Systems Overview
Systems is the keyword here, stemming from the metaphor that a system is a complex organism that must interact with its environment in order to survive. So, organizations are organic.
General Systems Theory is the book on the concept of systems, written by Ludwig Van Bertalanfy. He believed that studying systems was just as appropriate for sociology as it was for biology.
Systems Components - A system is a breakdown of parts or components. In an organization, this would mean the people and departments that make up the company. So, to further the metaphor...
- Hierarchical Orderings are arranged in highly complex ways that involve subsystems and supersystems. We look at how these smaller systems make up larger ones.
- Interdependence implies that the functioning of one component or department of a system relies on the others in the system.
- Permeability allows information and materials to flow in ad out of the organization.
Systems Processes - Input-throughput-output. The systems takes on material, changes that material and then releases it in a different form.
- Exchange Process means there must be an change between the system and the environment. This process requires an exchange with the environment outside the system.
- Feedback happens as a result in controlling the process. Corrective serves to keep a system on a steady course, and growth serves to transform the systems for better output.
System Properties
- Holism, or nonsummativity - the system is more than the sum of its parts.
- Equifinality - the system can reach the outcome via different conditions and by a variety of paths.
- Negative Entropy - entropy is when a closed system runs down. An open system has the ability to sustain itself and grow. This is due to the flow of information that keeps the system dynamic in exchanging information to change.
- Requisite Variety - Since a system is also a part of the environment, it must be responsive to the same complexity internally as externally. This allows the organization to keep up with market trends and adapt as needed.
Three Systems Theories
Cybernetic Systems Theory - Derived from the Greek word for a boat steersman, cybernetics is a process that deals with how the physical , natural and organizational systems are steered toward reaching the systems goals. (Don't let the latent definition of "cyber" fool you.)
- System goal is the target for a particular aspect of the systems operation.
- Mechanisms are a variety of ways that can be used to reach the system goal.
- Feedback is the information that indicates whether or not the goal is being reached.
Karl Weick's Theory of Organizing - Organizations exist in an environment. The goal is to reduce uncertainty.
Enactment happens where different members of the organization create different meanings resulting in creating a different information environment.
Equivocality is the level of unpredictability present in the information environment - ambiguity.
Assembly rules (or recipes) guide sense-making in the organization.
Retention saves these rules and cycles for future use.
New Science Systems Theory
No all systems in nature and society are like those described by physicists. These systems may not be linear or striving toward equilibrium. Really?
Methods for Studying Organizational Systems
A. Network Analysis - Analyzing the map pf people, social groups, and what it all means.
1. Properties of Networks:
- Network content - data and info that flows within it
- Network mode - the medium used to maintain the network
- Density - how connected or unconnected the members are
- Level of analysis - Analysis of the organization itself or the relationships it has outside the organization.
- Strength - amount of content, durability and connectivity
- Symmetry - the equality of the networking individuals
- Multiplexity - diversity of content that travels the network
B. Modeling Techniques - This allows researchers to assess complex relationships among variables. This is a statistical technique to try and model behavior and events within the organization.
C. Case Analysis - A rich understanding of organizational systems by looking at certain issues through observation, interviews, questionnaires, and archives. This can explain how and why an organization develops and behaves the way it does. This is also your term project.
