S W 334 Lecture 16: Systems Framework for Understanding Organizational Behavior
Document Summary
Definition - a whole, consisting of interacting and interdependent parts (sub-systems) Problems that arise from dysfunctional interactions between sub-systems affect the well-being of the entire organization. Point at which one system ends and another system begins: the organization as a whole has a boundary to the world outside the organization, however defined. Condition in which all parts of a system work well together the ter(cid:373) (cid:862)sy(cid:374)ergy(cid:863) is ofte(cid:374) used i(cid:374)ter(cid:272)ha(cid:374)gea(cid:271)ly (cid:449)ith the ter(cid:373) (cid:862)alig(cid:374)(cid:373)e(cid:374)t(cid:863) A system that has an easily permeable boundary: an open system is more willing to take in energy from the outside and is, therefore, more sustainable than a closed system. A system that has an impenetrable boundary: the longer a system remains closed the more likely the system will experience entropy, the key question is why is the system closed in the first place. A system that gives and receives energy in equal amounts: a system that achieves equilibrium is a healthy system.
