This track will encourage papers that make either theoretical or application contributions to the use of systemic thinking in systems management and information technology.

All technology, including information technology, is a means. The end is the satisfaction of the various organizational stakeholders, both intrinsically (in the pursuit of their objectives) as well as extrinsically (in the accomplishment of those objectives). A fundamental tenet of systems thinking is that the conception of ends should precede any conception of means.

The first tier of this track deals with all the issues that have to do with the planned uses of information technology, both existing uses and proposed uses, in bringing about systemic changes in organizations.

However, technology is also subject to the law of the hammer: Give a person a hammer, and everything begins to look like a nail in need of pounding! Or: If we’ve got it, we may as well use it. In other words, technology tends to have a seductive nature that makes it generate its own unintended uses and impacts. These unintended impacts have to do with not only unintended (and sometimes undesirable) uses of technology, they also have to do with the larger impacts of technology, namely the way information technology is transforming our life styles, our work habits, and our relationships to one another. The second tier of this track deals with all these issues.

The third tier of this track deals with any other issue, related to information technology, that fits within the framework of the first paragraph above.

The fourth tier of this track deals with any issue, related to information technology, that fits within a systems thinking framework that diverges from the one set forth in the first paragraph.

In submitting papers to this track, it would be very helpful if you followed the guidelines below:

1. The community of systems thinkers is like a vast nation whose citizens all speak the same language, but with different accents and dialects. Due to diverse backgrounds and exposures, each one of us tends to think differently about systems thinking. So it would be helpful if you please clarify what you mean by systems thinking, so that your message will become more intelligible to your audience.

2. Please avoid highly theoretical language that would be understandable to a select few. If you use any specialized terms, please define them and give examples. Also, try to relate your points to the real world as much as possible by explaining what difference they would make. Remember: The difference that makes no difference is no difference.

Track Chair: Sasan Rahmatian, California State University -- Fresno

E-mail sasan_rahmatian@csufresno.edu