Complex and Dynamical Social Network Analysis as a Tool to Support a Sustainable Organizational Design and Management Process

Abstract

In the Viable System Approach, the firm and its environment form a complex system, modelled as a network of networks. This paper explores how some tools coming from the research on Complex Networks are applicable to the firm and its environment in the context of Business Development Plan. A brief survey of the main concepts underlying the Viable System Approach (VSA) and of the very last results attained in the Complex Network Theory (CNT) is presented, focusing on the results regarding the dynamical processes on Complex Networks. Some correspondence between the main entities in the two frameworks will be derived, to highlight the possible contribution of CNT to the government and the management of the firm as a Viable System. This paper doesn't expect to be exhaustive because of the topic complexity and the still ongoing research's work. In the business case, the Social Network Analysis tools are applied into the business reengineering process.