Weaknesses of the model

Box (1976) acknowledges that all models are wrong but some are useful. This model, as with any model of OLKM, is incomplete at best. The first weakness which is inherent in all models of OLKM is that the topic is so extraordinarily complex that no amount of words or even diagrams could possibly encompass everything. This is one reason why the human body was chosen. For as long humans have taken our current form, there have been studies to find out how it works. The miracle is that after thousands of years, we still do not have a perfect understanding of every aspect of the body. In this way, the metaphor is appropriate. However, two major deviations between the metaphor and the concept of OLKM were identified.

Firstly, humans in general have a much greater capacity to radically and rapidly change their environment than any organisation. Secondly, organisations are made up of distinct individuals so as a collective they can consciously and strategically develop and evolve throughout their life time. Therefore they can gain and lose their human resources, shift and change at will. Through successful change management, organisations can go from having structures and a culture that act as barriers to OLKM to having a unique combination of capabilities that support and enhance OLKM. This could never happen to a human. A tall person cannot think themselves into being a short person.

Although it is obvious that there are some weaknesses to the model, we hope that the usefulness of the model outweighs any shortcomings

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