Behavioral science, system theory—And simulation

Abstract

A M KEW here; please allow mc' to intro-

Organizational and systems theory: An integrated review.

“…Nonetheless, some, albeit limited, evidence suggests that an increase in fidelity of the A,-':!4 model does not always improve the data obtained (Gray, Mayhew and Campbell, 1974 "We have already considered the organization as a system which should be studied with a methodology that approaches the system of interest in complexity. McLeod (1974) has considered this problem in detail.…”

“…However, determination of what assumptions should be made is both the most important -and the most difficult -Job that a modeler must undertake." (McLeod, 1974) and, "...the aim (of. computer models) Is not to mirror in detail the actual functioning of a social system,..instead...to program into the computer certain theoretical processes and then to see what kind of behavior they generate.…”

“…If its effects are clearly negligible (for some specific analysis), then it may be ignored. McLeod (1974) suggested a specific method for determining the importance of potential system components for inclusion in computer simulation models: . *,, .…”

A Psychiatric Assessment-Treatment-Outcome Information System: Evaluation With Computer Simulation

“…Gershefski [20] surveyed 323 companies and found that sixty-three firms were involved in the computer simulation of their corporation and an additional 39 corporations were planning to begin this development. The parallel to treatment simulation is that commercial firms are mainly concerned with the predictions of a single entity, i.e., the performance of their individual corporation.…”

“…McLeod [39] points out that computer simulation is a way of proceeding from vague ideas to problem solution in an orderly, logical fashion and a way of finding that our information is incomplete and that additional data must be gathered.…”