System approach in enterprise researches: application of soft system methodolog

Abstract1
According to the evidence, the conventional quantitative reductionist research
methodology was failed in explaining complex and intertwined issues of enterprise
development. In this situation, the system approach to holistic research in the field
of entrepreneurship and enterprise is needed. The purpose of this study is to
introduce a systems approach in enterprise and entrepreneurship researches, with
an emphasis on Soft System Methodology and its foundations, including
participatory action research and conceptual modeling. SSM is a methodology that
allows support and structure the thinking and intervention on the complex
enterprise problems. Indeed, the advantages of this methodology are that makes
easier to structure problematic complex situations of enterprise and steers the
researcher or system analyzer to obtain and share a realistic and holistic perception
of internal and external environment of the enterprise. The SSM applies
participatory action research as kind of Cooperative or collaborative inquiry for
integrated collective learning, innovation and change in enterprise environment. In
the SSM process, conceptual models were used in order to help people recognize,
understand and simulate the enterprise subjects which the model represents. For
this purpose, an innovative methodology was introduced for the conceptual
modeling in the seven stages based on semantic analysis. As alternative,
evolutionary systems - integration of critical systems inquiry with SSM- could be
considered as a methodology which is applicable to the exploration of open
complex social systems of enterprise with the capacity to evolve over time.