• Summary: The impact and role of systems theory in social work is analysed politically. The political analysis explores the social construction of professions and their knowledge and theory bases by understanding how theory is used by and generates groups contending for influence in social work. Systems theory had a major impact on social work in the 1970s and developed in the USA in ecological theory and more broadly as a contribution to networking.
• Findings: The analysis of social work writings confirms contextual explanations, that systems theory had an impact as part of wider social changes affecting social work, rather than for intrinsic reasons of theoretical or intellectual development. In the USA, this led to its use as continuity with traditional theoretical concepts; in the UK, as a response to organizational change. Ecological theory continued as a major influence in the USA because it maintained that continuity; systems theory declined in the UK because further organizational changes supplanted it. Networking developed separately, drawing in other theoretical traditions, supplanting systems ideas. Family therapy used similar ideas at the outset, but developed different theoretical traditions.
• Applications: The example of systems theory shows how different theoretical traditions and social contexts for the use of knowledge in professions affect theoretical and professional development.
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