Combined Use of Soft Systems Methodology and Complexity Methodology: the Example of Corporate Social Responsibility

Starting from the deficiencies of the application оf single system methodology in dealing with the management problem situations, the paper discusses a possible combined use of Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), which belongs to the interpretive paradigm, and Complexity Methodology (CM), as a functionalist systems methodology, in structuring complex-pluralist problem areas. Respecting the characteristics of corporate social responsibility (CSR), combined application of these methodologies is illustrated through a hypothetical example of CSR management in the ABC company. The paper shows that if the SSM is implemented as dominant, and MK, as a methodology that supports it in managing problem situations in enterprises, certain deficiencies in their independent application will be eliminated. Despite certain limitations, the paper provides findings about various important open issues in systems science and management science, such as the possibility of combining different systems methodologies, particularly the methodologies belonging to different paradigms. Besides, a combined use of these two methodologies has not been explored enough yet.