BMAL 710 Technology Structures and Social Boundaries

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TECHNOLOGY STRUCTURES AND SOCIAL BOUNDARIES 1 Technology Structures and Social Boundaries BMAL 710 Degree and Cognate: PhD and Leadership Liberty University Author Note I, XXXXXXX, have no known conflict of interest to disclose. By submitting this assignment, I attest this submission represents my own work, and not that of another student, scholar, or internet source. I understand I am responsible for knowing and correctly utilizing referencing and bibliographical guidelines. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to: XXXXXXXXX. Email: @liberty.edu

TECHNOLOGY STRUCTURES AND SOCIAL BOUNDARIES 2 How Technology Structures Apply to Rational, Natural, and Open Systems Rational Systems Perspective It was researched and discussed a couple weeks ago that organizations that follow a rational system perspective are instruments designed to attain specific goals (Scott & Davis, 2015). This means that rational organizations tend to be formally structured and tend to follow a scripted set of rules and guidelines. Technological structures within a rational systems perspective organization will follow the same strict and hierarchical structure. The technology incorporated within these organizations will have established protocols and detailed instructions on the implementation and use of technologies in the performance of duties within an organization. To put it another way, the rational perspective organization will typically have a set of methodically considered, carefully crafted, and purposefully disseminated guidelines dictating and directing organizational personnel on the incorporation and use of technology within the organization. The intent behind this is to ensure the organizational departments and system’s interface and collect as much information and data as possible. The data that is collected can in turn be reviewed at a later point in time when problems arise. This data can be used for briefings that are presented to the hierarchy for decision-making. There are pitfalls to this approach. The number of systems or programs utilized by the organization causes complexity within the organization. The complexity of the systems coupled with the end users’ level of familiarity can cause a lag in producing and providing timely products or reports to the organization or the customers. Basically, the technological structures within rational perspective organization that are incorporated will be contingent upon the organization’s operational environment. The intent is to reduce redundancy and overlapping which breeds and fosters inefficiency. Natural Systems Perspective

TECHNOLOGY STRUCTURES AND SOCIAL BOUNDARIES 3 The organization that follows a natural system perspective will typically stray from the top-down hierarchical approach that is common within the rational organization. This more relaxed, less structured, informal approach focuses more on personal interactions and social dynamics. The natural perspective organization acknowledges the unpredictability and uncertainty of daily activity and stresses the importance of flexibility and innovation. Technological advancements and innovative practices are needed to respond to the environmental pressures and gain sustainability (Zhang, et al., 2019). The technological structure of a natural system organization will be less scripted and directive and driven more by the organizational culture and societal preferences. This tactic allows the organization to remain agile and adaptive through collaboration and innovation. Another characteristic is the way that technology is employed and utilized in a natural organization. For example, technology that is employed may warn or prompt personnel of potential crises situations. The technological systems employed may, without personal interaction, adjust and adapt to system failures or interruptions. This fluid and seamless interaction and adaptation to a crisis allows the organization to remain operational. It should also be noted that the employment of technology in different cultures may have varying levels of success. It is recommended that an organization consider if the technology can accomplish the task for which it is intended, it is an improvement from current practices, it is not repetitive or redundant, and it aligns with the organizations or individual’s values and social interests. Open Systems Perspective An open system perspective is defined as a system that allows and permits the flow of information, material, and energies between it, external organizations, and environments. This flow of information allows for a seamless or free flow of information and resources between

TECHNOLOGY STRUCTURES AND SOCIAL BOUNDARIES 4 departments, divisions, and organizations. The free-flowing exchange of data and information allows for personnel to be more proactive than reactive to situations and circumstances that arise within an organization. Additionally, this affords personnel to share their thoughts and ideas with vertical and lateral departments and divisions to collaborate and innovate to solve current problems or to prevent future crisis or disaster situations. Simply stated, the open system configuration of the organization allows technological programs to interface with other operating systems. This allows organizational personnel to be attuned to internal or external organizational environments which allows personnel to have real-time data and information when conducting team meetings or collaborating to solve situational problems. How Social Boundaries Apply to Rational, Natural, and Open Systems Rational Systems Perspective As was previously stated and discussed, an organization that operates on the premises of a rational system has a hierarchical structure with a clearly defined set of policies and procedures. The social boundaries in a rational system will articulate and explain in detail the specific responsibilities and obligations of the position, billet, or assignment. These clearly established set of expectations and responsibilities set the foundation of hierarchical positioning within the organization. They also contribute to the expectations that are expected from the individual(s) within a section, department, division, or organizational structure. The social boundaries can also set a precedence of formal lines of communication and decision-making. This is done by systematically and methodically establishing a lineage of reporting and established protocols that is designed to streamline the flow of information to decision makers. To put this into perspective and to simplify it, the social boundaries in a rational system are direct and specific. The rational system has detailed the roles, responsibilities, actions, and goals

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