Leadership for change: Proposed organizational development by incorporating systems thinking and quality tools

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the scope of application of systems thinking and cybernetics for change management by presenting the case of a private university of Pakistan. Six Sigma has been tested as a possible solution to the problems faced by the institution.

Design/methodology/approach

Stafford Beer’s approach of running the system on trial at five levels has been used to estimate system’s efficacy. The system analysis helped to identify lapses in the system as well as the leverage points for quality improvement. Six Sigma DMAIC tools have been applied for the possible improvement in the process of course management in a private university of Pakistan.

Findings

Private universities in Pakistan are operated as a business and the business owners are busy to keep their system stable unmindful for the protocol for sustainability. What will make the system viable and sustainable is yet to be learnt by the private universities of Pakistan. There exists a sharp divide between bottom line approach of businessmen and the academia’s confidence in the quality improvement. However, it has been learned that the organizational development is the job of every academic manager, and managing the process through creative innovation is the only solution.

Originality/value

The case study is a unique contribution in theory and principles of quality management for checking the application of Six Sigma and lean techniques for organizational development of a private university.

Citation

Arif, S. (2016), "Leadership for change: Proposed organizational development by incorporating systems thinking and quality tools", Business Process Management Journal, Vol. 22 No. 5, pp. 939-956. https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-01-2016-0025