Open system is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription of /ˈoʊ.pən ˈsɪs.təm/. The first syllable of "open" is pronounced with the diphthong /oʊ/, similar to the word "shown." The second syllable is pronounced with the short /ə/ sound as in "button." The stress is placed on the first syllable. The second word "system" is pronounced with two short vowel sounds /ˈsɪs.təm/, with the stress on the first syllable. "System" rhymes with "wisdom." Open system refers to a system that can interact with its environment.
An open system is a concept used in various fields, including science, engineering, and business, to describe a system that interacts with its environment and exchanges matter, energy, or information with it. In an open system, there is a constant flux of inputs and outputs, allowing for a continuous flow of resources and information between the system and its surroundings.
In physics and engineering, an open system refers to a system that allows the transfer of energy or matter across its boundaries. This can include systems such as a car engine, which takes in fuel and outputs exhaust gases, or a river ecosystem, where animals and nutrients flow in and out of the system. Open systems are often contrasted with closed systems, which do not exchange matter or energy with their surroundings.
In business and organizational contexts, an open system refers to an organization that embraces external influences, actively seeks feedback, and adapts to changes in its environment. Open systems in business encourage collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing while remaining responsive to customer needs and market trends. They value external input and establish channels for communication and feedback with customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
Overall, an open system is characterized by its ability to interact, exchange, and adapt to external influences, making it highly dynamic and adaptable in nature.
The word "open" comes from the Old English word "opan", which has Germanic origins. It originally meant "to open, to unfasten, to disclose", among other related meanings. The term "system" originates from the Late Latin word "systema", which is derived from the Greek word "sustēma", meaning "whole compounded of several parts or members". The concept of an "open system" emerged in the mid-20th century in the field of physics and later expanded into various other disciplines.