Organization as a System

Question 1

Norms*

Answer 1

Shared beliefs, attitudes, standards, and practices exhibited by an/or expected of all members in a group., organization, or social system.

Question 2

Over-Determination

Answer 2

Redundant, mutually reinforcing mechanisms more than sufficient to ensure the stability of a social system.

Question 3

Subsystems of Organization**

Cogs

Answer 3

Internal, recurring processes (systems) that perform essential functions.

Question 4

System*

Answer 4

Interdependent parts operating as a unitary whole that interacts with its environment in recurring cycles of exchange to obtain needed resources and adapt.

Question 5

Properties of a System**

Forest

Answer 5

• Inputs
• Throughputs
• Outputs
• Homeostasis
• Differentiation
• Integration
• Equifinality
• Exchange cycle
• Adaptation
• Mnemonic device: In, through, and out of the forest to go home; to take a different route would indeed equal extreme adaptation. *

Question 6

Values

Answer 6

Enduring, fundamental priorities or ideals that guide personal choices,
OR
Fundamental priorities and/or ideals shared in common by members of a group, organization, or larger social system.

Question 7

Subsystems of an Organization Example

Answer 7

Walmart supply-line management system.

Question 8

(Sub of Org. extension) Generic subsystems

Answer 8

• Management
• Production/Technical
• Infrastructure
• Boundary-spanning
• Adaptive

(MPTIBA)

Question 9

Management subsystem

Answer 9

Responsible for strategy, structure, planning, direction, coordination, budgeting, development, capacity, security and success.  
SSSS
DD
CC
PB

Question 10

Production/Technical subsystem

Answer 10

Converts inputs into outputs, such as ore to metal.

Question 11

Boundary-Spanning subsystem

Answer 11

Manages external interactions - “across the boundary:” Marketing and sales, procurement, purchasing, logistics, supply-line management, shipping, distribution, waste disposal, lobbying.

Question 12

Adaptive subsystem

Answer 12

Monitors the environment, gathers intelligence, identifies needed operational changes, develops new processes and products, product development, industrial espionage.

Question 13

Infrastructure subsystem

Answer 13

Maintains current and future capacity, including human resources, information, facilities, and existing processes.

Question 14

Infrastructure subsystem

Answer 14

Maintains current and future capacity, including human resources, information, facilities, and existing processes.

Question 15

Values Examples

Answer 15

1. ) Social responsibility, achievement

2. ) Procedural justice, earning

Question 16

Inputs

Answer 16

Resources for continued operation acquired from the larger environment.

Question 17

Throughput

Answer 17

Processes that convert inputs to outputs

Question 18

Homeostasis

Answer 18

Dynamic equilibrium or steady state that occurs when inputs sustain current outputs.

Question 19

Differentiation

Answer 19

Specialized components serving specific functions.

Question 20

Integration

Answer 20

Means of coordinating specialized components.

Question 21

Equifianlity

Answer 21

Multiple ways of achieving the same result.

Question 22

Exchange cycle

Answer 22

Repeatedly sending outputs and receiving inputs in return.

Question 23

Adaptation

Answer 23

Changes enabling adjustment to the environment.