@article{2004:mayrhofer:social_sys,
title = {Social Systems Theory as Theoretical Framework for Human Resource Management – Benediction or Curse?},
year = {2004},
note = {Social systems theory as developed by Niklas Luhmann is an option for
the theoretical foundation of Human Resource Management (HRM). After
clarifying the advantages of using a grand (social) theory as the
basic theoretical perspective, the roots of this social systems theory
- the deterministic view of systems as machines, the open systems
approach and non-linear systems theory - are addressed. Based on the
view of social systems as autopoietically closed systems, five major
contributions to a theoretical foundation of HRM are identified: (1)
the conceptualisation of organising and managing human resources as
social processes, thus overcoming an individualistic angle; (2) the
new importance of individuals as essential element in the system's
environment; (3) the abstention form far reaching or highly
unrealistic assumptions about the 'nature' of human beings; (4) the
interaction between various levels and units of analysis built into
the theory which is essential for comprehensive and in-depth analyses
of HR phenomena and (5) the openness for additional theories for which
social systems theory provides the overall framework.},
journal = {mrev management revue},
pages = {178--191},
author = {Mayrhofer, Wolfgang},
volume = {15},
number = {2}
}