The two existing models of job placement, the selective and the client-centered approaches, are riddled with inadequacies when dealing with consumers of diverse culture. The problem is that many aspects of human, organizational and environmental interactions are not taken into account. Therefore, there exists a need to generate a systems theory designed to holistically address the individualized vocational rehabilitation needs of people with disabilities.

Systems theory became popular around 1935 toward the close of the Hawthorne Studies. Simpson and Podsakoff (1975) state that "the interdependence of the variables in a system is one of the widest inductions from experience that we possess: for we may alternatively regard it as the definition of a system." This concept describes a social system in which the various aspects of the placement process interact independently. In addition, other systems external to the placement system also function interdependently with each other. Therefore, each subsystem is dependent upon its basic characteristics and variables as well as its interaction with other subsystems. Viewing the placement process from an independent frame of reference would be falling short of identifying all its components that interact and lead to their functional or dysfunctional interactions.

In placement, it is necessary to identify the process as the “system.” The placement process is comprised of two systems: 1) the internal system which is comprised of the interactional patterns of the placement process: client preparation for the world of work, counselors' qualifications and competence, resources and reputation of the agency in placement and 2) an external system, which contains in its environment the labor market and geographical location of available jobs.

Currently, there is no objective and culturally appropriate model of job placement that taps all of the resources/variables in the task of facilitating community integration of consumers. There seems to be no debate that the primary goal of vocational rehabilitation is placing the consumer on a job that is meaningful. The question of how to place the consumer is the debatable point.

A Systems Approach to Placement (SAP) affords placement professionals in all settings a framework that incorporates the existing models and offers a systematic and comprehensive approach to placement. It suggests a "holistic" view of human, organizational and environmental interaction from onset. SAP offers the professional a new option that rejects neither the client-centered nor the selective approach but adds an additional dimension to these existing models by identifying multiple variables that account for the total functioning of the process. In addition, the SAP reduces the chance of making incorrect assumptions about the consumer’s assets and limitations when evaluating him/her for a job or for entry into the vocational rehabilitation process. It offers a diagnostic approach for the practitioner to better identify the placement subsystems that need to be considered for each individual consumer.

The main ingredient of a system is an organism, organization, or individual. A system is an identifiable organization or a whole that is made up of parts that react and/or interact with each other to maintain a sense of balance. The SAP is built to view the placement process as a system with the identification of eight subsystems that play an important part in the placement process.

1. The Client "Subsystem"—The client as a whole and how he/she relates to the external and internal environment.

2. The Health "Subsystem"—The consumer’s general health as well as an assessment of his/her disabling conditions.

3. The Education "Subsystem"—All training both formal and informal.

4. The Family "Subsystem"—The interaction of the consumer with his/her family.

5. The Society "Subsystem"—the impact of culture and society external to the family.

6. The Employer "Subsystem"—Consists of —human, organizational, and physical—that relate to the workplace.

7. The Placement Counselor-Placement Personnel "Subsystem"—Variables related to the professionals who do job placement.

8. The Funding "Subsystem"—Federal financial aid that assists the placement system, specifically from the Department of Education. Complex reaction and interaction of the above factors determine the long-term placement outcome.