Systems Intelligence in an Expert Organization: A Mixed Methods Approach

Systems Intelligence (SI) has a systemic, pragmatic, bottom-up, behavioral, and interactional approach to organization. It correlates positively with organizational learning, performance, and wellbeing. However, previous research has focused on quantitative measurements while context-specific patterns behind the evaluations are understudied. A goal of this case study is to explore SI using a mixed method approach in an expert organization. To study SI, an Organizational Systems Intelligence (OSI) inventory was used and received 46 responses. The results of the OSI showed an overall good level of SI in the organization studied. Four, the most and least positively evaluated, SI factors (attunement, spirited discovery, reflection and effective responsiveness) were further studied to understand the organization-specific underlying themes and practices using semi-structured interview with five participants. The results of thematic analysis are in line with previous research on SI and complements it with context-specific characteristics. This research contributes a new approach to experience-focused and context-dependent SI and supports the bottom-up development of organization.