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This study discusses the design of collaborative rural governance strategies to enhance the rural economy through Village-owned Enterprises (VOE) in Riau Province, Indonesia. Using Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) combined with Textual Network Analysis (TNA) in the Rich Picture stage of SSM, we investigated the current state of VOE management. Significant obstacles identified include insufficient business feasibility analyses, lack of managerial skills, misalignment between strategy and practice, and inadequate oversight. To address these challenges, we propose a collaborative strategy involving regional governments, academic institutions, NGOs, and the private sector. This strategy emphasizes community needs assessments, efficient resource mobilization, and targeted training programs. A dedicated working group will ensure continuous monitoring and iterative improvements. Our research highlights the novel integration of SSM with TNA, providing a robust framework for improving VOE management and demonstrating the potential of collaborative efforts in driving rural economic development.

Implementing Industry 4.0 is hindered by the absence of a strategic focus on integrating digital technologies with traditional manufacturing. An inadequate Industry 4.0 implementation framework prevents practitioners from successfully transitioning to an Industry 4.0-enabled industrial environment. Thus, to achieve long-term Triple bottom line (TBL) benefits, the Industry 4.0 implementation framework should be carefully planned, designed, and aligned to effectively manage and optimize company resources (digital and physical infrastructure, human resources, technical processes, and technology systems). This paper proposes an Industry 4.0 framework to manage the key implementation issues using soft system methodology (SSM). A symptom map, rich picture, CATWOE for root definition, initial conceptual model, final implementable model, and Industry 4.0 implementation framework were developed from expert perspectives from multiple functional domains. The proposed framework consists of three main components: the implementation management system, which encompasses the technological framework system, recruitment and retention system, and governing system; the Industry 4.0 enabled manufacturing system; and the digital preparedness evaluation system. This paper offers a comprehensive understanding of the implementation issues linked with Industry 4.0 both at the organizational level and functional domain level.

The program of palm oil-based bioenergy development and utilization is one solution that can be applied to meet the electricity needs of the rural community in Indonesia. However, various needs and obstacles faced by related stakeholders have caused the program to not be implemented. The objectives of this study were to identify institutional issues that begin with identifying the needs and fundamental issues of program implementation, to identify key elements of the program's success, and to the determination of an adaptive institutional model. A total of 12 experts were involved and provided an assessment. The analysis was performed with the implementation of the seven stages in the Soft System Methodology. To get more structured and measurable analysis results, the analysis was also supported by Hard Systems Methodology techniques, such as the Interpretive Structural Modeling and Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process. The result of the study obtained 7 key sub-elements, consisting of 3 sub-elements in the program needs element, 1 sub-element in the major constraint element, 1 sub-element in the objective element and 2 sub-elements in the supporting factor element. The study also gained and adaptive institutional model that plays a role in the provision of raw materials, infrastructure construction, energy transformation, operational and management, distribution and commercialization of electricity to rural communities.

PurposeThe balance between power supply and demand gets more challenging when electrical networks switch from centralized thermal power plants to distributed renewable energy sources for power generation. Such problems present a diverse set of challenges that require a solution through system and control methods. Hence, the purpose of this study is to understand the issues faced by each actor in the power sector’s supply chain, which would restrict the stability of the power supply and quality of service.Design/methodology/approachThis study provides a conceptual model, soft system methodology (SSM), for power supply management or grid integration issues through the mapping of identified issues with their possible solutions.FindingsThis study offers an analysis that uses methods of problem structuring to construct the major issues and measure technological advancements in the energy sector. This research highlights the need to integrate energy storage systems with the grid for the effective operation of the system to manage various power supply issues.Research limitations/implicationsSSM is used to establish a mechanism to manage grid integration problems by comparing established problems with their potential solutions. The resulting framework would help managers, researchers, policymakers, engineers and smart grid professionals to make the required and informed decisions on the management of grid integration issues and to form strategies fostering efficient and secure energy network.Originality/valueThe research is based on a conceptual framework for enhancing energy efficiency and integrated smart grid technology, which would contribute to a better supply of electricity and a more environmentally sustainable future.

This paper adopts the hybrid use of soft systems methodology (SSM) as a process of inquiry into understanding the lack of a framework for evidence-based teaching (EBT) in hospitality and tourism education in Vietnam. By combining SSM techniques with interview data, we also develop an EBT framework for the hospitality and tourism profession. The proposed framework addresses three essential sources of evidence for teaching: (1) research-based professional and pedagogical methods, (2) industry-based materials to ensure education-industry linkage, and (3) instructors’ knowledge, experience and assumptions about their teaching roles in the classroom. This conceptual framework can be used as a guideline for conducting relevant curriculum renewal and pedagogical reforms in hospitality and tourism institutions in Vietnam.

Toll Constructing a toll road project always deals with various technical and non-technical problems. Those problems are considered as the risk of construction projects. These risks will definitely affect the project function and result in losses both in terms of cost, quality, and time, which determine the success of a project. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to identify and to analyze the risks using qualitative-quantitative research with the Soft System Methodology (SSM) on Sumatra Trans Toll Road Project Section I in Bakauheni - Kalianda (Sta. 00 + 400 - Sta. 20 + 000). Collecting data, this research used purpose sampling techniques from six respondents. In addition, data analysis methods used in this study are Probability Risk Test, Consequences Risk Test, and Soft System Methodology (SSM).

Soft systems methodology (SSM), an analytic method commonly employed in engineering and business research, produces models focused on human activities and relevant structures used to explain complex, engineered systems. The original version of SSM involves seven stages; five address real-world aspects and observable data, while two stages leverage a systems thinking viewpoint. This approach allows the development of a simplified depiction of complex systems representative of the multi-perspective lenses used to comprehend the systemic complexity of a problem and provide a clearer picture to analysts and decision makers. This bibliometric meta-analysis of 286 relevant publications in engineering, business, and other social sciences fields explores the historic impacts of SSM on academic research and systems thinking in relevant publications that described or employed SSM for research from 1980–2018. This study produced descriptive narrative outcomes and data visualizations including information about top SSM authors, author citation impacts, common dissemination outlets for SSM work, and other relevant metrics commonly used to measure academic impact. The goal of this piece is to depict who, what, why, when, and where SSM had the greatest impact on research, systems thinking, and methodology after nearly 40 years of use, as we look towards its future as a methodological approach used to comprehend complex problem situations.

This paper aims to make a proposal to govern the Peruvian State under the umbrella of management cybernetics, following the paths of the viable system model (VSM), proposed by Prof. Stafford Beer, enriched with other soft and hard systemic methodologies and technologies, to cover the soft and hard issues that are part of the complex Peruvian reality at different levels of recursion. For doing this, four defined perspectives were adopted to understand the complexity of Peru: the sectoral view, the regions view, the river basins view and the macroregions view. Peru is seen as a system in focus, defining, for each of these four perspectives, the five systems that VSM has. The application of the VSM in each perspective serves to apply it in two modes: diagnosis and design, according to the respective perspective. Then an integrative analysis and reflection is done considering the four perspectives, to analyze the viability of the VSM approach in the governance of the Peruvian State to establish some conclusions and recommendations in relation to the proposal, appearing at the end of the paper.

PurposeThe performance evaluation process is a key step in any management system and constitutes the basis for continuous improvement. Resistance to change is considered as a critical factor in any change management project; so, development of employee performance appraisal systems like all of the change management projects has always faced many challenges. This study seeks to illustrate the two-year experience (2018–2020) and lessons learned by developing an employee performance appraisal system in the National Library and Archives of Iran (NLAI) as a cultural public sector organization.Design/methodology/approachThis study was carried out by using soft operational research (OR) approaches, using a novel combination of two methods, soft system methodology (SSM) and importance performance analysis (IPA). For this purpose, at the beginning, with the help of the SSM approach, the challenges of implementation was identified, then, using the opinions and experiences of the system's stakeholders, improvement actions were defined and prioritized using the IPA method.FindingsThe research findings showed that “coaching development,” “optimizing the forced distribution rating system (FDRS)” and “customizing the system” are the most important improvement actions.Originality/valueThe research has bridged the gap between research and practice in the field of employee performance appraisal system in national libraries.

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the use of soft systems methodology (SSM) to analyse the socio-technical information security issues in a major bank.Design/methodology/approachCase study research was conducted on a major bank. Semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of key stakeholders in the business, comprising senior managers, security professionals and branch employees were conducted.FindingsSSM was particularly useful for exploring the holistic information security issues, enabling models to be constructed which were valuable analytical tools and easily understood by stakeholders, which increased the receptiveness of the bank, and assisted with member validation. Significant risks were apparent from internal sources with weaknesses in aspects of governance and security culture.Research limitations/implicationsThis research uses a single case study and whilst it cannot be generalised, it identifies potential security issues others may face and solutions they may apply.Practical implicationsInformation security is complex and addresses technical, governance, management and cultural risks. Banking attacks are changing, with greater focus on employees and customers. A systemic approach is required for full consideration. SSM is a suitable approach for such analysis within large organisations.Originality/valueThis study demonstrates how important benefits can be obtained by using SSM alongside traditional risk assessment approaches to identify holistic security issues. A holistic approach is particularly important given the increasing complexity of the security threat surface. Banking was selected as a case study because it is both critical to society and is a prime target for attack. Furthermore, developing economies are under-represented in information security research, this paper adds to the evidence base. As global finance is highly interconnected, it is important that banks in such economies do not comprise a weak link, and hence, results from this case have value for the industry as a whole.