SYSTEMS THEORY

BY: CHARLES MHANGO

CHARITY KASAWALA
VIOLET KHONJE
GEORGE NSITU
 OUTLINE
Introduction
Background
Characteristics of a system theory
Elements of a system
Types of a system
Strengths
Limitations
Use of the theory in health care improvement
 INTRODUCTION

Several management theories have evolved

over a period of time
Systems theory is one of the important
theories in management
The presentation offers an understanding of
the systems theory as it relates to
management
 BACKGROUND OF THE THEORY

General systems theory was proposed in the

1940s by the biologist Ludwig von
Bertalanffy
It was furthered by Ross Ashby in 1964
Ludwig von Bertalanffy was reacting against
both reductionism and attempting to revive
the unity of science
 BACKGROUND OF THE THEORY

Reductionists believe that a complex system is

nothing but its parts
 DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEMS THEORY

System theory provides approach to

understanding, analyzing and thinking
about organizations
Systems theory views an
organization as an organism
made up of numerous parts
(subsystems) that must work
together in harmony for the
larger system to succeed
 DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEMS THEORY

Departments, work groups, business units,

facilities and individual employees can all be
viewed as subsystems of the organizations
 DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEMS THEORY

Believes that organizational success relies on;

Synergy (combined output)
Interdependence between subsystems
Interconnections
within the organization
between the organization and the environment
CHARACTERISTICS OF SYSTEMS THEORY

Communication
Communication mechanisms must be in place
for organizational systems to exchange
relevant information with its environment
Provides for the flow of information among
the subsystems
CHARACTERISTICS OF SYSTEMS THEORY

Systems, subsystems and supersystem

Systems: set interrelated parts that turn inputs
into outputs through processing
Subsystems: do the processing
Super systems: are other systems in the
environment that the system is dependent on
CHARACTERISTICS OF SYSTEMS THEORY

Boundaries
Separates system from its environment
Four types;
i. Physical Boundary - prevents access (security system)
ii. Linguistic Boundary - specialized language (jargon)
iii.Systemic Boundary - rules that regulate interaction
(titles)
iv.Psychological Boundary - restricts communication
(stereotypes, prejudices)
CHARACTERISTICS OF SYSTEMS THEORY

Goal-directedness
Systems are goal oriented and engage in
feedback in order to meet the goals of the
organisation
CHARACTERISTICS OF SYSTEMS THEORY

Holistic view
Systems theory focuses on the arrangement
of and relations between the parts that
connect them into a whole
The mutual interaction of the parts makes the
whole bigger than the parts themselves
 BASIC ELEMENTS OF A SYSTEM

Input
Maintenance Inputs (energic imports that sustain system)
Production Inputs (energic imports which are processed
to yield a productive outcome)
Throughput
Work done on those resources used to produce
a product
 BASIC ELEMENTS OF A SYSTEM

Output
Exit or change exiting the system
System returns the product to the environment
Process
Provides a series of mechanical or chemical
operations on something in order to change
or preserve it
 BASIC ELEMENTS OF A SYSTEM

Feedback
Information about a reaction to a product
Used as basis for improvement
Can be;
i. Positive Feedback - move from status quo
ii. Negative Feedback - return to status quo
BASIC ELEMENTS OF A SYSTEM

ENVIRONMENT

SYSTEM

THROUGHTPUT
INPUT OUTPUT
PROCESS

FEEDBACK

ENVIRONMENT
 TYPES OF A SYSTEM

OPEN SYSTEM CLOSED SYSTEM

Continuously interacts Theoretical systems that
with the environment do not interact with the
There is exchange of environment
materials, energies and Not influenced by
information with the surroundings
environment
 STRENGTHS OF SYSTEMS THEORY

Deals with complexity

Takes a holistic view
Can easily manage change through
interaction with the environment
Utilises feedback easy to improve
Recognises importance of supersystems
 LIMITATIONS OF SYSTEMS THEORY IN
MANAGEMENT

Not a prescriptive management theory

Does not specify tools and techniques for
practicing managers
Too abstract difficult to apply in practical
problems
Does not adequately address power and social
inequalities and their causes
 HOW CAN SYSTEMS THEORY HELP
IMPROVE QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE IN
MALAWI?
(DISCUSSION)
 SUMMARY

Systems Theory is NOT a prescriptive management

theory
Attempts to widen lens through which we examine
and understand organizational behavior
Emphasizes on communication
Organizations cannot be separated from their
environment
Views the organization as a whole
Organizational subsystems cannot operate in
isolation
 REFERENCE
Yoder-Wise, P.S. (2011). Leading and Managing in Nursing
(5th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby.
Sullivan, E.J. & Decker, P.J. (1992). Effective Leadership and
Management in Nursing (3rd ed.). Redwood: Addison-
Wesley.
Petula, S. (2005). Can Applying Systems Theory Improve
Quality in Health Systems? National Association for
Healthcare Quality. Retrieved from
www.nahq.org/uploads/JHQQNol.pdf
Savigny, D. D., & Adam, T. (2009). Systems Thinking for
Health Systems Strengthening. World Health
Organization.
THANK YOU