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It seems that sociology (the science of society) has not until now seriously undertaken the operational definition of the concept of “organizational efficiency” or “social performance”. The reason for this huge and inexplicable oversight might be that sociology does not use as a routine the systemic and sociocybernetic approaches. In fact, it does not seem possible to define operationally the concept of organizational efficiency since only a systemic and sociocybernetic conception of the organization could provide in principle the subconcepts of globality, inputs, outputs, transformation and feedback so absolutely indispensable for expressing this definition in terms of the relation between the means used (X) and the ends achieved (Y). Even the outputs “Y” and the inputs “X” have to be previously viewed from a globalizing systemic angle, which means grasping the needs and satisfaction of the system from its point of view.

Unemployment is one of the biggest problems in modern societies. A cybernetic approach is discussed which proposes the SOSISGEM model which integrates economic with social and political variables and controls to get the best possible combination of them (some 35 variables are treated through a system of 31 equations). The model developed pinpoints ways of substantially reducing unemployment in Spain. Politically speaking, the main drawback of the model is the need to increase public expenditure in Spain, which it is believed is taboo for the right‐wing political forces. The key variable of the model is seen as a political agreement between these forces and the government.

To consider aspects of a theory of systemic construction by discussing two concepts which will assist in our understanding of the surrounding world which it is considered is made of both systemic and non‐systemic entities.

Considers how these entities (metasystem, network, transitron etc.) can be conceived and defined. Systemic frames notions are presented and examples of systems given. Discusses the historic use of the word “system” and systemic thinking and its varieties.

Discovered that on the basis of these concepts, an understanding of the surrounding world can be achieved which is not homogeneous but made of both systemic and non‐systemic entities. These can change when certain systemic properties are reached as well as in their specific degrees in their limitations and paradoxes.

Introduces an original approach to the life support system by proposing concepts that are discussed and defined and that will provide cyberneticians and systemists with a revised view of systemic thinking.

In studying the relationship between Cybernetics and Social Science, theories and research in Sociocyber‐netics are examined. The focus is on researchers who apply Cybernetics to the study of society and its social systems and processes. References are backed by a new 300‐item bibliography of the relevant system literature, compiled for the article.

The purpose of this paper is to sketch the most valuable contribution of Dr Rose to the development of social cybernetics over the period 1975‐1995.

The paper is based on an analysis of the proceedings of the sections on “Social Systems” or “Social Cybernetics” of the WOSC conferences from 1978 through 1991, and on an analysis of the entries of the Bibliography on Social Cybernetics (1998).

The sections on “Social Systems” of the International Congresses on Systems and Cybernetics, initiated by Dr Rose, provided in the period 1978‐1995 the most important meeting point for social scientists aiming at the application of the cybernetic approach to social systems and social processes, and for cyberneticians wanting to use the principles of cybernetics for the analysis and solution of social problems.

The paper shows how the journal Kybernetes, founded by Dr Rose, became the most frequently used publication medium of social cyberneticians: of the 184 papers on social cybernetics mentioned in this bibliography 76 (41 per cent) were published in Kybernetes, more than in any other journal in the domain of cybernetics or social science.