Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Applying Theory
Overview of Class
Use of Theory
Systems Theory
Decision Making Theory
Other Relevant Theories
Uses of theory
Systems Theory
(should be a review of SOCW 3306/5306)
Definition
Types
Concepts
Application of systems theory
Where rubber hits the road, when planes take off and
land, between an agency and its client.
Implications
Inputs
processes
output
Implications
different directions.
The primary goal of a system is survival. All goals will
mechanisms.
Control mechanisms
homeostasis or equilibrium
Systems that are most amenable to change are
known
Things more plentiful are more valuable (fax machine)
Wealth follows things that are free (shareware)
Abandon a product/occupation/industry when it is at its best
Seek sustainable disequilibrium to keep things in churn
It is more important to do the right job than to do the job right
Seeking opportunities is more important for leaders than
solving problems
Source: Kevin Kelly, Wired Magazine, Sep 97, p. 140+
Conclusion
Systems and decision making theory are basic