✅ What is Bertalanffy’s System Theory?

Ludwig von Bertalanffy, a biologist, developed General System Theory (GST) in the 1940s–60s.
It is a conceptual framework that views systems as organized wholes made up of interrelated and interdependent parts.
Bertalanffy’s System Theory was developed in 1940s–1950s and formalized in 1968 with “General System Theory”

✅ Core Idea:

Instead of studying parts of an organization or process in isolation, Bertalanffy argued we should understand how all parts interact and affect the whole system.

✅ Key Concepts of System Theory:

1. System:

   • A set of interrelated components working together toward a common goal.

   • Can be open (interacts with environment) or closed (isolated).

2. Wholeness/Holism:

   • “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

   • Changing one part affects the entire system.

3. Inputs, Throughputs, Outputs:

   • Input: Resources (information, materials) entering the system.

   • Throughput (Process): Transformation of inputs.

   • Output: Resulting products, services, or information.

4. Feedback Mechanism:

   • Feedback allows systems to self-regulate, learn, and adapt.

5. Equifinality:

   • A system can reach the same end state through different paths or processes.

   • There is no single best way to achieve a goal.

✅ Applications in Management:

• Organizations are seen as open systems interacting with their environment.

• Helps managers understand interdependencies within departments or processes.

• Encourages cross-functional thinking, adaptability, and long-term planning.

✅ Final Summary:

Bertalanffy’s System Theory encourages a holistic, interconnected view of organizations, emphasizing that success depends on how well all parts function together and adapt to their environment.