Schwaninger, Markus

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BOOK REVIEWJose´ Pe´rez Rı´os: Disen˜o y Diagno´stico de OrganizacionesViables: Un enfoque siste´micoIberfora, Valladolid, 2008Markus SchwaningerPublished online: 28 May 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2009Jose´ Pe´rez Rı´os’ ‘‘Disen˜o y Diagno´stico de Organizaciones Viables—Un enfoque sist-e´mico’’ is most welcome in this turbulent age when so many firms are struggling for theirsurvival. With this book, Pe´rez Rı´os proposes to improve the general knowledge of theViable System Model (VSM)1 on the one hand and to provide a guide for its deploymenton the other.What has been lacking is a coherent operationalization of the model, with a method-ology for its application. In the wake of the original works of Beer, several significantmethodological contributions have emerged that present the model in a more compact way(e.g., Espejo et al. 1996; Tu¨rke 2008; Schwaninger 2009). Pe´rez Rı´os’ book, however, goesfurther. It is the first primer which enables both understanding and adequate application ina comprehensive way. The author presents the model at sufficient analytical depth to helpthe reader attain a familiarity that goes well beyond a shallow acquaintance with Beer’sideas. And he furnishes something which has been hardly available until now: a set ofmethods and procedures which facilitate model use.In the first chapter, a concise introduction of Organizational Cybernetics and a detaileddescription of the VSM are provided. The author builds on the graphic language developedby Beer, and sometimes extended by his followers (see, e.g., Espejo and Harnden 1989).However, he also finds inventive and rich ways of handling graphic representation, e.g.,three-dimensionally and in colors, to convey new views on the model. These innovationshopefully will stimulate comprehension and adequate utilization of the VSM.In Chap. 2, a methodology for a VSM-based diagnosis and design of any organization ispresented. Four main stages are distinguished for the process of a respective study, relatedto identity, vertical and horizontal dimensions of structure, and the coherence of recursionlevels. Each of these stages is elaborated thoroughly, with the requisite analytical detailingto orientate a correct deployment of the model.M. Schwaninger (&)University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerlande-mail: markus.schwaninger@unisg.ch1 The VSM is a powerful conceptual framework for the diagnosis and design of organizations, developed byStafford Beer (1979, 1981, 1985).123Syst Pract Action Res (2009) 22:351–352DOI 10.1007/s11213-009-9131-2Chapter 3 comes as a corollary of Chap. 2. It analyzes organizational pathologies bymeans of the VSM. A wealth of structural, functional as well as information and com-munication-related pathologies are set forth. The complexity problem in this context ismastered by resort to ideal-types, which are characterized most skillfully and named withcatchy terms (e.g., ‘‘headless bird’’, ‘‘autopoietic beast’’). In this chapter, the link betweendiagnosis and design is made explicit: A pathology must be elicited so that an effectivetreatment can be prescribed.The success of methodologies in the field of management appears to be linked to theavailability of ‘‘cool’’ software to support applications. In the past no such device wasavailable for the VSM. In Chap. 4, Pe´rez Rı´os presents VSMod, a software packagewhich he developed at the University of Valladolid, his academic base. VSMod has beenunder testing for several years, and is relatively mature now. As a recent demonstrationexperienced by this reviewer showed, it is robust, conveniently designed and equipped withconvincing features. This software is already being used in different projects, and itpromises to be a strong lever for coping with the complexities of organizational studies.In order to enhance the productive interaction of agents and the coherence of organi-zations, Stafford Beer developed a protocol called Team Syntegrity (Beer 1994). Aimed atthe synergy of teams and inspired by Buckminster Fuller’s concept of Tensile Integrity,Beer’s intention has become a second pillar of Organizational Cybernetics. It was a goodidea for Pe´rez Rı´os to carefully describe the process of Team Syntegrity. Its presentation inChap. 5 is didactically splendid; it highlights a new design for organizations of the future.With this outstanding book, Jose´ Pe´rez Rı´os has endowed the community of all thoseinterested in organizational studies, and cyberneticians in particular, with a wonderful gift.First, the book is designed to convey a deep knowledge of the VSM. This aim is greatlyhelped by the crystal-clear argumentation. Second, it is the first complete blueprint thatteaches one how to proceed in carrying out a VSM-based diagnosis and design. Finally, itsinnovative approach to graphic presentation opens new vistas and will probably stimulatemore competent applications.Pe´rez Rı´os’ opus makes a timely appearance just now. It offers precisely the essentialknowledge and insights which an organizational expert must have in our day. I wish thisbook the broad dissemination it deserves.ReferencesBeer S (1979) The heart of enterprise. Wiley, ChichesterBeer S (1981) The brain of the firm. Wiley, ChichesterBeer S (1985) Diagnosing the system for organizations. Wiley, ChichesterBeer S (1994) Beyond dispute. The invention of team syntegrity. Wiley, ChichesterEspejo R, Harnden R (1989) The viable system model, interpretations and applications of Stafford Beer’sVSM. Wiley, ChichesterEspejo R, Schuhmann W, Schwaninger M, Bilello U (1996) Organizational transformation and learning. Acybernetic approach to management. Wiley, ChichesterSchwaninger M (2009) Intelligent organizations, 2nd edn. Powerful models for systemic management.Springer, BerlinTu¨rke R-E (2008) Governance. Systemic foundation and framework. Physika Verlag, Heidelberg352 Syst Pract Action Res (2009) 22:351–352123

José Pérez Ríos: Diseño y Diagnóstico de Organizaciones Viables: Un enfoque sistémico: Iberfora, Valladolid, 2008

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José Pérez Ríos: Diseño y Diagnóstico de Organizaciones Viables: Un enfoque sistémico: Iberfora, Valladolid, 2008

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