Chapter 1: Problem 6

Define systems theory as an organizational strategy. What are open systems, closed systems, and negative feedback? When is a system in a steady-state equilibrium condition? What type of system (open or closed) is the human body? A lake? A wheat plant?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Systems Theory sees an organization as a system made up of interacting components. Open Systems interact with the environment, Closed Systems do not. Negative feedback is a control mechanism to maintain system stability. A system is in steady-state equilibrium when variables defining system behavior are constant over time. The Human Body and a Wheat plant are Open Systems, while a Lake is a Closed System.

Step by step solution

Define Systems Theory as an organizational strategy

Systems Theory is an interdisciplinary theory about every system in nature, in society and in many scientific domains as well as a framework with which we can investigate phenomena from a holistic approach. In an organizational context, Systems Theory considers the organization as a system (social system) which is made up of many subsystems. This theory brings a focus on the bigger picture or the whole, instead of just specific parts of an organization.

Define Open Systems and Closed Systems

An Open System is one that interacts with its environment and thus exchanges information, material, or energy with its environment. A Closed System is one that does not interact with its environment. It is isolated and does not exchange any information or energy with its environment.

Explain Negative Feedback

In the context of Systems Theory, Negative Feedback refers to a mechanism or process that reacts to an output of a system in such a way as to resist or counteract changes. This helps the system maintain stability and reach a balance point.

Define Steady-State Equilibrium Condition

A system is in a Steady-State Equilibrium when the variables which define the behavior of the system are unchanging in time. Despite the continuous flow of matter and energy, a steady state system has properties that are generally stable.

Identify the type of system for given examples

The Human Body is an Open System because it exchanges matter and energy with its environment. A Lake is essentially a Closed System because it does not interact or exchange energy or matter with its environment under normal conditions (barring any human interaction or natural disasters). A wheat plant is an Open System because it interacts with its environment by absorbing sunlight, CO2, nutrients from soil and releasing oxygen during photosynthesis.

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Define systems theory as an organizational strategy. What are open systems, closed systems, and negative feedback? When is a system in a steady-state equilibrium condition? What type of system (open or closed) is the human body? A lake? A wheat plant?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Define Systems Theory as an organizational strategy

Define Open Systems and Closed Systems

Explain Negative Feedback

Define Steady-State Equilibrium Condition

Identify the type of system for given examples

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