ORGANIZATIONAL CYBERNETICS AS A METHODOLOGICAL PLATFORM FOR AUTHORSHIP AND AGENCY IN MANAGEMENT – REFLECTIONS ON A CASE STUDY OF ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE.

This paper explores the potential of a cybernetic methodology as a platform to facilitate authorship and agency through the review of the linear analysis of one intervention. This work suggests the use of the Viable System Model to induce awareness and the participative construction of a mental model and organizational discourse; aimed to facilitate the management function and the adaptation processes of the organization. Improvements in the decision-making process of the case study after the introduction of the VSM suggest its effectiveness for this purpose. Also, this research suggests a lack of well-documented meta-languages in management

Design and implementation of a Sustainability Initiative from the "Institutional Middle": Reflections on the organizational conditions for it to thrive or fail

This paper explores the organizational, structural, conditions for the “institutional middle” to thrive in the implementation of sustainability efforts in a High Education Institution. This work combines participant observation and case study techniques, together with linear analysis concepts from Organizational Cybernetics and literature on campus sustainability to analyze the organizational conditions that affect the institutional middle’s potential for success/failure in the implementation of sustainability initiatives in a private small university. The empowerment and recognition of autonomy of faculty and staff are found to be critical for the successful conception and implementation of sustainability initiatives. However, such effectiveness depends on the provision and emergence of adequate organizational structures to guarantee the resilience and viability initiatives born from the “institutional middle”. The case study provides evidence of how the institutional middle can affect the top-down management for both the management of environmental issues in campus and the development of contextualized academic programs. The case study suggests a cost-effective, efficient and high-impact method to design and implement sustainability initiatives in universities. The case study provides evidence of the impact of adequate organizational structures supporting initiatives from faculty and staff. The organizational cybernetic approach proves to be useful to understand (sustainability) entrepreneurship in the institutional mi

Analysis of the effects of Brexit on the UK’s ability to achieve the climate change acts target 2030

Purpose: This paper evaluates the UK’s departure from the European Union (EU) and how this will influence the emissions output. Methodological approach: Relationships between emissions and empirical generalizations related to the UK’s departure from the EU were detected through an extensive literature review adopting an inductive approach. The delphi methodology was used to collect the opinion of experts via semi structured interviews from where themes were identified with the use of Nvivo. Finally, a triangulation was made by synthesizing the qualitative data with the literature to determine the impacts of the UK’s departure from the EU on emissions. Findings: The work provides evidence that the UK’s decisions to leave the EU will have multiple detrimental long-term consequences to the achievability of the fifth carbon budget. Research limitation: This study considers the opinion of a limited group of experts and consequently, more in depth research is required to better assess the wider range of variables and perspectives affecting the current decision making process and policy related with the UK’s environmental commitments Originality and value: Under the actual eclectic dynamic surrounding the Brexit, a plethora of distorted empirical studies addressing its consequences have emerged. This work provides a comprehensive overview of a largely understudied set of opinions and analysis of possible consequences Brexit poses. This paper opens a debate and invites new perspectives to be included to an increasingly neglected contemporary issue, and contributes as a reference for the future discussion of environmental policy in the UK. Key Words: Collaboration, Legislation, Emissions, Investment, Climate change target 2030, sustainability Research Pape

La Problematica Ambiental y los Centros de Desarrolo Academico

This article is presented as the second part of the one published on Issue 10 of Poliantea: Environmental Review and Management Problem. Here, we review specific environmental management undertaken by the universities since its inception in 1950, along with its commitments and partnerships that were consolidated over time. The study shows conceptions and events of environmental culture in the different institutions of higher education, its interest in the processes of training in the subject and social responsibility as centers of generation of solutions to the problems of global environmental degradation. Finally, it includes a picture sequence of initiatives and events organized by universities since the fifties. It aims to show the importance of the various actions and accomplishments of the different university communities regarding environmental issues

Effects due to a scalar coupling on the particle-antiparticle production in the Duffin-Kemmer-Petiau theory

The Duffin-Kemmer-Petiau formalism with vector and scalar potentials is used to point out a few misconceptions diffused in the literature. It is explicitly shown that the scalar coupling makes the DKP formalism not equivalent to the Klein-Gordon formalism or to the Proca formalism, and that the spin-1 sector of the DKP theory looks formally like the spin-0 sector. With proper boundary conditions, scattering of massive bosons in an arbitrary mixed vector-scalar square step potential is explored in a simple way and effects due to the scalar coupling on the particle-antiparticle production and localization of bosons are analyzed in some detail

Las PYMES Bogotanas y sus Procesos de internacionalizacion. Un Primer Balance.

Este artículo realiza un primer balance sobre las pymes en general y las de base tecnológica en particular, en cuanto a su internacionalización en el caso de Bogotá en años recientes (2000-2007). Revisa el estado actual de la pyme en Colombia y luego discute la bibliografía relacionada con este tema

Structural factors affecting the implementation of rainwater in the amazon. The case of Belem.

Purpose: This paper analyses the socio-political structural elements that influence the implementation of rainwater systems in Belem (Brazil). Methodological approach: The paper presents an explorative research based on the application of Social Network Analysis. Interviews were made to experts in the field and the data was codad and analyzed. A stakeholders map was made to summarize the information collected and visualize the identified factors Findings: The key finding is based on the identification of key players and issues in the implementation of rainwater systems; the absence of interaction with some of them and the canalization of decision making powers in few agencies. Research limitations: The scope of the study is limited to the region analyzed and consequently is context specific. Due to the limitations of the data collection in the field the full potential of SNA could not be explored in this analysis. Implications: The paper makes evident some of the redundancies in the management of water in the region. Also it makes evident issues related with lack of inclusion in the decision making process and planning for the implementation of rainwater systems in the region. In this sense, the paper can inform policy for the planning of the further expansion in the implementation of this source of clean water. Originality and value: This istudy if is the first of its kind in the region. The use of methods to map stakeholders and visualize the relations of influence, as well as the identification of previously unseen key actors is a contribution of great value for the planning of further expansion in the implementation of ain water systems in the region

Facilitating self-organisation in non-hierarchical communities: A methodology for regeneration programs

This paper presents a case study about a non-hierarchical community developing an independent regeneration project. From the beginning of this 10 years project, operational groups have worked on a self-organized and non-hierarchical approach but they have experienced tensions and difficulties in achieving their goals. In the recent years, some noticeable improvements have been apparent and the case study analysis suggests that the ongoing cybernetic (VSM) intervention has facilitated a more effective path to self-organization, as well as creating a more robust context in which to allow for the emergence of innovative organizational structures

The viable system model as a framework to guide organisational adaptive response in times of instability and change

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the convenience of the Viable System Model (VSM) as a framework to guide organisational adaptive response and resilience in times of instability and change. Design/methodology/approach A thought experiment based on the case study of an eco-village where a project based on action research was conducted following the introduction of the VSM. Findings This paper provides evidence of the efficacy of the VSM and its recursive structure to facilitate resilience and organisational adaptation and provides evidence of its advantages over conventional management tools to deal with uncertainty in complex environments. Research limitations/implications Based on a case study, the scope of this paper is limited and context specific. The comparison of tools is also limited to the ones related to the allocation of resources aiming to provide resilience, viability and adaptive response to critical events, used by the observed community. Practical implications The case study invites to revisit and discuss the fitness of conventionally used management tools to cope with complexity – from an organisational perspective. Originality/value This paper invites to a reflection on the nature of dominant management tools used in contemporary management to cope with complexity. This paper provides insights on the value of organisational cybernetics and its capability to guide organisations in times of instability and change while facilitating resilience and adaptation through the management of variety

The efficient governance of sport management: The sui-generis case study of INDER (Medellin – Colombia): top-down and Bottom-up design of viable and efficient structures for sport management based on grassroots initiatives, co-design and co-management.

Medellin is well known internationally for its turbulent and violent past since the early 80s to the middle 90’s due to the incidence and operation of drug cartels, placing the city as one of the most violent in the world. Surprisingly, since the mid-90s a radical change in the behaviour of the city and its international ranking and perception started to happen due to the adoption and effective implementation of an urban model based in principles of sustainability (sustainable cities as described in the late 90s) and the host of the Pan-American Games for which the city council provided resources to develop cutting edge sport infrastructure. Since then, the city administration has been coherent with the master plan of sustainability and sport as mechanism of inclusiveness and citizenship making unique this city in the national context. Participative design and decision making processes where implemented since the beginning of this strategy, ending with the implementation and development of the present infrastructure comprising 13 top-end multipurpose sport facilities distributed in a ring around the city; which design was made via co-design practices with the local communities and which administration – yet centralized by the INDER – incorporates big-data analysis allowing users to enjoy free of charge any sport facility in the city; while providing key information to coaches and administrators for the early identification of talent unfolding the respective supportive activities. The result of this master plan and design is evident in terms of medals (world championships and Olympic events: BMX, Weightlifting, Cycling, and Skating, among others). The VSM is used in this case study to understand the structural characteristic that provided this management design with resilience, coherence and stability over the last decade making it a global referent for sport management in developing countries