On the Origins and Applications of the Cybernetic Steady-State Model as Systems-Theoretical Reference Model

Few publications have elaborated on the steady-state model, a ‘cybernetic model’ that should not be confused with its namesake in mathematical systems; it is rooted in preceding publications about general systems theories, something that is explored in this paper. First, the origins of homeostasis are briefly addressed as derived from biological concepts. After looking at its legacy the concepts of boundary zones from socio-economic theory, Shannon’s information theory, control mechanisms and engineering principles are added as a multidisciplinary amalgamation to modelling of primary, recurrent processes. The resulting cybernetic steady-state model offers a generic transdisciplinary framework for depicting regulatory and control processes within organisational and engineering systems as well as interaction between agents in networks. In the latter sense, it provides an explanatory concept for self-criticality in complex adaptive systems. Hence, it does not only have a rich heritage but also wide-ranging potential. For example, the steady-state model could be used to support action research and case studies in addition to serving as a reference model for other (business) process modelling techniques. Therefore, the steady-state model offers an enrichment of existing approaches to modelling recurrent processes —not only for operations management; it can also be seen as a more practical extension of Miller’s living systems and Beer’s viable system model making it suitable for a broad range of applications.