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London School of Economics Complexity Research Programme |
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http://www.psych.lse.ac.uk:16080/complexity/index.html |
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University / College
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COUNTRY:
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United Kingdom
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REGION:
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Greater London
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LANGUAGE:
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English
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INSTITUTION ID:
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01-51058
(Last edited
on 2003/12/01 03:26:12 US/Mountain
)
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We take complexity to mean the intricate inter-relationships that arise from the interaction of agents, which are able to adapt in and evolve with a changing environment. The theoretical framework being developed is based on work in the natural sciences (in physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and computer simulation) studying complex adaptive systems (CAS). The work at the LSE is focusing on complex social systems using the generic characteristics of CAS as a starting point, but without direct mapping between the disciplines. In other words, organisations are studied as complex social systems in their own right, not as metaphors or analogies of physical, chemical or biological CASs.
In an organisational context, complexity provides an explanatory framework of how organisations behave. How individuals and organisations interact, relate and evolve within a larger social ecosystem. Complexity also explains why interventions may have un-anticipated consequences. The intricate inter-relationships of elements within a complex system give rise to multiple chains of dependencies. Change happens in the context of this intricate intertwining at all scales. We become aware of change only when a different pattern becomes discernible. But before change at a macro level can be seen, it is taking place at many micro-levels simultaneously. Hence micro-agent change leads to macro system evolution.
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Please note that the total of departmental/faculty statistics may not equal institutional/organizational
statistics due to joint authorship across departments.
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