Abstract
M.A.
Through a literature survey in the domain of organisational development a trend
away from hierarchically structured organisations is identified.
This trend is consistent with the literature concerned with a systemic perspective
in clinical psychology. Principles of systemic psychological theory are identified
which provide valuable insights into the functioning of organisations.
The theory and principles identified provide the basis for the practice of clinical
psychology internationally. Clinical practice has provided valuable experience in
work with systems. This experience, it is argued, should not be lost to industry.
An icosahedral model is described which is shown to be consistent with systemic
ideas in clinical psychology and with clinical experience in therapy with systems.
It is argued that the model provides a suitable metaphor of network structure,
which is consistent with calls in the literature for non-hierarchical organisational
structure.
The study reveals that clinical psychology is able to make a valuable contribution
to industry.