Investigating the Relationship between Narcissism and Systems Thinking Practice

Please enable javascript in your browser.

Hashemian, MohammadMahdi | 2013

395 Viewed

Type of Document: M.Sc. Thesis
Language: Farsi
Document No: 45815 (44)
University: Sharif University of Technology
Department: Management and Economics
Advisor(s): Mashayekhi, Alinaghi; Alavi, Babak
Abstract:
Systems thinking is considered to be an indispensible competency in dealing with complex issues. Although several studies tried to substantiate this claim in the past from different perspectives, none rigorously focused on how the practitioners' characteristics affect systems thinking practice. In this paper we propose that a person's narcissism hinders his/her ability to practice systems thinking effectively in ego-relevant issues, although he/she might be relatively capable to think systemically in general. Ego-relevant issues are defined as those matters that may cause eventual threat to the person's self-esteem or provide opportunities to self-promote. A systems thinking questionnaire was developed based on existing measures to empirically test this proposition. Results from the study in sample of 102 students corroborate the notion that narcissism has significantly negative impacts on systems thinking practice. Implications and future research is also discussed
Keywords:
Narcissism ; System Thinking Practice ; Forest Thinking ; System as Cause Thinking ; Closed Loop Thinking ; Self-Esteam

No TOC