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An Organization on the Edge of Chaos: The Origins of the Metaphor and its Impact on the Theory and Practice of Strategic Management

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  • Mesjasz Czesław

    (Cracow University of Economics, Cracow, Poland)

Abstract

The notion “edge of chaos” coined in complex systems studies has become apart of the vocabulary of modern management theory and practice. This utterance is especially significant since it has been applied in management as a metaphor associated with innovativeness and creativity. The aim of the paper is to study what are the consequences of the fact that this term is applied in management as a dead metaphor, i.e. it is decoupled from its initial meaning. A deepened analysis of the interpretations and misinterpretations of the term “organization on the edge of chaos” applied in strategic management is presented.

Suggested Citation

  • Mesjasz Czesław, 2019. "An Organization on the Edge of Chaos: The Origins of the Metaphor and its Impact on the Theory and Practice of Strategic Management," Management Sciences. Nauki o Zarządzaniu, Sciendo, vol. 24(2), pages 3-8, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:mansci:v:24:y:2019:i:2:p:3-8:n:1
    DOI: 10.15611/ms.2019.2.01
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pierpaolo Andriani & Bill McKelvey, 2009. "Perspective ---From Gaussian to Paretian Thinking: Causes and Implications of Power Laws in Organizations," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 20(6), pages 1053-1071, December.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    organization on the edge of chaos; dead metaphor; strategic management;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L21 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Business Objectives of the Firm
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • M10 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - General
    • M15 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - IT Management
    • M19 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Other
    • M21 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Economics - - - Business Economics

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