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Epistemological Foundations of Complexity Theory

Author

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  • Miguel Bustamante-Ubilla

    (Faculty of Business and Economics, Universidad de Talca, Talca 3460000, Chile
    Posgraduate System, Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil (UCSG), Guayaquil 090150, Ecuador)

  • Felipe Arenas-Torres

    (Centro de Investigación y Estudios Contables (CIEC), Faculty of Business and Economics, Universidad de Talca, Talca 3460000, Chile)

Abstract

The present investigation studies the evolution of complexity based on the epistemological analysis of various documentary sources, some related to changes in society as a whole and others with the new concepts that have progressively been shaping and content to the concept of complexity. For this, the multisystemic conformation of society, the relationships and interdependence of its parts or subsystems, and how they operate in interdependence, promoting new spaces for growth, development, and new complexity, were studied. The work makes a systematic approach to the concept of complexity, seeking to achieve an epistemological synthesis that relates the theories that interpret society as an empirical construct and the various theories that seek to explain it, distinguishing those that address the micro-social level from those that refer to the society as a whole. Among the findings, it can be seen that the concept of complexity has evolved, moving from the fundamental concepts of systems theory to those that analyze the origin and behavior of societies. For this, the sources of complexity are identified, some from people, others from subsystems, and finally from society. Conceptually, new terms such as particles, waves, waves, and surges appear, seeking to explain the genesis of complexity and those factors that describe its evolution through attractors that move between order and chaos, generating structures catalytic or dissipative as required by society. Finally, based on complex thinking and available analytical tools, this work contributes significantly to the study of complexity theory.

Suggested Citation

  • Miguel Bustamante-Ubilla & Felipe Arenas-Torres, 2022. "Epistemological Foundations of Complexity Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:20:p:13316-:d:944231
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Philip Haynes & David Alemna, 2022. "A Systematic Literature Review of the Impact of Complexity Theory on Applied Economics," Economies, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-23, August.
    2. Gianpaolo Abatecola & Alberto Surace, 2020. "Discussing the Use of Complexity Theory in Engineering Management: Implications for Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-24, December.
    3. Gligor, David & Russo, Ivan & Maloni, Michael J., 2022. "Understanding gender differences in logistics innovation: A complexity theory perspective," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 246(C).
    4. Jun Yan & Lianyong Feng & Artem Denisov & Alina Steblyanskaya & Jan-Pieter Oosterom, 2020. "Complexity theory for the modern Chinese economy from an information entropy perspective: Modeling of economic efficiency and growth potential," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(1), pages 1-24, January.
    5. Devereux, Luke & Melewar, T.C. & Dinnie, Keith & Lange, Thomas, 2020. "Corporate identity orientation and disorientation: A complexity theory perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 413-424.
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