An adaptive system is a set of interacting or interdependent entities that form an integrated whole that are capable of responding to environmental changes or changes in interacting parts in a manner analogous to either continuous physiological homeostasis or evolutionary adaptation to biology. Feedback loops are a key feature of adaptive systems such as ecosystems and individual organisms; or in the human world, communities, organizations, and families.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 1,2.0 Discussion
- Approaches to Strategic Thinking
- Complexity Perspective
- Complex Adaptive Systems: Modelling Complexity
Objectives and Key Themes
This work investigates the presence and application of adaptive systems within a company's strategic management approach. The study explores frameworks and tools such as approaches to strategic thinking, novel ways of conceptualizing strategy, modeling complexity, and a practice perspective.
- Adaptive Systems in Strategic Management
- Strategic Thinking Approaches
- Modeling Complexity
- The Role of Human Agency in Strategy
- Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) and their application in organizational settings
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section defines adaptive systems and complex adaptive systems (CAS), highlighting their key features such as feedback loops and the interplay of interacting parts. It contrasts strategic planning with strategic thinking, emphasizing the need for adaptable decision-making systems in increasingly complex business environments. The section lays the groundwork for investigating how adaptive systems function within the company's strategic management approach, outlining the framework and tools to be explored, which include various approaches to strategic thinking, new ways of understanding strategy, modeling complexity, and a practice-based perspective. The increasing speed of change and uncertainty in the business environment is presented as the impetus for this study.
1,2.0 Discussion: Approaches to Strategic Thinking: This chapter examines the evolution of strategic thinking, moving from a purely bureaucratic, top-down approach to one that integrates human agency and interaction. It introduces the "strategy-as-practice" perspective, emphasizing the roles of practitioners (individuals or groups) and practices (routine behaviors) in shaping strategy. The chapter differentiates between conscious (top-down) and emerging (bottom-up) strategy formation, influenced by actors' perceptions of their environment. Various perspectives on strategy—classical, evolutionary, procedural, and systemic—are discussed, highlighting their differing assumptions about rationality, control, and adaptation. This section establishes a crucial foundation for understanding how human behavior and interactions are integral to the strategic process, moving away from purely rational, top-down models of strategy development.
Complexity Perspective: This chapter delves into the nature of complexity, emphasizing its origin in the interaction and interference between systems and their environments. It explores different perspectives on complexity and the challenges of modeling complex systems. The chapter highlights the dynamic nature of complex systems, noting their sensitivity to environmental changes and the potential for small disturbances to lead to significant shifts. A process model for addressing complex problems is outlined, along with a discussion contrasting complex and neoclassical economic approaches. Key themes include the limitations of information and the importance of adaptation in complex environments. The section underscores the inherent uncertainties and challenges of understanding and managing complex systems, thereby setting the stage for discussion on the application of models and frameworks to understand and manage complexity within organizational contexts.
Complex Adaptive Systems: Modelling Complexity: This section explores the use of agent-based modeling to represent and understand complex adaptive systems. It discusses how such models combine sociological theories with the structure of human relationships and institutional impacts. The chapter emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach to model building, incorporating flexibility and sensitivity to real-world systems. The process of model creation, incorporating domain experts and stakeholders, is highlighted, alongside the need to ensure that simulation results are easily understood and applicable to policymakers and practitioners. The limitations of current agent-based modeling approaches are also discussed, focusing on the challenge of presenting simulation results in an easily accessible and applicable way to relevant stakeholders. This sets the groundwork for further discussion on the practical applications and challenges of using such models in strategic decision-making.
Keywords
Adaptive systems, complex adaptive systems (CAS), strategic management, strategic thinking, strategy-as-practice, complexity, agent-based modeling, human agency, organizational behavior, environmental uncertainty, adaptation.
FAQ: Comprehensive Language Preview - Adaptive Systems in Strategic Management
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of a work investigating the application of adaptive systems within a company's strategic management approach. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the main topics covered in this work?
The core themes revolve around adaptive systems, complex adaptive systems (CAS), their application in strategic management, various approaches to strategic thinking (including the "strategy-as-practice" perspective), modeling complexity (particularly using agent-based modeling), the role of human agency in strategy, and the challenges of managing complexity in uncertain environments.
What are the key objectives of the research?
The research investigates how adaptive systems function within a company's strategic management approach. It explores frameworks and tools such as approaches to strategic thinking, novel ways of conceptualizing strategy, modeling complexity, and a practice perspective.
What are the different approaches to strategic thinking discussed?
The document discusses the evolution of strategic thinking from a purely bureaucratic, top-down approach to one that integrates human agency and interaction. It covers classical, evolutionary, procedural, and systemic perspectives on strategy, highlighting their differing assumptions about rationality, control, and adaptation. The "strategy-as-practice" perspective, emphasizing the roles of practitioners and practices, is a central theme.
How does the document address complexity?
The document delves into the nature of complexity, its origin in system interactions, and the challenges of modeling complex systems. It discusses the dynamic nature of complex systems, their sensitivity to environmental changes, and the limitations of information in complex environments. A process model for addressing complex problems is presented, contrasting complex and neoclassical economic approaches.
What role does agent-based modeling play in this work?
Agent-based modeling is explored as a tool for representing and understanding complex adaptive systems. The document discusses how these models combine sociological theories with the structure of human relationships and institutional impacts, emphasizing the importance of a balanced approach to model building and the challenges of presenting simulation results in an easily accessible way to stakeholders.
What are the key takeaways regarding human agency and strategy?
The document highlights the crucial role of human behavior and interactions in the strategic process, moving away from purely rational, top-down models of strategy development. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and integrating human agency into strategic thinking and decision-making.
What are the key words associated with this work?
The keywords include: Adaptive systems, complex adaptive systems (CAS), strategic management, strategic thinking, strategy-as-practice, complexity, agent-based modeling, human agency, organizational behavior, environmental uncertainty, adaptation.
What is the structure of the document?
The document is structured with an introduction, followed by chapters discussing approaches to strategic thinking, a complexity perspective, and the use of complex adaptive systems modeling. Each chapter is summarized, providing a concise overview of its contents.
- Quote paper
- Olawale Sanni (Author), 2020, Adaptive Systems and Strategic Management Approach, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/963281
