Metatheorizing Evolutionary Processes for Organisational Cybernetics

Abstract

This article revisits and expands the intersection of evolutionary processes and organizational cybernetics by developing a comprehensive metatheory. While traditional views within the Viable Systems Model (VSM) have often dismissed evolutionary paradigms as deterministic and incompatible with conscious organizational decision-making, this study challenges that notion by integrating key evolutionary concepts such as natural selection, autopoiesis, and symbiosis. Through theoretical synthesis and cybernetic modeling, the research illustrates how these dynamic processes underpin the evolution and adaptation of viable systems. The findings reveal that evolution in cybernetic systems is not merely a process of natural selection but also involves cooperative and symbiotic interactions that are crucial for organizational resilience and adaptability. This research offers a new perspective on evolutionary epistemology within organizational contexts, proposing that the future of organizational theory lies in understanding the complex interplay between competition, cooperation, and self-maintenance. The implications of this study are far-reaching, offering a foundation for future empirical research aimed at exploring the dynamics of organizational evolution and the development of more adaptable and sustainable systems.