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Systems Theory - Undergraduate

- Systems theory views organizations holistically as interconnected networks of systems and subsystems working together for a common purpose. It considers how the interactions between different parts give rise to complex emergent behaviors. - There are various types of systems including open systems that interact with their environment, hard systems that use scientific modeling to achieve goals, and soft systems that harness stakeholder perspectives. - Simple systems have few predetermined elements that interact in organized ways, while complex systems have many loosely interacting, evolving elements subject to probabilistic behaviors and environmental influences.

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37 views22 pages

Systems Theory - Undergraduate

- Systems theory views organizations holistically as interconnected networks of systems and subsystems working together for a common purpose. It considers how the interactions between different parts give rise to complex emergent behaviors. - There are various types of systems including open systems that interact with their environment, hard systems that use scientific modeling to achieve goals, and soft systems that harness stakeholder perspectives. - Simple systems have few predetermined elements that interact in organized ways, while complex systems have many loosely interacting, evolving elements subject to probabilistic behaviors and environmental influences.

Uploaded by

didi vlog
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Systems theory

D. E. UFUA
Class Objectives
At the end of this lecture students should understand:
• The meaning of systems
• The importance of systems in organisational practice
• The broad types of systems
• The emergence of complex systems
• Systems paradigms and metaphors
Conventional way of thinking
•Linear chains of cause and effect:
•A B C

•Traditional approach is based upon two major assumptions:


•We can explain all phenomena using cause
• and effect relationships
•We can understand a system by breaking it up into smaller intelligible parts- ‘Reductionism’

•Problem- emergent properties


•New properties may emerge due to the
• interaction between the various parts
• of a system
Critical Preceding Issues
• The events during WWII- operations researchers.
• The issue reductionism
• What then is systems?
• It is an approach to view the parts that form a given structure, meant to
achieve a purpose
• The key factors of systems theory are: Structure, Connectivity and
purpose ( Checkland,1981).
The take-off of Systems Theory
• Systems theory development was kick started in the 1940's by a biologist, Ludwig
von Bertalanffy – General systems theory.
• Other early contributors e.g., Kenneth Boulding, Jay Forrester- Systems
Dynamics. Ross Ashby in 1956- he came up with the theory of requisite variety. It
says only variety can destroy variety. In 1979, West Morgan- the use of metaphors
• Systems theory asserts that organizations, like living organisms, are made up of
numerous components ‘subsystems’ that must work together in harmony for the
entire system to succeed.
• The theory views the organization as a system of interrelated parts that
function in a holistic way to achieve a common purpose.
• The theory views productivity as a function of the interplay among
people, structure and the environment
• It largely focuses on the inputs, transformational process(managerial and
technological abilities) and the outputs
Key Features of Systems

• The purpose of the system in focus e.g. a University System


-Education system
• The purpose of the sub-systems or parts e.g. the various academic
disciplines
• The elements of a system have different purposes
• These parts must be coordinated in relation to the function of the whole
Example of Systems connectivity of
a firm
E xa mp le s of s y s tem s

N atu r al s y ste ms: w eath er s y ste ms


Bio lo g ical sy st ems : b l o o d cir cu lat io n , im mu n e s y ste m, n erv o u s sy s tem
M an - M ad e (p h y sical) sy s tem s: ca rs, c o mp u ter s
S c ien t ific s y ste ms: test in g , ex p erim en t atio n
M an ag eme n t s y stem s: Bu d g et in g , M an ag eme n t R ep o rtin g
S o cial sy st ems: so c ial clu b , y o u th clu b , asso ciati o n
Classification of Systems

system

Sub-system

Meta-
system
An Example of Classification of systems
• Sub systems or system of systems
• Meta systems
• Systems in focus.
Nigerian
Bus CU Universities
CBSS
Managemen
t
• The activity of any segment of an organization affects, in varying degrees, the activity of
every other segment.
• Coordination of the organization’s parts is essential for proper functioning of the entire
organization.
• Decisions and actions taken in one area of the organization will have an effect on other
areas of the organization.
• It prompts managers to project the true position at all levels of the organization to
stakeholders
• It provides a system wide view as opposed to the reductionist approach.
Types of systems
• Closed systems- a systems that has no relationship with the environment.
This is NOT usually found in business world. However, e.g. a football
match event, ship sailing on the water etc. could be termed as closed
systems.
• Open systems- a system that operates and interacts with its environment.
E.g. CU, UBA etc. All business systems are open because they interact
with the environment.
An Open Systems interacts with the environment
A system is a set of objects together with relationships between the objects and between
their attributes related to each other and to their environment so as to form a whole.

Relationship
Element
A

Input Feedback C
B

The System Boundary


Environment
Hard Systems
• Hard system attempts solving problems in a systematic way, applying a clear
methodology to identify problems and to rectify them through scientific
modelling, rational testing, implementation and evaluation processes.

HS was big step forward in applying systems ideas. It


started around the time of Second World War and is
associated with such methodologies as
• It is ultimately aimed to pursue well known goals.
Criticisms of Hard System
Criticism of HS:
• unable to deal with multiple perceptions of reality
• unable to deal with conflict and coercion
• it is ‘expert driven’ and its approaches are generally imposed on participants
Soft Systems
The basic idea of soft systems is relationship management, with the intention of
establishing meaningful engagements.
• It harnesses the creative abilities of organisation members identify, project an ideal
plan to for the future.
• It creates room to provide solutions to conflicting issues that may arise in the process.
• The application of soft systems assumes inter-subjectivity: i.e., that managers and
stakeholders can develop better understanding of how both themselves and others
view the world, and thereby agree mutually acceptable actions
Criticisms of soft systems
Participants’ worldview and this can be influenced by motives other than
stakeholders’ interests in soft systems.

Participants can have conflicting aims that are not easily open to change.
It can be time consuming
Simple Systems

•Small Number Of Elements


•Few Interactions Between Elements
•Attributes Of Elements Are Predetermined
•Interaction Between Elements Is Highly Organised
•Well-defined Laws Govern Behaviour
•System Does Not Evolve Over Time
•Sub-systems Do Not Pursue Their Own Goals
•System Is Unaffected By Behavioural Influences
•System Is Largely Closed To The Environment
Complex Systems
The emergent of complex problem situations.
Complexity should not be viewed as a burden to be avoided; we see it as a
catalyst and an accelerator to creative innovation and new ways of
delivering value (Jackson, 2000).
Features of Complex Systems

•Large number of elements


•Many interactions between elements
•Attributes of elements are not predetermined
•Interactions between elements are Loosely Organised
•Probabilistic behaviours
•System evolves over time
•Sub-systems are purposeful and pursue their own goals
•System is subject to behavioral influences
•System is largely open to the environment
•Questions?????

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