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a) List five types of systems b) Explain the following characteristics of a system: (i.) Differentiation; (ii.) Equifinality; (iii.) Feedback; (iv.) Transformation; (v.) Entropy; c) (i) State two features of...

      

a) List five types of systems
b) Explain the following characteristics of a system:
(i.) Differentiation;
(ii.) Equifinality;
(iii.) Feedback;
(iv.) Transformation;
(v.) Entropy;
c) (i) State two features of classical theories of organizations.
(ii) State two features of the human relations theories of organizations.
(iii) State one feature of the contingency approach to organizations.

  

Answers


gregory
a) Types of systems:
1.Physical vs. abstract systems
2.Complex vs. simple systems
3.Open vs. closed systems
4.Open loop vs. closed loop systems
5. Stable/static systems vs. dynamic systems
6.Adaptive systems vs. non-adaptive systems
7.Deterministic vs. probabilistic systems
8.Permanent vs. temporary systems
b) (i) Differentiation
(ii) Equifinality
This refers to the way open systems can achieve their objectives in a variety of ways using
varying inputs, processes and methods.
(iii) Feedback
This is a control mechanism in open systems. Feedback involves measuring the output
of the system, comparing the output with a standard and using any difference to modify
subsequent input to ensure the output conforms to the required standard.
(iv) Transformation
(v) Entropy
This refers to the tendency towards disorder (chaos) in a system. The more closed a
system, the greater the entropy.
c)(i) Features of the classical theories of organizations:
1.They emphasize on the structure of organizations, the management of structures
and control of production methods.
2.They have a tendency of treating organizations as closed systems.
(ii) Features of human relational theories of organizations:
1.They focus more on the human element of the organization. They treat an
organization as a social system, a system of cliques, grapevines, informal systems,
rituals and a mixture of logical and non-logical behaviour.
2.They are based on a series of experiments by researcher Mayo at the Hawthorne
Western electric in the 1920‘s.
3.They aim to foster system efficiency by addressing factors determining motivation
of staff e.g. Maslow‘s hierarchy of needs, Frederick Herzberg‘s theory.
(iii) Features of the contingency approach to organizations:
1.They treat an organization as a unique system resulting from an interaction of
subsystems with the environment. The motto of the contingency theory is, ?it
alldepends.
gregorymasila answered the question on February 7, 2018 at 20:19


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