IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/minsoc/v14y2015i2p259-271.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A call for complexity: integrated models to solve complex policy problems

Author

Listed:
  • Liz Johnson

Abstract

This research calls for attention to complexity theory and the integration of complexity methodologies in policy research. A complexity approach in research practice requires a systems worldview and recognition of non-linearity, networks, self-organization, emergence, and feedback in policy. Simply, if a phenomenon is complex and can be explored from varied contexts and scales, the conceptual frame, and the methodical approach should be able to address the complexity. Complexity science has the capacity to account for complexity in varied contexts, on varied scales, and with an interrelated and interdependent environment. Further, if policy systems are at times simple, complicated, complex, and chaotic, then complexity mythologies combined with traditional qualitative and quantitative methods can bring to light the workings of the elusive black box. Complexity allows for triangulation of both linear and non-linear methodologies integrating qualitative, quantitative, network analysis, and agent-based models, as well as other methodologies. Complexity science is not the panacea to solve all policy problems with perfection. But if you do not acknowledge the complexity you will be missing out on the opportunity to shape patterns of sustainability, to effectively manage complex policy problems to someday solve them. Copyright Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Liz Johnson, 2015. "A call for complexity: integrated models to solve complex policy problems," Mind & Society: Cognitive Studies in Economics and Social Sciences, Springer;Fondazione Rosselli, vol. 14(2), pages 259-271, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:minsoc:v:14:y:2015:i:2:p:259-271
    DOI: 10.1007/s11299-015-0178-8
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1007/s11299-015-0178-8
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11299-015-0178-8?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kenneth E. Boulding, 1956. "General Systems Theory--The Skeleton of Science," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 2(3), pages 197-208, April.
    2. Graham Room, 2011. "Complexity, Institutions and Public Policy," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 14394.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. 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.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lu, Jinfeng & Dimov, Dimo, 2023. "A system dynamics modelling of entrepreneurship and growth within firms," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 38(3).
    2. Jin P. Gerlach & Ronald T. Cenfetelli, 2022. "Overcoming the Single-IS Paradigm in Individual-Level IS Research," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 33(2), pages 476-488, June.
    3. George Kleiner, 2015. "State — Region — Field— Enterprise: Framework of Economics System Stability of Russia. Part 1," Economy of region, Centre for Economic Security, Institute of Economics of Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, vol. 1(2), pages 50-58.
    4. Avner Engel & Shalom Shachar, 2006. "Measuring and optimizing systems' quality costs and project duration," Systems Engineering, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 9(3), pages 259-280, September.
    5. Justin R. Hall & Selen Savas-Hall & Eric H. Shaw, 2023. "A deductive approach to a systematic review of entrepreneurship literature," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 73(3), pages 987-1016, September.
    6. Bauer, Johannes M., 2014. "Platforms, systems competition, and innovation: Reassessing the foundations of communications policy," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(8), pages 662-673.
    7. Michal Shur‐Ofry & Ofer Malcai, 2021. "Collective action and social contagion: Community gardens as a case study," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(1), pages 63-81, January.
    8. Masechaba Nthunya & Nien-Tsu Tuan & Corrinne Shaw & Ian Jay, 2017. "A Systemic Exploration of Lesotho’s Basic Education through Interactive Management," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 30(3), pages 257-276, June.
    9. Ahmet Ilhan, 2020. "Comparison of Organizational Theory in the Axis of the "Pandemonium" Metaphor in Modern, Symbolic and Postmodern Approaches," Eurasian Journal of Business and Management, Eurasian Publications, vol. 8(4), pages 292-304.
    10. Barile, Sergio & Carrubbo, Luca & Iandolo, Francesca & Caputo, Francesco, 2013. "From 'EGO' to 'ECO' in B2B relationships," jbm - Journal of Business Market Management, Free University Berlin, Marketing Department, vol. 6(4), pages 228-253.
    11. M C Jackson, 2009. "Fifty years of systems thinking for management," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 60(1), pages 24-32, May.
    12. Andreas Hieronymi, 2013. "Understanding Systems Science: A Visual and Integrative Approach," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(5), pages 580-595, September.
    13. Luoma, Jukka, 2016. "Model-based organizational decision making: A behavioral lens," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 249(3), pages 816-826.
    14. Bauer, Johannes M., 2018. "The Internet and income inequality: Socio-economic challenges in a hyperconnected society," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(4), pages 333-343.
    15. David C. Lane, 2022. "Fons et origo: reflections on the 60th anniversary of Industrial Dynamics," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 38(3), pages 292-324, July.
    16. George Kleiner, 2015. "State — Region — Field — Enterprise: Framework of Economics System Stability of Russia. Part 2," Economy of region, Centre for Economic Security, Institute of Economics of Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, vol. 1(3), pages 9-17.
    17. Dimov, Dimo & Pistrui, Joseph, 2024. "Dynamics of entrepreneurial well-being: Insights from computational theory," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    18. Bale, Catherine S.E. & McCullen, Nicholas J. & Foxon, Timothy J. & Rucklidge, Alastair M. & Gale, William F., 2013. "Harnessing social networks for promoting adoption of energy technologies in the domestic sector," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 833-844.
    19. Stephens, William & Hess, Tim, 1999. "Systems approaches to water management research," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 40(1), pages 3-13, March.
    20. Jim Spohrer & Alessio Giuiusa & Haluk Demirkan & David Ing, 2013. "Service Science: Reframing Progress with Universities," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(5), pages 561-569, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:minsoc:v:14:y:2015:i:2:p:259-271. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.