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The Viable Systems Approach and its Contribution to the Analysis of Sustainable Business Behaviors
Author(s) -
Barile Sergio,
Saviano Marialuisa,
Iandolo Francesca,
Calabrese Mario
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
systems research and behavioral science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1099-1743
pISSN - 1092-7026
DOI - 10.1002/sres.2318
Subject(s) - reductionism , sustainability , interpretation (philosophy) , proposition , viable system model , process (computing) , systems thinking , process management , perspective (graphical) , computer science , management science , key (lock) , through the lens metering , systems theory , business , knowledge management , economics , epistemology , lens (geology) , engineering , artificial intelligence , ecology , philosophy , computer security , petroleum engineering , cybernetics , biology , programming language , operating system
This paper aims to propose the contribution of adopting a systemic perspective to researching sustainability in terms of inclusivity and holistic view, going beyond the limitations of a reductionist approach. Among the different systemic approaches, the methodological lens proposed herein is the one of the Viable Systems Approach, according to which sustainability, which can be seen as a process that is dynamic and changing over time, is linked to the notion of systemic viability and connected to some of the most relevant key concepts of Viable Systems Approach. Through the proposition of the conceptual model of ‘The Viable Systems Cycle’, the authors intend to propose a different approach to the analysis and interpretation of sustainability that concerns the relationship among efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability itself and the way they orient and influence sustainable business behaviors. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.