Which approach indicates that if one subsystem isn’t effective, that it can be addressed without altering the entire system?

The correct answer is Systems Theory, which emphasizes the significance of viewing an organization as a complex combination of interrelated parts or subsystems. This perspective allows for the understanding that each subsystem can operate independently to a certain extent. When one subsystem isn’t effective, it can be improved or modified without necessitating changes to the entire organization. Systems Theory underlines the importance of interactions and feedback loops among various components of a system, facilitating targeted interventions that lead to overall improvement while maintaining stability within the broader system.

In contrast, Contingency Approaches propose that the best management style or organizational structure is dependent on the specific circumstances. While it recognizes that different situations require different solutions, it does not focus specifically on the subsystem-level adjustments as a primary strategy.

The Behavioral Approach centers on understanding and improving human behavior within organizations, emphasizing motivation and communication but not necessarily focusing on the efficacy of subsystems without wider implications.

Scientific Management, on the other hand, is rooted in optimizing and standardizing work processes within the organization, often focusing more on efficiency than on the adaptability of individual subsystems to improve performance.

Overall, Systems Theory is the most appropriate framework for addressing subsystem effectiveness as it directly pertains to the dynamic and interdependent nature of organizational components.