1 paragraph to 2 Colleagues Discussion
Respond to 2 Colleagues discussion post 1 paragraph each. Use APA citation and References. Assignment and Instructions attached.
Readthrough your colleagues’ posts and
and respond to two or more of your colleagues in the following way:
· Suggest a resource that you think would help your colleague’s organization adopt a systems solution and explain why the resource is helpful in this particular situation.
· Compare your organization to your colleague’s and explain why you think there are similarities or differences in how each organization approaches systems thinking or the extent to which each has adopted a systems solution
· Provide an insight you gained by reviewing your colleague’s example.
· Offer a contrasting viewpoint of whether Shireman’s argument is relevant and why you hold that perspective.
1st Colleague to respond:
Summary of systems thinking
Systems thinking is rooted in the concept that all systems consist of multiple interconnected variables working together towards a common outcome and that when considering any actions for improvements, the impact of the relationships must be considered as they invariable affect the overall system (Meadows (2008).
Shireman in building out on the systems thinking principle presents the theory that businesses can be structured in such a way that their operations optimize growth and profitability while safeguarding environmental resources; a win-win situation (Shireman, 1999). This contrasts the business model of the past that saw businesses operating like machines in one-way relationships, exploiting everything around for its benefit without any consideration for waste or environmental impacts (Shireman, 1999).
Summary of the organization
I have chosen to continue with my experiences as both the Plant Manager and later Operations Manager at the manufacturing company I introduced earlier in the course. The company is a 50-year-old privately owned organization that specializes in the provision of print and print-related products and services. It employed just over 200 members of staff of which more than 75% were directly employed in the manufacturing plant. Based on technological advancements, the once held position of being a monopoly was erased and the company was thrust into a very competitive market where it was required to adapt to remain relevant.
The organization has failed to recognize the benefits and implement a formal systems approach to its operations. In response to the drive for profitability, departments consistently pursue initiatives independent of each other which most times produce conflicts. The decision-making process was not collaborative and whenever challenges were encountered, there was a great deal of individual and isolated review rather than a big picture view looking at influencers, contributing factors, and direct dependencies (Bradbury, 2003).
Potential applications for Shireman’s systems approach
There is significant potential for the company to derive benefits from the adoption of Shireman’s systems approach in its business operations. In the course of the business’ operations, a complex listing of stakeholders is presented which includes members of staff, residents of the immediate community in which the plant is located, and the physical environment.
Staff
The staff is by far one of the most valuable resources that the company possesses. Their continued exploitation through lack of investment and proper recognition will reduce the probability of optimal performance. Strategic investments in staff developmental programs inclusive of financial support for higher education and training as well as appropriate salary and benefits programs would go a far way in addressing major staff requirements.
Community
The plant is located in a section of the war-torn inner city within which abject poverty as underdevelopment is present. By partnering with the various social intervention organizations as well as philanthropic initiatives, the company can contribute to significant improvements to both the lives of residents and the community as a whole.
Environment
Environmental stewardship was a major message being communicated in Shireman (1999) in support of a systems approach for businesses. By establishing a commitment to local recycling initiatives and embarking on internal waste reduction initiatives the company can make meaningful contributions to preserving the environment. Any active support for R&D into biodegradable/ environmentally friendly raw materials such as inks and cleaning solvents along with investments in cleaner renewable energy sources will play a major role in preventing further environmental destruction.
There are countless other practical applications of Shireman’s systems approach for businesses operating in the current environments which reinforce the relevance of the approach. Shireman (1999) in reiterating his support for systems thinking reminds us that taking a systems view and being committed to effecting improvements to the wide range of business stakeholders do not require any compromising of growth, expansion, and profitability but rather, a better understanding of the process requirements and decisive action (p. 461).
Reference
Bradbury, H. (2003). Sustaining inner and outer worlds: A whole-systems approach to developing sustainable business practices in management. Journal of Management Education, 27(2), 172-187.
Corbett, T. (2006). Three-questions accounting. Strategic Finance, 87(10), 48-55.
Meadows, D. H. (2008). Thinking in systems: A primer. White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green.
Shireman, W.K (1999). Business strategies for sustainable profits: Systems thinking in practice. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Syst. Res,. 16(5), 453-462.
2nd Colleague to respond to:
The organization I selected is the broader field of certified medical interpreters currently working as independent contractors. They drive from one healthcare facility to the next, producing significant waste in the process; “all waste is loss profit” (Shireman, 1999, p. 455). It has not adopted a systems thinking solution. I think Shireman’s approach would work in the freelance medical interpreting field.
I propose to create a system where freelance interpreters are assigned to a grid to cover their local geographical area. Mainly, interpreters would cover sessions taking place in their respective counties or as up to 10 miles away. It is a holistic approach that would reduce waste and increase profit.
The interpreter would travel less distance between sessions, which would allow them to spend more time with their families. It would create a stronger professional relationship with healthcare providers in their area who would benefit from working with the same team of interpreters. More patients would be helped because the interpreter would spend less time traveling and more time interpreting. Insurance companies would benefit from having access to dedicated interpreters who have been identified in each zone, thus doing the best they can to ensure their policyholders’ civil rights are protected by giving them the means to access equitable healthcare services. Lastly, governments also benefit from more taxes collected as interpreters would have more revenues and fewer tax deductions for mileage and car depreciation.
Ultimately, the environment would benefit from reducing travel time, which would also help improve traffic conditions and decrease crude oil extraction demand. This is a “closed-loop model” like Shireman’s Coors Brewing’s example (1999, p. 1), where profit is extracted from waste.
Shireman’s argument is relevant in today’s economy because the way the freelance interpreting field operates is not sustainable. A holistic solution must also be taken to make the field more attractive for new interpreters because the demand for interpreters increases as most interpreters in the field today will enter retirement age in less than 20 years because 50% of healthcare interpreters are between the ages of 31 and 50 (CCHI, 2016). The linguistic minority population is also growing.
References.
CCHI (2016). National job task analysis study for healthcare interpreters. Retrieved on 10/28/2020 from
Shireman, W. K. (1999). Business strategies for sustainable profits: Systems thinking in practice. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Syst. Res., 16(5), 453–462.
Running head: SYSTEMS THINKING 2
SYSTEMS THINKING 2
Systems Thinking
Student’s name
Professor
Course title
Date
The organization which I selected for the analysis is Apple Inc. Apple is an American multinational technology company which has its headquarters in California. The company is in the business of designing, developing, as well as selling various consumer electronics. The company is also in the business of providing online services together with computer software. The organization is today regarded as one of the biggest technological companies in the world. The organization is one of the largest in the world today employing more than 137,000 people. Apple is present in almost all countries around the world today engaging with millions of consumers annually. In the world today, I believe that Apple has adopted the systems solution for its activities. The company today values the loss of resources, the ecological diversity, as well as the loss of cultural diversity (Shireman, 1999). The company has placed value in its activities and the way that it deals with people and the environment. It is important to note that it has embraced the work that is being done around the world to ensure that its activities reflect the right values during the operations. The Shireman’s systems approach can be successful for the organization that has been selected. The systems approach can be important so that the company looks like the market which it is serving. Today, it is important to note that such activities promote the wellbeing of the company. The world is more conscious of other aspects of the market as opposed to the economic value only (Shireman, 1999). It is critical to ensure that as a global company there is cultural diversity in the operations. It is also important to consider the ecological diversity in the operations as well as the loss of resources. These values should be at the core of the organization so that it is successful in a more complex world today.
Reference
Shireman, W. K. (1999). Business strategies for sustainable profits: Systems thinking in practice. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 16(5), 453-462.
Business strategies for sustainable profits: systems thinking in practice
Shireman, William K
Systems Research and Behavioral Science; Sep/Oct 1999; 16, 5; ProQuest Central pg. 453
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.