This is the second volume in the Managing The Complex series. Whereas volume one comprised chapters contributed by a number of different authors this, the second volume was composed by a single author Maurice Yolles of the School of Business Information, Liverpool John Moores University, UK.
In the introduction to the series we are told that the author:
… attempts to develop a comprehensive theory of social collectives as complex systems. Not only has he utilized ideas and frameworks already familiar to complex system researchers, but he has also incorporated other perspectives (such as third order cybernetics, viable systems theory and social constructivism, as a few examples) some of which the reader may not already be aware of, and some of which the reader may be surprised to learn are not disparate and disconnected.
The book is set out into the author's preface, a comprehensive introduction and the five parts: fundamentals; complex organizations; knowledge and cybernetics; the cybernetics of communication; and social behavior.
Under these headings there are 16 chapters arranged in a structured format. Where necessary most have an introduction to the chapter contents and a useful summary at the end. Notes, references and an index are also included.
The publishers summarise the contribution they believe the book will make. They say that it:
… develops a cybernetics theory of the organisation as a complex autonomous and self‐organizing, self‐creating social community, and in so doing it will set the scene to discuss a variety of aspects of organizational and social processes and forms that arise from a systemic view.
Readers will agree that this book will also deliver an appreciation of the nature and use of information, knowledge and intelligence to assist the management of social communities. It will make a worthy contribution to the Managing the Complex series which is an ongoing one that has much to offer cyberneticians, systemists and management scientists.
A full review of Professor Yolles book will appear in a future issue of this journal.
