General Systems Theory and Chaordic Systems Theory

1 General Systems Theory and Chaordic Systems Theory as Applied in Organizations Today Introduction In the context where organizations operate, change may take place suddenly and rapidly.

The systems approach to management is an investigation of the firm’s activities in their totality to efficiently realize the set goals. Two of the most significant applications of the system thinking into the organizational context include the general systems theory and the chaordic systems theory (Williams et al., 2017). The General systems theory offers organizations a framework to grow and change as they obtain feedback from both externally and internally to make the necessary adjustments to realize organizational goals. On the other hand, the Chaordic Systems Theory denotes the complex and dynamic arrangement of connections between elements that form a unified whole, and it is a coexistence of chaos and order. The concepts of general systems theory and chaordic systems theory as applied in organizations today are explored including their components and how they can be integrated into the business to promote sustainability.

The Components of General Systems Theory The general systems theory integrates the analytic and synthetic approach, with a system regarded as a collection of elements that are organized for a common purpose.

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2 The elements in a system are interconnected, interdependent, and interrelated and they form a complex unitary whole. According to Williams et al. (2017), the key components of the general systems theory include input, processes, output, and feedback. Other additional components include control, environment, goals, and mission. The input denotes the material or energy that goes into the system. On the other hand, the processes are the actions that take place within the system and transform the input. The output refers to the results that are derived from the processes whereas feedback is the information that is generated and that can be applied to evaluate and monitor the system.

How These Components Relate to Organizations In the business context, the system denotes the way a part of the organization interacts with the organization as a whole and within the industry or market. The current application of the system in the business context is centered on the organization of systems within an organization and the dynamics of business functioning. It offers a framework upon which business owners understand how different entities interact and influence each other to make up the entire system.

Different teams and departments within an organization work with each other, acting as an input to the system, and they work together towards the attainment of a common goal, as guided by organizational mission and vision. As noted by Arnott et al. (2017), business leaders who are perceived as system thinkers consider the big picture as this acts as the guiding aspect to maximize performance within an organization.

The general system thinking approach facilitates understanding of how various components of the system work together and how their action influences the system as a whole.

The approach also facilitates understanding of the concept of supply and demand, regarding the

3 inputs required to facilitate the organizational process and where the outputs are needed, and the external factors that influence the organization (Arnott et al., 2017).

The essence of feedback as an integral component of systems thinking is an aspect that has been extensively addressed by Williams et al. (2017). Taking the context of an organization that operates within a competitive setting and environment, Williams et al. (2012) argue that giving attention to the relevant feedback enables business leaders to come up with solutions to organizational challenges to avert misappropriation of resources. Maximizing operational efficiency is considered a central goal when applying systems thinking and analysis.

Business leaders are perceived as systems thinkers, whose role extends beyond just giving instructions and controlling the system. For example, concerning the systems thinking component of the organization's mission and goals, system thinkers recognize the essence of integrating the personal goals of staff with the overarching business goals of the company. As a result, leadership across organizations applies a management style that emphasizes recognition and rewarding employees for their accomplishments (Arnott et al., 2017). At the same time, the approach to management entails putting communication structures into place to ensure employees are well-informed regarding the primary goals of the organization so that they understand how their accomplishments will contribute towards the achievement of organizational goals.

An Explanation of the Development of Chaordic Systems Theory The Chao metaphor in the chaordic system recognizes the complexity, dynamic, and nonlinearity of systems in which chaos and order co-exist. Chaos was originally formulated as a theory of complex, dynamic, non-linear system as essentially the science of all simultaneously chaotic and orderly entities, including the ones recognized as an entity (Roberts et al., 2017).

4 According to the chaordic alliance, the term chaordic refers to anything that is simultaneously orderly and chaotic, patterns in such a manner that it is either dominated by order or chaos and existing in the phase between order and chaos.

In essence, the development of the chaordic systems theory can be described as a dynamic process that passes from one attractor basis to the next in an incessant journey towards the age of chaos. A Holon commences at one point and eventually arrives at the age of chaos. In this effect, a new basin of attraction characterizes a new order. The attractor landscape is considered as a composition of multiple attractors and their basis that a Holon can be attracted to during travel (Arnott et al., 2017). For example, the organizational goal in a chaordic system is known, in that it is focused on optimization or performance improvement, yet there is an unknown aspect of renewal. Conversely, the path adopted is that of renewal to improve organizational performance and optimize the process.

How Leaders Might Apply Chaordic Systems Theory to Achieve Sustainability Within an Organization The central idea behind the chaordic systems approach is that systems have a life cycle, they function at particular complexity levels which both enable and restrict further opportunities for growth as well as going through successive phases of relative stability and instability. When integrating the Chaordic system thinking in the organizational context, the unstable phase following bifurcation is followed by chaotic changes in both thinking and doing.

Roberts et al. (2017) advance the position that the chaordic approach is effective in facilitating innovation across organizations. Therefore, the establishment of a chaordic organization commences with an intensive search for purpose, then proceeding to principles, people, and concepts and subsequently adopting structure and practice. The leadership approach

5 to integrating the chaordic system into the organizational strategy is not based on a linear system, rater each of these elements is examined through a lens whereby participants examine the context necessitating the need for adoption of the approach and how this influences the organization.

Leaders establish each of the six elements of the chaordic system as a basis upon which change is implemented within an organization. The chaordic systems theory facilitates the implementation of a clear purpose for which the organization exists as defined it its mission, vision, and goals (Roberts et al, 2017). An organization's sustainability is based on a shared understanding of the purpose and the leader getting all stakeholders to work towards attaining the set goals.

On the other hand, conceiving the principles of an organization is important and leasers undertake this through setting an unambiguous statement of the fundamental belief of the organization as a system, as a whole, and how these elements are coordinated to achieve the set purpose. Whereas purpose and principle can lead to a chaordic organization, they must be evoked from the mind and hearts of members and the leader serves as an influence to followers to adopt this shared purpose and principles (Arnott et al., 2017). The leader needs to raise awareness among individuals and groups and consider them trustees to achieve a chaordic system. The leader should then attain a new concept of organizing relationships and structure which is an embodiment of all the other principles. On the other hand, the role of the leader in terms of practice entails deliberating on decision making and working in pursuit of attaining purpose per organizational principles.

Conclusion Indeed, system thinking facilitates understanding of the organizational complexity, the seeming coexistence of chaos and order in the organization, and the need to establish

6 sustainability. Considering that the viable application of both systems theory and chaordic theory is necessary for organizational success and development, leaders must adopt system thinking both as a mindset that focuses on how all elements of the organization are interconnected to achieve optimization and growth.

7 References Arnott, D., Lizama, F., & Song, Y. (2017). Patterns of business intelligence systems use in organizations. Decision Support Systems, 97, 58-68.

Roberts, W. M., Longhurst, S., Franks, B., Taylor, N., & Bush, A. J. (2017). Chaordic learning systems: reconceptualising pedagogy for the digital age. Higher Education Journal of Learning and Teaching, 9(1).

Williams, A., Kennedy, S., Philipp, F., & Whiteman, G. (2017). Systems thinking: A review of sustainability management research. Journal of Cleaner Production, 148, 866-881.