Responsibility of corporations: organisational values, formal norms and managerial competencies

Abstract

A generic cultural socio-cognitive theory of a plural agency is developed, which includes 'responsibility'. Interaction between social viable systems, i.e., normative personalities, is modelled. The general definitions of the terms 'responsible' and 'responsibility' imply that there is an action-outcome-consequence relation. Consequently, for modelling cybernetic systems there is need to address issues related to: reasons for action, actual actions taken, outcomes, observation of outcomes, assessment of outcomes, reconsideration and perhaps modification of earlier action. All action has outcomes: a direct effect (performance), side effects, and effects on other agencies. Thus, there is need to integrate into social viable systems models: 1) mutual interdependencies; 2) issues related to dependence on resources; 3) competition for resources; 4) impact on other's resources. The theory will provide guidance for analysis of interaction effects between agencies within their resource environments.