Article
Chaos and Complexity Theory for Management Caveat Emptor
Journal of Management Inquiry
(1994)
Abstract
Chaos theory and its close cousin, complexity theory, have recently made their appearance in the social science literature, including studies of organizations. The trend toward loosely applying nonlinear dynamical theories to organizations troubles us. In this article we explain the terms chaos theory and complexity theory. We discuss why we believe that chaos theory as it now stands cannot be applied rigorously to the study of social systems, as well as why the more metaphorical use of complexity theory is also problematic.
Keywords
- Chaos theory,
- Social systems
Disciplines
Publication Date
December, 1994
DOI
10.1177/105649269434005
Publisher Statement
Sage Journals
Citation Information
Johnson, J.L., & Burton, B.K. 1994. Chaos and complexity theory for management: Caveat emptor. Journal of Management Inquiry, 3: 320-328.