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Paradigmatic metamorphosis and organizational development
Author(s) -
Yolles Maurice,
Guo Kaijun
Publication year - 2003
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.533
Subject(s) - cybernetics , viable system model , soft systems methodology , transformational leadership , systems theory , frame (networking) , action (physics) , set (abstract data type) , management science , computer science , sociology , epistemology , knowledge management , process management , management , artificial intelligence , information system , engineering , economics , management information systems , philosophy , telecommunications , physics , electrical engineering , quantum mechanics , programming language
Paradigms metamorphose when they develop a new frame of reference. Two examples of paradigmatic metamorphosis are examined that together can be argued to formulate an evolutionary approach to managerial cybernetics. Organization Development (OD) is a well‐established soft methodology used extensively to engineer cultural change in organizations. OD can be set within Viable Systems Theory (VST), itself a conceptual development of the managerial cybernetic theory that underlies the Viable Systems Model (VSM). To illustrate this, a frame of reference is created that looks at systemic transformational processes. VST can operate as a general framework for this within which OD, VSM, and indeed the principles of Habermas's theory of communicative action can be embedded. A result of this exploration is to show how a managerial cybernetic form of OD can be developed to improve the way organizations can be diagnosed in complex change situations that must be managed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.