The Viable System Model: Effective Strategies to Manage Complexity

Raul Espejo () and Alfonso Reyes ()
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Raul Espejo: Syncho Ltd.
Alfonso Reyes: Universidad de Ibague

Chapter Chapter 6 in Organizational Systems, 2011, pp 91-112 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract In this chapter we build on the concept of organization as a closed network of relations having identity to explain in detail the Viable System Model (VSM). This model offers a systemic form of observing collectives and institutions in today’s societies. The VSM clarifies the quality of the strategies used by a collective to manage the complexity of its self-defined tasks and is a particularly helpful instrument for organizational diagnosis. This chapter develops complexity management strategies for policy-making and policy implementation and explains processes to maintain the organization’s cohesion and support its adaptation in a problematic environment. Though the Viable System Model is used most commonly as a tool to observe and describe organizations it also supports, most importantly, the design of effective communication structures.

Keywords: Primary Activity; Cohesion Function; Policy Function; Viable System Model; Viable System (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-642-19109-1_6

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-19109-1_6

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