Figure 1
A diagram illustrating the components and life cycle of a work system. Panel A: Work System Framework. A triangular framework with three main layers. The top layer is labeled Customers. The middle layer is labeled Product/Services and Processes and Activities. The bottom layer is labeled Participants, Information, and Technologies. The framework is surrounded by labels indicating Environment, Strategies, and Infrastructure. Panel B: Work System Life Cycle Model. A flowchart depicting the life cycle of a work system. The stages are Initiation of a project, Development of resources needed for implementation, Implementation of new work system, and Operation and Maintenance of the work system. Arrows indicate the flow and adaptations between these stages, including options to terminate or re-design the system.Three components of work system theory (Alter, 2013). Definition of work system. A system in which human participants and/or machines perform work (processes and activities) using information, technology, and other resources to produce specific product/services for internal and/or external customers and/or for themselves