Many
activities in organization were treated in an essentially descriptive. The
approaches, scientific, administrative management, behavioral are useful in
different circumstances, but it is difficult to be sure which one is right in a
given situation. In view of this, it is considered that the newer systems and
contingency approaches may provide a more complete integrated approach to the
problems of management.
Thinking
about management with knowledge of the systems approach can help to postulate
conceptually the interrelationship of apparently separate and even contradictory
ideas underlying management theory for the first time.
A
system is an organized combination of parts which form a complex entity, with
interrelationships or interactions between the parts and between the system and
environment.
A
management system encourages one to consider the cutting across of traditional boundaries
of responsibility between departments in order to appreciate the objectives of
the whole organization. Distinct demarcation lines between purchasing,
manufacturing, engineering, marketing, etc., may becomes less distinct and a
revision of organization may be needed. This is essential in viewing the management
process as a system.
The
systems approach stresses the need for more understanding in the development of
sophisticated problem-solving techniques, e.g. simulation, operations research
and computerized information systems. All these aim to improve the control
mechanisms of organizational systems so that they can plan for, and react more
effectively to changes in the environment.
The
systems approach attempts to give managers a way of looking at organizations as
a complete whole. It implies that activities in any part of the organization
will affect the activities of every other part. The adoption of a system
approach will involved a marked change in organization, hence the vital need to
prepare the organization well in advance for the need to accept change.
Whatever
classification is given to managerial activities and responsibilities, they becoming
more dynamic and complex because a greater rate of change and problems of
co-ordination and integration as more jobs become specialized.
Traditional
managerial theory and behavioral science have provided guidelines to cope with
uncertainty and change, but the approaches are too fragmented. It is here that
a systems approach can help.
General
systems theory provided valuable insights into the structure and process of
management. The systems approach recognized variety and offers a way of
interrelating differences by reconciling them within the whole. This is an
approach which emphasizes theory and conformity.
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