Exploration of The Challenges Affecting the Implementation of Distance Dissertation

Exploration of The Challenges Affecting the Implementation of Distance Learning System in Higher Education Institutions - Dissertation Example As such, a challenge like inadequate leadership and management can be solved by redesigning the leadership and management structure of organisations that tend to be affected by a such challenge (Dettmer 1997). Arguably, such a measure, which is highlighted by TOC can be used to improve performance of the organisation because organisations that have better results have been associated with competent and effective leadership and management. In another dimension, TOC is used to understand both internal and external constraints. This means that external challenges such as cultural differences could be analysed and articulated upon by a way of understanding dynamics of how gender and language barriers could be approached differently in order to improve organisations’ performance. General system theory In an attempt to actualise functionality of GST, this theory stipulates on several levels through which organisations can improve performance. The most notable one is the static struc ture (Greene 1999). This level is analysed to represent the anatomy of the universe. It is represented by the patterns of electrons around a nuclear (Weckowicz 2000). However, whereas such anatomy can be used to explain complexity of an organisation, some important aspects of external challenges facing an organisation cannot be well addressed since they cannot be part of the nuclear (of the organisation). Challenges such as different learning styles by different students and gender-based participation barriers appear to be forces outside the organization. Besides, distance learning encompasses diversification of a single organisation into a complex set of education tools to be used by a single organisation. Therefore, it would be difficult to focus or address some of the challenges affecting distance learning using this theory. Contingency theory The emphasis of this theory is mainly on the importance of leader’s personality and the situation under which the leader operates ( Bacher 2007). In essence, Fielder Edward and his associates outlined two main styles of leadership that is articulated by the theory; task motivated and relationship motivated style (Donaldson 2001). As much as these two styles can be put into the context of helping to improve distance learning organisation, there is much that needs to be looked at especially on how such motivations can be applied in the context of issues affecting other persons/stakeholders of the organisation apart from the leaders of the organisation. In light with this, challenges emanating from students and the environment cannot be solved using this theory. Socio-Technical Theory In regard to the challenge of inappropriate digital infrastructure, it is apparent that this theory can shade some lights on how to approach such a challenge (Miner 2007). This is in light with what the theory underpins its argument that an organisation’s technical sub systems which comprises tools and techniques that can be im proved by adjusting social systems in order to maximise organisation’s performance (Avison & Fitzgerald 2006; Jackson 2000). However, challenges such as cultural differences of students, who in the relation to the theory are customers, cannot be addressed using the theory because its main focus is on how to improve the performance of the organisation, which in this case are the employees and their wellness. Communication System Theory As much as this theory can be