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Complexity, simplicity, simplexity

Author

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  • Miguel Pina, e Cunha
  • Rego, Arménio

Abstract

"In the midst of order, there is chaos; but in the midst of chaos, there is order", John Gribbin wrote in his book Deep Simplicity (p. 76). In this dialectical spirit, we discuss the generative tension between complexity and simplicity in the theory and practice of management and organization. Complexity theory suggests that the relationship between complex environments and complex organizations advanced by the well-known Ashby's law, may be reconsidered: only simple organization provides enough space for individual agency to match environmental turbulence in the form of complex organizational responses. We suggest that complex organizing may be paradoxically facilitated by a simple infrastructure, and that the theory of organizations may be viewed as resulting from the dialectical interplay between simplicity and complexity.

Suggested Citation

  • Miguel Pina, e Cunha & Rego, Arménio, 2010. "Complexity, simplicity, simplexity," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 28(2), pages 85-94, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:eurman:v:28:y:2010:i:2:p:85-94
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Adamik Anna & Ghinea Valentina Mihaela & Ghinea Mihalache & Nowicki Michał, 2022. "Mapping the maturity of SMART WORLD trends as a tool for developing business excellence and reducing organizational complexity," Management & Marketing, Sciendo, vol. 17(2), pages 193-219, June.
    2. Abdul Majid & Naila Tabassum, 2012. "Analysis of Environmental Complexities and the Associated Dynamics for Development of SME Sector in Pakistan," Information Management and Business Review, AMH International, vol. 4(9), pages 496-501.
    3. Cunha, Miguel Pina e & Rego, Arménio & Clegg, Stewart, 2011. "Beyond addiction: Hierarchy and other ways of getting strategy done," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 29(6), pages 491-503.
    4. Poulis, Konstantinos, 2021. "Complexity as an empirical tendency: Promoting non-measurement as a means to enhanced understanding," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 39(4), pages 487-496.
    5. Accard, Philippe, 2015. "Complex hierarchy: The strategic advantages of a trade-off between hierarchical supervision and self-organizing," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 89-103.
    6. Gaim, Medhanie & Wåhlin, Nils, 2016. "In search of a creative space: A conceptual framework of synthesizing paradoxical tensions," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 32(1), pages 33-44.

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