Complexity in Organizations - Economics and Adaptation Assignment - 1

Complexity in Organizations - Economics and Adaptation - Assignment Example The main challenge that is being faced by managers is to ensure that complexity of systems, rules and procedures do not get out of hand and hence the persistent efforts to simplify procedures and reduce the complexity of the system. It has to be mentioned that complexity is an inherent property of any system and the study of adaptive systems has shown that complexity is an emergent property as well. Hence, this central tension between complexity and the human tendency to simplify or derive meaning by simple expositions lies at the heart of the debate over complexity. Hence, the paradox of simplifying complex systems is the theme of this paper. The paper attempts to answer the question: How can we form simple theories if organizations are so complex? This question carries with the implication that simple theories of organizations are difficult to achieve in the face of increasing complexity. This paper takes the position that though complexity is ever present and increasing, there can be ways in which the system (the organization in this case) can be described or theories can be made about the organization by adopting a two-fold approach. These are treating the organization as an organic whole and forming theories about the whole. The second approach is by taking the constituent parts and then formulating theories about them. In no way does this author assert that simple theories about essentially complex systems can be made. On the other hand, the theme of this paper is that theories about the organization can be formed that can reflect some level of simplicity by following the approaches mentioned above. As Macintosh and Maclean point out in their paper, there is a three-stage process of organizations â€Å"conditioning† the outcome of the transformation process by articulating and reconfiguring the rules which underpin its deep structure; second, it takes steps to move from its current equilibrium and finally it moves into a period where positive and negative feedback loops become the focus of managerial attention.