From Viable Systems to Surfing the Organisation

Journal of Applied Systems, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 127-142, 2000

10 Pages Posted: 15 Mar 2009 Last revised: 24 Mar 2009

See all articles by Maurice Yolles

Maurice Yolles

John Moores University - Centre for the Creation of Coherent Change and Knowledge (C4K)

Date Written: 2000

Abstract

Viable systems theory is a cybernetic approach to systems. Its nature is discussed, exploring cognitive, organising, and behavioural domains of organisations, and their how these link with organisational survival. Exploring the generic properties of these domains leads us to certain questions about how we should look at organisations, and how information about them should be interpreted. Indeed, this leads us to a new conceptualisation about how we should look at organisations, distinguishing between their potential and kinematic attributes. These notions are built into the metaphor of surfing the organisation.

Keywords: Viable systems, organisational survival, information

Suggested Citation

Yolles, Maurice, From Viable Systems to Surfing the Organisation (2000). Journal of Applied Systems, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 127-142, 2000, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1359883 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1359883

Maurice Yolles (Contact Author)

John Moores University - Centre for the Creation of Coherent Change and Knowledge (C4K) ( email )

Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool
United Kingdom