Laws Of The Fifth Discipline And The Value Of Systems Thinking For Organizational Improvement

In society, there are groups that interact with each other. They may be families, churches, government agencies, or anything in between. Those groups can be defined as systems, and in the systems perspective that is what they are referred to (Hutchison, 2017). In the 1960s, Ludwig von Bertalanffy developed the general systems theory in relation to biology, but it was widely publicized and used for various subjects (Hutchison, 2017). Hutchison (2017) summarized Bertalanffy’s theory by saying, “any element is best understood by considering its interactions with its constituent parts as well as its interactions with larger systems of which it is a part.” (p.

1. System Thinking: System thinking is nothing but instead of focusing on only one particular issue, we have to analyze and try to understand the entire system on the whole. With this kind of analyzation, we can easily find a solution to the problem as the problems are not confined to only a particular area or time. We might find a solution for a particular issue, somewhere in the whole system by analyzing the entire system completely. We should try to relate the actions and the consequences on the whole as the issues occur at different time levels, not confined to only one particular time level. We have to have knowledge of the relation between different departments of an organization and the relation between them and the functionality between the departments as to how they are related in an organization. We generally focus on only one particular issue rather than seeing the bug picture and that shouldn’t be done. In system thinking we analyze the big picture.

The City of Crestview is facing a systemic problem where there is a flaw in the system. According to the System theory, the organization is comprised of several interconnect parts, each of which is designed to achieve broader organizational goals and objectives. The system theory looks at organization in terms of inputs, processes, outputs and feedback mechanism. (Holzer & Schwester,

A system is “A set of interrelated and interdependent parts arranged in a manner that produces a unified whole” (robbins 2006), and Systems theory is the

With today’s fast moving pace there are many challenges we face that demands more non-linear system thinking instead of cause and effect linear thinking. In The Fifth Discipline, Peter Senge stated, “system thinking is a discipline for seeing wholes,” rather than reacting to a specific part or event. System thinking involves shifting from the linear to non-linear thinking and/or the rational to the intuitive or thin-slicing type decisions. System thinking is

In order for any organization to be successful, they must find effective ways to change systems and policies that are ineffective in creating a successful environment. A system consists of four things, elements, attributes, internal relationships, and the system environment. The systems theory is transdisciplinary study of the abstract organization of phenomena, independent of their substance, type, or spatial or temporal scale of existence (Heylighen & Joslyn, 1992). The study investigates all the principals common to all complex bodies, and the models which can be used to describe them. Von Bertalanffy (1971) was the creator of the “system” concept, he developed this idea as an answer to the limitations of individual disciplines in addressing complex social issues (Mitchell, 2005). The underlining principal of this theory is that an organization consists of multiple, interdependent parts that collectively form more than the sum of their parts. Developed from the systems theory, are three separate theories with the basis of each being the systems theory. The activity theory considers the entire program versus just one single sector, it sees the operation as a whole instead of sub departments, it combines both micro and macro elements of the organization. The chaos theory does not mean a chaotic hectic situation, rather a situation where there appears to be little to no order, there really is a hidden underlying order. The complexity theory is

Nassar, N. S. (2007). A Systems Approach to Organizational Development (P. Campbell, Ed.). Nashville, TN: Savant Learning

“..the System includes the Situation, but it is more enduring, more widespread, involving extensive networks of people, their expectations, norms, policies, and, perhaps, laws. Over time, Systems come to have a historical foundation and sometimes also a political and economic power structure that governs and directs the behavior of many people within its sphere of influence. Systems are the engines that run situations that create behavioral contexts that influence the human action of those under their control. At some point, the System may become an autonomous entity, independent of those who initially started it or even those in apparent authority within its power structure. Each System

This course covered many important topics helpful in understanding learning organizations. This paper will incorporate real-life situations from my organization, The American Red Cross. It will focus on three areas I found to be most helpful and relevant to my experience which is the understanding of systems thinking, growth, and the need to practice reflection.

In academic institutions, when a student of the project underperforms, it impacts the entire student class-body. According to Grand Canyon University (2013) research, closed-loop system interdepend on each system, they complement, shared, and learn from each other. A closed-loop system team interacts with a learning organization through the deliverables, the daily involvement in the process, and the involvement of an active working leader. Mujtaba and Thomas (2005) asserted that values-driven management is one critical application of the system thinking paradigm where decisions are analyzed regarding its total impact from a holistic approach. Learning closed-loop systems and applying systems thinking concept is a critical leadership and organizational skill necessary in a learning organization (Mujtaba and Thomas, 2005). Leaders should search for means to deal with workplace complexity because, it natural for them to turn to the foundations and practices of systems theory, to see the impact of each generation on the success of learning organizations, to effectively maneuver through the changing landscape (Mujtaba and Thomas,

As systems, theory encourages growth through recognising solutions to problems and identifying areas of improvement. There are many different roles within society that may apply these differently, for example; AJ did not feel that she held the power to make choices over her own life and the life of her unborn baby until she became empowered. Systems theory may not always be the best approach to take as different circumstance and situations can result in different outcomes through reflective practice and

Systems Thinking – It is the ability to see the 10,000 foot see, and to perceive plans instead of conceptualizing change as isolated events. Systems thinking needs the other four requests to engage a learning relationship to be made sense of it. There must be a standpoint change - from being separated to interconnect to the whole, and from denouncing our issues for something external to an affirmation that how we function, our exercises, can make issues.

Organizations that strive to excel in aspects of innovation, competitiveness, and performance must have clearly defined core values that are executed by specific learning disciplines (Senge, 2010). Giesecke and McNeil (2004) stated, "A learning organization is an organization skilled at creating, acquiring, and transferring knowledge and at modifying its behavior to reflect new knowledge and insights" (p. 55). In the pursuit of defining specific practices that would produce an ideal learning organization, Senge (2008) proposes five disciplines that include, "...systems thinking, mental models, personal mastery, shared vision, and dialogue" (p. 1). In this application paper I will analyze each of the five disciplines discussed by Senge (2008) and discuss how they can be applied in an organization such as the high school where I am currently teaching to address specific areas in need of improvement.

         The sociotechnical system and managerial subsystem are affected due to the changes occurring within the company. An example of these changes is the hiring of all the individuals within the new OD group. The technical subsystem has been affected by the recent introduction of new products within the company due to competitive companies. The structural subsystem has been affected since the OD group started training company employees on management styles. The psychosocial subsystem was affected when the employees had dislike towards the OD group and the training that had been developed. Also, the OD group

Welcome to Focus, we are an organization that functions through a unique structure, with elements borrowed from several approaches and theories studied throughout the course of our year. Focus’s structure most closely models the systems approach. In addition to functioning like a human body, Focus has borrowed elements from the classical approach through ordered structuring of department levels, the family metaphor and human resources encapsulates our employees, and cognitive strategies to influence our decision making. Like a human body we need to operate at full capacity and so our group has added the best prescribed medicines, practices, to ensure that Focus efficiently functions internally between departments and employees as well as