A Brief Introduction to Complexity in Organizations
Abstract
The sciences of chaos and complexity include arcane investigations of complicated natural phenomena. Organizational applications of the sciences are no less complicated. Talented persons around the world are struggling to make sense out of the strange and surprising behaviors of complex adaptive systems in nature and in human organizations. This paper presents a brief introduction to some of the major themes of the applications of chaos science to organizational development and behavior. Because of its brevity, this paper cannot include all of the rich and subtle insights that emerge from a study of complex adaptive systems. On the other hand, the paper will provide relatively simple definitions of terms and concepts that form the foundation of the theory and practice of complexity in organizational settings. Full Article
The Robin Hood Syndrome: Street Gangs as a Complex Adaptive System
Abstract
Street gangs pose serious threats to their members, to their victims, and to communities at large. The behavior problems associated with gangs are many and varied. Suggested causes for the emergence of gangs are complicated, and many of them are interdependent. Interventions planned to rehabilitate individuals and to weaken the power of the gang are numerous. Research shows that few of these interventions demonstrate consistent or long-lasting effects. This paper investigates the gang as a complex adaptive system (CAS). It defines some of the characteristic behaviors of CASs, describes how these behaviors can be observed in street gangs, posits a CAS-based causal mechanism for gang behavior (Robin Hood Syndrome), suggests interventions that are consistent with the CAS model, and makes recommendations for further research in the area. Full article.Evaluation in a Complex Adaptive System
Abstract
Evaluation is a central issue in all organizations. Many standard evaluation tools, techniques and methods rely on basic assumptions about linear organizational dynamics (predictability, low dimensionality, system closure, stability and equilibration). Some of these assumptions are not valid when a system enters the regime of a complex adaptive system (CAS). New strategies are required to evaluate human systems as CASs. New tools, techniques and methods must integrate assumptions about the dynamical nature of the CAS. This paper summarizes the characteristics of CASs from an organizational perspective. It identifies properties of an evaluation system that are consistent with the nature of a CAS. It describes evaluation tools and techniques that promise more effective evaluation of human CASs. Finally, it describes the role of the evaluator in a CAS. Full article.
