Analysis of the Dutch approach of integral organizational renewal (IOR) : an innovation in sociotechnical concepts, or just a local manifestation of global Socio-Technical Systems Design?

First, this paper elaborates upon some concepts of the Dutch SocioTechnical Systems Design (STSD) approach of 'Integral Organizational Renewal (lOR)" and contrasts them with relevant Australian, Scam1inavian or American counterparts, For instance, the main concepts of 'sub-system' and 'aspect-system' are discriminated and discussed as they will continue to influence differentially the theoretical economy (efficiency and effectivity) of our present and future STSD models, Also the lOR concept of 'interference' is considered for its fruitfulness for integral thinking. Next, based on Van Eijnatten (1993), functional similarities and shared ideals are presented. It is strongly advocated that this congeniality of concepts is indicative of a single sociotechnical tradition, that is firmly based on the normative world view of 'Participative Democracy'. As an appendix, some rather intemperate statements will be put forward in order to stimulate discussions, that should facilitate a better understanding of both the discrepancies and similarities of distinct holons of sociotechnical concepts at a high level of abstraction.