Systems Intelligence – Measurement and Modelling

Systems Intelligence (SI) refers to intelligent behavior in the context of complex systems involving interaction and feedback. Systems intelligent individuals and organizations are able to successfully and productively engage with the holistic feedback mechanisms of their environment. This study operationalizes the concept of SI by providing novel measurement and modelling tools and approaches that help take Systems Intelligence from the laboratory to the real world. The SI Inventories introduced in this study provide both measurement tools and a multi-dimensional conceptual framework for evaluating and discussing how individuals and organizations can succeed in wholes. The study introduces eight factors of SI – Systemic Perception, Attunement, Positive Attitude, Spirited Discovery, Reflection, Wise Action, Positive Engagement and Effective Responsiveness – and argues for their usefulness for individual and organizational development. The dissertation presents and validates inventories for self, peer, an organizational evaluation of SI, and opens new perspectives for discussing organizational learning. As applications of the framework, the study also presents visualization and simulation solutions for helping people explore and improve their capability to succeed in systemic contexts. Visual displays of individual and team SI scores help people communicate and understand their systems-related strengths and weaknesses, and the Positive Systems Intelligence Teams (PoSITeams) simulator helps to explore socio-emotional systems.The measurement and modelling tools presented in this work can help to stage interventions for improving individual and organizational capabilities to be more productive within and with respect to systems. The tools also serve as useful instruments for building learning organizations and human resource capabilities.