The Organization as a System

Assignment 1: Discussion—The Organization as a System

A system is the sum of component parts. Each part may affect the way the other parts work. Traditionally, businesses have managed the separate parts of their systems by departmentalizing. These departments may achieve their goals, but they may also become a detriment to the organization.

Review the articles listed in this module's required readings. On the basis of your analysis of these articles, respond to the following:

• What are the key points you find most interesting in each article?
• Which points discussed in these articles have changed your thinking about the following:
• Organizational structure
• Organizational diagnostics
• Reasons why businesses hire consultants
• The organization as a system

Write your initial response in approximately 400 words. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

Submission Details:

• By Saturday, May 16, 2015, post your responses to this Discussion Area.

Through Wednesday, May 20, 2015, respond to at least two of your classmates' posts. While responding, identify the similarities and differences between what you and your classmates have posted.