Skip to main content

Pathologies of Organisations

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Design and Diagnosis for Sustainable Organizations

Abstract

Having considered in Chap. 1 certain basic cybernetic principles and the main elements of the VSM, and in Chap. 2 the way in which they can be applied in diagnosing or designing organisations, I will now turn to some of the pathologies which most commonly occur in organisations or companies (see Pérez Ríos 2008b). As we know from medical practice, detecting a pathology is essential when it comes to prescribing the treatment required for the diagnosed deficiency.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Beer S (1989) The viable system model: its provenance, development, methodology and pathology. In: Espejo R, Harnden R (eds) The viable system model. Interpretations and applications of Stafford Beer´s VSM. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Espejo R (2008) Observing organizations: the use of identity and structural archetypes. In Special issue: organizational cybernetics in focus, Perez Rios J and Schwaninger M (Guest editors). International Journal of Applied Systemic Studies 2(1/2). ISSN: 1751–0589. ISSN (Online) 1751–0597

    Google Scholar 

  • Hetzler S (2008) Pathological systems. In Special issue: organizational cybernetics in focus, Perez Rios J and Schwaninger M (Guest editors). International Journal of Applied Systemic Studies 2(1/2). ISSN: 1751–0589. ISSN (Online) 1751–0597.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pérez Ríos J (2003) VSMod®: a software tool for the application of the Viable System Model, 47th Annual Conference of the International Society for the Systems Sciences (ISSS), Heraklion, Crete, Greece. ISBN: 0-9740735-1-2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pérez Ríos J (2008b) Aplicación de la Cibernética Organizacional al estudio de la viabilidad de las organizaciones. Patologías organizativas frecuentes (Parte II). DYNA 83(7):403–422, ISSN 0012–7.361

    Google Scholar 

  • Pérez Ríos J (2008c) Supporting organizational cybernetics by communication and information technologies (VSMod). Int J Appl Syst Stud 2(1/2):48–65, ISSN: 1751–0589 ISSN (Online) 1751–0597

    Google Scholar 

  • Pérez RJ, y Martínez Suárez XL (2007) Applying VSM in the strategic management of A Coruña University in Galicia, Spain. In: Christopher WF (ed) Holistic management. Managing what matters for company success. John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken/New Jersey, pp 124–134. ISBN 978-0-471-74063-6

    Google Scholar 

  • Schuhmann W (1997) Communication and information in society. In: Espejo R, Schwaninger M (eds) To be and not to be that is the system: a tribute to Stafford Beer. (CD-ROM), Carl Auer-Systeme Verlag, Wiesbaden. ISBN 3-89670-063-4

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwaninger M (2005) “Design for viable organizations. The diagnostic power of the viable system model”. In: Viable organizations. Matjaz Mulej, Eva Buchinger et al. (eds.). WOSC world organization of systems and cybernetics. 13th International Congress of Cybernetics and Systems and ISA International Sociological Association. Research Commitee 51 on Sociocybernetics. Maribor (Eslovenia), pp. 45–56. ISBN: 961-6354-58-2

    Google Scholar 

  • Senge PM (1990) The fifth discipline. The art and practice of the learning organization. Doubleday/Currency, New York

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to José Pérez Ríos .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ríos, J.P. (2012). Pathologies of Organisations. In: Design and Diagnosis for Sustainable Organizations. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-22318-1_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics