Management Research Methodology: Integration of Principles, Methods and Techniques

APPENDIX A1

Systems Concept

Characterisations of a system

A system is characterised by the following:

1. Elements, such as worker, machine, and material.
2. Conversion process such as machine operation.
3. Inputs and outputs, such as raw material and product.
4. Environment, namely, competitor, labour market, and taxation policy.
5. Goals and objectives, such as minimise rejection of a product, and on time delivery.
6. Purposeful function, such as scheduling orders so that in process inventory is minimised.
7. Properties of attributes, such as quality of product, and skill of a worker.
8. Transactions across boundaries, such as purchase order, trade enquiry, and labour turnover.
9. Structure, that is, centralised R&D, and decentralised production.
10. States and flows, that ...