Discuss the principle of equifinality from both a systems and classical perspective

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The principle of equifinality is important because it differentiates potential
management strategies based in systems theory from those based in classical theory.
Classical theory is characterized by the "one best way" to do every job. From a closed
system point of view this makes sense; since conditions rarely change, the "best way" to
accomplish the task can be established and performed every time. But if a system is
considered open, there will inevitably be changes in the system making the "one best
way" quite unlikely. The concept of equifinality illuminates this situation. Equifinality
indicates that "the same final state may be reached from different initial conditions and in
different ways" (p. 40). In other words, if the desired final state for a biological organism
is to secure enough food to stay alive, it can do so by eating a variety of harmless food
gathered in a variety of ways. It does not have to eat the same thing garnered in the same fashion. The same lesson holds true for organizations. Organizations have the capacity to
reach the same final state (e.g., product or service) in a variety of ways; the "one best
way" does not have to guide organizational functioning and in many instances may be
counterproductive