Complexity and Management: Fad or Radical Challenge to Systems Thinking? (Complexity and Emergence in Organizations)

Complexity theory is generating increasing interest amongst strategic thinkers. This fascinating book covers issues such as predictability, creativity and relationships as it considers how complexity, and its central principles of emergence and self-organization, are being used to understand organizations. The book:

• introduces the variety of views put forward by different writers on complexity and management
• outlines and critiques the way that complexity theory is frequently interpreted purely in the context of systems thinking
• draws a new perspective on using complexity sciences to understand organizational stability and change by focusing on the emergence of novelty and creativity in the course of everyday processes
• calls for a radical re-examination of management thinking.

Timely and controversial, Complexity and Management is essential reading for anyone interested in strategy, systems thinking, organization and management theory, and organizational change.

Ralph Stacey is Professor of Management and Director of the Complexity and Management Centre at the University of Hertfordshire, and a member of the Institute of Group Analysis. He is also consultant to managers at many levels accross a range of organizations and the author of a number of books and articles.