Ricerc@Sapienza

The aim of this paper is to trace the scientific landscape (authors, scientific papers, topics most frequently dealt with, relationships between them) of the studies concerning the viable system model (VSM) and the viable system approach (vSa), carried out in the period 1990–2018 within the scientific framework of systems thinking by scholars in business, management and accounting (BMA). The methodology adopted herein is based on a scientometric approach, bibliographic mapping and clustering.

Scientometrics is assuming a major role in the organisation of scientific research and in science policy in general. This paper aims at presenting its history from the point of view of its relationship with history and sociology of science, and with documentary disciplines, together with some initiatives to minimise the unintended consequences of its improper use