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Using complexity theory to analyse the organisational response to resurgent tuberculosis across London

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  • Trenholm, Susan
  • Ferlie, Ewan

Abstract

We employ complexity theory to analyse the English National Health Service (NHS)'s organisational response to resurgent tuberculosis across London. Tennison (2002) suggests that complexity theory could fruitfully explore a healthcare system's response to this complex and emergent phenomenon: we explore this claim here. We also bring in established New Public Management principles to enhance our empirical analysis, which is based on data collected between late 2009 and mid-2011. We find that the operation of complexity theory based features, especially self-organisation, are significantly impacted by the macro context of a New Public Management-based regime which values control, measurement and risk management more than innovation, flexibility and lateral system building. We finally explore limitations and suggest perspectives for further research.

Suggested Citation

  • Trenholm, Susan & Ferlie, Ewan, 2013. "Using complexity theory to analyse the organisational response to resurgent tuberculosis across London," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 229-237.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:93:y:2013:i:c:p:229-237
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.08.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Robert Drazin & Lloyd Sandelands, 1992. "Autogenesis: A Perspective on the Process of Organizing," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 3(2), pages 230-249, May.
    2. Hood, Christopher, 1995. "The "new public management" in the 1980s: Variations on a theme," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 20(2-3), pages 93-109.
    3. Ralph D. Stacey, 1995. "The science of complexity: An alternative perspective for strategic change processes," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 16(6), pages 477-495.
    4. Gandy, Matthew & Zumla, Alimuddin, 2002. "The resurgence of disease: social and historical perspectives on the 'new' tuberculosis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 55(3), pages 385-396, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Walton, Mat, 2014. "Applying complexity theory: A review to inform evaluation design," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 119-126.
    2. West, Robert M. & House, Allan O. & Keen, Justin & Ward, Vicky L., 2015. "Using the structure of social networks to map inter-agency relationships in public health services," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 107-114.
    3. Sara A. Kreindler, 2019. "The stipulation‐stimulation spiral: A model of system change," International Journal of Health Planning and Management, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(4), pages 1464-1477, October.

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