Modeling systems thinking in action among higher education leaders with fuzzy multi-criteria decision making

Abstract The college and university systems are more complex and required persistent approach towards adoption and transformation. Highly vulnerable environment portrays the need to visualize the regular and strategic issues with the larger perspectives as a whole and develop a model which is more focused towards sustainability and reformation. The current study has attempted to conceptualize systems thinking in action model which consists of four stages of action cycle; diagnosis and analysis, modeling, intervention and review and lessons learned. This is attempting to evaluate the systems thinking among the educational leaders in higher education in Thailand through the fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making method. The study has found that leaders are adopting systems thinking in the moderate level, however, the first three stages are found less in practice and more in perceived importance. The study found that there is higher need of calling for collaborative, cooperative and participation of stakeholders’ involvement. The study has further given managerial implications.