Chapter 26

Bibliography of Systems Resources

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In addition to the works cited in the Notes, the items listed here are jumping off points—places to start your search for more ways to see and learn about systems. The fields of systems thinking and system dynamics are now extensive, reaching into many disciplines. For more resources, see also www.ThinkingInSystems.org

Systems Thinking and Modeling

Books

Bossel, Hartmut. Systems and Models: Complexity, Dynamics, Evolution, Sustainability . (Norderstedt, Germany: Books on Demand, 2007). A comprehensive textbook presenting the fundamental concepts and approaches for understanding and modeling the complex systems shaping the dynamics of our world, with a large bibliography on systems.

Bossel, Hartmut. System Zoo Simulation Models . Vol. 1: Elementary Systems, Physics, Engineering ; Vol. 2: Climate, Ecosystems, Resources ; Vol. 3: Economy, Society, Development . (Norderstedt, Germany: Books on Demand, 2007). A collection of more than 100 simulation models of dynamic systems from all fields of science, with full documentation of models, results, exercises, and free simulation model download.

Forrester, Jay. Principles of Systems . (Cambridge, MA: Pegasus Communications, 1990). First published in 1968, this is the original introductory text on system dynamics.

Laszlo, Ervin. A Systems View of the World . (Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press, 1996).

Richardson, George P. Feedback Thought in Social Science and Systems Theory . (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1991). The long, varied, and fascinating history of feedback concepts in social theory.

Sweeney, Linda B. and Dennis Meadows. The Systems Thinking Playbook. (2001). A collection of 30 short gaming exercises that illustrate lessons about systems thinking and mental models.

Organizations, Websites, Periodicals, and Software

Creative Learning Exchange—an organization devoted to developing “systems citizens” in K–12 education. Publisher of The CLE Newsletter and books for teachers and students. www.clexchange.org isee systems, inc.—Developer of STELLA and iThink software for modeling dynamic systems. www.iseesystems.com

Pegasus Communications—Publisher of two newsletters, The Systems Thinker and Leverage Points, as well as many books and other resources on systems thinking. www.pegasuscom.com

System Dynamics Society—an international forum for researchers, educators, consultants, and practitioners dedicated to the development and use of systems thinking and system dynamics around the world. The Systems Dynamics Review is the official journal of the System Dynamics Society. www.systemdynamics.org

Ventana Systems, Inc.—Developer of Vensim software for modeling dynamic systems. vensim.com

Systems Thinking and Business

Senge, Peter. The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization. (New York: Doubleday, 1990). Systems thinking in a business environment, and also the broader philosophical tools that arise from and complement systems thinking, such as mental-model flexibility and visioning.

Sherwood, Dennis. Seeing the Forest for the Trees: A Manager’s Guide to Applying Systems Thinking. (London: Nicholas Brealey Publishing, 2002).

Sterman, John D. Business Dynamics: Systems Thinking and Modeling for a Complex World. (Boston: Irwin McGraw Hill, 2000).

Systems Thinking and Environment

Ford, Andrew. Modeling the Environment. (Washington, DC: Island Press, 1999.)

Systems Thinking, Society, and Social Change

Macy, Joanna. Mutual Causality in Buddhism and General Systems Theory. (Albany, NY: Stat University of New York Press, 1991).

Meadows, Donella H. The Global Citizen. (Washington, DC: Island Press, 1991).