A Socio-Technical Systems Perspective on Organizational Performance: Integrating Soft Systems Methodology and High-Performance Work Systems

Abstract

Organizational performance increasingly depends on the alignment between social and technical subsystems within complex work environments. This paper presents an integrative framework that combines Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) and High-Performance Work Systems (HPWS) to offer a socio-technical systems perspective on organizational effectiveness. SSM provides a participatory, interpretive approach to diagnosing organizational issues and designing adaptive solutions, while HPWS emphasizes the strategic configuration of human resource practices to enhance employee engagement, innovation, and productivity. By synthesizing these two approaches, the study develops a model that captures both the systemic interdependencies of organizational processes and the human-centered practices that sustain performance. The proposed integration facilitates a deeper understanding of how technical structures and social dynamics co-evolve to create resilient, high-performing organizations. The paper concludes with implications for theory, practice, and future research, emphasizing the need for holistic organizational design that balances efficiency with adaptability in rapidly changing environments.

Keywords: Socio-Technical Systems; Soft Systems Methodology (SSM); High-Performance Work Systems (HPWS); Organizational Performance; Systems Thinking; Work System Integration; Change Management; Adaptive Organizations