This presentation offers an understanding of the systems theory as it relates to management

1. SYSTEMS THEORY
BY: CHARLES MHANGO
CHARITY KASAWALA
VIOLET KHONJE
GEORGE NSITU

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. BACKGROUND OF THE THEORY
• Reductionists believe that a complex
system is nothing but its parts

6. 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

7. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEMS
THEORY
• Departments, work groups, business
units, facilities and individual
employees can all be viewed as
subsystems of the organizations

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. BASIC ELEMENTS OF A SYSTEM
INPUT
THROUGHTP
UT
PROCESS
OUTPUT
ENVIRONME
NT
ENVIRONME
NT
FEEDBA
CK
SYSTE
M

18. TYPES OF A SYSTEM
OPEN SYSTEM
• Continuously
interacts with the
environment
• There is exchange
of materials,
energies and
information with
the environment
CLOSED SYSTEM
• Theoretical
systems that do
not interact with
the environment
• Not influenced by
surroundings

19. 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

20. 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

21. HOW CAN SYSTEMS THEORY HELP
IMPROVE QUALITY OF HEALTH
CARE IN MALAWI?
(DISCUSSION)

22. 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

23. 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.

24. THANK YOU