TY  - CHAP
AB  - In examining what role autopoietic theory might play in furthering the agenda of process-based organizational research, it is worth noting that the biological notion of autopoiesis and derivative concepts have already achieved limited recognition in the broad organization studies field. A perennial debate has evolved around the question of whether organizations can and/or should be considered autopoietic (see Luhmann, 1986; Zeleny & Hufford, 1992; Mingers, 1992; Robb, 1989; Kay, 2001). Beyond that, the general approach seems to involve taking some defined aspect of autopoiesis and employing this to shed light on some defined aspect of organizational life. Thus, Krogh and Roos (1998) use the concept of autopoiesis to expound, discuss, and illustrate a distinctive perspective on organizational knowledge; Luhmann (1990) and Teubner (1984) use autopoiesis to create awareness of how the circularity and self-referentiality of legal, and social systems more generally, can prevent renewal and lead to a failure in adapting to problems in society. Autopoiesis has been used to enhance our understanding of how the functioning of computers relate to the evolution of human language, thought and action, (Winograd & Flores, 1987). In management, the concept of autopoiesis has been used, largely in a metaphorical sense, to understand the firm as a living evolving system that is characterized by “flux and transformation” (Morgan, 1986). In the therapeutic professions, various writers use autopoiesis to show how circular sets of self-reinforcing conversations can create severe dysfunctions with individuals (Efren, Lukens, & Lukens, 1990), in families and in other tightly knit social groups (Dell, 1982, 1985; Hoffman, 1988; Goolishian & Winderman, 1988). Elsewhere in organization studies, Kay (1997) applies autopoiesis to the facilitation of organizational change, and Beer (1981) uses the term “pathological autopoiesis” in understanding threats to organizational viability.
VL  - 6
SN  - 978-1-84855-833-5, 978-1-84855-832-8/1877-6361
DO  - 10.1108/S1877-6361(2009)0000006009
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/S1877-6361(2009)0000006009
AU  - Brocklesby John
ED  - Rodrigo Magalhães
ED  - Ron Sanchez
PY  - 2010
Y1  - 2010/01/01
TI  - Chapter 8 Plugging the Theoretical Gaps: How Autopoietic Theory Can Contribute to Process-Based Organizational Research
T2  - Advanced Series in Management
T3  - Advanced Series in Management
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SP  - 149
EP  - 167
Y2  - 2024/05/06
ER  -