ABORDAGEM SISTÊMICA | TEORIA DOS SISTEMAS | AULA 1

Summary

In this video, Professor Daniel Santana introduces the concept of systemic approach, focusing on the General Systems Theory proposed by Ludwig von Bertalanffy. He explains how various sciences, such as biology, chemistry, and even management, should be integrated to solve complex societal problems. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding organizations as interconnected systems, where departments must collaborate for overall success. Santana compares classic reductionist approaches to the more holistic, interconnected views of modern organizational theory, showcasing how businesses, like restaurants, can thrive by recognizing and utilizing feedback, relationships between departments, and external influences.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ludwig Von Bertalanffy, a biologist in the 1950s, introduced the General Systems Theory, which advocates for the integration of different scientific disciplines like chemistry, biology, physics, and administration to solve societal problems.
• 😀 The core idea of General Systems Theory is the integration of sciences, where knowledge from one discipline can contribute to others, eliminating barriers between them and filling gaps in each field.
• 😀 The Classical Approach to management is more technical and focused on reducing tasks to simpler, isolated tasks, while General Systems Theory emphasizes the interconnectedness and integration of various parts to achieve greater results.
• 😀 General Systems Theory views organizations as systems where different components depend on each other. An isolated part of an organization (like a smartphone component) cannot deliver the desired outcome without working in conjunction with the other parts.
• 😀 In an organization, it’s important to view the whole system, rather than focusing solely on individual departments. Just as a human body is recognized as a whole, an organization should be recognized for the integration of all its departments working together.
• 😀 Initially, an entrepreneur might adopt a specialized approach, where individuals focus on specific tasks (e.g., only cutting meat, only cooking). This is part of the Classical Theory’s reductionism, but it has limitations as it doesn’t foster interdepartmental relationships or holistic thinking.
• 😀 Specializing workers in isolated tasks can lead to disengagement, repetitive work-related illnesses, and a lack of understanding of the organization’s broader objectives. This is called analytical thinking, which doesn’t consider the overall picture of the organization.
• 😀 A mechanistic mindset, which focuses solely on the internal processes of a business and ignores external variables, can lead to failure. For a business to thrive, it needs to understand its environment and integrate external factors into decision-making.
• 😀 Robson, the hypothetical entrepreneur, evolves his approach by starting to analyze the interrelationships between various departments in his organization (e.g., production, sales, marketing, finance). This shift is an adoption of General Systems Theory and expansionism.
• 😀 Understanding the business as a system involves recognizing how inputs (materials, information, energy, labor) flow into the organization and lead to outputs (products, services, profits). This interaction between inputs and outputs is crucial for business success.
• 😀 Feedback loops are essential for understanding how well an organization is performing. By comparing actual results with established standards, businesses can make necessary adjustments to improve their operations, and this feedback helps refine inputs, processes, and outputs.

Q & A

What is the main concept of Ludwig von Bertalanffy's General Systems Theory?

Ludwig von Bertalanffy's General Systems Theory emphasizes the integration of various sciences like chemistry, biology, physics, and administration to solve societal problems. It advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration to achieve greater results and fill gaps that arise when sciences are analyzed in isolation.

How does General Systems Theory differ from the classical approach in management?

The classical approach focuses on technical, isolated tasks with a focus on individual performance. In contrast, General Systems Theory advocates for viewing organizations holistically, recognizing the interconnectedness of all parts, and integrating disciplines to enhance the organization's overall function.

What is the significance of 'reductionism' in the classical approach, and why is it not suitable in modern contexts?

Reductionism in the classical approach involves breaking tasks down into simple, repetitive activities to maximize efficiency. However, in modern contexts, this approach is less effective because it fails to foster interconnection between tasks, leading to lack of motivation, poor work engagement, and a limited understanding of the overall organizational goals.

What did Robson, the restaurant owner, initially implement in his business, and why was it problematic?

Initially, Robson focused on specializing individuals in specific tasks, assuming that repetitive, isolated tasks would lead to greater efficiency. However, this approach led to employees being disconnected from the broader organizational goals and caused potential issues such as job dissatisfaction and reduced motivation.

How does General Systems Theory suggest improving the organization compared to Robson's initial approach?

General Systems Theory suggests improving the organization by understanding the relationships between different departments and their contributions to the overall goal. It encourages a holistic view, where each part of the organization works together, sharing information and understanding the broader objectives, which leads to better collaboration and results.

What is the difference between 'analytical thinking' and 'synthetic thinking' in the context of General Systems Theory?

'Analytical thinking' focuses on breaking down tasks into separate components, which is a feature of the classical approach. 'Synthetic thinking,' on the other hand, involves understanding the relationships between various parts of the system and recognizing that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, which aligns with General Systems Theory.

What role does 'teleology' play in General Systems Theory?

Teleology in General Systems Theory refers to understanding the purpose or goal of the system and how the environment (such as customer needs, technological advances, and market demands) influences and drives the organization's processes to achieve its goals.

Why is feedback ('retroaction') important for a system, and how does it apply to Robson's restaurant?

Feedback is crucial as it helps organizations assess how well they are performing and whether they are meeting their objectives. In Robson's case, feedback would help him identify if the restaurant is meeting customer expectations and operational efficiency, enabling him to make necessary adjustments to improve the overall system.

What are inputs and outputs in the context of a system, and how do they relate to Robson's business?

Inputs are the resources that go into the system, such as materials, energy, labor, and information. Outputs are the results produced by the system, like products, services, and profits. For Robson's restaurant, inputs would include ingredients, staff, and equipment, while outputs would be the dishes served, customer satisfaction, and revenue.

How does General Systems Theory view an organization as a system?

General Systems Theory views an organization as a system made up of interconnected parts. These parts work together to achieve the system's objectives, and the organization cannot function optimally if its components are not integrated. The theory emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationships between these parts to improve overall performance.