Journal Analysis #1

Systems Analysis and Strategic

Jedidiah Jireh M. Anciano Planning in Education

Dr. Ronald Allan Mabunga

Title: Application of Systems Theory in Education

Author: Richard Mwangeka, University of Kenya, Karen, Nairobi
Publication Date: January 2020
Published on https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338841849

1. What is the author’s thesis? The major point s/he is trying to make?

The main point that the author argues is that the provision of quality university education by
upholding established standards can be examined from the general systems theory perspective.
In other words, since educational institutions are systems composed of interrelated parts, it is
valid to be evaluated through systems analysis.

2. What are the major assumptions the author makes (expects you to accept) in arguing
that thesis?

a. The university education production function is a system of human resources, physical

resources, methods, procedures and processes working together in a de nite environment
to deliver desirable outputs.
b. The systems theory is analogous to education production function.
c. An education production function therefore represents a functional relationship between
school and students inputs to an associated measure of school outputs.

3. What are the implications for research or practice if the author’s thesis and underlying
assumptions are valid or true?

School owners and administrators should all the more be encouraged to use systems analysis
or approach in maintaining the quality standard of the institution they lead. In the eld of
research, the researcher can have the con dence to use systems theory as the framework to
evaluate the school performance or any school related aspects and nd valid recommendations
for improvements.

4. What are some important or useful concepts that author presents?

One of the useful concepts that the author presented in the article is that the systems theory is
analogous to education production function. It means that education has a high-priority
function in the production of human resources, and that the production function is a
relationship between the amount of input and intervening factors to produce a certain good,
with consideration to its quality. An education production function therefore represents a
functional relationship between school and students inputs to an associated measure of school
outputs.

5. Critically re ect on and assess the article as a whole; what are its strengths and
weaknesses?
Strength/s:
The paper reaf rms the importance of the systems theory and analysis as a tool to examine the
quality of an educational institution with the goal to point out “non-conformities” or the
aspects in the organization that causes the problems. The author con dently believes in this
perspective because he argues that education has a production function. It has a system of
human resources, physical resources, methods, procedures and processes working together in
a de nite environment to deliver desirable outputs. Since these components are interrelated, it
is therefore valid to evaluate it through systems analysis or approach.
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Journal Analysis #1
Systems Analysis and Strategic

Jedidiah Jireh M. Anciano Planning in Education

Dr. Ronald Allan Mabunga

Weakness/es :
The paper focused too much on the institutions like a manufacturer of human resources as
demanded by the society. It refers to students as goods. It sounded like a factory which
produces quality goods based on the need of the marketplace. I understand the importance of
meeting the needs of the society but let us not forget that before meeting the needs of our
community, the personal needs of the learners should be addressed rst. I hope that systems
analysis will always include seeing students with individual needs and capabilities.

6. Are there any other arguments or perspectives that might explain the topic better than
the author’s argument?
Upon going through the article, the arguments of the author are relevant to the need of the
educational institutions to grow. One thing I just want to add is the importance of including
more external stakeholders in the evaluation period since the paper focused on improving
the capabilities of the educational institutions’ to produce human resources the society
needs.

7. What insights have you gained from reading and analyzing the article?
I have to agree with the author when it comes to using the perspective of systems theory
and systems analysis to identify the non-conformities in the organization that affects the
other parts. Since everything is interconnected, it is easier to pinpoint these non-
conformities because the ones it affects raise red ags that are noticeable by the leader or at
least the people in those departments.
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