Computer analysis Formation Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Organizational system1
This chapter will make it possible, with the help of the systemic, to understand what an
organizational system is. It is thus subdivided into three parts:
The first part focuses on the understanding of the concept of system;
The second part is a presentation on the systemic;
And the third part tries to situate the information system in the organizational system.
1.1 The concept of system
A system is, by definition, a coherent set of interrelated elements constituting a complex
whole.
For Joël de Rosnay2, a system is a set of elements in dynamic interaction organized
according to a goal. Applied to organizations, Joël de ROSNAY's definition calls for the
following clarifications:
The interacting elements are made up of all human and material resources;
As organizations are living and evolving systems, taking into account the dynamic
aspect is crucial.
The notion of system appears on several levels. If we look at all enterprises, administration,
households, etc., we will speak of a meta-system. If we are interested in the relations of an
organization with its immediate environment (customer, supplier, State, social organizations),
we will speak of an environmental organization system. If we look at all the rules that govern
the functioning of an organization, we will speak of an internal system within the
organization.
Harold Koontz3 summarizes the trait implied by the notion of system in the following way: a
system is more than the sum of its parts. It is still considered as a whole. A system can be
considered closed or open. It is said to be open when it exchanges information, energy,
resources with its environment. It is said to be closed when no interaction or exchange takes
place with its external environment.
1. In this course, the concepts of organization and business will have a single understanding.
2. French scientist, perspectivist, lecturer and writer. He is particularly interested in advanced
technologies and applications of (systemic) systems theory.
3. Was Professor of Business Management at the University of California and Los Angeles, USA.
Year 2022 Roland Busane 1
, Computer analysis Formation Chapter 1
With the exception of the universe as a whole, each system is composed of subsystems and
constitutes itself a subsystem of a larger system (this is the hierarchy of systems).
The concept of system is used in many areas of everyday life or science:
In physics: solar system, metric system;
In mathematics: numeral system, axis system;
In mechanics: braking system (automobile);
In computer science: operating system, expert systems;
In biology: nervous system, digestive system;
In social: education system, health system;
etc.
Systems can be more or less evolved. At the bottom of the scale, they are mechanical systems
that obey relatively simple imperative rules; at the top of the scale, it is biological systems
that develop survival mechanisms, social systems with intelligence and at the very top of the
scale, it is humans with consciousness.
There are complex systems, that is to say systems that are difficult to understand, for which
only systems, the science of the study of systems, provides some avenues to address their
complexity. A complex system is made up of elements that interact with each other. A couple
of two is a complex whole; the couple's behavior is not reduced to the sum of the behavior of
the two people.
A complicated system is made up of assembled elements. A machine is made up of multiple
components; the behavior of the machine results from the sum of the behavior of all
components. It is possible to replace a component of a machine and maintain the behavior;
this is called the maintenance or repair of a machine. It is not possible to replace one person
by another in a couple; a couple is made or undone.
1.2 Systemic
1.2.1 Definition
Systemic is a scientific method. By using an always global approach, thanks to a holistic
vision4, it makes it possible to address complex subjects that were refractory to
4. Holism: the tendency in nature to form sets that are greater than the sum of their parts through creative
evolution.
Year 2022 Roland Busane 2
Chapter 1
Organizational system1
This chapter will make it possible, with the help of the systemic, to understand what an
organizational system is. It is thus subdivided into three parts:
The first part focuses on the understanding of the concept of system;
The second part is a presentation on the systemic;
And the third part tries to situate the information system in the organizational system.
1.1 The concept of system
A system is, by definition, a coherent set of interrelated elements constituting a complex
whole.
For Joël de Rosnay2, a system is a set of elements in dynamic interaction organized
according to a goal. Applied to organizations, Joël de ROSNAY's definition calls for the
following clarifications:
The interacting elements are made up of all human and material resources;
As organizations are living and evolving systems, taking into account the dynamic
aspect is crucial.
The notion of system appears on several levels. If we look at all enterprises, administration,
households, etc., we will speak of a meta-system. If we are interested in the relations of an
organization with its immediate environment (customer, supplier, State, social organizations),
we will speak of an environmental organization system. If we look at all the rules that govern
the functioning of an organization, we will speak of an internal system within the
organization.
Harold Koontz3 summarizes the trait implied by the notion of system in the following way: a
system is more than the sum of its parts. It is still considered as a whole. A system can be
considered closed or open. It is said to be open when it exchanges information, energy,
resources with its environment. It is said to be closed when no interaction or exchange takes
place with its external environment.
1. In this course, the concepts of organization and business will have a single understanding.
2. French scientist, perspectivist, lecturer and writer. He is particularly interested in advanced
technologies and applications of (systemic) systems theory.
3. Was Professor of Business Management at the University of California and Los Angeles, USA.
Year 2022 Roland Busane 1
, Computer analysis Formation Chapter 1
With the exception of the universe as a whole, each system is composed of subsystems and
constitutes itself a subsystem of a larger system (this is the hierarchy of systems).
The concept of system is used in many areas of everyday life or science:
In physics: solar system, metric system;
In mathematics: numeral system, axis system;
In mechanics: braking system (automobile);
In computer science: operating system, expert systems;
In biology: nervous system, digestive system;
In social: education system, health system;
etc.
Systems can be more or less evolved. At the bottom of the scale, they are mechanical systems
that obey relatively simple imperative rules; at the top of the scale, it is biological systems
that develop survival mechanisms, social systems with intelligence and at the very top of the
scale, it is humans with consciousness.
There are complex systems, that is to say systems that are difficult to understand, for which
only systems, the science of the study of systems, provides some avenues to address their
complexity. A complex system is made up of elements that interact with each other. A couple
of two is a complex whole; the couple's behavior is not reduced to the sum of the behavior of
the two people.
A complicated system is made up of assembled elements. A machine is made up of multiple
components; the behavior of the machine results from the sum of the behavior of all
components. It is possible to replace a component of a machine and maintain the behavior;
this is called the maintenance or repair of a machine. It is not possible to replace one person
by another in a couple; a couple is made or undone.
1.2 Systemic
1.2.1 Definition
Systemic is a scientific method. By using an always global approach, thanks to a holistic
vision4, it makes it possible to address complex subjects that were refractory to
4. Holism: the tendency in nature to form sets that are greater than the sum of their parts through creative
evolution.
Year 2022 Roland Busane 2
