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Commentary on the Organization Science Special Issue on Complexity

Author

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  • Michael Cohen

    (School of Information, University of Michigan, 312 West Hall, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1092)

Abstract

The appearance of this special issue of Organization Science reflects—and will surely increase—the attention organizational researchers are paying to studies of “complex systems.” There has been a remarkable wave of interest in this synthesis of concepts arising from the intersection of biology, physics, and computer science. However, if this line of work is to develop into a permanent source of valuable ideas for organizational researchers, rather than to prove a passing fancy, we need to begin sharpening our appraisal of the promise and limitations of complex systems theories in the study of organization. To have real value, such new ideas cannot for very long be characterized as the potential answer to almost every question. A period of testing their applicability across a spectrum of issues is needed. This will help us to determine on which problems the ideas work best, and which are best attacked with other tools.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Cohen, 1999. "Commentary on the Organization Science Special Issue on Complexity," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 10(3), pages 373-376, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ororsc:v:10:y:1999:i:3:p:373-376
    DOI: 10.1287/orsc.10.3.373
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bak, P. & Paczuski, M. & Shubik, M., 1997. "Price variations in a stock market with many agents," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 246(3), pages 430-453.
    2. Michael D. Cohen & Paul Bacdayan, 1994. "Organizational Routines Are Stored as Procedural Memory: Evidence from a Laboratory Study," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 5(4), pages 554-568, November.
    3. Eric Bonabeau, 1997. "From Classical Models of Morphogenesis to Agent-Based Models of Pattern Formation," Working Papers 97-07-063, Santa Fe Institute.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Bruce Kogut & Nalin Kulatilaka, 2001. "Capabilities as Real Options," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 12(6), pages 744-758, December.
    3. Halit Karaxha, 2019. "The Importance of Implementing Changes in Organizations," Romanian Economic Journal, Department of International Business and Economics from the Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest, vol. 22(72), pages 25-36, June.
    4. Liviu Neamtu & Adina Claudia Neamtu, 2016. "Marketing Strategies Based On The Buying Process," Annals - Economy Series, Constantin Brancusi University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 2, pages 129-134, April.
    5. Bill McKelvey & Benyamin B. Lichtenstein & Pierpaolo Andriani, 2012. "When organisations and ecosystems interact: toward a law of requisite fractality in firms," International Journal of Complexity in Leadership and Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 2(1/2), pages 104-136.
    6. Jeremy P. Birnholtz & Michael D. Cohen & Susannah V. Hoch, 2007. "Organizational Character: On the Regeneration of Camp Poplar Grove," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 18(2), pages 315-332, April.
    7. Brian T. Pentland & Thorvald Hærem & Derek Hillison, 2011. "The (N)Ever-Changing World: Stability and Change in Organizational Routines," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 22(6), pages 1369-1383, December.
    8. M. Max Evans, 2013. "Is Trust the Most Important Human Factor Influencing Knowledge Sharing in Organisations?," Journal of Information & Knowledge Management (JIKM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 12(04), pages 1-17.

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