"Systems theory is the transdisciplinary study of systems, i.e. cohesive groups of interrelated, interdependent components that can be natural or human-made."
A focus on how organizations are complex systems with interconnected components that influence each other in numerous ways.
Systems thinking: This involves understanding how different components of a system interact with each other and how they impact the larger whole.
Cybernetics: This is the study of communication and control systems in organizations and how they function to maintain a state of equilibrium or stability.
Feedback loops: These are mechanisms within a system that allow for information and feedback to be received and acted upon in order to maintain system stability.
Network theory: This involves understanding how individuals and groups within an organization are connected and the impact of those connections on the overall system.
Complexity theory: This is the study of complex systems and how they operate, and how they can be managed and understood.
Organizational structure: This refers to the design and arrangement of the formal and informal aspects of an organization.
Organizational behavior: This involves studying the behavior of individuals, groups, and the organization as a whole within a system.
Change management: This refers to methods and strategies for managing and implementing change within an organization.
Organizational culture: This refers to the values, beliefs, and behaviors of individuals and groups within an organization that impact its overall functioning.
Leadership: This involves understanding different leadership styles and how they impact the behavior and performance of individuals and groups within an organization.
Decision-making: This involves studying the process of decision-making within an organization and its impact on the organization's performance.
Power and politics: This refers to the distribution of power and the role of politics in decision-making within an organization.
Conflict resolution: This involves strategies for identifying and resolving conflicts within an organization.
Ethics and social responsibility: This refers to the ethical and social responsibilities of organizations and their impact on society.
Performance measurement and evaluation: This involves methods for measuring and evaluating the performance of individuals and groups within an organization.
Resource allocation: This refers to the allocation of resources such as time, money, and personnel within an organization to achieve its goals and objectives.
General Systems Theory: General Systems Theory is an interdisciplinary approach that views complex systems as interconnected and interdependent, aiming to understand their structure, behavior, and interactions.
Cybernetic Systems Theory: Cybernetic Systems Theory is the study of feedback loops and information processing in complex systems, aiming to understand and improve their functioning and adaptability in public administration.
Chaos Theory: Chaos Theory in Public Administration and Systems Theory refers to the study of complex and nonlinear systems that exhibit sensitive dependence on initial conditions, leading to unpredictability and disorder.
Complexity Theory: Complexity Theory refers to the study of complex and dynamic systems in public administration that involve multiple interdependent components and interactions, often resulting in unpredictable and emergent behavior.
Social Systems Theory: Social Systems Theory focuses on understanding society as a complex network of interrelated systems and subsystems that influence and are influenced by each other.
Contingency Theory: Contingency Theory suggests that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to public administration and management, and instead emphasizes the need for flexible strategies that are responsive to the unique context in which organizations operate.
Organizational Learning Theory: Organizational Learning Theory explores how public organizations acquire, interpret, and apply knowledge in order to improve their performance and adapt to changing environments.
Resource Dependence Theory: Resource Dependence Theory is a framework that explains how organizations are influenced by external factors and their need to obtain resources to survive and thrive.
Institutional Theory: Institutional theory in public administration and systems theory focuses on the impact and influence of formal and informal institutions on organizations and their decision-making processes.
Stakeholder Theory: Stakeholder theory in the field of Public Administration and Systems Theory is concerned with understanding the various individuals and groups who have a stake or interest in a particular public policy or program and their impact on decision-making and outcomes.
"Every system has causal boundaries, is influenced by its context..."
"...defined by its structure, function, and role..."
"...and expressed through its relations with other systems."
"A system is 'more than the sum of its parts' by expressing synergy or emergent behavior."
"Changing one component of a system may affect other components or the whole system."
"It may be possible to predict these changes in patterns of behavior."
"The growth and the degree of adaptation depend upon how well the system is engaged with its environment and other contexts influencing its organization."
"Some systems support other systems, maintaining the other system to prevent failure."
"The goals of systems theory are to model a system's dynamics, constraints, conditions, and relations..."
"General systems theory is about developing broadly applicable concepts and principles, as opposed to concepts and principles specific to one domain of knowledge."
"It distinguishes dynamic or active systems from static or passive systems."
"Active systems are activity structures or components that interact in behaviors and processes or interrelate through formal contextual boundary conditions (attractors)."
"Passive systems are structures and components that are being processed."
"For example, a program is passive when it is a disc file and active when it runs in memory."
"The field is related to systems thinking, machine logic, and systems engineering."
"The field is related to systems thinking, machine logic, and systems engineering."
"...and to elucidate principles (such as purpose, measure, methods, tools) that can be discerned and applied to other systems at every level of nesting..."
"...for achieving optimized equifinality."
"...and in a wide range of fields for achieving optimized equifinality."