Evan Barba and Adeline Hvidsten
Systems change within organisations is a preoccupation shared between systemic design and organisational behaviour theory. We examine a foundational framework in organisational behaviour theory, developed by Seo and Creed, that articulates the Paradox of Embedded Agency. This paradox arises because agents in the system are in the best position to change that system, but are often prevented from acting due to their position inside the system. We introduce a game design-based facilitation approach called Playful Systems, and describe its potential as a method for resolving this paradox through the design and play of games. Finally, we provide a conceptual support for this process using the culture-in-mind theory of anthropologist Bradd Shore.
Keywords: game design, facilitation, mental models, Playful Systems, Systemic Design