System-Network Complementarity

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System-Network Complementarity

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Originally published in Transnational Associations, 1977, pp. 365-370 [searchable PDF version]. The distinctions (in practice) between systems and networks were presented, with the accompanying tables, as background papers to the meeting on "Exploring the Network Alternative " (see Transnational Associations, 1977, pp. 352-355). They formed part of the introductory report to the session on . "Complexity" during a meeting of the International Foundation for Social Innovation, March 1977. and as such accompanied the paper on "Organizational forms in response to complexity" (Transnational Associations, 1977, 5, pp. 178-183) and are referred to in the summary of the debate (Transnational Associations, 1977, p 369-372). The text is appearing as part of : International organization networks: a complementary perspective. In: Paul Taylor and AJR Groom (Eds). International Organizations; a conceptual approach. 1978. The two tables, reproduced from John McHale. Management; the larger perspective (In: Challenge to Leadership, managing in a changing world. Free Press. 1973), are the result of the integration of two different earlier efforts : in John McHale. The Changing Information Environment (in : Information Technology; some critical implications for decision makers, The Conference Board, 1972). and in Anthony Judge. The World Network of Organizations (in : International Associations, 1972, 1, pp. 18-22). The latter is an expansion of a table by Peter F. Rudge. Ministry and Management. Tavistock, 1968.

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System-Network Complementarity
The Distinction in Practice
Complementarity

The definition of  "system " (like that of  "structure " is the subject of continuing confusion and often heated debate. It is not surprising therefore that the implication that  "network " is in some way distinct from  "system tends to give rise to vigorous debate as recently occurred in Montreal. It is the math- based pure and applied sciences which are most disturbed by the possibility of any distinction. Clearly, in purely formal mathematical terms, both system and network consist of an interconnected set of elements. But once account is taken of the nature of those elements, the manner of their interconnection and the properties of the resultant whole, then the distinctions between definitions of sytem and of network became confused especially where value-related questions are raised concerning the relative equitability of different social structures.

The question of interest may be less the distinction, if any, and more the connotations of the terms in contexts associated with international and organizational activity. The question may then be why is there a preference for  "network" instead of  "system"  under certain circumstances. Consider the distinctions in the case of a road system /network, a telephone system /network or a concept system /network before reflecting on the case of an inter-organizational system /network. Under what circumstances is there a negative connotation to either term ?

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