Implications of Complexity Theory for Organizational Design

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Authors

  • Surendra Dixit
     Oust Labs, Bangalore – 560034, Karnataka ,IN
  • K. Sankaran
     Justice K. S. Hegde Institute of Management, Nitte – 574110, Karnataka ,IN

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18311/nmr/2019–2020/v13i1&2/26372

Keywords:

Adaptive Systems, Complexity Theory, De-centered Organizations, Emergent Organizations, Self-regulation

Abstract

The business world is experiencing change at an unprecedented rate and this state of turbulence is characterized by heightened volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, popularly called VUCA. Organizations are not only bracing to take on the challenges posed by this environment, but are also evolving new practices that can help them thrive in these times. These new practices, however are a definite departure from existing, established organization principles. In this paper, we take a critical look at these existing principles of management as articulated by Urwick and propose that Complexity Theory shows the promise to enable us to come up with new principles that are attuned to the practices of today's successful organizations. We further substantiate this perspective with the help of two short case studies.

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Published

2020-12-22

How to Cite

Dixit, S., & Sankaran, K. (2020). Implications of Complexity Theory for Organizational Design. Nitte Management Review, 13(1&2), 25–36. https://doi.org/10.18311/nmr/2019–2020/v13i1&2/26372

Issue

Volume 13, Issue 1&2, January-December 2019-2020

Section

Articles

 

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