Talk | Can social theory run like code? @Wolfson College, University of Cambridge

I look forward to sharing my thoughts on how digitalisation reshapes social theory at Wolfson College, University of Cambridge. Title: Digital Transformation of Social Theory Date: 25/11/2025 Venue: Gatsby Room (Chancellor’s Centre), Wolfson College, Barton Road, Cambridge, United Kingdom & Teams Overview: This talk outlines a programme to build a universal social theory machine: a […]

Release | Paradox and family business: A perspective article

Abstract: Purpose: This perspective article provides an overview of current research on paradoxes within family business settings and outlines emerging trends and potential avenues for future research in this field. Design/methodology/approach: This article is inspired by a systems-theoretical approach to business family paradoxes.Findings: The article suggests that increasing research interest in more-than and neither-nor approaches […]

Release | Deparadoxification and value focus in sharing ventures: concealing paradoxes in strategic decision-making

Abstract: This study investigates how sharing ventures address the paradox of doing good versus doing harm in their strategic decision-making. The doing good versus doing harm paradox refers to the difficulty of sharing ventures to balance the aim to benefit society and the environment while minimizing potential adverse effects. Understanding and addressing this paradox is […]

Release | Truth tables, true distinctions. Paradoxes of the source code of science

Abstract: On the occasion of a growing popularity of paradox theory in management and organisation research, this article provides an introduction to the paradox of true distinctions, reports on its relevance to theory building, and presents a strategy to contain the paradox without resolving it. To this end, I draw on works by George Spencer […]

Release | Approaching management and organization paradoxes paradoxically: The case for the tetralemma as an expansive encasement strategy

Roth S., Schneckenberg D., Valentinov V., and Kleve H. (2023), Approaching management and organization paradoxes paradoxically: The case for the tetralemma as an expansive encasement strategy, European Management Journal, Vol. 41, No. 2, pp. 191-198 [SSCI 6.110, Scopus, CNRS, FNEGE, CABS, VHB***]. Abstract: The field of paradox studies keeps struggling to put the notion of paradox […]

Release | George Spencer Brown’s “Design with the NOR”: With Related Essays

A polymath and author of Laws of Form, George Spencer Brown, brought together mathematics, electronics, engineering and philosophy to form an unlikely bond. This book investigates Design with NOR, the title of the yet unpublished 1961 typescript by Spencer Brown. Available as e-book or for pre-order in print. Suggested citation: Roth S., Heidingsfelder M., Clausen […]

Release | Print theories of computer societies. Introduction to the digital transformation of social theory

Roth S., Dahms H., Welz F., and Cattacin S. (2019), Print theories of computer societies. Introduction to the digital transformation of social theory, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Vol. 149, 119778 [SSCI 5.846, Scopus, CNRS***, FNEGE***, CABS***, VHB***]. The article is for download here. Highlights The digital transformation is fundamentally changing research contexts and conditions in the […]

Release | Media effects | Special Issue of Cybernetics and Human Knowing

Heidingsfelder, M. and Roth, S. (2018) Media effects. Special Issue of Cybernetics and Human Knowing, Vol. 25 No. 4. Contents Table of contents Foreword: Media Effects (M. Heidingsfelder) Contingency Alert: Editorial Note on Necessary and Impossible Media (S. Roth) Articles The Mediality of Looseness (U. Stäheli) Listening to Media in Cultural Theory, Sociology, and Management […]

CFP | NOR. Reverse engineering the Laws of Form

Call for participation in the Luhmann Conference series paper development workshop on “NOR. Reverse engineering the Laws of Form” (3-4 June 2019 in Dubrovnik) Co-organizers: Steffen Roth, La Rochelle Business School, France, and Yerevan State University, Armenia* Markus Heidingsfelder, Habib University Karachi, Pakistan Lars Clausen, University College Lillebælt, Denmark, and University of Flensburg, Germany* Klaus […]