Role and contribution of formal models to governing: a heuristic

Abstract

PurposeThe paper aims to investigate the link between models and system results. It looks at fundamental principles underlying social activities and strives to understand the logical role of models in social governing. Based on these a heuristic is assembled enabling the recognition of the specific contribution formal models can provide for social contexts and also for recognizing the limitations that apply.Design/methodology/approachThe heuristic is developed based on first principles of systems theory and cybernetics with particular consideration of managerial cybernetics. It starts with the assumption that human cognition roots in an autopoietic process from which individual “realities” and Weltanschauungen evolve. Interaction then leads human actors to adopt social system notions through which they initiate and constantly reconcile the implementation of their commonly aspired purposes. With system structures, it is referred to how actors relate to each other in governing – which is a key to learning about what models can contribute. Therefore, the concept of system structure is derived from interaction and rooted in the social system notion distinguishing aspects of structural capacity that pre‐condition the implementation of desired social outcomes. Subsequently, a logical anatomy of system notions is revealed and expressed with a set of invariant systemic topics necessary when being addressed in governing.FindingsThe paper finds a heuristic for identifying the contribution formal models provide to the governance of social systems and recognition of the benefits and limitations specific models provide to governing. Conclusions are drawn on the pre‐conditions securing sustained organizational development through the application of formal models.Originality/valueThe heuristic assembled in this paper facilitates the harmonization and alignment of models in governance settings. The recognition of the role of models in social governing is identified as a logical pre‐condition of sustainable governance. The heuristic presented facilitates assessing and optimizing governing structures with respect to those pre‐conditions.