Activity Systems Modelling as a Complex Systemic Approach to Develop Learning Partnerships Between Community Initiatives and Municipal Governments
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21652037 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Peter Marks (0000-0003-4644-0434, Department of Public Administration and Sociology Erasmus University Rotterdam Rotterdam The Netherlands, corresponding author), Wouter Spekkink (0000-0002-2773-4878, Department of Public Administration and Sociology Erasmus University Rotterdam Rotterdam The Netherlands) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 43 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 616-628 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Systems Research and Behavioral Science (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1092-7026 • E-ISSN: 1099-1743 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1002/sres.3200 |
| OpenAlex | W4415627475 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 42 |
The paper explores activity systems modelling (ASM) as a complex systemic approach to fostering learning partnerships between community initiatives and municipal governments. It highlights the increasing role of community‐led initiatives in cocreating public value and the challenges of collaboration due to differing perspectives on governance, responsibility and public value. Drawing on Wright's (1999) interpretation of soft systems methodology (SSM), the study applies ASM—a contextualized adaptation of SSM—to foster structured dialogue and systemic reflection. A case study in Arnhem demonstrates how structured workshops helped align goals, overcome bureaucratic inertia and improve collaborative governance. The findings suggest that shared vocabulary development and boundary critiques are crucial for sustaining systemic change. However, institutional challenges, power dynamics and leadership transitions can hinder long‐term success. The study concludes that ASM enhances adaptive governance, but its effectiveness depends on structured facilitation, stakeholder commitment and institutional embedding
Bureaucracy · Public sector · Soft Systems Methodology · Stakeholder · Systems thinking · Complex Systems and Decision Making · Innovative Education and Learning Practices · Organizational Learning and Leadership
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Approaching Public Administration from a Complexity Perspective
Public Value Governance
A theoretical framework for studying the co-creation of innovative solutions and public value
How public leaders can promote public value through co-creation
Collaborative Governance in Theory and Practice
At some point it has been enough' - Processes of perceived failure of citizens' initiatives
The Dynamics of Self-Governance Capacity
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |