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Complexity in business environments

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  • Vasconcelos, Flávio C.
  • Ramirez, Rafael

Abstract

This article analyzes the concept of complexity from an epistemological point of view, drawing a distinction between complexity (contextual complexity) and complication (procedural complexity). This article explores some organizational consequences of increasing complexity in organizational environments as management must cope with complexity at three different levels -- internal, transactional environment, and contextual environment. The authors propose a model of managerial competencies in terms of complexity requirements and overview some consequences of this model for organizational learning and competence building processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Vasconcelos, Flávio C. & Ramirez, Rafael, 2011. "Complexity in business environments," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 64(3), pages 236-241, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:64:y:2011:i:3:p:236-241
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Russell L. Ackoff, 1981. "The Art and Science of Mess Management," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 11(1), pages 20-26, February.
    2. Kenneth E. Boulding, 1956. "General Systems Theory--The Skeleton of Science," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 2(3), pages 197-208, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mark Casson & Yutong Li, 2022. "Complexity in international business: The implications for theory," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 53(9), pages 2037-2049, December.
    2. Riccaboni, Massimo & Wang, Xu & Zhu, Zhen, 2021. "Firm performance in networks: The interplay between firm centrality and corporate group size," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 641-653.
    3. Saghiri, Soroosh & Wilding, Richard & Mena, Carlos & Bourlakis, Michael, 2017. "Toward a three-dimensional framework for omni-channel," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 53-67.
    4. González-Varona, José M. & Martín-Cruz, Natalia & Acebes, Fernando & Pajares, Javier, 2023. "How public funding affects complexity in R&D projects. An analysis of team project perceptions," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    5. Discua Cruz, Allan & Hamilton, Eleanor & Campopiano, Giovanna & Jack, Sarah L., 2024. "Women’s entrepreneurial stewardship: The contribution of women to family business continuity in rural areas of Honduras," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 15(1).
    6. Evans, Jocelyn & Borders, Aberdeen Leila, 2014. "Strategically Surviving Bankruptcy during a Global Financial Crisis: The Importance of Understanding Chapter 15," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 67(1), pages 2738-2742.
    7. De Toni, Alberto F. & Pessot, Elena, 2021. "Investigating organisational learning to master project complexity: An embedded case study," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 541-554.
    8. Galati, Francesco & Bigliardi, Barbara & Galati, Roberta & Petroni, Giorgio, 2021. "Managing structural inter-organizational tensions in complex product systems projects: Lessons from the Metis case," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 723-735.
    9. Molden, Lars Hovdan & Clausen, Tommy Hoyvarde, 2021. "Playing 3D chess, or how firms can thrive under complexity: The mediating role of innovation capabilities in the use of innovation input," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 1-13.
    10. Han, Jin & Ruan, Yi & Wang, Yanmin & Zhou, Haibo, 2021. "Toward a complex adaptive system: The case of the Zhongguancun entrepreneurship ecosystem," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 537-550.
    11. Krijkamp, Annefleur R. & Knoben, Joris & Oerlemans, Leon A.G. & Leenders, Roger T.A.J., 2021. "An ace in the hole: The effects of (in)accurately observed structural holes on organizational reputation positions in whole networks," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 703-713.
    12. Spelta, A. & Flori, A. & Pecora, N. & Pammolli, F., 2021. "Financial crises: Uncovering self-organized patterns and predicting stock markets instability," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 736-756.
    13. Akhtar, Ch. Shoaib & Awan, Sajid Hussain & Naveed, Shaheryar & Ismail, Kamariah, 2018. "A comparative study of the application of systems thinking in achieving organizational effectiveness in Malaysian and Pakistani banks," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(4), pages 767-776.
    14. Zhao, Yushan & Cavusgil, Erin & Cavusgil, S. Tamer, 2014. "An investigation of the black-box supplier integration in new product development," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 67(6), pages 1058-1064.
    15. Gonzales Martinez, Rolando & D’Espallier, Bert & Mersland, Roy, 2021. "Bifurcations in business profitability: An agent-based simulation of homophily in self-financing groups," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 495-514.
    16. Förster, Bernadette & von der Gracht, Heiko, 2014. "Assessing Delphi panel composition for strategic foresight — A comparison of panels based on company-internal and external participants," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 215-229.

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