The notion of environment in general systems thinking is a wild, all-embracing
and woolly concept. "Everything" is in the environment. The environment is all -
yet we are interested in specifics. It is people who decide what is significant
in the environment and what is not - what the 'forces' are that "must"
(imperative language) be attended to. Thus prevailing pictures of what 'the
environment' is are socially constructed. Various definitions and concerns
assume the characteristics of propoganda. They are not necessarily neutral
definitions and the nature of the elements that, supposedly are acting on "us"
in the environment, are difficult to define and measure.
Similarly environmental events have to be interpreted and we will often refer to 'environmental forces' of various kinds in our post hoc rational and justification of the decisions we have made. We blame the environment for action we have taken and the results of that action.
Finally people e.g. government and powerful decision-makers in business organisations, may intervene to influence and shape events in the environment - to their own advantage e.g. speak to the press, lobby for a change, buy up a rival, try to tickle the equities market up and even cooperate with others to ensure that information on 'the environment' is accurate rather than uninformed and misguiding decisions by others than can affect the company's position (vested interests). John Child's concept of 'strategic choice" ,and its manifestation in terms of managerial behaviour, is significant in ths regard.
So environment is not what it may seem. Certainly if we here the 'green' lobby speak about environment, they will hold particular values and positions dear to their hearts, some of which others might accept but some of which others might also rebut.
However a typical, neutral and managerial description of environmental factors and pressures would cover the following areas (and more). Environmental factors include social-cultural, technological, economic and financial and political-legal events and possibilities. These are often referred to by the mnemonics
The 'biological and adaptive' metaphor comes into play when we argue for business change. Typically, if the business cannot respond to the pressures and influences of its environment then it may not survive. It has to adapt. If it serves the needs of clients or stakeholders and satisfies for example its "market mission" then it may prosper. A dominant theme in the study of business is that of competition in the market-place.
A business's relationship with its environment is typically founded on its service to key "customers" and their satisfaction with its performance revealed by buying patterns, new legislation, party conferences, annual general meetings and stock market prices. Learning and adaptation occurs in response to stimulus across organisational boundaries. Any organisation that is too inward looking becomes atrophied and can stagnate. In the language of general systems theory any system is subject to the process of entrophy.
