View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository
View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository
View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository
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3.1 INTRODUcnON<br />
CHAPTER 3<br />
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK<br />
This study was based on King's theory, which was utilized to help the researcher to<br />
organize the study and provided the basis from which to identify and examine the<br />
problems and collect and analyze data (Brink, 1996:26).<br />
3.2 TIlE DEVELOPMEl'o'TOF KING'S THEORY<br />
Imoge King developed her theory after her retirement from the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> South<br />
Florida in 198!). King's theory is divided into two sections, namely, King's <strong>Open</strong><br />
Systems Framework and King's Theory <strong>of</strong> Goal Attainment. The theory <strong>of</strong> Goal<br />
Attainment is based on the <strong>Open</strong> Systems Framework (George, 1995:211).<br />
3.3 KING'S OPEN SYSTEMS FRAMEWORK<br />
King formulated the <strong>Open</strong> Systems Framework in order to organize concepts that<br />
represent essential knowledge that might be used by different disciplines to construct<br />
their theories. King's conceptual framework consists <strong>of</strong> goal, structure, function,<br />
resources and decision-making. In the framework health represents the goal for nursing,<br />
structure is represented by three open systems, function by reciprocal interaction by<br />
individuals, resoorces by health pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and their clients and all services required to<br />
carry out specific activities. Decision-making occurs when choices are made in allocation<br />
<strong>of</strong>resources to assist in achievement <strong>of</strong>goals.<br />
King's <strong>Open</strong> System Framework consists <strong>of</strong>three interacting systems. These systems are<br />
the personal system (individual); interpersonal systems, which refer to dyads, triads,<br />
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