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Senge: The necessary revolution

Q: According to Senge it is the end of an era. What does he mean?

The industrial age bubble ('take, make, waste' way of thinking that has dominated the developed wold for the past 200 years) is comming to an end. Leaders from organzations and groups (f.e. Coca-cola) are leading the charge to change the very way we do business.

11 important questions on Senge: The necessary revolution

According to Senge it is the end of an era. What does he mean?

The industrial age bubble ("take, make, waste" way of thinking that has dominated the developed wold for the past 200 years) is comming to an end. Leaders from organzations and groups (f.e. Coca-cola) are leading the charge to change the very way we do business.

Because its the end of an era, there's space for e revolution. Senge refers to this as the dawn (opkomst) of a revolution. What does he mean with this?

The environmental and social challenges before us (climate change, depletion of natural resources etc.) create an unprecedented (ongekende) opportunity for change. Initiatives from organizations from every sectors (f.e. Nike) are proving that by working together (businesses, government, non-profit org.) are starting to bring about real, sustainable change.

What does Senge offers with his book 'the necessary revolution?

He offers a toolkit with specific strategies and point of action to help change how organizations think and act.

Can one man also start a revolution according to Senge?

Never doubt what one person and a small groups of co-conspirators can do. Think about the man from Sweden: he was at a conference in Rio and developed a idea. He got 3 ethanol cars to Sweden > traveled city by city to form a buyer consortium > then dealerships started > green zones came > and a biofuel region. Because of him and his initiative, countless local networks developed quietly. There are now 3000 cars and in 2007 1000 filling stations, and it keeps on growing.

Describe the 7 mental models of the industrial age (Senge)?

1 Energy is infinite and cheap

2 There will always be enough room to dispose of all our waste

3 Humans can't possibly alter (veranderen) the global environment

4 Humans are the primary species on earth

5 Basic resources, such as water and topsoil, are unlimited

6 Productivity and standardisation are keys to economic progress

7 Economic growth and rising GDP are the best way to 'lift all boats' and reduce social inequities

What does Senge means with the CO2 bathtub?

The difference between in- and outflows of CO2 in the atmosphere works just like a bathtub. CO2 levels rises as long as more flows in than flows out. So as long as the inflow of CO2 exceeds the outflow, at some point the bathtub will overflow. This means that unless we reduce the emissions to equality.

The problem with the fishing game/the tragedy of the commons is that we don't see the larger reality. There is one way to see the larger reality in which you are operating. How? (Senge)

One way to do this is to learn how to look at situation at four levels. These are illustrated in image 26: the systems-thinking iceberg. Like real icebergs, most of these levels are below the waterline or invisible to anyone looking at things 'normally'. But focusing only on what is visible, makes it impossible to understand what is really happening.
> Think about the deeper structure before changing events) Understanding the whole (system) gives competitive advantage.

According to Senge the understanding of the four factors in the iceberg (image 26) that influence any situation (events, patterns or trends, deeper systemic structures or forces and mental models) can make people thrive in fish banks. Describe the 4 factors.

1 Events: the first level of the iceberg. Immediate events are tangible and catch our attention. When people get stuck here, they only see the tip of the iceberg and can do little except react to the new circumstances.

2 Patterns/trends: What is happening over time? Pay attention to the pattern to understand the underlying systemic structures.

3 Systemic structures/forces: Which forces drive these patterns and how do they arise?

4 Mental models: Our mental models are reflected in core beliefs. We all hold mental models, what do these models affect/dictate our thoughts and actions

What is shared value not? And what is it/what does it need:

-Not: social responsibility, philanthropy, sustainability, not at the margin (it need to be in the core), sharing and redistributing
-It requires managers/leaders: deeper appreciation societal needs, greater understanding productivity, collaboration across boundaries
-It is: expanding the total pool of economic and social value
> Ex. Fair trade chocolate increases income 10-20%. But with shared value investments, like improvement growing techniques and strengthening the local cluster, increase of income by 300%

What are 4 drivers of sustainability according to Senge?

-Side effects industrialization (waste etc.)
-Civil society - social demands, NGO's
-Disruptive technologies: IT etc.
-Global problems: poverty, climate change etc.

Apply the iceberg and tragedy of the commons (Senge):

1 Event: drop in catch (daling vangst)
2 Pattern: everyone's catch drops
3 Systemic structure: regeneration times
4 Mental models: extrapolationist, titanic, invisible hand, greed

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

Management of Sustainable Innovation | Bossink, et al

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Senge: The necessary revolution

11 important questions on Senge: The necessary revolution

According to Senge it is the end of an era. What does he mean?

Because its the end of an era, there's space for e revolution. Senge refers to this as the dawn (opkomst) of a revolution. What does he mean with this?

What does Senge offers with his book 'the necessary revolution?

Can one man also start a revolution according to Senge?

Describe the 7 mental models of the industrial age (Senge)?

What does Senge means with the CO2 bathtub?

The problem with the fishing game/the tragedy of the commons is that we don't see the larger reality. There is one way to see the larger reality in which you are operating. How? (Senge)

According to Senge the understanding of the four factors in the iceberg (image 26) that influence any situation (events, patterns or trends, deeper systemic structures or forces and mental models) can make people thrive in fish banks. Describe the 4 factors.

What is shared value not? And what is it/what does it need:

What are 4 drivers of sustainability according to Senge?

Apply the iceberg and tragedy of the commons (Senge):

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