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Complexity Theory and Public Administration: What's New?

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  • Erik-Hans Klijn

Abstract

Increasing attention is being paid to the application of complex systems theories in the social sciences. Although this trend is less prominent in the field of public administration, some examples of the use of complexity theory in research in this domain can be found. This article discusses three central ideas in complex systems theory that are relevant for public administration research: dynamics, self-organization and co-evolution. After briefly introducing each idea, the article traces similar concepts in public administration research. It then contrasts them with each other, and discusses how they can improve our understanding of phenomena in public administration. Finally, the article explores how the manager's role is perceived in public administration and what insights complexity theory can add to that view.

Suggested Citation

  • Erik-Hans Klijn, 2008. "Complexity Theory and Public Administration: What's New?," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(3), pages 299-317, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:pubmgr:v:10:y:2008:i:3:p:299-317
    DOI: 10.1080/14719030802002675
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    Cited by:

    1. Pečarič Mirko, 2020. "Regulatory Cybernetics: Adaptability and Probability in the Public Administration’s Regulations," NISPAcee Journal of Public Administration and Policy, Sciendo, vol. 13(1), pages 133-156, June.
    2. Giliberto Capano & Jun Jie Woo, 2017. "Resilience and robustness in policy design: a critical appraisal," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 50(3), pages 399-426, September.
    3. Cairney, Paul & McHarg, Aileen & McEwen, Nicola & Turner, Karen, 2019. "How to conceptualise energy law and policy for an interdisciplinary audience: The case of post-Brexit UK," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 459-466.
    4. Evert Waeterloos, 2021. "Introducing Collaborative Governance in Decentralized Land Administration and Management in South Africa: District Land Reform Committees Viewed through a ‘System of Innovation’ Lens," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-20, May.
    5. Jeroen van der Heijden, 2022. "The Value of Systems Thinking for and in Regulatory Governance: An Evidence Synthesis," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, June.
    6. Tony Kinder & Jari Stenvall & Antti Talonen, 2023. "Logics and Agency in Public Management Research," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 23(1), pages 159-180, March.
    7. Chris Skelcher, 2010. "Governing Partnerships," Chapters, in: Graeme A. Hodge & Carsten Greve & Anthony E. Boardman (ed.), International Handbook on Public–Private Partnerships, chapter 13, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    8. Yi Yang, 2021. "Critical realism and complexity theory: Building a nonconstructivist systems research framework for effective governance analysis," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(1), pages 177-183, January.
    9. Jon Nyhlén & Gustav Lidén, 2014. "Methods for analyzing decision-making: a framework approach," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 48(5), pages 2523-2535, September.
    10. G. Biesbroek & Catrien Termeer & Judith Klostermann & Pavel Kabat, 2014. "Analytical lenses on barriers in the governance of climate change adaptation," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 19(7), pages 1011-1032, October.

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