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Application of Viable System Model in Diagnosis of Organizational Structure

Author

Listed:
  • Zeinab Rezaee

    (Tarbiat Modares University)

  • Adel Azar

    (Tarbiat Modares University)

  • Abbas Moghbel Ba Erz

    (Tarbiat Modares University)

  • Mahmoud Dehghan Nayeri

    (Tarbiat Modares University)

Abstract

A well-designed organizational structure is a cornerstone of achieving an organization’s goals while suiting the environmental challenges. Structural design models must be built in such a way as to understand the inherent complexity of the environment as well as that of stakeholders’ relationships. The viable system model (VSM), which is rooted in Organizational Cybernetics, is capable of understanding external and internal complexities of organizations. This approach is an outline for diagnosing and designing organizational structure. The fundamental idea of the VSM is that the existence of specific systems and their relations can lead an organization toward viability and survivability. This study employed the VSM to diagnose the organizational structure of Iranian Construction Engineering Organization based on the proposed methodology that includes three steps: 1. system identification, 2. system diagnosis, and 3. other requirements for viability. Application of the proposed methodology demonstrated that a set of systems, information flows, and communication channels all have deficiencies within the organization, which must be amended in order to achieve the viability and ability to deal with the challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Zeinab Rezaee & Adel Azar & Abbas Moghbel Ba Erz & Mahmoud Dehghan Nayeri, 2019. "Application of Viable System Model in Diagnosis of Organizational Structure," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 32(3), pages 273-295, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:syspar:v:32:y:2019:i:3:d:10.1007_s11213-018-9454-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s11213-018-9454-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ali Azadeh & Kosar Darivandi Shoushtari & Mortezza Saberi & Ebrahim Teimoury, 2014. "An Integrated Artificial Neural Network and System Dynamics Approach in Support of the Viable System Model to Enhance Industrial Intelligence: The Case of a Large Broiler Industry," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(2), pages 236-257, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Francesca Iandolo & Pietro Vito & Francesca Loia & Irene Fulco & Mario Calabrese, 2021. "Drilling down the viable system theories in business, management and accounting: A bibliometric review," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(6), pages 738-755, November.
    2. Eissa Jabbarzadeh & Ebrahim Teimoury & Saeed Shavvalpour, 2023. "Application of viable system model in diagnosing defects and problems of the credit supply chain network in the Iranian banking industry," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(1), pages 101-145, January.
    3. Avinash Kumar Singh & Devendra Kumar Pathak & Sabyasachi Patra, 2023. "An integrated systems thinking approach for achieving sustainability in project‐based organizations," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(3), pages 501-535, May.
    4. Jacqueline Y. Sánchez-García & Juan E. Núñez-Ríos & Manuel Soto-Pérez & Pedro Pablo Cardoso-Castro & Alejandro Rodríguez-Magaña, 2020. "A Systems Science Approach to Inter-Organisational Complementarity in Tourism SMEs," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 33(1), pages 1-25, February.

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