White box, black box and self-organization

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present two system identification models – “white box” and “black box” – as useful tools that help understand self-organization processes within and outside the organizations facilitated by leaders. Every leader is presented as a “systems designer” who plays a fundamental role in the process of self-organization, both within and outside the organization under study. Design/methodology/approach – First, “white box” and “black box” system identification models are presented as a basis for an integrated model of the “system” and its “environment.” Next, the ideas of “closed” and “open” systems as the prerequisites of self-organization processes are described. Finally, two basic leadership tactics as well as their combination are characterized and discussed. Findings – Two system identification models give a complementary view to the reality, as they combine both reductionist and holistic perspectives. The argument presented in the paper shows that there is a far reaching complementarity of the two system identification models. Practical implications – Since leaders need to comprehend complex adaptive processes taking place in the organizations and in their environment, they search for the best strategy to approach this task. The tactics presented in the paper could serve as a cognitive tools that help approach the reality leaders are immersed in. Originality/value – The paper utilizes two categories that are well recognized in systems theory and cybernetics, combines them with the idea of self-organization and puts it all in the context of leadership. It provides an integrated, yet relatively simple cognitive scheme that may be of theoretical and practical use.

Morphological Analysis of general system–environment complexes: Representation and application

“…1. The input-output relationships across the system boundary-typically, black-box analyses of systems are based on this notion (Kasianiuk, 2016;Kimura et al, 2011). 2.…”

“… The input–output relationships across the system boundary—typically, black‐box analyses of systems are based on this notion (Kasianiuk, 2016; Kimura et al, 2011). The observability of the system parts and their dynamic interactions—this can be seen in many cut‐models of engineered systems and also in visual simulation models. …”

A system-cybernetic approach to the study of political power. Introductory remarks

“…There are two system identification models that have been developed on the basis of GST and cybernetics and which could be potentially helpful in filtering out power relationships in human organizations. These are “white box” (WB) and “black box” (BB) system identification models (Laszlo, 1972; Heylighen, 1998; Kasianiuk, 2016). Each of these models focuses on different aspects of the reality to be observed, although in some cases, such as the analysis of political power presented in the following paragraphs, they seem to be complementary.…”