Designing a viable scientific communication model: VSM approach

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to design a viable model for a scholarly communication system.

Design/methodology/approach

Stafford Beer's viable system model (VSM) is an exceptionally insightful analysis tool which has been applied in different fields. This paper illustrates the usefulness of Beer's model as a tool for anticipating, planning, and implementing large‐scale development in the scientific communication domain. Following the Beer thinking of organisational structure and the usefulness of VSM in knowledge management stated by some researchers, a viable scientific communication model (VSCM) was designed.

Findings

The paper has developed a viable scientific communication model which relates personal knowledge about a scientific communication system with Beer's viability thinking.

Research limitations/implications

The designed model is fairly conceptual.

Originality/value

Compared with the earlier models, it seems that the suggested model is not dependent on context, time, and scale. This model may be used in many contexts because the functions and the operations of scholarly communication are unique. This model is viable and can update itself over a period of years. New elements of scholarly communication and the Web 2.0 platforms have also been incorporated into the model.

Citation

Khosrowjerdi, M. (2011), "Designing a viable scientific communication model: VSM approach", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 29 No. 2, pp. 359-372. https://doi.org/10.1108/07378831111138224