Example: plank saw department

System theory HC1, 4-9-2023, Introduction

• Intro main theme

1A. Intuitive intro into main theme Main theme “regulating systems” -“Making sure that a system shows desired behavior despite disturbances” System = Concrete unity consists of elements + relative sharing behavior -Concrete unity = elements and relations showing behavior  activities, effect of behavior (variables + values)

Example: plank saw department

Behavior -Activities: wood comes in (input), gets sawn (transform = activity), planks go out (output)

-Effect: relates to output of transformation process

oDirect  pile of planks oIndirect  f.ex. employee satisfaction

-Variables: describe the effect.

oQuality  for example % of neat planks oQuantity  for example number of planks sawn per week oVariables for indirect effect, for example employee satisfaction -Behavior is sequence of values Elements -HR -Technology (for example machines, buildings, lorries, ICT, etc.) Related by means of structure Relations -Structure = way tasks in organizations are defined and related to another.What is desired behavior?To mark difference between desired and undesired you set a norm. If sequence of variables are within norm-values, behavior is desired. When sequence of variables are outside norm-values, behavior is undesired.Blue lines are the norm values. 1 / 3

Example PSD, norm is that you have to make between 200 – 300 planks -Week 1 you make 250 (desired), week 2 you make 275 (desired), week 3 you make 50 planks (undesired) When you have undesired behavior, this means that a disturbance must has occurred.-Disturbance = cause of undesired behavior

oExamples: machines break down, sickness employees, etc.

Regulate systems Regulation  stay between norm-values, despite disturbances Regulation -Actions – define -Actions – perform What actions to take when disturbances occur?1B. Recipe for regulation There are steps for regulation so it shows desired behavior

1.Define the system: concrete system or abstract system

2.Define desired behavior: set norms

3.Determine disturbances: what could occur which creates undesired behavior

4.Regulatory actions: define and carry out when necessary

Ashby Someone taking a bath – look at this with a system view.-Define system oConcrete system = elements and relations showing behavior.Concreet systeem in organisatie  infrastructuur = mensen (HR), middelen (technologie), arbeidsverdeling (structuur) oAbstract system = set of variables you use to look at system.Abstracte systeem  essentiële variabelen/kritieke succes factoren -Define desired behavior oBehavior  having a bath

oVariables : water level, temperature

oNorm values about variables: temperature between 36 – 38

oBased on norm values  desired or undesired behavior -Concrete unity

oElements: the person having a bath, the bathtub, the tap, water

oRelation: script

-Describe disturbances: think of events that may cause undesired behavior. For example, window opens and temperature drops. 2 / 3

-Regulatory actions to make sure that even if these things occur, the water temperature doesn’t go below 36 of above 38. For example, close the window.1C. Complexity Complexity measured in variety. High degree of variety  system is complex.Variety = number of different elements.The more complex, the harder it is for the system to show desired behavior (more elements, more influences, etc.).Law of requisite variety  Complexity in disturbances = negative complexity. Complexity in regulatory actions = positive complexity. You need enough complexity in regulatory actions to fight the complexity in disturbances.

• Two types of System Theory

General System Theory (GST) = System theory that holds for any type of system. Apply this GST to organizations  Organization System Theory (OST).

It is applied in two ways:

-Understand an organization as a system “we see organizations as social system conducting experiments” -Design the infrastructure of organizations 2A. Brief model of organizations Organizations have 4 basic activities 1.Primary process  transformations that make products/services 2.Operational regulation  dealing with disturbances that influence primary processes. Deal with disturbances so primary processes can continue.

3.Setting goals  goals for primary processes: which products/services, what quality, etc.Without goals you don’t know if you’re doing well or not.

4.Design  realize conditions so other 3 activities can be done

oHuman Resources : personnel with knowledge, skills, motivation, etc.

oTechnology : machines, ICT, buildings, etc.

oStructure : how tasks are defined and related. Define tasks and relate them well.These three conditions are the infrastructure. Based on a well-designed infrastructure, the 4 activities can be performed efficiently and effective.

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