Abstract
In our zeal to apply models successfully, failures of the model are often overlooked. A model may be used for quite some time before its success is questioned or before the model fails to be applied successfully. Since hierarchy theory has been deemed successful in the systems field, it is necessary and appropriate to critique the development and application of hierarchy theory using the framework presented inCreative Problem Solving (Flood and Jackson, 1992). That framework proposes a critique that uses the four areas of theory, utility, ideology, and methodology in reviewing a systems theory. It is important to examine hierarchy theory through the analytical filter of critical systems thinking if we are genuinely to understand what hierarchy theory has to offer systems thinking in the exploration of complex situations.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allen, T. F. H. (1985).A Primer on Hierarchy Theory, Unpublished manuscript.
Allen, T. F. H., and Starr, T. B. (1982).Hierarchy: Perspective for Ecological Complexity, University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
Beer, S. (1979).The Heart of the Enterprise, Wiley, Chichester.
Beer, S. (1981).The Brain of the Firm, Wiley, Chichester.
Beer, S. (1985).Diagnosing the System for Organizations, Wiley, Chichester.
Boulding, K. (1956). General systems theory: The skeleton of science.Manage. Sci. 2, 197–208.
Boulding, K. (1961).The Image: Knowledge in Life and Society, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Bunge, M. (1963). Levels. InThe Myth of Simplicity: Problems of Scientific Philosophy, Prentice-Hall, New York.
Bunge, M. (1969). The metaphysics, epistemology and methodology of levels. In White, L. L., Wilson, A. G., and Wilson, D. (eds.),Hierarchical Structures, American Elsevier, New York.
Checkland, P. (1981).Systems Thinking, Systems Practice, Wiley, New York.
Churchman, C. W. (1982).Thought and Wisdom, Intersystems, Seaside, CA.
Clemson, B. (1984).Cybernetics: A New Management Tool, Abacus Press, Tunbridge Wells.
Flood, R. L. (1990).Liberating Systems Theory, Plenum Press, New York.
Flood, R. L., and Carson, E. R. (1993).Dealing with Complexity: An Introduction to the Theory and Application of Systems Science, 2nd ed., Plenum Press, New York.
Flood, R. L., and Jackson, M. C. (1991).Creative Problem Solving: Total Systems Intervention, Wiley, New York.
Flood, R. L., and Jackson, M. C. (1992).Critical Systems Thinking: Directed Readings, Wiley, New York.
Grene, M. (1967). Biology and the problems of reality.New Scholast.41, 427–449.
Habermas, J. (1972).Knowledge and Human Interests, Heinemann, London.
Jackson, M. C. (1985). Systems inquiring competence and organizational analysis.Proceedings of the 1985 Meeting of the Society for General Systems Research, pp. 522–530.
Jackson, M. C. (1990). Beyond a system of systems methodologies.J. Operat. Res. Soc. 41, 657–668.
Jackson, M. C. (1991). The origins and nature of critical systems thinking.Syst. Pract. 4, 131–149.
Jackson, M. C. and Keys, P. (1984). Towards a system of systems methodologies.J. Operat. Res. Soc. 35, 473–486.
Klir, G. (1985). Complexity: Some general observations.Syst. Res. 2, 131–140.
Lazlo, E. (1972).The Systems View of the World, Braziller, New York.
Mannermaa, M. (1988). Complexity and systems thinking in futures research: From neutral scenarios to value considerations.Syst. Pract. 1, 279–294.
Miller, J. G. (1978).Living Systems, McGraw-Hill, New York.
Miller, J. G. (1992). Greater than the sum of its parts. 1. Subsystems which possess both matterenergy and information.Behav. Sci. 37, 1–9.
O'Neill, R. V., DeAngelis, D. L., Waide, J. B., and Allen, T. F. H. (1986).An Hierarchical Concept of Ecosystems, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.
Pattee, H. H. (1973).Hierarchy Theory: The Challenge of Complex Systems, Braziller, New York.
Reckmeyer, W. J. (1982).The Emerging Systems Paradigm: An Historical Perspective, University Microfilms, Ann Arbor, MI.
Salthe, S. N. (1985).Evolving Hierarchical Systems: Their Structure and Representation, Columbia University Press, New York.
Schecter, D. (1991). Interview, May 24.
Simon, H. A. (1973). The organization of complex systems. In Pattee, H. H. (ed.),Hierarchy Theory: The Challenge of Complex Systems, Braziller, New York.
Troncale, L. R. (1985). Unpublished data from the Integration-Directed Iterative Dialogue, California State University, Pomona.
Weaver, W. (1948). Science and complexity.Am. Sci. 36, 536–544.
Weinberg, G. M. (1975).An Introduction to General Systems Thinking, Wiley, New York.
Weiss, P., Buechner, H. K., Coleman, J. S., Forrester, J. W., Lorenz, K., McNeill, D., and Ozbekhan, H. (1971).Hierarchically Organized Systems in Theory and Practice, Hafner, New York.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wilby, J. A critique of hierarchy theory. Systems Practice 7, 653–670 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02173498
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02173498