The Firm as a Viable System

Golinelli, Gaetano M.; Gatti, Mauro

doi:10.4468/2001.2.04golinelli.gatti

Cited by 27 publications

(13 citation statements)

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“…The Viable systems approach (VSA) is a systems theory highly diffused in Italian cultural community in last decade. It is a theory rooted in system thinking, or rather it may well be intended as an interpretation key useful for the observation of complex phenomena, based upon system theory, focused to the analysis of relationships among socio-economic entities, in search for viable interacting conditions (Golinelli, 2000;Barile, 2000;Golinelli et al, 2001). Among the pillars of system theories are the concept of open and closed systems (von Bertalanffy, 1972), as well as socio-technical systems (Emery and Trist, 1960), the law of requisite variety (Ashby, 1958), viable systems model (Beer, 1984) and systems dynamics (Forrester, 2003).…”

Section: Systems Theory and Service Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The VSA, which has become increasingly prominent in Italian academic thought in the past decade, is a useful means of interpreting complex phenomena. Based upon system theory, VSA focuses on the analysis of relationships among socio-economic entities in search of viable interacting conditions (Golinelli, 2000;Barile, 2000;Golinelli et al, 2001). In general, system theory replaces a teleological perspective with the notion of "goal seeking and self controlling behavior [through a] complex of interacting components" (von Bertalanffy, 1962).…”

Section: Background To Viable Systems Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The 'viable system model' (VSM), from which the VSA is derived, has been used extensively as a conceptual tool for understanding system organisations, redesigning them (where appropriate), and supporting the management of change considering its essential function of Implementation, Coordination, Control, Intelligence and Policy (Beer, 1972;Espejo and Harnden, 1989;Espejo, 1999;Christopher, 2007). VSA is thus a methodological framework that is capable of analysing a system's development, adjustment, transformation, restructuring, and redefinition (Golinelli et al, 2001).…”

Section: Background To Viable Systems Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Smart Service Systems and Viable Service Systems: Applying Systems Theory to Service Science

2010

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he objective of this paper is to review recent developments in service theory and systems theory with a view to identifying common features between the two. In particular, the study explores the issue of whether so-called 'smart service systems' can be understood in terms of the 'viable systems approach' of systems theory. The paper begins with a review of recent developments in service theory by examining the fundamental principles of service-dominant logic (S-D logic) and service science (SS). The similarities and differences of the two are explored, with particular emphasis on the common feature of the service system. The study then moves to the realm of systems theory by exploring the main proposals of the viable systems approach (VSA), which is an interdisciplinary systems theory that includes elements derived from resource-based theory, biology, sociology, and mechanics. The paper then draws together service theory and systems theory by examining whether 'smart service systems' can be best understood in terms of 'viable service systems'. The most important finding of the study is that the VSA provides valuable insights into the design and management of smart service systems, especially with regard to harmonisation, systems governance, and successful value co-creation processes.

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Section: Systems Theory and Service Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Background To Viable Systems Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Background To Viable Systems Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Smart Service Systems and Viable Service Systems: Applying Systems Theory to Service Science

2010

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“…Complexity meant the emergence of "always new scenarios that make the developments of events in time unpredictable" (Rullani, 2011, pp. 225-242), which has extended the number and frequency that adverse events can affect the viability of the business system (Golinelli, 2005). Here, then, is looming sustainability (Brown, 1981;Wilson, 2003;Savitz & Weber, 2006;Crane & Matten, 2007;Quaddus & Siddique, 2011;Carroll & Buchholtz, 2014;Benn, Dunphy, & Griffiths, 2014), for an evolving dynamic enterprise characterized by conditions of harmony and resonance with the external environment.…”

Section: Role Of Sustainability In Investment Projectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Institutional Investors in the Evolutionary Dynamics of Agro-food Enterprises

2015

CBR

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The research topic is the one of public finance company whose core business is focused to support investment projects to overcome enterprises technological and structural gap. The research question is: If and how a public finance company is able to create and favor value creation processes sustainability for agro-food enterprises, highlighting the positive emerging externalities for different categories of stakeholders. They have results with particular evidences allow comparisons between the private investments and the support of institutional public investors. In such perspective, the mode of disbursement of soft loans and investment operations made by a public financing company will be examined. The methodological approach used, following a deductive-inductive perspective, is based on the case study. Such technique able to formulate theories about a little known phenomena in their context, allows the study of recent events on which the researcher has little control. To this, a qualitative analysis on both primary and secondary data adds. From data analysis, it resulted that the Institute of Agribusiness Development (ISA) initiatives facilitated, just for example, the technological innovation of production department and consequent production capacity, the acquisition of production assets for row material processing and optimization of internal logistics, through an innovative automated warehouse. As a result, the case study finds sustainability at multiple levels reached by the activities promoted by ISA and the subsequent co-creation of value for stakeholders involved, small agro-food businesses innovation, and/or internationalization processes. As long as practical implications are concerned, such highlight the importance and the need for public and private institutions in their effort to continue to invest in projects to support the economy of the country. The originality of the paper lies in the proposed interpretation of more integrative paradigms (viable system approach, sustainability, and, value creation), analyzing a financial institution for the development of the Italian food industry. At the same time, authors stress the research limit that is the analysis of the input of only one organization and consequent limited data in quantity and time span.

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“…Therefore, even though there are blurred borders, there is a comprehensive entity including the different stakeholders, an absorbing entity, which comprises supra-systems with shared characteristics, for example, suppliers specialized in the production of a given component [101].…”

Section: Implications and Conclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inside Out: Organizations as Service Systems Equipped with Relational Boundaries

Garrido

Grimaldi

Maione

et al. 2017

Systems

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Currently, literature on organizational boundaries is at the center of a heated debate, characterized by a shift from a transactional approach to a broader immaterial perspective centered on the concept of boundless organizations. However, the overestimation of the effects of contemporary dematerialization on business processes can lead to the progressive neglect of the existence of corporate borders. In light of this consideration, the present work aims at proposing a new type of criterion for defining organizational boundaries, halfway between the conception of the firm's total openness and total closure. To this end, the authors envisage the use of a new interpretive logic defined as "relational", resulting from the specification of the systemic view (and as the sum of the logic underlying the viable systems approach (VSA)). This approach views the definition of boundaries. Therefore, in the large and intricate scenery of the studies dedicated to organizational boundaries, this work contributes to a better understanding of border selection as an interactive and changeable process capable of pushing organizations towards a greater awareness of their strategic dimension. This paper also offers some insights for future research, suggesting that both scholars and professionals investigate, firstly, new frontiers for the identification of organizational boundaries and, secondly, the possible positive repercussions that new organizational redesign modes could determine for a greater competitive success.

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The Firm as a Viable System

Cited by 27 publications

References 1 publication

Smart Service Systems and Viable Service Systems: Applying Systems Theory to Service Science

Smart Service Systems and Viable Service Systems: Applying Systems Theory to Service Science

The Role of Institutional Investors in the Evolutionary Dynamics of Agro-food Enterprises

Inside Out: Organizations as Service Systems Equipped with Relational Boundaries

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