Power in the 'Organisation': A Soft Systems Perspective

Area of Science:

• Organizational Behavior
• Systems Theory
• Change Management

Background:

• Businesses operate in dynamic environments requiring continuous adaptation for survival.
• The recent pandemic accelerated the need for organizational change, introducing remote work and social distancing.
• Traditional systems models offer limited value due to the unpredictable nature of change.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the impact of environmental changes on business organizations.
• To investigate how individuals within organizations react to and cope with change.
• To apply a soft systems perspective to understand organizational adaptation.

Main Methods:

• Adoption of a soft systems perspective.
• Exploration of organizational behavior in response to change.
• Analysis of the impact of communication technologies and virtual work.

Main Results:

• Change initiatives often lead to uncertainty, resource reallocation, and potential redundancies.
• Insecurity and anxiety are common responses, frequently resulting in resistance to change.
• The rise of virtual work and communication technologies increases pressure for adaptation.

Conclusions:

• Organizations must adapt to survive, but change often meets resistance due to inherent uncertainties.
• A soft systems perspective provides valuable insights into managing organizational change and employee reactions.
• Effective adaptation strategies are crucial for navigating the complexities of modern business environments.