Overview

This book explores how to manage complexity in a highly interconnected world. How can complexity be managed when it cannot be reduced? From organizational addiction to market failure, from limits to growth to the rebound effect, from tragedy of the commons to path dependence, answers are anything but trivial, and can only be found by combining insights from complexity science, system dynamics, system theory and systems thinking. This book bridges the gap between rigorous science and real-life experience to explore the potential and limitations of systems archetypes and their leverage points in implementing effective policies and strategies. It is grounded in Jay Forrester’s language of stock and flow diagrams to address issues of circular causality and causal loops in social systems. The second edition has been completely updated, revised, and extended to thoroughly analyze super wicked problems such as global climate change, climate neutrality, and extremely rapid spread of epidemics. Furthermore, it offers a novel integration of Peter Senge’s concept of systems archetypes with Horst Rittel’s concept of wicked problems.  “This text is an important contribution to an emerging field of thought. I have enjoyed and benefitted from reading this text; you will also.” Dennis L. Meadows, Emeritus Professor of Systems Management, University of New Hampshire, USA “This book looks at the world from a different, yet very effective vantage point: the systemic perspective… The author delivers a perfect introduction to systemic thinking, – unorthodox, insightful and practical.” Markus Schwaninger, Emeritus Professor of Management, University of St.Gallen, Switzerland

Full Product Details

Author:   Christoph E. Mandl
Publisher:   Springer International Publishing AG
Imprint:   Springer International Publishing AG
Edition:   2nd ed. 2023
Weight:   0.619kg
ISBN:  

9783031302213

ISBN 10:   3031302214
Pages:   249
Publication Date:   04 May 2023
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
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Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Introduction: Scientific Journey into a Strange Paradigm.- Part I From Logic to Circular Causality.- Chapter 2. Events, Patterns, and Structure.- Chapter 3. Equilibrium, Resilience, and Emergence.- Chapter 4. Prediction, Butterfly Effect, and Decision Making.- Part II Describing and Understanding Dynamics of Social Systems.- Chapter 5. Language, Syntax, and Semantics for Describing Dynamics of Systems.- Chapter 6. Stock-Flow Failure: Climate Neutrality and Net-Zero Emissions.- Chapter 7. Leverage Points: A Paradigm Shift in Governance.- Chapter 8. Tame, Wicked, and Super Wicked Systems Archetypes.- Part III. Managing Tame Systems Archetypes.- Chapter 9. Deterministic Chaos: Locust Plagues and Price Dynamics of Commodities.- Chapter 10. Shifting the Burden: Coping With Organizational Addiction.- Chapter 11. Accidental Adversaries: Sustaining Cooperation.- Chapter 12. Adaptation: Invisible Hand, Breastfeeding, and Eroding Goals.- Chapter 13. Escalation: Dynamics of Mutual Distrust.- Part IV. Managing Wicked Systems Archetypes.- Chapter 14. Growth and Underinvestment: Aligning Performance and Resources.- Chapter 15. Policy Resistance: Rebound Effect and Other Fixes That Fail.- Chapter 16. Limits to Growth and Attractiveness Principle.- Chapter 17. Diffusion of Innovations: Spreading New Ideas and Technology.- Part V. Managing Super Wicked Systems Archetypes.- Chapter 18. Information Asymmetry: When Markets Fail.- Chapter 19. Tragedy of the Commons: There Ain't No Such Thing as a Free Lunch.- Chapter 20. Path Dependence: Segregation, Increasing Returns, and Success to the Successful.- Chapter 21. Epidemics: Out of Control

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Author Information

Christoph E. Mandl is a Ph.D. graduate in Operations Research at ETH Zurich, Switzerland; adjunct professor at the University of Vienna, Austria; senior lecturer at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Austria; member of the Balaton Group; founding member of the Global Association of Society for Organizational Learning Communities; founding member of the Austrian Society of Operations Research; former postdoc at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA; and former member at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Austria

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