Coherence Coefficient

Definition

The Coherence Coefficient is the measure of how reliably a system conducts meaning across its structures, roles, workflows, and decision pathways. It reflects the degree to which the system’s architecture supports clear interpretation, predictable action, and aligned decision-making.

In Meaning System Science, the Coherence Coefficient is the C-variable in the Law of Moral Proportion and determines how effectively the system uses truth and signals to generate aligned behavior.

High Coherence Coefficient → stable meaning flow.
Low Coherence Coefficient → distortion, conflict, and drift.

Scientific Lineage

The Coherence Coefficient draws heavily from:

General Systems Theory
Bertalanffy, Luhmann — structure as a generator of predictable behavior.

Cybernetics
Wiener, Ashby — feedback, error correction, and structural adequacy.

Information Theory
Shannon — channels must support reliable signal transmission.

Organizational Theory
Simon, Barnard — how roles and pathways create or break clarity.

Meaning System Science formalizes these traditions into a single variable: C, the measurable strength of structural alignment.

What the Coherence Coefficient Measures

The Coherence Coefficient evaluates four structural qualities:

1. Clarity

Whether roles, responsibilities, and decision rights are unambiguous.

2. Consistency

Whether structures reinforce rather than contradict each other.

3. Conductivity

How well information flows across levels, teams, and functions.

4. Alignment

Whether authority, workflow, and communication channels support the same truths and priorities.

The stronger these qualities are, the higher the Coherence Coefficient.

Relationship to Structural Coherence

Structural Coherence (the concept) describes the system’s overall structural integrity.

The Coherence Coefficient (the variable) is the quantitative expression of that integrity.

One is descriptive. The other is measurable.

Role in Meaning System Science

The Coherence Coefficient determines:

• whether meaning flows without distortion

• whether structures support or contradict verified truth

• whether signals are reinforced or scrambled as they travel

• whether governance enables correction or blocks it

• how well the system resists pressure and entropy

• how quickly drift accelerates under stress

Coherence is the “structural amplifier” of truth.

Relationship to the Legitimacy Equation

The Coherence Coefficient is the third numerator variable in:

L = (T × P × C) ÷ D

This means:

• C multiplies the effect of truth and aligned power

• low C collapses legitimacy even when truth is strong

• strong C protects the system against drift acceleration

• C determines whether structural pathways enhance or degrade truth

If truth is the foundation, and power is the action, coherence is the architecture that carries both.

Coherence vs. Compliance

Compliance enforces rules.
Coherence aligns meaning.

Compliance can be high while coherence is low, creating fear-driven, brittle systems.

Meaning System Science differentiates between the two to avoid conflating obedience with stability.

Coherence and Drift

Low coherence accelerates drift by:

• producing contradictory interpretations

• scrambling signals

• generating inconsistent decisions

• increasing pressure on roles

• overloading communication channels

• making correction difficult or impossible

High coherence slows drift by stabilizing meaning pathways.

Organizational Implications

The Coherence Coefficient predicts:

• whether strategy translates into execution

• whether teams interpret signals consistently

• whether decisions stabilize or destabilize workflows

• whether priority conflicts emerge

• whether the system can sustain transformation

• whether legitimacy grows or erodes under pressure

Organizations with high C experience:

• predictable decision-making

• aligned execution

• low confusion

• faster correction

• stable meaning flow

Organizations with low C experience:

• duplicative work

• contradictory expectations

• grinding operational friction

• political drift

• sharp volatility during change

Applications in Transformation Science & LDP-1.0

The Coherence Coefficient is used to:

• identify structural bottlenecks

• assess alignment of decision pathways

• analyze architecture during transformation

• detect structural causes of drift

• calibrate operating rhythm

• evaluate governance quality

• design transformation structures that resist entropy