DIAGNOSING PROBLEMS IN THE STRUCTURING OF OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN A RAILWAY ENTERPRISE IN TERMS OF BEER'S MODEL OF THE VIABLE SYSTEM

Abstract

This paper identifies structural problems in the organization of the implementation function of the Greek Railway and constitutes part of a study aiming at discovering reasons for the company's ineffectiveness. At this stage, the study employs Beer's cybernetic model of the organization and utilizes information originating both in the formal description of duties and responsibilities contained in the legislation defining the organization of the enterprise and in the author's personal experience, as a result of his participation in the company for more than ten years. The paper consists of three parts. In the First part, elements of the organization of the cybernetic model of the enterprise are offered. In the second part, an analysis of the operational activities in a railway enterprise is presented. In the third part, employing the cybernetic model and the analysis of railway activities, problems in the organization of the implementation function of the specific company are identified.