Definition of equifinality - What it is, Meaning and Concept

Before entering fully into the meaning of the term equifinality it is necessary to proceed to know its etymological origin.In this case, we can determine that it derives from Latin, since it is the result of the sum of the following lexical components:-The prefix "Equi-", which can be translated as "equal".-The noun "finis", which is synonymous with "end" or "term".-The particle "-alis", which is equivalent to "relative to".-The suffix "-dad", which means "quality".

The dictionary produced by the Spanish Royal Academy ( RAE ) does not include the term equifinality in its dictionary.The notion, however, is often used in the context of the general system theory .

The idea of ​​equifinality, in this framework, refers to the ability of an open system to arrive at the same final state in different ways and starting from different initial conditions .This assumes that the system is in a position to reach a certain goal moving along different paths.

Equifinality is associated with flexibility and adaptability since the system is ready to meet its objective beyond the starting point and the route taken.

As a scientific trend, equifinality implies an approach from multiple disciplines and perspectives to the object of study, without letting the area where the phenomenon develops limit the analysis .What allows equifinality, in Ultimately, it is the comprehensive approach of an entity.

In a general sense, the equifinality reflects that the end of certain processes is linked to the organizational nature of the system and not to the beginning of these processes.This nature is what makes it possible to obtain identical results from different beginnings.

Within the business field there is a lot of use of the term equifinality that now concerns us.Specifically, that is used when a company has a very clear objective, because at that time the different paths that exist to achieve it will be established.

An example of this could be that a company wants to increase its profits or improve its profits.In that case, among the paths that it can take to reach that goal are from reducing what production costs are to increasing what sales are going to improve what is the profit margin on sales.

That without forgetting that you can also choose to offer customers what are services or products of higher quality.

In the same way, it must be taken into account that equifinality is a principle that acquires an enormous weight in what is the collection management sector.And in this, different methods are used to achieve an end : recover assets.

The opposite of equifinality is multifinality .While, as we said, equifinality implies reaching the same end starting from different conditions, multifinality means obtaining different results based on similar conditions.In this second case, there is no internal balance that leads to the same goal.