Systems Theory and Management
Generate an AI Snapshot to get a quick, structured summary of this paper.
A concise AI-generated summary of the paper will appear here once you click Generate AI Snapshot.
TL;DR
The general theory of general systems theory is applied as a theory for business, and an illustrative model of the systems concept is developed to show the business application.
Abstract
Ludwig von Bertalanffy, in 1951, and Kenneth Boulding, in 1956, wrote articles which have provided a modern foundation for general systems theory [Bertalanffy, L. von. 1951. General system theory: A new approach to unity of science. Human Biol. (December) 303–361; Boulding, K. 1956. General systems theory: The skeleton of science. Management Sci. (April) 197–208.]. We build on that foundation in applying general systems theory to management. The general theory is reviewed for the reader. Next, it is applied as a theory for business, and an illustrative model of the systems concept is developed to show the business application. Finally, the systems concept is related to the traditional functions of a business, i.e., planning, organizing, control, and communications.