The Systems Approach

The systems approach to

management is more a
perspective for viewing problems
than a school of management
thought.

Ludwig von Bertalanffy

is recognized as the founder of general

system theory. The system approach is
based on the concept that an
organization is a system. A system is
defined as a number of interdependent
parts functioning as a whole for some
purpose. Here there are five
components:inputs, a transformation
process, outputs, feedback, and the
environment.

They viewed organisation as an organic

and open system, which is composed
of interacting and interdependent
parts, called subsystems. The system
approach is top took upon
management as a system or as an
organised whole made up of subsystems integrated into a unity or
orderly totality.

Features of Systems
Approach:

(i) A system consists of interacting

elements. It is set of inter-related and
inter-dependent parts arranged in a
manner that produces a unified whole.
(ii) The various sub-systems should be
studied in their inter-relationships rather,
than in isolation from each other.
(iii) An organisational system has a
boundary that determines which parts are
internal and which are external.

Features of Systems
Approach:

(iv) A system does not exist in a

vacuum. It receives information,
material and energy from other
systems as inputs. These inputs
undergo a transformation process
within a system and leave the system
as output to other systems.
(v) An organisation is a dynamic
system as it is responsive to its
environment. It is vulnerable to change

Open versus closed

systems.According to Ludwig von
Bertlanffy, there are two basic types
of systems: closed systems and
open systems. Closed system are
not influenced by and do not interact
with their environments. Open
systems interact with their
environment. All organizations are
open systems, although the degree
of interaction may vary.

The systems approach is very

important in general management
analysis. Four especially ideas that
have had substantial impact on
management thinking are the concepts
of open versus closed systems,
subsystems, subsystems and
interdependencies, synergy and
entropy.

Entropy

Entropy is a universal
property of systems and
refers to their tendency to
run down and die. A primary
objective of management,
form systems perspective, is
to avoid entropy.

Synergy

Synergy means that the whole is

greater the sum of its parts. Synergy is
an important concept for managers in
that it reinforces the need to work
together in a cooperative fashion.

Subsystems

A subsystem is a system within a

system. From another perspective,
subsystems are parts of a system that
depend on one another.

THANK YOU !

Reported by :
Fchelle Anne R. Ragotero
3CC1

Reference:

http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/manage
ment/system-approach-to-managementdefinition-features-and-evaluation/27897/
http://www.introduction-tomanagement.24xls.com/en132
http://study.com/academy/lesson/systems
-approach-to-management-theory-lessonquiz.html