Let the jury decide: Assessing the cultural feasibility of total systems intervention

ConclusionThe tone of Haridimos Tsoukas' original assault on TSI seriously detracts from a case that still requires some answering. On the other hand, I do not believe that Jackson is being especially ambitious or arrogant about the claims which he argues set TSI apart from other management science methodologies. He is probably correct in his assertion that no other “version” of management science takes as broad a perspective or is as openly self-critical as is TSI. For these reasons alone, TSI deserves a fair crack of the whip.The broad thrust of argument developed here is that TSI is probably one of the most “systemically desirable” frameworks for systems research and intervention that has emerged in recent years. Despite this, for it to achieve its potential, it must find favor with those members of the systems community who are targeted as potential users. Unfortunately as members of entrenched subcultures, many of these individuals may find it difficult to put into practice all of what TSI entails. Jackson points out that TSI seeks to avoid the situation where purveyors and enthusiasts of particular methodologies approach organizational situations according to the metaphor embedded in their favored approach. I agree with the sentiment but fear he may have underestimated the resilience of the cultural obstacles that TSI, in the short term at least, will be hard pushed to overcome. In any event the jury will decide.