Towards a new mindset

Podcasts about Change in Organisations and Artificial Intelligence - Theoretical Perspectives

 

Introduction 

Organizations can benefit from using Generative AI, not merely as tools automating or replacing what humans do today, but as communication partners. To do so, an organization must customize Generative AI, so it has a solid and relevant knowledge base and so it is used in such a way that this knowledge is integrated into the actual communication. This includes both communication inside the organization and communication in society. To introduce AI in this way requires a solid understanding on how communication works and the role of knowledge in the organisation.

Having production of official statistics as a case, there is a widespread conviction that the work in organisations can be organised rationally following management-theories and international guidelines. However, this view discards how cultural, organizational and technological dependencies often play a dominating role in actual communication and decision-making in an organization. E.g., power positions, neglecting of trust, IT dominance, neglecting independence and impartiality.

Thus, changes (including AI) cannot be deduced from the vast number of theories, manuals and guidelines, as there are simply too many factors that cannot be observed from the outside, e.g., by a consultant, a university or a donor organization. Consequently, successful changes can only be reached from within the systems themselves—both psychic and social systems—as only they can adequately address the intricate complexities they face.

So, what role should theory play? It is argued that we can benefit from social systems theory. This is not to advocate for more theory, but instead advocating a kind of ‘abstract theoretical detour’, in order to get new concepts and a new mindset on changes enabling organisations to observe and reflect about themselves.

Part 0 below first presents a conference paper about change in organisations and AI. This is followed by  introduction to the tool AI-Catch for Statistics

The following six parts provide theoretical background perspectives. The first part covers my thesis from 1997 with an introduction to integrated information systems in the public administration. Basically it shows technology is not neutral. Technology is rather a part in the complex battle on how to define and shape knowledge, technical solutions, economy, organisation etc.  The same complexity is expected when introducing AI into organisations. E.g. creation of AI agents supporting production of statistics across domains and organisations inside the national statistical system. .

  1. Thesis about the introduction of integrated information systems in public administration from 1997.
  2. About the new mindset - cybernetics, philosophy, the role of science, etc
  3. Technology and AI
  4. About organisations
  5. About steering and planning
  6. About management consulting

The podcasts (AI Generated) gives an easy to understand introduction to complicated stuff in a non-theoretical and non-technical way. Below each podcast you can find link to the texts used in the podcast.

Part 0. Conference paper and introduction to the tool AI Catch 

Organizational Change: Systems Theory and AI. Conference paper by Mogens Grosen Nielsen

This paper explores applying Niklas Luhmann's social systems theory and generative AI to organizational change, specifically within statistical organizations. It argues that viewing organizations as self-referential systems, focusing on communication and self-observation, allows for a more nuanced understanding of change processes. The paper introduces concepts like first-order and second-order observations, emergent and generic knowledge, and the role of decision premises. Generative AI is proposed not as a mere tool, but as a communication partner to enhance self-observation and decision-making, improving cognitive capacity within the organization. The author illustrates this approach with examples from training courses and proposes an AI tool, AI-CATCH, to support change management based on these principles. The paper ultimately advocates for a new mindset in organizational change, integrating theory and AI for improved decision-making.

Links to selected material:

Organisational change using social system theory and AI

Change in statistical organisations supported by the tool AI catch. 

This document outlines a workshop agenda designed to help statistical organizations leverage AI to improve their processes. The workshop uses a generative AI tool, "AI catch for Statistics," to guide participants through structured problem-solving, focusing on improving quality, efficiency, and the integration of best practices. The training covers utilizing AI for exploring solutions, understanding relevant terminology and frameworks (like NQAF and GSBPM), and collaboratively developing and implementing changes. Experienced consultants will lead the sessions, which include hands-on exercises using the AI tool. The goal is to equip participants with practical skills for navigating organizational change and enhancing statistical production.

A short introduction to AI Catch for statistics

Change in statistical organisations using AI. A workshop agenda

 

Part 1. Theoretical background #1 Introducing Integrated Information Systems in Public Administration 

 

Introducing integrated Information Systems in Public Administration. Thesis by Mogens Grosen Nielsen, 1997. Part 1. Conclusions

This thesis examines the implementation of a Central Business Register (CVR) system, arguing that its introduction is a complex negotiation involving technological design, information responsibility, departmental structures, and economic factors. It critiques traditional theories of technology, information, and administration for their inadequacy in explaining this complexity, proposing instead an expanded institutional perspective. This perspective emphasizes the social construction of technology and information, highlighting how these elements are used as resources of influence in political processes. The thesis uses a case study of the CVR implementation, analyzing it through both process and structural lenses to demonstrate the negotiated nature of the process and the role of power dynamics. Finally, it cautions against the simplistic application of theoretical models to predict future outcomes, advocating for a more nuanced, context-aware approach.

Links to documents - tranlated into english:

Conclusion and final considerations

Conclusion and final considerations

Technical solution models

Technical solution models

Full thesis in danish

Speciale. Indførelse af integrerede informationssystemer i den offentlige forvaltning

Full thesis with google translate:

Thesis. Introduction of integrated information systems in public administration

 

Introducing integrated Information Systems in Public Administration Part 2. Introduction and theses (chapter 1) 

This thesis investigates the introduction of integrated information systems in public administration, arguing that this process is not technically neutral. It examines three paradigms surrounding this issue: efficiency, political decision-making, and power reinforcement. The core argument centers on a case study of the establishment of a central business register (CVR) in Denmark, analyzing how technical design, economic organization, departmental responsibility, and information responsibility intertwine as resources of influence within negotiation processes. The study develops a theoretical framework combining institutional and social constructivist perspectives to analyze these complex interactions, ultimately contributing to a deeper understanding of administrative processes. The author uses a process and structure perspective to analyze the CVR case.

Links to document - translated into english:

Introduction, problem and theses

 

Introducing integrated Information Systems in Public Administration Part 3. Case analysis part 1 and methodology (chapter 2) 

This document analyzes the creation of the Central Business Register (CVR) in Denmark, examining the complex interplay of information sharing, political negotiation, and administrative power struggles among various government ministries. It uses two case studies of inter-ministerial information disputes to illustrate the challenges of information sharing in government. The CVR case is analyzed using a process perspective focusing on communication and negotiation, and a structural perspective employing structuration theory to examine how resources and rules shape the outcome. Methodological situationalism and a non-reductionist approach are employed to address the inherent complexities of interpreting social and political phenomena. Five models of the CVR's data flow illustrate the evolution of the system through various stages of negotiation.

Links to document - translated into english:

Case analysis part 1 and methodology

 

Introducing integrated Information Systems in Public Administration Part 4. The traditional view on public administration and information systems (chapter 3) 

This text examines the traditional view of public administration, characterized by a strict separation of politics and administration, focusing on technical expertise and hierarchical structures. It then traces the historical development of information systems in public administration, initially a simple digitization of manual processes, evolving into integrated systems. The text analyzes how the push for integrated information systems, influenced by "Management Information Systems" (MIS) theory, became a key element in public sector modernization policies. Finally, the text critiques the limitations of both the traditional administrative model and the MIS approach, arguing that they inadequately address the complex interplay of technical, economic, and political factors inherent in implementing integrated information systems.

Links to document - translated into english:

The traditional view of public administration and information systems

 

Introducing integrated Information Systems in Public Administration Part 5. Theoretical perspectives on technology  (chapter 4) 

This chapter examines theoretical perspectives on technology, contrasting voluntaristic and deterministic views. It introduces social constructivism as a framework for understanding the interplay between technology and society, emphasizing technology as a political artifact. The chapter further analyzes data, information, and knowledge, exploring their contextual nature and role in institutional processes and power dynamics. Different sociological perspectives on knowledge are compared, highlighting how knowledge, information, and technology are intertwined with power structures and influence. Finally, the limitations of previous theories are discussed, advocating for a more nuanced approach that considers technology's political and social dimensions.

Links to document - translated into english:

Theorectical perspectives on technology

 

Introducing integrated Information Systems in Public Administration Part 6. Public Administration in  Institutional-Political Perspectives  (chapter 5) 

This chapter examines public administration through three neo-institutional lenses: economic, sociological, and historical. It critiques traditional administrative models for their insufficient consideration of political influence and the complexities of modern administration. The text analyzes how information and technology are employed as resources for power and influence within these different theoretical frameworks, exploring concepts like bounded rationality, the logic of appropriateness, path dependence, and institutional capacity. Ultimately, it seeks a more comprehensive theoretical understanding of communication and influence within public administration, highlighting shortcomings in existing models.

Links to document - translated into english:

Public Administration in Institutional-Political Perspectives

 

Introducing integrated Information Systems in Public Administration Part 7. Public Administration in an extended neo-instituationsl perspective   (chapter 6) 

This chapter examines institutionalization processes within administration, focusing on a case study of the creation of a Central Business Register (CVR). It employs a dual approach: a process perspective analyzing communication and discourse to understand how meaning and norms are established, and a structural perspective exploring how information responsibility, departmental responsibilities, technical design, and economic organization shape decision-making. The paper utilizes frameworks from social constructivism and structuration theory to analyze power dynamics and the interplay between structure and agency in the institutionalization of the CVR. Key concepts include discourse, definitional power, and resource mobilization in negotiations. The analysis integrates the SCOT model and aims to explain how the CVR's design and implementation emerged from competing interpretations and the strategic use of resources.

Links to document - translated into english:

Public Administration in an extended neo-instituationsl perspective 

 

Part 2. Theoretical background About the new mindset - cybernetics, philosophy, the role of science, etc

Cybernetics and the theory of knowledge based on material by Ernst Glaserfeld

This podcast is about about cybernetics and its implications for the theory of knowledge. It  reviews several articles on cybernetics, distinguishing between first-order (observing systems) and second-order (observing systems) approaches. The essay explores the concepts of feedback, self-regulation, and the role of the observer in shaping knowledge. It examines different theoretical models, including radical constructivism and autopoiesis, and discusses the application of cybernetic principles to various fields such as anthropology, sociology, psychotherapy, and education. Ultimately, it argues for a constructivist epistemology where knowledge is viewed as viable within experience rather than a mirror of an objective reality.

Links to selected material:

Cybernetics and the Theory of Knowledge.pdf

 

Change. Second-Order Cybernetics, Radical Constructivism, and the Biology of Cognition

This podcast  examines the limited acceptance of second-order cybernetics (SOC), radical constructivism (RC), and the biology of cognition (BoC) within scientific communities. The author argues that the inherent limitations of objectivity in science hinder the adoption of these paradigms, which emphasize the observer's role in shaping knowledge. The paper explores how disciplinary silos and the inherent conservatism of scientific funding and publication processes impede paradigm shifts. Furthermore, it contrasts science with other fields like art and music that readily incorporate self-reflection into their practice. Finally, the author proposes a more ethical and collaborative approach to disseminating these ideas.

Links to selected material:

Change. Second-Order Cybernetics, Radical Constructivism, and the Biology of Cognition

 

Luhmann in a philosophy context - Kant, Hegel, Marx, Husserl, Habermas and post-modernism

This podcast  analyzes Niklas Luhmann's systems theory, exploring its relationship to prominent figures in German philosophy, including Kant, Hegel, Marx, and Husserl. The author examines how Luhmann both engages with and radically departs from these thinkers, particularly regarding epistemology and the concept of the subject. Luhmann's systems theory, characterized by operational closure and a focus on self-referential systems, is presented as a "supertheory" that transcends the limitations of traditional philosophy. The text also contrasts Luhmann's approach with Habermas's critical theory and explores the connections between Luhmann's work and postmodern thought, especially deconstruction. Ultimately, the piece positions Luhmann's theory as a successor to, and departure from, the philosophical tradition.

Links to selected material:

Luhmann in a philosophy context

 

Observing  Re-entries. Limits of rationality

This podcast examines the paradoxical nature of observation and self-reference, arguing that observation inherently involves a "blind spot" of self-exclusion. He uses the concept of "re-entry," where a distinction is copied into itself, to analyze various aspects of knowledge, rationality, and social systems. Luhmann critiques traditional notions of rationality, demonstrating how they rely on concealing paradoxes inherent in self-reference. He proposes a new understanding of rationality rooted in systems theory and the management of complexity, emphasizing the limitations of prediction and the importance of acknowledging uncertainty. The paper ultimately explores how social systems operate within the framework of self-observation and re-entry, leading to a re-evaluation of traditional views of rationality, human nature, and the relationship between individuals and society.

Link to related material

Observing re-entries

Modernity of Science by Niklas Luhman 

This podcast is based on excerpt from Niklas Luhmann's "The Modernity of Science". He examines the relationship between modern science and modern society. Luhmann argues that modern society's functional differentiation necessitates science's self-understanding as a constructor of knowledge, not a discoverer of objective truth. He challenges traditional epistemological frameworks, proposing a constructivist approach that distinguishes between problems of reference and truth. This distinction, he contends, explains the apparent "loss of reference" often associated with modern science and highlights the role of simplification and the creation of distinctions in scientific practice. Ultimately, Luhmann suggests that modern science's self-reflection on its own methods is crucial for understanding its place within modern society.

Links to selected material:

The Modernity of Science

 

Part 3. Theoretical background. Technology and AI

Artificial communication by Esposito

This paper explores the sociological implications of algorithms' increasing role in communication. The author argues that algorithms are not simply replicating human intelligence, but are creating a new form of "artificial communication". This new communication is characterized by the processing of vast amounts of data ("Big Data"), leading to the generation of information that would be impossible for humans to produce. The framework used is Luhmann's theory of social systems, focusing on the concept of double contingency and its implications for human-algorithm interactions. The paper concludes by examining how algorithms learn and the potential consequences of this new form of communication for society.

Links to selected material:

Esposito. Artificial communication

 

Theoretical background #4 About organisations  

Organisations and decisions. Introduction.

This podcast introdudes  Niklas Luhmann's "Organizations and Decisions" argues for a shift in understanding organizations, moving away from viewing them as static entities to seeing them as dynamic processes. The author proposes a theoretical framework based on distinctions and self-reference, drawing upon Hegel and Spencer-Brown, to analyze how organizations operate and adapt. This approach emphasizes decision-making as a core organizational function, highlighting how organizations manage uncertainty and achieve a degree of self-determination despite environmental constraints. The text ultimately aims to offer a more nuanced and process-oriented perspective on organizational theory.

Links to selected material:

Organisation and decision

 

Evolution of organisational theory towards better understanding of interplay between environment, decision making processes, self-description and knowledge

This podcast traces the evolution of organizational theory from the 19th to the late 20th century, critiquing classical models like Weber's bureaucracy and Taylorism for their limitations in explaining modern organizations. It highlights the contributions of Herbert A. Simon and Karl E. Weick, advocating for a systems theory perspective. The text focuses on:

  1. The dynamic interplay between organizations and their environments.
  2. The role of self-descriptions and the knowledge tied to them, including assessments using quality frameworks.
  3. The distinction between decision premises (underlying assumptions) and actual decisions, and how self-descriptions can function as decision premises.

The author concludes that a systems-oriented approach, recognizing the role of self-descriptions and decision premises, offers a more accurate understanding of organizational behavior.

Links to selected material:

Organisation theory in a historical perspective

 

Organisations and uncertainty absorption  

This podcasr explores uncertainty absorption within organizations, arguing that it's a fundamental process shaping organizational decisions and communication. The author proposes uncertainty absorption as a more comprehensive concept than traditional means-end rationality or power dynamics to explain how organizations function. The paper examines the roles of memory, decision-making processes, and communication types (oral vs. written) in handling uncertainty. It analyzes how organizational structures, including hierarchies and directive correlations, influence uncertainty absorption and its distribution, ultimately suggesting that maintaining organizational irritability is key to adapting to change. The paper critiques existing organizational theories and proposes a systems-theoretical approach.

Links to selected material:

Organisations and uncertainty absorption

 

Organisations and personel

This podcast examines the complexities of personnel management within organizations. It critiques traditional approaches, which prioritized organizational structure over individual needs, and argues for a more nuanced understanding of how individual expectations and organizational goals interact. The text analyzes personnel decisions as inherently uncertain and influenced by both formal criteria and informal factors like patronage and career aspirations. Ultimately, it concludes that completely rationalizing personnel management is impossible due to the inherent unpredictability of human behavior and the interplay of various social dynamics within the organization.

Links to selected material:

Organisation and personel

 

Organisations and rationality

This podcast  is a complex analysis of organizational rationality. It critiques traditional views of rationality as instrumental and purposive, arguing that organizations operate within paradoxes and self-referential systems. The text explores the limitations of applying linear causal models to organizational behavior and proposes a new understanding of rationality as a dynamic process involving self-observation and adaptation to an unpredictable future. It examines the roles of time, causality, and paradox in organizational decision-making, highlighting the limitations of seeking complete predictability and suggesting that a more nuanced approach is necessary. Ultimately, the author suggests that a focus on autopoiesis, a system's self-creation and maintenance, provides a better framework for understanding organizational rationality than traditional models.

Links to selected material:

Organisation and rationality

 

Theoretical background #5 About steering and planning 

Limits of planning

This podcast, based on an article by Van Assche and Verschraegen, applies Niklas Luhmann's social systems theory to planning theory. Luhmann's theory, which views society as composed of self-referential subsystems, is used to analyze the limitations of traditional planning approaches. The authors argue that planning's effectiveness stems from indirect steering and the coordination of multiple perspectives within these subsystems. They explore concepts like autopoiesis and operational closure to demonstrate how planning operates in a complex, functionally differentiated society, highlighting both the challenges and possibilities.

Links to selected material:

Limits of planning

 

Theoretical background #3 About management consulting 

Communication Barriers in Management Consulting

This podcast about Niklas Luhmann's "Communication Barriers in Management Consulting" critiques the model of management consulting as applied science. Luhmann argues that the complexity of business systems makes complete communication of consultant knowledge impossible, and that this incommunicability is not necessarily a problem but can even be advantageous for maintaining the consultant's independence. He uses systems theory to explore the inherent communication barriers arising from the distinction between the consultant's perspective (often involving second-order observation) and the client company's perspective. This difference, Luhmann suggests, cannot be fully bridged through communication, leading to productive incongruence rather than hindering the consulting process. Ultimately, the text advocates for embracing these incommunicabilities as a functional aspect of the consultant-client relationship.

Links to selected material:

Communication Barriers in Management Consulting