Questions for Review, Discussion, and Reflective Writing

Q1. What types of systems are introduced in systems thinking? Name the three main systems.

Q2. How does the system of interest help in collective activities?

Q3. What types of systems form a system breakdown, or what system levels can be distinguished from the system of interest, the supersystem, surrounding systems, creation systems, and subsystems?

Q4. What is the difference between the system of interest and our system?

Q5. Can our system be part of a supersystem, a system of interest, a surrounding system, or a creation system? Provide examples.

Q6. How do the concepts of system-creator, creation systems, and the process of creating the system of interest differ?

Q7. How does the recursive nature of systems thinking manifest itself?

Q8. Why is an activity not a system? And what is the result of an activity that involves creation systems?

Q9. Briefly describe the essence of systems thinking as discussed in this section.

Q10. What is the difference between the concepts of "function" and "service"? Provide examples.

Q11. What services do different parts of a hair salon provide to the client?

Q12. What is the difference between selling a system-product and providing a service?