CYBERNETICS AND ORGANIZATION THEORY: A CRITICAL REVIEW

Abstract

This paper seeks to open up debate between organization theorists and cyberneticians on the basis or commonalities of concern and similarities in the recommendations made to managers. Stafford Beer's “viable system model” is put forward as a framework which can be employed to integrate the findings of these two disciplines into a practical management tool. The VSM itself, as an exalted expression of the organization theory/cybernetic orthodoxy, is then “put on trial,” with a view to drawing conclusions about the relevance and value to managers of this type of thinking.