Organizations are complex social systems, and dysfunctionalities can settle in very quickly and almost unnoticed, costing valuable time and resources. In a highly volatile and complex world where mistakes are virtually unforgivable, the ability to rapidly and accurately diagnose dysfunctionalities, and familiarity with the right governance and leadership principles, have thus become vital for organizations' success.
This volume, the second in a set of three, introduces readers to the Viable System Model (VSM)-based diagnosis and governance of organizations. Readers will be familiarized with a broad range of dysfunctional patterns that can impede an organization's viability, while also deepening their understanding of organizational viability gained in Volume 1. This volume examines in detail the highly dynamic nature of organizations, the multiple equilibrium systems that need to be kept in mind, and the intricate nature of leadership in organizations. It addresses fundamental organizational and managerial issues/topics such as the functioning of hierarchies, the 'right' degree of centralization, the various challenges throughout an organization's lifecycle, and the vital role of conflicts for organizational health.
The insights derived from the VSM in this volume will provide readers with a comprehensive, nuanced, and sound conceptual foundation for questions concerning the diagnosis and governance of organizations, the tasks, challenges and principles of leadership, and the implementation of strategies in organizations.

Wolfgang Lassl is a management consultant and researcher with a long and successful track record both in management consultancy and academia. He looks back at teaching assignments such as at the University of Vienna and Tufts University. He is an associate of the Peter Drucker Society Europe and a member of the program steering committee of the Annual Global Peter Drucker Forum. Having worked for international consultancies, he is now a director at the Pure Managementgroup and responsible for its organization practice.