Viable Systems Approach Research Articles

Human–artificial intellectual capital…beyond a fragmented perspective

PurposeHuman and artificial intelligence has often been examined through competitive and oppositional lenses, which may no longer suffice in modern digital and knowledge-based societies. This paper advocates for a holistic perspective by integrating human and artificial intelligence within the conceptual framework of intellectual capital (IC).Design/methodology/approachEmploying a deductive approach rooted in systems theory, this study reinterprets established dimensions of IC for the era of artificial intelligence.FindingsDrawing inspiration from the Information Variety Model and the 4C Curve Model, both developed within the research framework of the Viable Systems Approach, a conceptual framework is proposed to transcend fragmented perspectives. It aims to provide researchers and practitioners with a comprehensive understanding of human–artificial intelligence relations within the realm of IC.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on the potential evolution of IC in the era of artificial intelligence by presenting a multidisciplinary framework that challenges reductionist perspectives. It underscores the importance of systems thinking in reframing, analyzing and discussing key dimensions of IC in the context of the artificial intelligence era.

Managerial and Organizational Implications Arising from the Implementation of Blockchain Technology in Supply Chains: An AS-IS and To-Be Analysis

Purpose: The main objective of this research is to highlight the managerial and organizational implications for businesses resulting from the implementation of blockchain logic and technologies. The functionalities of blockchain technologies are compared with the traditional approach to supply chain management to emphasize the impact they can have on managing intra-supply chain relationships and the organizational structure of companies involved in supply channels. Design/methodology/approach: To conduct this study, a conceptual study was carried out, starting from an analysis of the main characteristics of blockchain technologies, to build an AS-IS scenario compared with the TO-BE scenario resulting from the implementation of these technologies within supply chains. To conduct this study, conceptual categories of the viable system approach and process management perspective were utilized. The conceptual analysis was performed using a matrix representation, which correlates material, informational, and financial flows with the dimensions of traceability, transparency, and efficiency, before and after the implementation of blockchains in managing supply chain transactions. Findings: The study highlighted how the principles underlying blockchain can lead to overcoming the traditional indispensable search for trust among supply chain operators. Therefore, through these results, it is possible to hypothesize an improvement in the resilience conditions of companies operating in block–supply chains. Originality/value: This study contributes to investigating the relationship between blockchain and operational consonance among operators in managing interorganizational processes to improve conditions of efficiency, traceability, and transparency, which are functional in the resilience of companies involved in the supply chain compared to the changing dynamics of the context. Research implications: Trustless logic in the implementation of blockchain technologies leads to the configuration of a new concept of trust, connected to the entire supply chain system, as a result of the improvement in the security, visibility, and efficiency conditions of transactions. The increased visibility and transparency developed in block–supply chains prompt all actors involved in the supply chains to rethink information management, given the reduction in informational asymmetries and, thus, the optimization of transaction costs.

Fostering citizens’ engagement in smart city within digital era

Digital instruments, devices, and platforms are exerting a transformative influence on trends and dynamics within socio-economic assets. This evolution leads to the emergence of novel configurations, exemplified by the concept of Smart Cities. It is crucial to comprehend and effectively manage the associated challenges, risks, and opportunities to ensure the viability of socio-economic configurations. This necessitates a paradigm shift in managing and addressing the relationships that form the backbone of these configurations. Given the ongoing evolution in socio- economic landscapes, this paper zeroes in on the imperative to reassess established approaches to citizens’ engagement in Smart City within Digital Era. By centring attention on the domains of technology readiness and the digital gap, the paper introduces a conceptual model grounded in the interpretative framework provided by Viable Systems Approach. This model serves to delineate key pillars for reflection and action, guiding the exploration of new pathways and processes aimed at amplifying citizens’ engagement in Smart City within Digital Era.

Empowering service systems through Intelligence Augmentation (IA) in digital society

The paper explores the interpretative significance of relevance in the systemic qualification of “intelligence,” particularly in the context of Intelligence Augmentation (IA). Using the Viable System Approach (VSA) matrix, it delves into Informational Variety and Systemic Relevance to understand the incremental impact of AI in complex decision-making. The study reveals that, methodologically, the relevance of the viable system explains the synergistic collaboration between humans and machines, considering technology not just as an influential resource but also possessing structural criticality. “Intelligent” service systems, based on AI, transform into “wise” systems when components cooperate with technological resources. This interaction, rather than amplifying human capabilities, leads to cognitive enhancement, streamlining decision-making. The abstract emphasizes the incompleteness of current support systems, which focus solely on the quantitative aspect of information, suggesting that greater efficiency necessitates integrating human experiences, knowledge, and emotions. It underscores that the role of technology lies in how humans interact with it, and as technology becomes increasingly critical, algorithms will progressively shape AI decision-making processes. In summary, AI facilitates the transition of the business system from an intelligent to a wise configuration, integrating the rational component of AI with the emotional aspect of human intelligence.

Improving Access to High Pediatric Readiness Emergency Departments at US Trauma Centers—A Viable Systems Approach to Improve Pediatric Survival After Injury

Improving Access to High Pediatric Readiness Emergency Departments at US Trauma Centers—A Viable Systems Approach to Improve Pediatric Survival After Injury

The Low-Skilled Immigrants’ Integration Process: a Mathematical Analysis

Abstract In this manuscript, the authors analyze the problem of integrating the low-skilled immigrants by adopting both a quantitative methodology and the marketing perspective. More precisely, they propose a mathematical model aiming at describing the economic consequences of this phenomenon and, after that, try to frame it through the Service Science (SS), the Service Dominant Logic (SDL) and the Viably System approach (VSa). The authors point out actors, steps and outcome of an effective integration process. Their results are particularly useful for policy makers and experts in the field of migration flows management and integration. JEL classification numbers: C02; C61; E02. Keywords: Immigration, Marketing, Service Dominant Logic, Service Science, Viable System approach.

COMPLAINTS AS SUSTAINABLE ECOSYSTEMS SERVICES OF CO-CREATION VALUE

Complaints are, nowadays, a pressing and topical issue in the management of organizations. The purpose of this paper is investigate the complaints in a ecosystem approach to understanding the impact of the relationships, A4A, in the interconnected territories of collaborative strategy. Complaints are potential constructs that promote opportunities of co-created value. Complaints are the engine to make grow any responsible organization and to include actors to generate collaborative value constructed. With the proliferation of the use of new communicational tools, especially in social networks, in this new pandemic context, the role of the client is not limited to just being an actor. They are required to be a dynamic actor, to play an active and constructive role, to be a true co-creator of value, a promoter of new visions and an innovator of new practices in the service context as a systemic network. The relationships constellations A4A, the experiences, and the emotions involve value cocreation and collaborative strategy. Envision a new approach on people centricity (actor, client, stakeholder and supplier) perspective and not on the supplier's perspective by having the actor intervene in all phases of the relationship with the ecosystem. The topic is sustained by theoretical analysis and conceptual development of complaints and co-creation value supported by the S-D Logic (SDL) and Viable System Approach (VSA), Service Experience, Service ecosystem and Service interactions. One of the limitations of this study results from the lack of practical applicability in a service experience context, which surely would have been very relevant for us to obtain core inferences regarding the inclusion of complaints in an A4A management system. Future empirical research to open new strategic position of organizations in order to promote innovation and to maximize value co-creation in an ecosystem service.

Integrating Big Data Analytics, Systems Thinking and Viable Systems Approach Towards a Shift from Individual to Collective Intelligence and Collective Knowledge Systems

The growing complexity of social systems and the fast technology evolution make central the role of innovative information technologies in complex organisations geared towards collective intelligence processes among the various social actors and analytical tools. These are able to foster participants’ knowledge, manage the feedback through a holistic approach and, hence, shift organisations from a plurality of voices to an interactive intelligence representing the ultimate identity of the organisation itself. In this regard, this paper aims to offer a model for managing external and internal knowledge to support the viability of the organisation (system) in the longer term. The study adopts the interpretative lens provided by Systems Thinking, System Dynamics and Viable System Approach (vSa) to investigate the challenging domain of knowledge and information management for complex systems such as organisations. Therefore, a qualitative and interpretative approach has been chosen to reflect upon Big Data approaches and Collective Knowledge Systems (CKS), embracing a system perspective. The proposed conceptual model shows the crucial role played by the holistic managing of the external and internal knowledge that permits the alignment of the information variety of the organisation to the context and the entities that compose it in order to create harmonic relations. Leveraging on the concepts of vicariance, bricolage and exaptation, several advantages emerge that correlate to the complex system’s ability to reach a greater level of survival by adapting and dynamically evolving itself. The ensuing investigation shows how Systems Thinking and Viable System Approach can provide deep insights into the field of information technology, evidencing the systems thinking contribution in analysing, understanding and managing dimensions and paths of social dynamics. A contribution to previous studies is provided with reference to themes such as Big Data, information and knowledge management.

Open Total Quality Management in the Circular Economy age: a social enterprise perspective through the case of Patagonia

To better implement sustainability initiatives in the Circular Economy (CE) age, benefiting of Total Quality Management (TQM) principles, the category of Social Enterprises (SE) manifests an enormous potential. Nonetheless, the above views have been lightly researched, providing research gaps in at least three areas: (1) TQM as an open model, expanded, and boundaryless that involves stakeholders in the value chain through value co-creation processes; (2) TQM and CE and (3) TQM and SE. Through this paper, we reconceptualize TQM with the lens of viable systems approach, CE and SE, while concluding with an illustrative case study and COVID-19 implications. Methodologically, we apply the inductive approach through the illustrative case of Patagonia by emphasizing also how COVID-19 influenced quality management and company-level circularity. This study revealed that the common denominator of TQM, CE and SE is the Triple Bottom Line (i.e. economic, social and environmental sustainability). Also, the concept of ‘value’ was another unifying notion, especially the value co-creation, social value and shared value. ESG implications showed that companies like Patagonia went through profit shrinking to safeguard societal and environmental welfare, with supply chain implications that involved factory workers and partners.

Empowering value co-creation in the digital age

PurposeTechnology is revolutionizing the management logic of service systems. The increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI), in particular, is challenging interaction between humans and machines changing the service systems’ value co-creation configurations and logic. To envision possible future scenarios, this paper aims to reflect upon how the humans’ use of AI technology can impact value co-creation.Design/methodology/approachThe study is developed, at a conceptual level, using selected elements from managerial and marketing theoretical frameworks interested in value co-creation – Service-Dominant Logic, Service Science and Viable Systems Approach (VSA) – used as interpretative tools to reframe value co-creation in the digital age.FindingsThe interpretative approach adopted and, in particular, the new VSA notion of Intelligence Augmentation (IA), in the perspective of the information variety model, shed new light on value co-creation in the digital age framing a possible “IA effect” that can empower value co-creation in complex decision-making contexts.Practical implicationsThe study provides insights useful in the design and management of service systems suggesting a rethinking of the view of AI as a means for mainly increasing the smartness of service systems and a new focus on the enhancement of the human resources contribution to make the service systems wiser.Originality/valueThe paper provides a refocused interpretative view of the interaction between humans and AI that looks at a possible positive impact of the use of AI on humans in terms of augmented decision-making capabilities in conditions of complexity.

Insights of Digital Transformation Processes in Industrial Symbiosis from the Viable Systems Approach (vSa)

The main purpose of this contribution is twofold: from a scientific point of view, to interpret the symbiotic logic through the framework of the Viable Systems approach (vSa), and from a managerial viewpoint, to provide the actors of industrial symbiosis initiatives, at any stage of their life cycle, with a guide to the most promising web-based solutions in terms of defining the best configuration for the symbiotic network. The article, therefore, aims to provide an in-depth study of the existing literature, which is still not exhaustive, and to consider synoptically and comparatively the modern platforms capable of supporting industrial symbiosis initiatives. The objective was pursued by examining 10 existing and functioning Web-based platforms, of which only a few were previously explored in the previous literature, while the recognition of the latter was carried out on a bibliometric basis to articulate in more detail the existing gap based on a panel of contributions as large as possible. The joint consideration of the literature review and the examination of the existing and functioning platforms shows an articulated framework of approaches, proposed models, and classification schemes of their functions, which allows us to conclude that given the sectoral, territorial, and specific characteristics of the materials addressed by each platform and considering the different cycles existing in eco-industrial parks (water, energy, by-products, etc.), the most promising way for their implementation is to consider multiple platforms to fully exploit the contribution of each of them. As for the management implications, the suggestion is to integrate the results obtained from the different platforms and to evaluate the configurational alternatives with multi-criteria procedures.

A digital servitization framework for viable manufacturing companies

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the strategic management of a technology-enabled shift from a product-centric to a service-centric logic and to identify the sociotechnical dynamics underlying this transition. The study focuses on how manufacturers manage to create value in industrial markets through digital servitization. Design/methodology/approach An abductive research approach is used to investigate two manufacturing firms, and an interpretive framework is used as an analytical template. A cross-case analysis is conducted. Findings The case companies strategically managed sociotechnical processes of digitization to co-create value. Their service orientation delineates dissimilarity in terms of digital servitization. It reflects a viable ecosystem that moves toward datatization through adaptation in one case and a viable ecosystem that moves toward digitization through reconfiguration in the other case. Practical implications A theoretically grounded, empirically informed framework is proposed to detect transformational mechanisms to manage value co-creation in digitally servitized contexts, thus contributing to ecosystem viability. Originality/value This is the first study to adopt a system perspective such as the viable system approach combined with service-dominant logic to reconceptualize the overall sociotechnical processes and the underlying mechanisms leading to digitized value creation. In line with a systems view and a systematic process based on a transformative attitude toward digital servitization, the empirically informed framework identifies specific co-creation activities and recursive feedback loops.

Reflections on Health Management from a Systems Perspective: A Reinterpretation of the Italian National Health System

The provision of health services represents a set of central activities in the social context since, through the offer of prevention, diagnostic, treatment, care and rehabilitation services, they allow the pursuit of the ultimate goal of any health system, the well-being of the population and public health. The considerable relevance of the topic, supported by the ethical-social purposes that the health system ultimately assumes, make it an important field of analysis in business studies in general, and in management in particular, considering the economic activities developed by the many actors involved in the dispensing process. The importance of these activities and their strategic nature make them a highly regulated context, in which over time the reference legislative framework has developed and articulated for the determination of reciprocal relations between the actors, for the regulation of the flow of resources, for the control of medical activities to protect citizens. However, the proliferation of laws and regulations at the various levels of government (community, national and regional) has contributed to increasing the interpretative complexity of the health system. This work proposes the use of the Viable Systems Approach (VSA) for the interpretation and management of complex phenomena in the health sector, concerning the Italian National Health System (NHS). The deepening of the implications arising from the analysis enables the VSA as a useful approach to the advancement of research in health management, through the understanding of complexity, stimulating the observer with analysis methodologies capable of better understanding the health context under exam.

Distributed Internet voting architecture: A thin client approach to Internet voting

Principles required for secure electronic voting using the Internet are known and published. Although the Internet voting functionalities and technologies are well-defined, none of the existing state-sponsored Internet voting approaches in use incorporate a total Internet-based system approach that includes voter registration, the voting process, and vote counting. The distributed Internet voting architecture concept discussed in this article uses a novel thin client approach to Internet voting. The architecture uses existing technologies and knowledge to create a viable whole system approach to Internet voting. This article describes various aspects and processes necessary to support an integrated approach. The application programming interface software for many of the critical functions was developed in Python and functionality tested. A virtual network, including a cloud-based functionality, was created and used to evaluate the various conceptual aspects of the proposed architecture. This included the concepts associated with programming and accessing smart cards, capturing and saving fingerprint data, structuring virtual private networks using tunneling and Internet Protocol Security, encrypting ballots using asymmetric encryption, using symmetric encryption for secret cookies, thin client interaction, and creating hash functions to be used within a blockchain structure in a Merkle tree architecture. The systems’ primary user targets are individuals remotely located from their home voting precincts and senior citizens who have limited mobility and mostly reside in assisted living facilities. The research supports the contention that a cybersecure Internet voting system that significantly reduces the opportunity for mail-in voter fraud, helps to ensure privacy for the voter, including nonrepudiation, nonattribution, receipt freeness, and vote acknowledgment can be created using existing technology.

Integrating Big Data Analytics, Systems Thinking and Viable Systems Approach Towards a Shift from Individual to Collective Intelligence and Collective Knowledge Systems

Purpose – The growing complexity of social systems and the faster technology evolution make central the role of the innovative information technology in complex organisations, geared towards collective intelligence processes among the various social actors and analytical tools. These are able to foster the participant knowledge, manage the feedback through a holistic approach and hence shift organisations from a plurality of voices to an interactive intelligence representing the ultimate identity of the organisation itself. In this regard, the aim of this paper is to offer a model for managing external and internal knowledge in order to support the viability of the organisation (system) in the longer term. Design/methodology/approach – The paper adopts the interpretative lens provided by Systems Thinking, System Dynamics and Viable System Approach (vSa) to investigate the challenging domain of the knowledge and information management for complex systems as organisations. Therefore, a qualitative and interpretative approach is carried out to reflect upon Big Data approaches and Collective Knowledge Systems (CKS), embracing a system perspective. Findings – The proposed conceptual model shows the crucial role covered by the holistic managing of the external and internal knowledge that permits to align the information variety of the organisation to the context and the entities that compose it in order to create harmonic relations. Leveraging on the concepts of vicariance, bricolage and exaptation, several advantages emerge that are correlated to the capacity of the complex system to reach a greater level of survival, by adapting and dynamically evolving itself. Originality/value – The paper shows how Systems Thinking and Viable System Approach can provide deep insights into the field of information technology, evidencing the systems thinking contribution in analysing, understanding and managing dimensions and paths of social dynamics. A contribution to previous studies is provided with reference to themes as Big Data, information and knowledge management.

Is sustainable tourism a goal that came true? The Italian experience of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park

According to previous research, in several countries, the achievement of the objectives for tourism development and the better functioning of protected areas is affected by bad governance activities. This paper provides a framework based on the combination between the Viable Systems Approach (vSa) and the actor engagement theory for improving the managerial effectiveness of protected areas.Exploring the case of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park, a well-known tourism destination in Southern Italy, we gave empirical evidence of the risks that can occur when the governing body of protected areas does not adopt a systems-based management approach, and therefore cannot handle the complexity of the territory, generate socio-economic benefits for local populations, resolve conflicts with local actors, or advance sustainable tourism goals.Findings suggest that the governing body should adopt specific strategies to engage local actors in decision-making and idea-generation processes. Such strategies could help to integrate resources within the system, co-create value and handle conflicts when the goals are not mutually aligned. Hence, actor engagement is necessary for achieving conditions of systemic consonance and resonance.

Reflections on grounding firm innovation and viability

Entrepreneurial activity unfolds in a dynamic environment that challenges business viability. We utilize grounded theory as a novel type of reflection to explain and interpret whether and how innovation can afford survival benefits to firms. The premise is the application of a methodological approach with reflexive properties to advance scientific rigor in “reflections.” The idea underlying our reflection was to use innovation as the point of departure, review the literature, conceptualize ideas, and finally link the concepts that emerged as components of a framework. Our view of the firm resembles a viable entity that changes, constantly striving to meet and balance internal potentials and external complexities, while innovation per se involves change that is made possible by entrepreneurship. We bring together our personal and professional backgrounds and implement the European scholarly tradition on innovation and Viable Systems approach to scrutinize innovation’s interactions and relations. We linked boundary conditions, opportunities, and complementary assets to innovation. Effectively, our analysis conceptualizes innovation as autopoiesis in entrepreneurship and demonstrates its central role as the vehicle to exploit changes that ensure firm viability.

Drilling down the viable system theories in business, management and accounting: A bibliometric review

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to trace the scientific landscape (authors, scientific papers, topics most frequently dealt with, relationships between them) of the studies concerning the viable system model (VSM) and the viable system approach (vSa), carried out in the period 1990–2018 within the scientific framework of systems thinking by scholars in business, management and accounting (BMA). The methodology adopted herein is based on a scientometric approach, bibliographic mapping and clustering. The analysis was carried out following a three‐step procedure: bibliographic coupling of scientific contributions (153 articles recorded in Scopus in the considered period), co‐occurrence of the main author keywords and analysis of co‐citations. This paper examines for the first time the entire scientific body of knowledge about viable system theories (VSTs) in BMA areas using recent joint mapping and clustering tools.

Surfing the complex interaction between new technology and norms: A resistance or resilience issue? Insights by the Viable System Approach (VSA)

The paper investigates the complex interaction between technological innovation and norms: a crucial dynamic to facing the severe challenges of the Anthropocene.On the one hand, the sedimentation of norms acts as the genetic memory of a society. Allowing a reduction in the uncertainty of human condition and ensuring greater predictability of human interaction, the set of norms tend to activate a system of constraints that normalize and legitimate technological innovations.On the other hand, technological innovation is one of the most unpredictable and non-linear sources of change. It demands legitimization for what in the past were excluded or prohibited a priori (e.g. behaviors, ethics): this may trigger a “decoupling” process from the extant set of norms. Nevertheless, what decoupling should be legitimized? A wicked problem arises, and forking paths emerge in the socio-economic landscape.Leading the tension between new technology (source of unpredictability) and the taken-for-granted norms (source of predictability) is crucial if the aim is to linking effectiveness and efficiency to viable sustainability. While the (still dominant) cartesian approach considers norms and new technology as separate elements of the social system, system thinking enlightens the interaction between them. This helps to unveil hidden options/feedbacks in the decoupling-recoupling process between technological innovation and the evolution of norms enriching the information variety of the decision-makers (policy makers, citizens, urban planners, etc.).The dynamics that govern this dyad, however, are not linear: norms, in fact, do not have the same reactivity to absorb (recouple) the change triggered by new technologies (decoupling from the extant set of norms).Although the relevance of the issue, it has been often neglected, or at least not taken in the right consideration. Therefore, aiming to investigate this dyadic relationship, the paper focuses on the ambiguous role technology plays in enabling resilience: sometimes it acts as a resilience amplifier; sometimes it is a resilience inhibitor (and even a steel cage); sometimes it provokes an undesirable deviation from the taken-for-granted codified rules.In particular, aiming to contribute in filling this gap, and rooting in the Viable System Approach (VSA), the paper investigates why and how in some cases the interaction between technological innovation and norms leads to resistance towards change or acts as a resilience amplifier in other cases.The paper is structured as follows: after an Introduction underlying the need to understanding the increasing tension between new technology and norms, Section 2 deals with the contribution of the VSA in understanding the social systems; then, rooting in the VSA and moving from the concept of information variety, Section 3 frames the complex interplay between new technology and taken-for-granted norms as one of the most dramatic “resistance-resilience” issue of the Anthropocene era; Section 4 proposes a more comprehensive framework discussing the range “resilience-resistance-vulnerability” and presents final reflections.

Shaping Sustainable Service Ecosystems: An Analysis of Some Possible Enhancing Factors

Over the last years, sustainability and sustainable development have gained momentum also in-service research. Thus, this works is aimed at investigating the evolutionary path that links the Viable Systems Approach (VSA), service systems and service ecosystems perspectives to the most recent challenges of sustainability. Therefore, the analysis has been focused on start-ups’ ability to survive contributing to the shaping of a service ecosystem, which long-term viability can be ensured merging efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability targets. In this direction, the way networked interactions, occurring between a number of different actors (e.g., start-ups, customers, incubators, venture capitalists, other corporations, banks, education and financial institutions, governments) and facilitated by the most recent technologies, can shape a sustainable service ecosystem able to ensure viability to the actors who populate it has been investigated. To this end, an empirical analysis has been conducted to better define the main processes that can shape a start-ups’ sustainable service ecosystem. This work represents one of the first attempts to investigate start-ups’ surviving according to a service ecosystem perspective. An agenda for further research has been defined in order to further advance the analysis.