Management. Springer, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jawedekar WS (2007) Management Information Systems 3rd edn, Tata Mc-Graw Hill, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koch C (2004) The Quest for Consciousness: A Neurobiological Approach. Robert And Company Publishers, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liebowitz J (2004) Addressing the Human Capital Crisis in the Federal Government: A Knowledge Management Perspective. Butterworth-Heinemann, Washington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maani KE and Maharaj V (2004) Links between systems thinking and complex decision making. System Dynamics Review 20 (1), 21–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • March J (1999) The Porsuit of Organizatinal Intelligence: Decisions and Learning in Organizations. Blackwell Publishing, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthews G, Zeidner M and Roberts RD (2004) Emotional Intelligence: Science and Myth. MIT Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Molineaux J and Haslett T (2007) The use of soft systems methodology to enhance group creativity. Systemic Practice and Action Research 20 (6), 477–496.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nonaka I and Takeuchi H (1995) The Knowledge Creating Company. Oxford University Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Orlandi EP (1998) A Linguagem e seu Funcionamento. Pontes, São Paulo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paraponaris C and Simoni G (2006) Difusion des connaissances et outils de gestion. Revue Française de Gestion 32 (166), 69–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robson W (1994) Strategic Management and Information Systems: An Integrated Approach. Pitman Publishing, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saussure F (2000) Curso de Lingüística Geral. Cultrix, São Paulo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Senge PM (2006) The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization. Doubleday-Currency, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shannon CE and Weaver W (1964) The Mathematical Theory of Communication. University of Illinois Press, Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tyson KWM (1998) Perpetual strategy: a 21st century essential. Strategy and Leadership 26 (1), 14–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yi J (2009) A measure of knowledge sharing behavior: scale development and validation. Knowledge Management Research & Practice 7 (1), 65–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiener N ([1948] 1965) Cybernetics: Or Control and Communication in the Animal and the Machine. MIT Press, Massachussets.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilensky HL (1967) Organizational Intelligence: Knowledge and Policy in Government and Industry. Basic Books, New York.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christian Ganzert.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ganzert, C., Martinelli, D. & Delai, I. Intelligence systems methodology: a systemic approach to the organizational intelligence function. Knowl Manage Res Pract 10, 141–152 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1057/kmrp.2011.44

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/kmrp.2011.44

Keywords

Navigation