Title: Complexity and chaos in organisations: complex management

Authors: Elena Olmedo

Addresses: Departament of Economia Aplicada I, University of Sevilla, Avda. Ramon y Cajal 1, 41018, Sevilla, Spain

Abstract: In the present work we analyse the implications of complexity in the behaviour of organisations, and how they should adapt to this complexity instead of trying to exclude it. We divide the paper in seven different sections: after a brief introduction (Section 1) we comment the influence of complexity in the evolution of scientific paradigms (Section 2); in Section 3 we analyse the meaning of the term |complexity| and the characteristics of a complex system; in Section 4 complexity and chaos are related, conforming what is named chaordic system thinking; in Section 5 we analyse the shift of paradigm in management and the implications of the new complex paradigm in organisations; in Section 6 we analyse the meaning of complex organisation; at last, in Section 7 we expose the new tools in organisation to cope with complexity.

Keywords: chaos; chaordic systems; complex adaptive systems; strategic management; complexity; complex management; complex skills; organisational behaviour.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCLM.2010.035790

International Journal of Complexity in Leadership and Management, 2010 Vol.1 No.1, pp.72 - 82

Published online: 04 Oct 2010 *

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