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Quote by Anthony Stafford Beer

“If cybernetics is the science of control, management is the profession of control.”

Quote by Anthony Stafford Beer

Author

Anthony Stafford Beer

Anthony Stafford Beer was an influential scholar in the field of systems thinking and management theory. His research focused on organizational theory, systems dynamics, and decision-making processes, which had a profound impact on modern management practices. more

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“According to the science of cybernetics, which deals with the topic of control in every kind of system (mechanical, electronic, biological, human, economic, and so on), there is a natural law that governs the capacity of a control system to work. It says that the control must be capable of generating as much "variety" as the situation to be controlled.”

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“It is the concept of likelihood that a real understanding of probability resides, and we must learn how to measure it.”

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“A stochastic process is about the results of convolving probabilities-which is just what management is about, as well.”

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“There is, then, a logical priority about the arrangements, and logic has nothing to do with time.”

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“Certain management policies-stretching of credit resources, for example-may lead to great progress in good conditions; but, like the Grand Prix car in comparison with the Land Rover, they may not be robust enough to survive when the going gets tough.”

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“A slowly moving queue does not move uniformly. Rather, waves of motion pass down the queue. The frequency and amplitude of these waves is inversely related to the speed at which the queue is served.”

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“It is terribly important to appreciate that some things remain obscure to the bitter end.”

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“The system of transportation is not coherent; it is not treated as integral. Roads compete with with railroads and airlines in chaotic fashion, and at immense cost to the nation.”

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