I've been wondering whether a mathematical-based model exists for Systems Thinking which could be used on complex systems. Maybe, this idea is not even feasible? Any thoughts and ideas are most welcome.
if you check the work of JC willems e.g IEEE Transactions on Automatic ControlVolume 36, Issue 3, March 1991, Pages 259-294 "Paradigms and Puzzles in the Theory of Dynamical Systems" or IEEE Control SystemsVolume 27, Issue 6, December 2007, Pages 46-99 "The Behavioral Approach to Open and Interconnected Systems"
it may give you an idea of the body of work available in this area. These are but a few, in deed Willems and team has done a lot of work in this....(esp the topic you asked on)