Purpose

The consequences of human social irresponsibility urge socially responsible reactions. The authors expose the consequences of socially irresponsible behaviour and state possible requisitely holistic tools to eliminate organisations’ dangerous and socially irresponsible behaviour. This paper aims to examine how the viable system model (the VSM) used as a diagnostic tool can help organisations support socially responsible behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Given the variety of systems methodologies, the authors selected the VSM as a key methodological tool of Organizational Cybernetics. A case-study approach is used to demonstrate the power of the VSM as a diagnostic tool.

Findings

Humans need to replace recklessness and selfishness by faster re-orientation towards a socially responsible society. By following the cybernetic circle of the preparation and implementation of the management process and practising social responsibility via the VSM, organisations can conduct socially responsible business operations for a socially responsible society. Respecting the pluralist nature of social responsibility and a limited framework of the VSM, the VSM analysis needs to be supported by interpretive systems approaches, such as Strategic Assumptions Surfacing and Testing (SAST).

Research limitations/implications

The presented study’s limitation is the case study of a selected organisation from Europe. The discussion could be relevant to each organisation, which is observed as a viable system. The insights gained with this case study can be broadened by empirical research involving diverse organisations from various countries.

Practical implications

Research results indicate socially irresponsible behaviours of the researched organisation and possible ways of overcoming them. The cybernetic circle of the preparation and implementation of socially responsible management processes through the VSM offers a possible path towards more social responsibility in organisations. Moreover, the VSM should be used in combination with interpretive systems approaches, such as SAST.

Social implications

The generality of the VSM indicates that decision-makers could use the VSM for diagnosing socially irresponsible behaviour in organisations and for redesigning organisations to help develop a more socially responsible society.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to a cybernetic framework and methodological support to social responsibility. This study could serve as an essential starting point for organisations wishing to take further steps towards social responsibility.

中文翻译：

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可行的系统模型对社会责任的支持

目的

人类社会不负责任的后果促使人们对社会负责。作者揭露了社会不负责任行为的后果，并阐明了可能必要的整体工具，以消除组织的危险和社会不负责任的行为。本文旨在研究用作诊断工具的可行系统模型（VSM）如何帮助组织支持对社会负责的行为。

设计/方法/方法

鉴于系统方法论的多样性，作者选择了VSM作为组织控制论的关键方法论工具。案例研究方法用于证明VSM作为诊断工具的功能。

发现

人类需要通过更快地重新定位为对社会负责的社会，来代替鲁ck和自私。通过遵循管理过程的准备和实施的控制论圈，并通过VSM履行社会责任，组织可以为对社会负责的社会开展对社会负责的业务运营。尊重社会责任的多元化性质和VSM的有限框架，VSM分析需要以解释性系统方法（例如战略假设浮出水面和测试（SAST））来支持。

研究局限/意义

本研究的局限性是某欧洲组织的案例研究。讨论可能与每个组织相关，这被视为一个可行的系统。通过涉及来自不同国家的不同组织的实证研究，可以拓宽从本案例研究中获得的见解。

实际影响

研究结果表明，所研究组织的社会不负责任的行为以及克服这些行为的可能方法。通过VSM准备和实施对社会负责的管理流程的控制论圈，为企业提高社会责任提供了一条可能的途径。此外，VSM应该与解释性系统方法（例如SAST）结合使用。

社会影响

VSM的普遍性表明，决策者可以使用VSM诊断组织中对社会不负责任的行为，并重新设计组织以帮助发展对社会负责的社会。

创意/价值

该文件有助于建立控制论框架，并为社会责任提供了方法论上的支持。对于希望采取进一步措施实现社会责任的组织而言，这项研究可以作为一个重要的起点。