APPLICATIONS OF LIVING SYSTEMS-THEORY TO THE STUDY OF MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL-BEHAVIOR

Living systems theory provides an elegant and elaborate conceptual fra mework for studying the behavior of human organisms, groups, and organ izations. It facilitates cross-level comparisons and analysis of inter action between systems at different levels. Miller (1978) generated ma ny cross-level hypotheses that could be useful to management and organ izational behavior theorists and researchers. Practitioners can gain m uch from a clearer understanding of the ''living'' nature of groups an d organizations. This article reviews the literature of applications o f living systems theory to the fields of management and organizational behavior, and provides many examples of benefits to researchers and m anagers.