Controlling Pollution Challenge In China: Soft System Methodology Approach

Background

Pollution in China had been a cause of major challenge within the country and has been on continuous rise (Hanafizadeh & Aliehyaei, 2011). Causes of pollution in China are multifarious in nature which can mostly be attributed to population growth, usage of cars, topography surrounding the weather, economic crisis and so on. Such a large challenge can be best diagnosed by means of Soft System Methodology will allow integrating organizational process modeling for problem solving and then consecutively managing of a change. Peter Checkland’s Soft System Methodology allows step by step analysis of a situation by detailed analysis of every component of the problem (Checkland, 2013). Then it includes designing of a suitable solution that can allow overcoming of the problem situation faced. The scope of analysis here deals with problem analysed by SODA group with various stakeholders who are facing the challenge.      

Problem situation that has been examined in this project is of large base as it includes problem faced within a country, China. Pollution faces a grave challenge for the entire society as it has its impact in various relevant areas that affects overall quality of life. The scope of the problem analysed by the SODA group comprises of ways and means to control pollution in China. Controlling pollution for an entire country might pose a number of challenges in totality. There are various methods or processes that might have to be included for controlling pollution which is the primary problem criteria of that is being examined here.  

Stakeholder’s involvement is critical in solving any problem that might arise on a particular situation. There is involved 15 stakeholders involved within this problem which includes Government, Suppliers, Citizens, Investors, Employees, Businesses, Education,  Creditors, Engineers,  Researcher, Journalists (Reporters), Volunteers, Zoologist, Food Agencies and Logistics (Transportation). All these stakeholders are bound to face some or the other type of challenge from rising pollution in China. While there are a large number of stakeholders who are involved in the current condition, it becomes impertinent to select a few amongst them in order to understand deeper analysis pertaining to the study. In order to work closely with the problem a group of 5 stakeholders has been selected for understanding the challenge. For sake of simpler analysis 5 stakeholders who have been selected are Ahmad from Government, Amber from Logistics, Ray from Journalists, a Group of Researchers, Naveed a Citizen, who experiences the problem regularly in China.         

Soft System Methodology Approach

A rich picture diagram will allow diagnosing and reflecting on the situation in an appropriate manner (Bell & Morse, 2013). Below is the rich picture diagram reflecting the problem from point of view of various stakeholder groups

Figure 1: Rich Picture Diagram

The problem is being analysed from the point of view of 5 different stakeholder groups (Mehregan, Hosseinzadeh & Kazemi, A., 2012). Hence diagnosing the challenge from 5 themes will allow greater and detailed understanding of the problem. From the point of view of the Government, there can be various policies integrated that can integrate initiatives that can reduce carbon footprints in the country.  So, first theme is policy making initiative. Second theme relevant to the problem situation is Logistics, where appropriate shortened supply chain or logistics route that has to be designed that can reduce carbon emission. From the view of Journalists, awareness regarding rise in pollution has to be generated such that various other interests groups can easily be attracted. As a researcher group, initiatives aimed at creating sustainable efforts have to be designed such that overall pollution in China can considerably be reduced. Lastly citizens can contribute with their own small efforts by to reduce pollution by reducing car emissions by travelling in public transport or reducing electricity emission in their kitchens.   

Designing the CATWOE criteria will allow designing solution to the problem in such a manner to cater to end goals of the project. CATWOE allows identifying people, processes along with environment who are contributing to the increased rates of pollution (Flood, 2010).  Business perspectives that allow evaluation through this process include 6 critical elements as customers. Customers include citizens of China who will highly affect from pollution. They will also stand to benefit extensively through inclusion of pollution control procedures. Actors are the stakeholders who are involved within the situation. Government is the most important actor in this procedure as they are most prominently involved in the situation. Through success of pollution control procedure, the Government will be able to benefit the most, through increased output, reducing healthcare costs and several other endeavors. Transformation process includes adopting procedures that will allow overcoming of the situation relative to the problem. It includes solar panel installations, reducing emission, reducing carbon footprints and so on. Weltanschauung will include broader impact on the overall world. Such as reducing impact on ice-cap melting or rising ocean levels, decreased acid rain, decreased rates of incidents related to diseases and so on. Owner here constitutes various relevant stakeholders that include government, citizens, industries and various other participants on the processes. Environmental constraints the wide range spread of the problem itself that makes difficult to adopt the solution. Astronauts reports seeing a brown cloud over China, which reflects the wide spread reach of the problem and its environmental concern.    

Stakeholder Involvement

Conceptual Model Evaluation will allow greater analysis of the problem situation and deriving an appropriate solution for it (Ngai et. al, 2012). Evaluation of Entry, Evaluation and Execution related to the challenge reveals that controlling pollution is itself a complicated issue that requires participation from various stakeholder groups. Evaluation of the procedure includes evaluating and measuring impact from all processes that causes pollution and then devising strategies to overcome the same. Execution of pollution control systems requires huge investment and participation from wider range of stakeholders.

A comparison table for real world situation as against SSM framework will allow detailed understanding related to the project.

While accommodating steps to control pollution is possible, feasibility examination reveals deeper understanding. While there are various procedures that have been designed to be adopted for the procedure, only a few has been considered to be feasible. Feasible solution that can be applied to the problem is installation of solar panels, as China has emerged to be a pioneer of solar panel manufacturing in the world. Devising Governmental policies that can help industries processes their wastes before dumping them. Accommodating processes that can reduce pollution endeavors related to carbon footprints.  

In order to overcome the current state of problems some recommendations need to be applied as solar panel installations has to be made mandatory. Moreover, all possible step that allow reducing carbon footprints need to be accommodated. The Government needs to intervene and design policies such that overall carbon emissions can be reduced.

All group members have contributed immensely in diagnosing the challenge and in arriving at its solution. Due to the complexity of the problem several databases and sources had to be searched. Moreover, there has been immense amount of learning that has taken place by adopting this project.  The only major challenge faced was in diagnosing an appropriate and feasible solution towards the problem.

References

Bell, S. and Morse, S., 2013. Rich pictures: a means to explore the ‘sustainable mind’?. Sustainable Development, 21(1), pp.30-47.

Checkland, P., 2013. Soft systems methodology. In Encyclopedia of operations research and management science (pp. 1430-1436). Springer, Boston, MA.

Flood, R.L., 2010. The relationship of ‘systems thinking’to action research. Systemic Practice and Action Research, 23(4), pp.269-284.

Hanafizadeh, P. and Aliehyaei, R., 2011. The application of fuzzy cognitive map in soft system methodology. Systemic Practice and Action Research, 24(4), pp.325-354.

Mehregan, M.R., Hosseinzadeh, M. and Kazemi, A., 2012. An application of soft system methodology. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 41, pp.426-433.

Ngai, E.W.T., To, C.K., Ching, V.S., Chan, L.K., Lee, M.C., Choi, Y.S. and Chai, P.Y.F., 2012. Development of the conceptual model of energy and utility management in textile processing: A soft systems approach. International Journal of Production Economics, 135(2), pp.607-617.                                              

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