Systems Theory

Abstract

Systems theory has influenced and spawned theory and research development in organizational studies since the 1960s. Seeing a parallel between biological and human social systems, systems theory places dual emphases on organizations' relationships and interdependence among the components of the system as well as the organization–environment relationships. The structure and patterns and relationships of a system emerge from interactions among components, thus each system is unique. Systems have common defining properties, such as hierarchical ordering, coupling, permeability, holism, emergence, equifinality, and homeostasis. Representing the broader systems perspective are several specific theories and perspectives, such as Weick's theory of organizing, communication network perspectives, ecological and evolutionary perspectives, and self‐organizing systems theory. Systems theory has been extensively applied in research areas ranging from communication design and adoption of technology use in organizational operations to professional communication, health campaigns, and public relations.

A priority action roadmap for women's economic empowerment (PARWEE) amid COVID-19: a co-creation approach

“…Adopting the lenses of systems-thinking, especially complex adaptive systems, provides significant insights to conduct the study. Lai and Huili Lin (2017) explain that the "complexity" arises from the dynamic network of interactions between stakeholders and factors, characterized by the number of identifiable domains and the density of interactions, intertwined with the agentic entrepreneurial behavior. The agentic factors concern the selfdetermined decisions made by actors to reach their goals, in our case, the entrepreneurs who are considered as "adaptive" since they are continuously adjusting to their environment and/ or other conditions.…”

Tackling Grand Challenges beyond Dyads and Networks: Developing a Stakeholder Systems View Using the Metaphor of Ballet

“…Organizational systems can be understood as arrangements of actors that have purposes but are nonetheless interrelated, coordinating internally and adapting to their environment in order to achieve a central goal (Lai & Huili Lin, 2017). Beyond organizations, systems thinking has also produced important contributions for business ethics, for example by "circumvent [ing] what often appear to be intractable problems created by systemic constraints for which no individual appears to be responsible" (Werhane, 2002: 33) and by decentering stakeholder analysis (Werhane, 2011).…”

Boundary organising in healthcare: theoretical perspectives, empirical insights and future prospects

“…The boundary is therefore constitutive of the system, enabling the latter to exist (Cilliers, 2010;Friedman and Allen, 2011;Luhmann, 2006). Boundaries are permeable, enabling the system to secure the necessary resources, selectively respond to environmental perturbations and develop interdependencies with the environment, but their permeability varies (Lai and Lin, 2017). Systems are also internally differentiated, with internal boundaries and diversity constituting the richness of the system and seen as valuable resources reflecting environmental complexity and enabling adaptation and growth in a challenging and changing environment (Cilliers, 2010).…”