Organizational Transformation and Learning: A Cybernetic Approach to Management

Today′s managers are increasingly busy and less inclined than everto cope with difficult theoretical propositions. For this veryreason, the managers to whom this book will appear daunting are theones who have most to gain. This book aims to make their own jobs,and the organizations they work for, more satisfying and humane.There are no apologies for this circular argument. The theory uponwhich this book is based is a theory on managing complexity – thosewho make the effort to study it are likely to have a useful andvaluable learning experience. Organizational Transformation andLearning is more than theory in isolation. The ideas have beenworked out in practice to approach five fundamental issues:
∗ How can organizations cope with increasing environmentalcomplexity?
∗ How can they maintain viability and develop further at the sametime?
∗ How can organizational action become more effective?
∗ How can managers cope with increasing organizationalcomplexity?
∗ How can their action become more effective?
Given that complexity is the core issue for organizations to dealwith in the future, Organizational Transformation and Learningshows in theory and practice how organizational and managerialcybernetics can contribute to dealing with this core issue. Itprovides a framework to relate and organize the myriad activitiescommon to contemporary business. The book will change the reader′sappreciation of their role in the organization and make each actionmore effective. In plain terms, the authors believe thatorganizational transformation begins with individualtransformation, and intend that this book will encourage thatindividual transformation.

ISSUES FOR TODAY′S ORGANIZATIONS.
Organization Structure.
Transformation.
A LANGUAGE FOR EFFECTIVE ACTION IN ORGANIZATIONS.
Basic Notions.
Effective Action in an Organizational Context.
Giving Requisite Variety to Management: A Discussion Based on theViable System Model.
Organizational Learning.
The Cybernetics of Individual and Organizational Learning.
RECURSIVE MANAGEMENT.
Enabling Systemic Management.
Primary Processes and Information Management.
Management and Meta–Management.
Conclusion.
Bibliography.
Index.