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 | 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 This book investigates Design with NOR, the title of the yet unpublished 1961 typescript by Spencer Brown.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 […]

CFP | Kybernetes | Shifting spheres

Shifting Spheres Call for Papers to a special issue of Kybernetes [Clarivate Impact Factor: 1.381] Guest Editors: Markus Heidingsfelder, Xiamen University, Malaysia* Holger Briel, Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University, PR of China Steffen Roth, La Rochelle Business School, France, and Yerevan State University, Armenia *Corresponding guest editor. Email: markus.heidingsfelder@xmu.edu.my Focus: The concept of publicity as a […]

Parsons, Luhmann, Spencer Brown. NOR design for double contingency tables

Roth S. (2017), Parsons, Luhmann, Spencer Brown. NOR design for double contingency tables, Kybernetes, Vol. 46 No. 8, pp. 1469-1482 [SCI .881, Scopus, ABS*]. Final version available for download here (or at emeraldinsight.com). Purpose: Cross tables are omnipresent in management, academia and popular culture. The Matrix has us, despite all criticism, opposition and desire for a way out. […]

Release | Management and function

Management and functional differentiation | Special issue of Systems Research and Behavioral Science [SSCI 1.034, Scopus, ABS**] Guest Editor: Steffen Roth, Rennes School of Business, France Table of Contents Guest Editorial Steffen Roth: From Added Values to Augmented Realities. Introducing the Special Issue of Management and Functional Differentiation Abstract: In this reintroduction to the concept of functional […]

Release | A global brain wave measurement

Roth S., Clark C., Trofimov N., Mkrtchyan A., Heidingsfelder M., Appignanesi L., Pérez-Valls M., Berkel J., and Kaivo-oja J. (2017) Futures of a distributed memory. A global brain wave measurement (1800-2000), Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Vol. 118 No. May, pp. 307-323 [SSCI 3.005, Scopus, CNRS***, ABS***, VHB***]. Abstract: If the global brain is a suitable model of […]