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The Idea of a Complexity
Perspective
What is Complexity Theory?
Complexity theory from a business viewpoint is a generic insight about
the implications for businesses of being embedded in a constantly
evolving context.
If we had to summarize in a more lofty
fashion, complexity theory is about the
dynamics of the way the world ‘becomes’;
about how the business context is in a
constant state of Emergence and the effect
that has on business systems.
The theory is comprised of a number of major
constructs that operate together to create the
business context to which organizations must
adapt or die.
The dynamic nature of complex contexts leads to outcomes that are
not necessarily predictable; there is no linear connection between an
apparent cause and an apparent effect. This means that interventions
by business leaders can lead to unintended consequences both
positive and negative. A corollary to this is that complex
contexts are difficult to forecast, but by understanding the underlying
dynamics a leader can make intuitive sense of what is happening.
The Complexity Perspective uses Complexity Theory constructs as
metaphors. It is useful in the fields of strategic
management and organizational studies, and lies (largely
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