Communication and information technologies to enable viable technologies

Purpose - This paper attempts to show how the new communication and information technologies and the internet in particular can help in the design of viable organizations. Design/methodology/approach - The paper presents a set of specific software tools based on internet created for the purpose as given above. The tools are bundled in two packages. The VDMod package supports the application of Beer's viable system model (VSM) and the inclusion of system dynanics simulation models into the VSM model, as well as easy access to other tools such as team syntegrity. The SystemsNet package allows the members of the systems community to communicate with each other and gain swift access to these tools through the internet. Findings - Communication and information technologies are enablers which help in the design of viable organizations by means of internet-based software tools. They make the application of systemic approaches such as Beer's VSM and its combined use with System Dynamics (SD), or other methodologies and tools, easier and more readily accessible. Research limitations/implications - The paper refers mainly to Organizational Cybernetics and SD and does not take into consideration all other systems-thinking methodologies. Practical implications - This paper reveals the possibility of very easy access to software tools for applying the VSM and its combined use with SD as well as facilitating communication among systems-thinking field members. Originality/value - This paper contributes to the design of more viable organizations by providing researchers and practitioners of Organizational Cybernetics with the requisite software tools.