Course title: SW 338 –Social Welfare Agency Administration

Week 1

Section 4: Social System

 Social System
o It is a whole with each part bearing a dynamic relation to every other part
and all are interdependent.
o It is a purposeful organized interrelationship of components in which the
performance of the whole exceeds the individual outputs of all the parts. –
William Link
o When applied to social work administration, it refers to the concept of
agency purpose and interrelationship of different units as sub-systems of
the organization. The interrelation and coordination of the various sub-
systems are brought about by the information and communication
network, the decision-making mechanism and other built-in mechanisms
which exists in every organization.

 Basic Components of Social Systems

o Input
o Output
o Throughput

 Properties of Systems
o Open system – the clientele to be served comes from community as well
as the resource inputs for its support and maintenance
o Closed system – is one that is not affected by its external environment.
o Multiple systems – apply to the many levels of systems and subsystems.
i.e. microcosm, macrocosm of systems
o Systems equilibriums or stability – the tendency of an organization to
maintain a uniform and beneficial stability within and between its parts.

 Levels in the organization:

o Policy-level
 Policy-making in public agencies is a function of higher officials
based on constitutional mandate, etc.
 Policy-making in non-governmental organization is vested in duly
constituted boardof directros
o Administrative or executive level
o Supervisory level
o Direct service level – are the direct contact with the people or clients
needing agency services or assistance in the context of professional values
and ethics.