Organisational viability as a factor in sustainable development of technology

This article looks at the impact that the viability of organisations that own and manage technological systems has on the sustainability of that technology. Specifically, it looks at the role that organisational viability through time plays in linking technology to its operating environment and stakeholders to ensure sustainability. Using three case studies, the authors show how a lack of organisational viability led to technological unsustainability in established industries. Organisational viability is assessed using Beer's Viable System Model (VSM) and this is also used to address the problems of organisational viability through redesigning the system to ensure sustainability.