Chapter 6: A Theory of the Organization

In socially complex situations it is useful to have a theory of the social collective to enable problems to be structured and processes of change managed. This can involve structuring an inquirer’s perceptions about what to look for, identifying what information will be useful to provide understanding about what is happening, identifying the possibilities/ potential for action in certain spheres of interest, and conceptualizing the possible consequences of these actions.

Problem structuring can be aided if one has a good theory of the organization, one that is able to: (i) effectively identify, describe, explain and evaluate problem situations, and thereby (ii) indicate how intervention strategies can be created, developed and applied. While there may be many theories of the organization, our attention will be directed only to three systemic theories that will be related one to another. In line with the interests of this book, they have been selected because of their connection with viability and culture. In developing a relationship between them, we shall also create a basis for the knowledge based social theory of SVS.