1. ORGANIZATIONS
AS SYSTEMS
BY
GROUP 7
MAENA DANIEL, MANANA
PEREZ, LOSIKE PETER AND
IRIAMA CHARLES

2. QUESTION
(a) What is an Organization as a
system ?
(b) How Would You Develop a
System?
(a) Discuss Different Types of
Systems ?
ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS GROUP 7 6/15/2012

3. QUESTION APPROACH ;
Definition of an Organization and give some examples
Define a system and its sub systems
Explain inter relationships of sub systems
Relate departments of organizations to sub systems of a system
Show how each department/sub system feeds to and from each other.
Show that each the department/sub system works in such a way to attain the
bigger picture of the organization.
It important to explain the role of IT in an organization/system.
ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS GROUP 7 6/15/2012

4. Lucas (2000) states that an organization is a rational
coordination of activities of a group of people for the
purpose of achieving same goals.
Chester Barnard defines an organization as a system
of consciously coordinated activities or efforts of two
or more persons.
Laudon et al (2002) defines organization as a
collection of rights, privileges, obligation,
responsibilities, etc. that delicately balanced over a
period of time through conflict and conflict resolution.
Examples of organizations are institutions like
U.C.U, UMU, Mbale regional Hospital among
others.
ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS GROUP 7 6/15/2012

5. Stair et al (2008) define a system as a set of elements or
components that interact to accomplish goals.
The elements themselves and the relationships among
them determine how the system works.
Systems have inputs, processing mechanisms, output and
feedback. A system processes the input to create the
output.
Systems work through sub systems which are
interrelated/inter dependant. The out put of one sub
system becomes an input of another.
They work in such away that they contribute to the ultimate
goal of the system as a whole.
ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS GROUP 7 6/15/2012

6. Taking UCU as a case study of a system, whose ultimate goal is to
provide quality education. UCU works through several departments
as Accounts department, Administration, procurement, students
council. These departments are it’s sub systems.
ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS GROUP 7 6/15/2012

7. Common Organizational
Features
 Organizational beauracracies.
 Organization politics
 Organization culture
 Departments and respective components
ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS GROUP 7 6/15/2012

8. Organization bureaucracies.
All modern bureaucracies have a clear cut division of labor
and specialization. Organization arrange specialists in
Hierarchy of authority in which everyone is accountable to
someone and authority is limited to certain actions.
These rules create system of impartial and universalistic
decision making where by everyone is treated equally.
Organizations hire employees on the basis of technical
qualification and professionalism not personal connection
devoted to the principle of efficient and effectiveness.
Most organizations like universities, government agencies
and large organizations fall under this category.
Bureaucracies are characterized by a large number of
management layers. There are many rules and
procedures to protect individuals if procedures are
followed.
ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS GROUP 7 6/15/2012

9. Organization politics
People in organizations occupy different positions with
different specialties, concerns, prospects, they have
divergent views, points about how resources, rewards and
punishments should be distributed.
These differences matter a lot to managers and employees
and they result into political struggle, competition and
conflict.
Political resistance is one of the difficulties in bringing about
organization change, like development of information
systems virtually that bring about goals, procedures,
productivity and personnel are politically changed but will
meet great resistance. GROUP 7
ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS 6/15/2012

10. • Organization culture
Organization culture is a set of fundamental assumption
about what products the organization should produce and
how it should be produced. Organization culture is a
powerful restrain on change, any technological change will
meet stiff resistance however there times when the only
sensible way one can do is to embrace the new change
All organizations have strong, bedrock, unquestionable
assumption that defines their products and services.
ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS GROUP 7 6/15/2012

11. How Would You Develop a
System?
Definition of an information system; it’s components or
constituents.
‘How’ refers to process, procedures or logical steps
undertaken to invent an information system.
Explain logical steps involved in inventing an information
system and identify who is the responsible person is for
each step.
Show how each step feeds into the other.
ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS GROUP 7 6/15/2012

12. How Would You Develop a
System?
Stair et al (2008) define a system as a set of elements or
components that interact to accomplish goals. The elements
themselves and the relationships among them determine how the
system works. Systems have inputs, processing mechanisms,
output and feedback. A system processes the input to create the
output.
I would develop a system by following the steps stated below by
Lucas (2000);
 System analysis
 Survey and feasibility study
• Systems Design
• Programming
• Conversion
 Production and Maintenance
 Systems Audit
ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS GROUP 7 6/15/2012

13. System analysis
Analysis is the study of the
problem, generally done before
undertaking some action to solve the
problem. In the case of system
analysis, the first task is understanding
and describing the existing information
processing procedures in the area of the
proposed new system.
ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS GROUP 7 6/15/2012

14. Survey and feasibility study
In this section we present recommendation for the contents of the
preliminary survey and feasibility study. Basically, each of these
documents consists of two parts: the present system and an
alternative. Feasibility study presents several potential alternatives
and evaluates them on technical, economical and operational
criteria.
Cost and benefits of new system. Management usually insists
on cost/benefit justification for a system to help assess the risks
involved.
Identifying systems alternative. One of the major activities
during the survey or feasibility study is sketching of possible
alternatives for a new information processing system. A design
team should be able to evaluate the alternatives depending on the
situation. A user may take the least expensive and most rapidly
implementable system or opt for a very comprehensive system to
be custom programmed.
ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS GROUP 7 6/15/2012

15. Organizational impact.
You should attempt to estimate the effect of each alternative
system on the organization. What department and individuals
will be affected by the system and what jobs will it change.
Technological feasibility. A proposed system may stretch the
capabilities of modern technology, but may be the one that
provides the firm with great advantage. The design team
needs to evaluate if the new system is technologically feasible.
A preliminary survey is carried out to determine if a system can
be developed to meet the objectives of the individuals suggesting
it. If the results of the survey are positive, it is refined to produce
a more detailed feasibility study. From the outcome of the
feasibility study, a decision is made whether to proceed with the
design of the system. If a positive decision is made, one of the
alternatives sketched in the feasibility study is chosen for
development.
ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS GROUP 7 6/15/2012

16. •Systems Design
The systems design details the system specifications that will
deliver the functions identified during systems analysis.
•Programming
This is the process of translating the system specifications
prepared during the design stage into program code.
•Conversion
This is the process of changing from the old system to the new
system.
• Production and Maintenance
During this stage the system will be reviewed by both users and
technical specialists to determine how well it has met it’s original
objectives and to decide whether any revisions or modifications are
in order.
ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS GROUP 7 6/15/2012

17. Discuss Different Types of Systems ?
Approach
 Definition of an system
 Name different types of systems
 Discuss how each of the different systems
operate in relation to the other
ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS GROUP 7 6/15/2012

18. Discuss Different Types Of Systems
?
Stair et al (2008) define a system as a set of elements or
components that interact to accomplish goals. The
elements themselves and the relationships among them
determine how the system works. Systems have
inputs, processing mechanisms, output and feedback. A
system processes the input to create the output.
Murdick G et al (2006) states that systems fall into a
number of categories as shown below;
ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS GROUP 7 6/15/2012

19. Different types of systems are as listed below;
•Conceptual systems
•Empirical systems
•Natural systems
•Open systems
•Closed systems
•Permanent systems
•Temporal systems
•Dynamic system
Conceptual systems
These are systems concerned with theoretical structures,
which may or may not have any counterpart in the real
world. They are typified by those of science, such as
economic theory, non-Euclidean geometry systems, the
general systems of relativity, or organization theory.
ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS GROUP 7 6/15/2012

20. • Empirical systems
These are generally concrete operational systems made up of
people, materials, machines, energy and other physical things.
• Natural systems
Natural systems are bound in nature. The entire ecology of life is a
natural system, and each organism is a unique natural system of its
own. The water system of the world, at least before man affected it,
was a natural system. Our own solar system is a natural system.
• Open systems
This is one that interacts with its environment. All systems containing
living organisms are open systems because they are affected by
what is sensed by the organism. Organizations are usually systems
operating within larger systems and are therefore open systems.
ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS GROUP 7 6/15/2012

21. • Closed system
This is a type of system that does not interact with its
environment. In real sense, these systems do not exist.
• Dynamic system
Keeps on changing with prevailing conditions. E.g. Legislature
• Permanent systems
Systems that endure for a time span that is long relative to the
operations of humans in the system may be said to be permanent.
Our economic system which is gradually changing is essentially
permanent for our plans for the future. E.g. Faith based
institutions like the Vatican
• Temporary systems
These are designed to last a specified period of time and then
dissolve. A company that forms and quickly dissolves is an
example. e.g. probe committees of parliament
ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS GROUP 7 6/15/2012

22. References
Ralph stair, George Reynolds and Thomas Chesney
(2008), Principles of Business Information Systems,
Seng Lee Press, Singapore.
Robert G. Murdick, Joel E Ross and James R
Claggett 3rd Edition, Information Systems for Modern
Management, Published by Asoke K Ghosh,
Prentice-Hall of India private Limited, Connaught
Circus, New Delhi-110001.
Kenneth C. Laudon and Jane P. Laudon (2002),
Management Information Systems, Prentice-Hall, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS GROUP 7 6/15/2012

23. THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING.
ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS GROUP 7 6/15/2012