Systems Thinking as a Tool for Teaching Undergraduate Business Students Humanistic Management

Humanistic Management Journal volume 5, pages177–197(2020)Cite this article

Abstract

In growing recognition that the business community must play a key role in the global issues encapsulated by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Babson College, which has a business-focused curriculum, has striven first to reinvent its teaching of ethics and then, particularly over the past decade, to enhance its focus on sustainability, social responsibility, and social entrepreneurship. As previous initiatives did not build sufficient linkages between the liberal arts, natural sciences, and business curriculum, the College is now engaged in a far more comprehensive effort to educate our undergraduate business students in “integrated sustainability,” which it defines as “systems thinking that integrates ecological integrity, social responsibility, and value creation simultaneously.” By examining the meaning, skills, and pedagogical opportunities in systems thinking within the context of larger discussions on humanistic management, this article shows how systems thinking is a particularly fruitful way to ground business students in the natural sciences and the liberal arts, develop their complex problem-solving skills, and thereby reinvigorate management education in ways that prepares students to “render service to humanity.” Our hope is that sharing Babson College’s experience in this regard – both our successes and challenges - may provide useful insights to other faculty and academic leaders seeking to enhance humanistic management within their own higher education institutions.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

US$ 39.95

Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

References

  1. Abdelkafi, N., and K. Täuscher. 2016. Business models for sustainability from a system dynamics perspective. Organization & Environment 29 (1): 74–96.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Abson, D.J., J. Fischer, J. Leventon, and J. Newig. 2017. Leverage points for sustainability transformation. Ambio 46 (1): 30–39.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Babson Committee on the Future of SEERS. 2018. Building on integrated sustainability: a plan to be a recognized leader in sustainability and social innovation by 2023 [White paper].

  4. Babson Task Force on Entrepreneurial Thought and Action/People, Planet Profits. 2009. Themes for Educating the Next Generation of Babson Students [White paper].

  5. Beitelspacher, L., and V. Rodgers. 2018. Integrating corporate social responsibility awareness into a retail management course. Journal of Marketing Education 40 (1): 66–75.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Berkes, F., and C. Folke, eds. 1998. Linking social and ecological systems: Management practices and social mechanisms for building resilience. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  7. CDP. 2019. Global climate change analysis 2019. https://www.cdp.net/en/research/global-reports/global-climate-change-report-2018. Accessed 6 July 2019.

  8. Clayton, A., and N. Radcliffe. 1996. Sustainability: A systems approach. Boulder: Westview.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Crittenden, V., N. Karst, R. Slegers, and K. Esper, eds. 2015. Evolving entrepreneurial education: Innovation in the Babson classroom. Bingley: Emerald Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Deets, Stephen, and Lisa DiCarlo. 2011. What is the context? Fostering entrepreneurial leaders social awareness. In The new entrepreneurial leader, ed. D. Greenberg, K. McKone-Sweet, and H.J. Wilson, 184–201. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Delevingne, L., A. Gründler, S. Kane, and T. Koller. 2020. The ESG premium: New perspectives on value and performance. Insights on Sustainability. McKinsey & Company. February. https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/sustainability/our-insights/the-esg-premium-new-perspectives-on-value-and-performance# . Accessed 16 February 2020.

  12. EDF Climate Corps. 2017. Now hiring: The growth of America’s clean energy and sustainability jobs. Boston, MA. http://edfclimatecorps.org/sites/edfclimatecorps.org/files/the_growth_of_americas_clean_energy_and_sustainability_jobs.pdf. Accessed 16 February 2020.

  13. Erickson, C., and C. Skoglund. 2008. Eco-reps programs: Conducting peer outreach in residence halls. Sustainability: The Journal of Record 1 (1): 57–72.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Evans, S., D. Vladimirova, and M. Holgado. 2017. Business model innovation for sustainability: Towards a unified perspective for creation of sustainable business models. Business Strategy and the Environment 26 (5): 597–608.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Fischer, K., and F. Fleischmann. 2018. Powered by magic: The romance of Essex farms. HBS no. BAB-400. Boston: Harvard Business Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Fisk, R., A. Fuessel, C. Laszlo, P. Struebi, and A. Valera. 2019. Systemic social innovation: Co-creating a future where humans and all life thrive. Humanistic Management Journal 4: 191–214. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41463-019-00056-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Fullan, M. 2006. The future of educational change: System thinkers in action. Journal of Educational Change 7: 113–122.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Geissdoerfer, M., N. Bocken, and E.J. Hultink. 2016. Design thinking to enhance the sustainable business modelling process–a workshop based on a value mapping process. Journal of Cleaner Production 135: 1218–1232.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Gentile, M. C. 2002a. Social Impact Management: A Definition (Discussion Paper II): Aspen Institute Business and Society Program. http://www.aspenbsp.org. Accessed 15 June 2019.

  20. Gentile, M. C. 2002b. What Do We Teach When We Teach Social Impact Management (Discussion Paper VI): Aspen Institute Business and Society Program. <http://www.aspenbsp.org>.

  21. Gentile, M.C. 2010. Giving voice to values. New Haven: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Gentile, M.C., and J. Samuelson. 2005. Keynote Address to the AACSB International Deans Feb. 10 2003: The state of Affairs of Management Education and Social Responsibility. The Academy of Management Learning and Education 4 (4): 496–505.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Giddings, B., B. Hopwood, and G. O'brien. 2002. Environment, economy and society: Fitting them together into sustainable development. Sustainable Development 10 (4): 187–196.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Glauner, F. 2018. The myth of responsibility: On changing the purpose paradigm. Humanistic Management Journal 4: 5–32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41463-018-0048-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Greenberg, D., K. McKone-Sweet, and H.J. Wilson. 2011. The new entrepreneurial leader: Developing leaders who shape social and economic opportunity. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Greenberg, D.N., S. Deets, S. Erzurumlu, J. Hunt, M. Manwaring, V. Rodgers, and E. Swanson. 2017. Signing to living PRME: Learning from a journey towards responsible management education. The International Journal of Management Education 15 (2): 205–218.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Greenberg, D., L. Beitelspacher, and V.L. Rodgers. 2020. A systems approach to transformational responsible management learning and education. In The SAGE Handbook of Responsible Management Learning and Education, ed. D. Moosmayer, O. Laasch, C. Parkes, and K. Brown . Los Angeles: SAGE Publishing.in press

    Google Scholar 

  28. Griggs, D., M. Stafford-Smith, O. Gafney, and J. Rocktrom. 2013. Policy: Sustainable development goals for people and planet. Nature 495 (7441): 305–307.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Kim, D. 2015. Introduction to systems thinking. Pegasus Communications Inc. https://thesystemsthinker.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Introduction-to-Systems-Thinking-IMS013Epk.pdf. Accessed 1 July 2019.

  30. Laszlo, C. 2019. Strengthening humanistic management. Humanistic Management Journal 4 (1): 85–94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41463-019-00055-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Lewandowski, M. 2016. Designing the business models for circular economy—Towards the conceptual framework. Sustainability 8 (1): 43. https://doi.org/10.3390/su8010043.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Liu, J., H. Mooney, V. Hull, S. Davis, J. Gaskell, T. Hertel, and J. Lubchenco. 2015. Systems integration for global sustainability. Science 347 (6225): 1258832.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Low, B., R. Costanza, E. Ostrom, J. Wilson, and C.P. Simon. 1999. Human ecosystem interactions: A dynamic integrated model. Ecological Economics 31 (2): 227–242.

    Google Scholar 

  34. McGinnis, M., and E. Ostrom. 2014. Social-ecological system framework: Initial changes and continuing challenges. Ecology and Society 19 (2). https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-06387-190230.

  35. Meadows, D. 1999. Leverage points: Places to intervene in the system. Hartland: The Sustainability Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Meadows, D. 2008. Thinking in systems: A primer. Edited by Diana Wright, Sustainability Institute. White River Junction: Chelsea Green Publishing.

  37. Melé, D. 2016. Understanding humanistic management. Humanistic Management Journal 1 (1): 33–55.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Nidumolu, R., C.K. Prahalad, and M.R. Rangaswami. 2009. Why sustainability is now the key driver of innovation. Harvard Business Review 87 (9): 56–64.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Novak, J. 1990. Concept mapping: A useful tool for science education. Journal of Research in Science Teaching 27 (10): 937–949.

    Google Scholar 

  40. O’Neill, D.W., A.L. Fanning, and W.F. Lamb. 2018. A good life for all within planetary boundaries. Nature Sustainability 1 (2): 88–95.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Ostrom, E. 2007. A diagnostic approach for going beyond panaceas. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 104 (39): 15181–15187.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Ostrom, E. 2009. A general framework for analyzing sustainability of social-ecological systems. Science 325 (5939): 419–422.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Pickett, S., and M. McDonell. 1993. Humans as components of ecosystems: The ecology of subtle effects and populated areas. New York: Springer-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Pincetl, S., P. Bunje, and T. Holmes. 2012. An expanded urban metabolism method: Toward a systems approach for assessing urban energy processes and causes. Landscape and Urban Planning 107 (3): 193–202.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Porter, T., and J. Cordoba. 2009. Three views of systems theories and their implications for sustainability education. Journal of Management Education 33 (3): 323–347.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Redman, C. 1999. Human dimensions of ecosystem studies. Ecosystems 2: 296–298.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Rodgers, V.L., and D. Krcmar. 2017. Bridging the boundaries of science and art for business students: Integrating botany and artistic perspectives to teach environmental literacy. Journal of Sustainability Education: 16 ISSN: 2151-7452.

  48. Rusinko, C.A. 2010. Integrating sustainability in management and business education: A matrix approach. Academy of Management Learning & Education 9 (3): 507–519.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Sasse-Werhahn, Laura. 2019. The practical wisdom behind the GRI. Humanistic Management Journal 4 (1): 71–84. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41463-019-00054-w.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Schaltegger, S., E. Hansen, and F. Lüdeke-Freund. 2016. Business models for sustainability: Origins, present research, and future avenues. Organization and Environment 29 (1): 3–10.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Senge, P. 1990. The fifth discipline: The art and practice of the learning organization. New York: Doubleday.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Spitzeck, H. 2011. An integrated model of humanistic management. Journal of Business Ethics 99 (1): 51–62.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Stewart, M. 2012. Joined up thinking? Evaluating the use of concept-mapping to develop complex system learning. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education 37 (3): 349–368.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Stubbs, W., and C. Cocklin. 2008a. Conceptualizing a “sustainability business model”. Organization & Environment 21 (2): 103–127.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Stubbs, W., and C. Cocklin. 2008b. Teaching sustainability to business students: Shifting mindsets. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education 9 (3): 206–221.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Teehankee, B. 2018. Critical realist action research and humanistic management education. Humanistic Management Journal 3 (1): 71–90.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Tranquillo, J.V. 2019. An introduction to complex systems. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Westley, F., and N. Antadze. 2010. Making a difference: Strategies for scaling social innovation for greater impact. Innovation Journal 15 (2): 1–19.

    Google Scholar 

  59. Wiek, A., L. Withycombe, and C. Redman. 2011. Key competencies in sustainability: A reference framework for academic program development. Sustainability Science 6 (2): 203–218.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Winrich, C., V.L. Rodgers, M.G. MacLean, D. Blodgett, and J. Schaefer. 2015. Science education as entrepreneurial thought and action methodology. In Evolving entrepreneurial education: Innovation in the Babson classroom, ed. V. Crittenden, N. Karst, R. Slegers, and K. Esper, 159–174. Bingley: Emerald Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Young, I.M. 2005. Responsibility and global justice: A social connection model. Social Philosophy and Policy 23 (1): 102–130.

    Google Scholar 

  62. Young, O., F. Berkhour, and G.C. Gallopin. 2006. The globalization of socio-ecological systems: An agenda for scientific research. Global Environmental Change 16 (3): 304–316.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the Babson Faculty Research Fund.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. History and Society Division, Babson College, 231 Forest Street, Babson Park, MA, 02457, USA

    Stephen Deets

  2. Math and Science Division, Babson College, 231 Forest Street, Babson Park, MA, 02457, USA

    Vikki Rodgers

  3. Technology, Operations, and Information Management Division, Babson College, 231 Forest Street, Babson Park, MA, 02457, USA

    Sinan Erzurumlu

  4. Accounting and Law Division, Babson College, 231 Forest Street, Babson Park, MA, 02457, USA

    David Nersessian

Authors
  1. Stephen Deets
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Vikki Rodgers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sinan Erzurumlu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. David Nersessian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephen Deets.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Deets, S., Rodgers, V., Erzurumlu, S. et al. Systems Thinking as a Tool for Teaching Undergraduate Business Students Humanistic Management. Humanist Manag J 5, 177–197 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41463-020-00091-w

Download citation

Keywords

  • Undergraduate education
  • Systems thinking
  • Sustainability
  • Corporate social responsibility