The ‘systems thinking’ perspective refers to the consideration of the entity or business by linking it with the environment. It believes that every part of the system is a vital component for its survival and so, whenever a problem is reviewed, the contextual surrounding has to be taken into consideration (Mehrjerdi, 2011). From the organizational perspective like the Wal-Mart, it can be applied while keeping in view the theory of “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” The traditional theorists believed that each department has its own functions and none affects each other. But from the Systems point of view, if the reduction in sales takes place, all the individual functions shall be reviewed but in context of the whole environment. System thinking is based on the notion that all the departments have to work together and there has to be an interrelationship between the customers, vendors, employees, senior management and the departments in order to devise the appropriate behavior for successful operations (Best and Holmes, 2010). Businesses change and organizations grow over time, so these are similar to living organisms where change is a crucial part; Wal-mart has grown from a single store to a chain of large stores.
Emergent Design refers to a systematic in the learning environment; it has also been used in Wal-Mart several times. This is specially used when a new technology is implemented in the organization or when a new policy is implemented. Several times, when automation is made, or a change is made in the operations, trainings have to be given to the employees and for that purpose; this takes place (Kito and Mizumachi et al., 2012). The internal processes change like when new software was developed and implemented, lesser defects resulted, more time was saved and less manpower was required. The underutilization of the human resource helped in investing this in other function which led to improving customer dealings and enhancing quality check operations. Learning environment is ensured as a result of the utilization of emergent design system (Cavallo, 2009).
References
Best, A. and Holmes, B. (2010). Systems thinking, knowledge and action: towards better models and methods. Evidence & Policy: A Journal of Research, Debate and Practice, 6 (2), pp. 145--159.
Cavallo, D. (2009). EMERGENT DESIGN AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS. Constructivist Instructional Design (C-ID): Foundations, Models, and Examples, p. 165.
Kito, A., Mizumachi, Y., Sekiguchi, M., Sato, K. and Matsuoka, Y. (2012). Modification Method by Increasing and Decreasing Elements in the Emergent Design System. Advanced Materials Research, 422 pp. 807--810.
Mehrjerdi, Y. (2011). Quality function deployment and its profitability engagement: a systems thinking perspective. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 28 (9), pp. 910--928.
