The effectiveness of a particular management depends on the industry. The central principle of systems theory is that the whole is more than the sum of its parts. Each part is considered as it interacts with changes, and is changed by every other part within the system. The parts are interdependent and it is through communication that interdependence is facilitated. Organizations are open systems.
Boundaries are flexible and allow comm to flow in and out of the system.
Provide info about changes in consumer tastes, technical data, technology of other industries, etc. Act as gatekeepers who control, store, summarize, interpret, or ignore info. Protect people inside the org from outsiders who would like to influence their behavior. Attempt to assure outsiders that the org is striving to meet their needs. Acknowledges both formal and informal comm as contributing to success of org.