Combining the Viable System Model and Nature Futures Framework

Russell Clemens ()
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Russell Clemens: University of the Sunshine Coast

Systemic Practice and Action Research, 2025, vol. 38, issue 2, No 7, 38 pages

Abstract: Abstract Conceptual linkages between the Viable System Model (VSM) and the Nature Futures Framework (NFF) are explored drawing on south Asian human-elephant conflict (HEC) as an illustrative case study. While the VSM can map operationalized forestry systems responsible for managing HEC, this paper focuses on pre-structural foresighting process in participatory governance. The paper posits the NFF is a contemporary “Platform for Change” and that entailing VSM-related knowledge within NFF scenario process can help facilitate viable enterprise networking within global environmental and conservation discourse. The NFF-VSM approach helps address complex science-policy gaps in ecological governance through improved viability in communication, stakeholder engagement, and participatory decision-making. A poststructural foresighting lens is adopted to theorize VSM-NFF combining as an emerging metalanguage for navigating undecidability in complex sustainability governance. South Asian HEC literature and secondary case studies are analysed within the NFF-VSM complex to establish transformational knowledge focused on raising citizen diplomacy pressure. The results include: 1. Mapping HEC undecidability using NFF-VSM metalanguage principles. 2. Signalling cross-cultural directionality via a color semiotic triple-bottom line (TBL). 3. Presenting a speculative fabulation to reframe posthuman participatory collaboration. The NFF functions as a viable system four metalanguage domain to address complex ecological governance challenges that require affective images of desirable futures. VSM principles and genealogy can support development of speculative NFF scenario/fabulation (systems fiction) to catalyse foresight-policy and identity transformation. Combining VSM with NFF as a tool for addressing undecidability within sustainable governance promotes interdisciplinary ‘ideal speech’ communication. It improves futures literacy and offers actionable insights for networked cross-cultural policy-making. Finally, it demonstrates how grounded South Asian HEC case studies can inform viable enterprise telecoupling and support participatory governance promoting sustainable human-elephant coexistence (HECx).

Keywords: Viable system model; Nature futures framework; Science-policy gap; Futures literacy; Human-elephant coexistence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s11213-025-09718-1

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