Chapter 4: Systems Approaches

The lecture of this chapter provided a very interesting viewpoint; a system as an organism that enables one to identify the three key features; hierarchal ordering, interdependence and permeability.

This fascinating approach compares likens an organisation to an organism. For instance in a human body, the internal organs are aligned to maximize accordingly and are interdependent in order to function effectively. For instance, all vital organs’ depend on the blood flow pumped by the heart. The human body also depends on the air and water, which is processed throughout the body; similarly, an organisation needs the inflow and outflow of information for it to be successful. Three system theories can be identified based on this approach; Cybernetic Systems Theory, Karl Weick’s theory of organizing, ‘New Science’ system theories.

In tutorial, fellow group mate Fahd Nazeer presented a case study about sensemaking after acquisition where a marketing company Sales Informatics (SI) was acquired by another company Marketron. Although majority of the SI employees were given position at Marketron, one of the employees, Helen was left unconfirmed. Through the application of Weick’s Model of Organizing (1969) Helen’s position in a highly equivocal environment was determined. Nazeer illustrated the process of reducing equivocality with the diagram below. 

The Weick's Model as presented by Fahd Nazeer

Marketron’s takeover by SI was the ecological change and the enactment is her ambiguity of her employment in the new establishment. Hence, she selected several methods to reduce the uncertainty of her employment status, Helen enquired with the Human Resource department of Marketron and also sought answers by contacting her former colleagues. Finally, in the Retention stage, she will keep the gathered information for future use.

With the application of the Cybernetic Systems theory where organisations directed towards system goals (Miller 2008), Helen is recommended to practice the three components: system goals, mechanisms and feedback. Helen should change her mechanisms by meeting the HR person in charge directly to discuss her employment status and ultimately achieve her goal.

References:

Miller, K 2008, Organizational Communication: approaches and processes, 5th edn, Wadsworth Cengage Learning, Boston, MA