Title: The end of control

Authors: Camilo Olaya

Addresses: Departamento de Ingenieria Industrial, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota, Colombia

Abstract: The role of control in assuring viability is addressed in this paper by comparing two frameworks: cybernetics and evolutionary theory. As a result, the foundation of the Viable System Model is highlighted and criticised because of its characterisation of learning as an instructional (Lamarckian) process which is incompatible with present biology. Consequently, the isomorphism that sustains organisational cybernetics is disproved since its supporting mapping is inaccurate. However, an alternative can be suggested based on the very end of control but reframed in a selectionist logic which brings further considerations for both the foundations and the development of organisational cybernetics.

Keywords: organisational cybernetics; VSM; viable system model; control; viability; evolution; learning; information; instruction; selection; evolutionary theory; selectionist logic.

DOI: 10.1504/IJASS.2008.022799

International Journal of Applied Systemic Studies, 2008 Vol.2 No.1/2, pp.127 - 145

Published online: 26 Jan 2009 *

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