16 Questions
What are the three cornerstones of complexity theory identified by Stacey?
Chaos theory, Dissipative structures, Complex adaptive structures
How are complicated systems different from complex systems?
Complicated systems are ordered and difficult to understand, while complex systems are disordered and unpredictable.
What do dissipative structures need to withstand large forces or undergo radical self-reorganization?
Dissipative structures need energy and impetus from outside.
What are complex adaptive structures made up of?
Complex adaptive structures are made up of agents, each conforming to its own principles that shape its behavior in relation to other agents.
According to Burnes, what is one implication of applying complexity theory to organizations?
One implication is the need to move beyond 'narrow employee participation in change' towards much more democracy and equalization of power.
What kind of systems are characterized by constant transformation analogous to the ways that species evolve?
Chaos systems are characterized by constant transformation analogous to the ways that species evolve.
What does the concept of self-organization require to fuel continuous change?
The presence of 'order generating rules'
According to complexity theory, what does the metaphor provide managers with?
New insights into how their organizations work and how they can conceive change
What is the shadow system in the context of organizational change?
The old network that employees had before the new organization was formed
How does the concept of a shadow system contribute to understanding organizational change?
It works to destabilize the legitimate system and establish a different organizational equilibrium
What is the 'tipping point' in the context of complexity theory?
The idea of a tipping point is when events lead up to and culminate in a significant change
What are the two extremes of change mentioned in the text?
Incremental change and large-scale transformation
What is the continuous approach to improving products and processes based on?
Self-organization
What is the role of 'order generating rules' in self-organization?
They evolve and are part of the processes of self-organization
What does complexity theory act as in the context of organizational change?
A metaphor for understanding how change happens and how it is sustained
What type of change is crucial for understanding the concept of a 'shadow system'?
Transformational or frame-breaking change
Test your knowledge about complexity theory, which involves the study of natural systems and uses mathematical principles to explain organizational behavior. Learn about the differences between complicated and complex systems, and how they are characterized by order and predictability.
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