Open versus closed systems

Open and Closed Systems

• Differentiate between two types of management theories- open-system theories and closed-system theories with regard to criminal justice organizations. Which of the two theories would better suit the operation of the agency you chose?

When it comes to explaining behavior in organizations, "the closed-system models tend to focus on internal events when explaining organizational actions and behavior, while open-system model focus on events occurring external to the organization that influence changes within the organization" (Open vs. closed systems, 28). Closed-systems models tend to focus on the degree to which organizational culture produces certain results: for example, if there were accusations of racial profiling in 'stop and frisks' in a police department, a closed systems model would suggest examining how officers are trained and the ideas and incentives that are communicated to the officers through that training about who appears to be a criminal. The presumption of a closed systems model is that actors are rational and can make decisions based upon the available system of incentives: if officers are not praised and rewarded for maximizing stop and frisks without regard to individual liberties, the behaviors will cease.

Open systems models would examine how growing up in a society where prejudice and discrimination is rife might affect police officers' behaviors. The emphasis would be on changing the organizational culture and atmosphere that can give rise to profiling. Open-systems theories are based upon intangibles which can be difficult to measure: "work attitudes and sentiments of the members of a group are important motivating factors that determine their productivity" (Open vs. closed systems, 47). Increasing the overall diversity of the force, disseminating images that were positive about historically-discriminated against groups and community policing initiatives might be examples of open-ended systems approaches for a police unit. Ultimately, this comprehensive change in culture and attitude is likely necessary for there to be an effective change in a behavior which may have a subconscious and subjective basis.

• Analyze at least three specific environmental factors that may affect the criminal justice agency you are considering. Then, explain the type of impact -- beneficial or adverse -- such factors would have on the agency. What specific agency goals or priorities would each of the factors you identified affect? Suggest some strategies for handling adverse environmental factors.

Environmental factors which can affect the functioning of a police force include funding; community relationships; and the ability to recruit effective officers. Funding can affect the ability of the unit to engage in basic, essential aspects of its mission. A lack of funding can have a spiraling, negative effect as if a unit is under-funded and cannot police adequately, public trust in the force is impacted, which can erode support for increasing funding. Although it can be difficult to avoid budget cuts, rigorously demonstrating how the agency uses its existing funds in an effective fashion can make a persuasive case that it is not using its resources wastefully.

Community relationships -- positive and negative -- are also vital. Community policing stresses the need for police to engage in positive social ties with the community and soliciting community assistance for its work. It encourages a positive rather than adversarial attitude. "Community policing, recognizing that police rarely can solve public safety problems alone, encourages interactive partnerships with relevant stakeholders" (Community policing defined, 2014, DOJ). This can open up access to information and resources to support policing efforts the department would not otherwise have and mitigate any adversarial community attitudes members might have about law enforcement agents. Police have a positive, preventative presence in the community.