루만 이론이 과연  구체적 사례에 적용된 경험적 연구가 있는 가에 대한 논의가 인터넷공간에서 있었는데 그 중 일부를 가져온다. 조직의 기억에 대해서... 개인의 지식과 조직의 지식을 루만은 잘 구분할 수 있다는... 뭐 그런...


"There are several applications of autopoiesis in organization practice in a recent volume by Magalhaes and Sanchez (2009). Among these applications is a simulation study that provides an explanation to the somewhat counterintuitive and so far unexplained phenomenon that organizations are able to learn and create knowledge in spite of high personnel turnover or even severe lay-offs.

The literature on knowledge management more or less suggests that losing staff is like losing memory, whereas Luhmann (and works beyond) points to the autopoiesis of organizations as the produce and reproduce themselves through communication. In effect, it clearly differentiates between organizational knowledge and individual knowledge in a way only systems thinking can. 

 Magalhaes, R. & R. Sanchez (Eds.) (2009). Autopoiesis in Organization Theory and Practice. Emerald, London."