Organizations and Autopoiesis: a Biological Perspective

Organization studies have recently had plentiful new approaches and paradigms, such as the autopoiesis theory. Maturana and Varela developed the theory of autopoiesis − a biological theory of autopoietic systems − in order to explain the particular nature of living in the physical domain. Their main contribution has been to provide a concise specification of the defining characteristics of living systems, including humans. Several authors, especially the sociologist Luhmann, have tried to extend such theory to social systems, including organizations. Social systems are systems that are based on the interactions of living systems. The question therefore arises if organizations are also autopoietic systems. In this paper, this question and the relevance of the autopoiesis theory are discussed for understanding organizational changes and self-maintenance, from a biological point of view. Supported by the autopoiesis theory, organizations can be interpreted as networks of interactions, processes and rules of coordination.