Table of Contents

CONCEPTUAL COMPONENTS.

Let's Think Again.

Concepts and Terms.

The Dimensions of the Problem.

The Organization of Unthinkable Systems.

Hierarchies of Control.

THE FORMS OF THE MODEL.

The Anatomy of Management.

Control Physiology.

Autonomy.

Autonomic Management.

The Biggest Switch.

THE USE OF THE MODEL.

Corporate Structure and its Quantification.

Autonomics--Systems One, Two, Three.

Environments of Decision--System Four.

The Multinode--System Five.

The Higher Management.

THE COURSE OF HISTORY.

A Flying Start.

Into its Stride.

The October Watershed.

The End of the Beginning.

Prospectus.

References explicit to these five chapters.

Appendix.

Glossary of Cybernatic Terms Used in this Book.

Select Bibliography.

Index.

About the Author

Stafford Beer was a British theorist, consultant and professor at the Manchester Business School. He is best known for his work in the fields of operational research and management cybernetics.