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Resilience and transparency in social systems

Dai Griffiths (School of Education and Psychology, University of Bolton, Bolton, UK)

Kybernetes

ISSN: 0368-492X

Article publication date: 29 October 2018

Issue publication date: 25 April 2019

196

Abstract

Purpose

This paper draws on the literature of cybernetics to argue that the resilience of organizations can be diminished by an unconsidered maximization of transparency and accountability. In doing so, it critically examines the concept of resilience and the relationship of resilience to neoliberalism.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual analysis of resilience is carried out at two levels. First, the use of the concepts of resilience, viability, transparency, accountability and neoliberalism is considered, together with the relationship between them. Second, the management interventions that result from the application of these related ideas are critiqued from the perspective of cybernetics and particularly of variety and black boxes.

Findings

It is shown that within complex social environments, the unconsidered imposition of transparency and accountability as a management strategy may constrain the resilience of the organizations and individuals rather than enhance it. The use of data analytics enhances this tendency.

Research limitations/implications

The theoretical analysis of the relationship between transparency and resilience offers a basis for carrying out empirical studies.

Practical implications

There are practical implications for organizational managers, employees and stakeholders, offering them a means of understanding the systemic threat posed by organizational design decisions which enhance transparency and accountability without taking into consideration the full range of interactions which act to maintain organizational viability.

Social implications

The analysis provides a rationale for resisting the imposition of social policies inspired by neoliberalism.

Originality/value

The bringing together of the concepts of resilience, neoliberalism, transparency and accountability, and their exposure to cybernetic analysis, provides a novel perspective on resilience, and new insights into way that organizations maintain their viability.

Keywords

Citation

Griffiths, D. (2019), "Resilience and transparency in social systems", Kybernetes, Vol. 48 No. 4, pp. 715-726. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-01-2018-0032

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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