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The Viable System Model: Interpretations and Applications of Stafford Beer's VSM
A primer and casebook on the theory and practice of Stafford Beer's Viable System Model (VSM). Explains the VSM model, and demonstrates how it works. Case studies show practical applications of the VSM model, including discussion of implementation issues.
Hardcover
First published September 8, 1989
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July 6, 2024
The Viable System Model is a collection of essays about different interpretations and applications of Stafford Beer's eponymous cybernetic tool for effective organization. These essays were collected by the editors, cybernetic scholars Raúl Espejo y Roger Harnden. The book is divided in four parts, namely: Concepts, Applications of the VSM, Methodology and Epistemology and Critical Views of the VSM.
The first part (Concepts) is a rehash of the theoretical underpinnings and structure of the model. This moves on to the second part, which is, in my view, the most interesting one. In it, there are 7 essays that contain case studies of practical applications of the VSM. For example: mapping the organization of a beehive, describing the complex organization of TV broadcast in the USA or managing change in a Swedish paper holding company, to name a few. From there on, the remaining essays are of a theoretical sort that I'm afraid would only entertain those keen on scholarly debate and argument. Although the exception to that would be a couple of articles that give voice to the criticism that some scholars in systems theory gave to Beer's VSM. I thought those essays were excellent in providing an alternative viewpoint and enriching the overall reading experience of the book. The sort of thing I would love to see more nowadays in publications of this type.
All in all, this title complements very well Beer's own works in that it gives additional viewpoints and concrete examples of how other people used the VSM. This, compounded by the addition of critical comments to his model, makes this book a solid candidate for any cybernetic-oriented library.
The first part (Concepts) is a rehash of the theoretical underpinnings and structure of the model. This moves on to the second part, which is, in my view, the most interesting one. In it, there are 7 essays that contain case studies of practical applications of the VSM. For example: mapping the organization of a beehive, describing the complex organization of TV broadcast in the USA or managing change in a Swedish paper holding company, to name a few. From there on, the remaining essays are of a theoretical sort that I'm afraid would only entertain those keen on scholarly debate and argument. Although the exception to that would be a couple of articles that give voice to the criticism that some scholars in systems theory gave to Beer's VSM. I thought those essays were excellent in providing an alternative viewpoint and enriching the overall reading experience of the book. The sort of thing I would love to see more nowadays in publications of this type.
All in all, this title complements very well Beer's own works in that it gives additional viewpoints and concrete examples of how other people used the VSM. This, compounded by the addition of critical comments to his model, makes this book a solid candidate for any cybernetic-oriented library.
Displaying 1 of 1 review