Systems approach to management is a concept that regards an organization as comprising three

purposively parts that are interconnected which are input, process and output. It is a system
which the whole organization was divided into various parts by the characteristics of the parts
being interdependent meaning changes of any part in organization will affect other part and
whole system. It is based on the qualalization that everyone is interrelated and interdependent
forming a unitary whole. Blyton, [1994] says that system theory can provide a framework for the
managed direction of the organizational activity through the provision of all its managed
direction of organization activity through the provision of all its managed parts with a focus on
benefit to the core business it undertakes. The writer of this essay seeks to show how the systems
approach of management is conducted in todays business environment showing its strengths and
weakness.

As a point of departure, systems approach of management is efficient in todays business

organization. It provides an orderly plan of action with personnel having clearly defined
responsibilities that overlap and interlock to ensure that absence of a member results in minimal
loss of productivity. According to the system, the subsystems are related and also within an
organization the Human Resources department and the Production department are related making
decisions between the two to be done together. The manager has to analyse the inputs, hiring
employees with required skills. Significance of the approach is that it facilitates decision for
example manager is made aware of nature of his clients before recruiting.

Adding on, systems approach of management is comprised of hierarchy of subsystems which

facilitates a joining between parts of the business. Each industry is composed of firms and it is
considered a system composed of subsystems such as marketing, finance and accounting. These
subsystems help divide tasks and maximize productivity as each system focuses on maximizing
profits in its department. Geldenhuys, [2000] says the system is an organized whole made up of
subsystems intergrated into a unity or orderly totality. This then shows that an organization has a
boundary that determines which parts are internal and external. Thus showing that the approach
shapes the organizational efficiency and makes the business flourish more.

Also, systems approach of management improves strategic and management decision making.
Due to its interrelationships between the various subsystems, it applies the system concepts,
organizations are taken into account and not only the objectives and performance of different
departments but the various subsystem are studied in their interrelationship rather than in
isolation from each other. This shows that the system does not exist in vaccum, it receives
information, material and energy from the other system as inputs.These undergo a transformation
process within a system and leave the system as output to other systems. This enables to produce
high remarkable products having gone under close supervision from the different subsystems in
the business.

Moreso, system approach introduces a structured configuration were personnel work as

combined unit. It ensures quality products that meet user requirements, because the interrelated
team effort providing a structured framework for the development process that proceeds the
concept of production. It enables the business to work as a unit despite being a complex because
of the approach. It designs a synthesis of solutions to overcome the forces affecting the
achievement of the systems goals. Hence this enhances maximum compatibility with enhanced
productivity.

Furthermore, system approach acts as an interdisciplinary approach that considers both the
business and the technical needs of your customers. By leveraging feedback such as assessment
of work done, identification of deviations and corrective action, changes can be affected to better
accomplish the task. Feedback also provides a good basis of control leading to higher quality of
products. Not only that but by improving workflow, it frees management of the routine details of
management. The system then provides management a unified focus with regard to the direction
towards which the business should strive .Systems approach is useful to management because it
aims at achieving objectives and views organization as an open system. Therefore this shows that
systems approach makes an organization a dynamic system as it is responsive to the
environment and is vulnerable to change in its own environment.

Not only that, but systems approach pays attention towards the overall effectiveness of the
system rather than the effectiveness of the subsystems. The interdependence of the sub system is
taken into account. It assist in studying functions of complex organizations and is utilized as the
base for the new kinds of organization like project management bringing out the
interrelationships in various functions like planning, organizing, directing and controlling. Fox,
[1971] says that system approach approach is one of the most prominent theories in management
today. This shows the importance of systems approach in business environment as a way to mark
complete effectiveness.

Moreover, systems approach says it helps managers reduce the seemingly contradictory ideas
underlying management theories were actually related. Walton, [1985] says that without a
systems oriented approach, individual components within an organization tend to develop their
own human resource units and this can cause problems. For example in surveying employees in
one unity about their concerns may raise their expectations which cannot be met by limited
programs within one unit. As a result managers of different specializations have begun to look at
handwork to relate of other achievement of organizational goals. Thus showing role of systems
approach.

However it can be noted that systems approach has some limitations in use with leaves it at the
questioning side of its accuracy. It does not adequately specify the interdependence and nature of
interaction between an organization and its environment. It tends to be rigid and will react slowly
in given system that interact with external forces and a change in one subsystem may affect the
whole system. Also it is genuinely suitable for the manufacturing industry but not the service
industry which often has to adapt to external environment and also the approach fails to show the
managers specific tools and techniques, remaining abstract for practical problems. Thus these
loopholes of systems approach weakens the approach to be completely efficient in business.

Conclusively it can be argued that systems approach provides a more unified focus with regard to
the direction towards which the business should strive which makes it a more profitable approach
to use in conducting business in todays business. It is in this light that factors like been efficient,
improving strategic and management decision making, structured configuration, an
interdisciplinary approach and improving workflow that makes systems approach ideal in todays
business environment. However it will be a miscarriage of justice to ignore the loopholes of
systems approach that weakens the approach though to a lesser extent as shown by its lack to
show managers technique and its tendency to be rigid.

Reference

Blyton, P. and Turnbull, P. [1994]. The Dynamics of Employment Relations. Macmillan

Basington.

Geldenhuys, C,J,D. [2000]. Labour Relations. Oxford University Press.

Fox , A.[1971]. ASociology of Work in Industry. London; Mcmillan.

Labour Ammendment Act Chapter 28.01 of 2015. Government Press. Zimbabwe.

Walton, R. E. From Control to Commitment in the Workplace in [1985]March to April. Harvard

Business review, 76-84.