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The viability and sustainability approach to support organisational resilience: Learning in a recent case study in the health sector

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  • Angela M. Espinosa
  • Jon Walker
  • Kartikae Grover
  • Maya V. Vachkova

Abstract

In the context of ongoing global pandemics and political and economic instability, supporting public health organisations to improve their performance and develop their resilience is becoming a central issue in the organisational resilience research agenda. This paper offers a briefing on the viability and sustainability (v&s) approach and provides an example of application of the self‐transformation methodology (STM) at the breast care unit in an English Health Trust. The way of conducting the systemic application, the chosen methodology and tools and the way of interacting with the clients all exhibit the aspects of holistic flexibility. The paper demonstrates how the v&s approach and the STM enabled the collective identification of more effective policies and strategies for improving individual and organisational effectiveness for this health service unit, when interacting with a complex and changing environment. It also discusses the potential for adapting and replicating the approach across the healthcare sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Angela M. Espinosa & Jon Walker & Kartikae Grover & Maya V. Vachkova, 2023. "The viability and sustainability approach to support organisational resilience: Learning in a recent case study in the health sector," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(4), pages 689-700, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:srbeha:v:40:y:2023:i:4:p:689-700
    DOI: 10.1002/sres.2951
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wolfgang Lassl, 2019. "The Viability of Organizations Vol. 1," Springer Books, Springer, number 978-3-030-12014-6, March.
    2. Espinosa, Angela & Walker, J., 2013. "Complexity management in practice: A Viable System Model intervention in an Irish eco-community," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 225(1), pages 118-129.
    3. Lowe, David & Espinosa, Angela & Yearworth, Mike, 2020. "Constitutive rules for guiding the use of the viable system model: Reflections on practice," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 287(3), pages 1014-1035.
    4. Espinosa, Angela & Reficco, Ezequiel & Martínez, Andrea & Guzmán, David, 2015. "A methodology for supporting strategy implementation based on the VSM: A case study in a Latin-American multi-national," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 240(1), pages 202-212.
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    6. Wolfgang Lassl, 2019. "The Viability of Organizations Vol. 2," Springer Books, Springer, number 978-3-030-16473-7, March.
    7. repec:bla:pmomgt:v:28:y:2008:i:1:p:7-9 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. John Seddon & Carlton Brand, 2008. "Debate: Systems Thinking and Public Sector Performance," Public Money & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(1), pages 7-9, February.
    9. Espinosa, A. & Harnden, R. & Walker, J., 2008. "A complexity approach to sustainability - Stafford Beer revisited," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 187(2), pages 636-651, June.
    10. David Lowe & Louise Martingale & Mike Yearworth, 2016. "Guiding interventions in a multi-organisational context: combining the Viable System Model and Hierarchical Process Modelling for use as a Problem Structuring Method," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 67(12), pages 1481-1495, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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