Question

Equifinality - describe in context the meaning of this word, based on an organizational setting.


How does systems theory work in dealing with misunderstandings?

Describe a Learning Organization, what are its functions?
(Please explain each of these in detail)

Answer 1

• Equifinality Principle was designed by the author of systems theory, Ludwig von Bertalanffy. In all management areas - in project management, planning, change management exists multiple paths leading to the goal. Some are better and some worse, but sometimes there more than one the righ one. The more “softer “ the areas is the more the equifinality principle is in place.
  
• Equifinality is the principle that, in open systems, that the same end goal can be reached from different initial starting conditions and in different ways.For organisation this means that there is unlikely to be ‘one best way’ of achieving its desired objectives.
• Early use of the concept in organization theory tended to mirror the systems approach. For example, Katz and Kahn in 1978 stated that equifinality in organizational settings occurs when “a system can reach the same final state, from different initial conditions and by a variety of different paths.”
• The concept of equifinality has come to mean that the final state, or performance of an organization, can be achieved through multiple different organizational structures even if the contingencies the organization faces are the same. Equifinality thus implies that strategic choice or flexibility is available to organization designers when creating organizations to achieve high performance.
  
• In organizations there are many ways to accomplish a single task. The concept of equifinality is alive and well. Yes, some processes may be more efficient than others, but often times in allowing employees the freedom to chart their own path, new efficiencies emerge.
• Safety in organisations represents an interesting example of the application of the concept of equifinality.
• By the decisions organizations make and the actions they take, can positively influence the relationship they have with their regulatory authorities. The productive relationship that results can provide the organisation with the time that it needs to implement safety management systems and change safety cultures.
• Due to time limit,remaining questions can be asked as another question,they will be answered,thankyou for your cooperation