Looking at Leadership Through Complexity

Abstract

This paper sought to understand the application of general system theory in the Criminal Justice system in the United States. This corrective and punishing system encompassed different institutions that have to work together to realize the common objective - ensuring that justice is served. However, the complexity of the justice system means that the organization should concentrate on improving its structure. It is necessary that activities in the criminal justice system be well coordinated, and setting up a model that would be effective in addressing the problems that could impede justice in the United States. Based on this, problems have to be addressed as whole, as opposed to concentrating on separate elements of a system. In doing this, it ensures that the system functionality is improved, with the emphasis on meeting the defined goals and objectives. As noted, aligning this model into the goals and objectives could take a long time, meaning that commitment and dedication to the course are essential.

Table of Contents

1 Systems Archetypes (Week 5)

1 Archetypes

2 Recommendations

4 References

Systems Archetypes (Week 5)

System archetypes refer to the behavioral patterns of the system. Indeed, systems have similar structures and mostly expressed as circles of causality. System archetypes have been categorized as follows.

Archetypes

Escalation

Escalation is one of the archetypes noted in the criminal justice system. In this system, the individuals are only concerned about winning, in a system that only allows one winner. Therefore, this scenario requires that players defend themselves. However, the disadvantage of this system is that it builds aggression, resulting in self-destructive behavior (Špicar, 2014). It is though possible to break the vicious cycle, especially when one agent chooses to stop reacting defensively, thereby resorting to being corporative.

Shifting the burden

Shifting the burden constitute handling the problem with the application of a simple solution at the shortest time possible . However, the fundamental cause might be ignored especially when there is no evident outcome in sight. For this reason, it would be essential to have full understanding of the issues at hand in order to proffer a more lasting solution. For instance, it is important to understand the problems that have marred the criminal justice system, addressing the adversaries on time to ensure that system is seamless (Gharajedaghi, 1999).

Growth and Investment

Growth and Investment is based on the ability to generate new capacities. Notably, the limit could be eliminated through the financing of new potentials. Any event that the financing appears as less intrusive, the capacities tend to be overloaded; the quality of the service may decline, in turn, increasing the demand. In the criminal justice, this archetype is essential in capacity planning. In this sense, it ensures that the system is rational enough to handle problems that could be a crop, destructing the free flow of justice (Mesjasz, 1988).

Problems

Shifting of the burden could be problematic to the organization, especially in finding the long-term solution to the problems of the organization. Some of the issues faced by the organization may need restructuring as opposed to relying on a short-term solution, as it overlooks the cause of the problem.

Escalation may create an environment where individuals may be reluctant to work together to realize the collective goals. When rivalry is intensified, it could jeopardize relationships, and this could be detrimental to the corporation of different professionals in the organization (Mesjasz, 1988).

Recommendations

Considering organizations want to realize the goals and objectives that have outlined by the management; it is necessary to adopt a model that would ensure that individuals are focused on the same goals. Cooperation is critical in meeting the goals, particularly in the criminal justice system. Therefore, the solution to these problems is in the adoption of a structure that harness corporation among different entities, to realize the goals and objectives that guide the criminal justice system (Mesjasz, 1988).

Gharajedaghi, J. (1999). Systems Thinking: Managing Chaos and Complexity. Burlington, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann.

Mesjasz, C. (1988). Applications of systems modelling in peace research. Journal of Peace Research, 25(3), 291-334. doi: 10.1177/00223433880250031.

Špicar, R. (2014). System Dynamics Archetypes in Capacity Planning. Procedia Engineering, 69, 1350-1355.

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