Complexity Theory and the Management of Networks : Proceedings of the Workshop on Organisational Networks As Distributed Systems of Knowledge, University of Lecce, Italy 2001

One of the challenges facing todayâ s management is to develop theories and practices that address the dynamics of business networks. Complexity theory has much to contribute to this purpose. Thus, this volume focuses on exploring the emerging patterns of order and discussing the new management practices suitable to the network economy. Its presents a multidisciplinary analysis of modern businesses as complex systems and some managerial implications of managing complex networks in the knowledge economy. It discusses the impact of major forces that are altering todayâ s business landscape, such as sweeping technological changes, unbundling of integrated structures, growing interdependence between once-independent sectors and increased unpredictability of strategy outcomes. The result has been and will increasingly be the dominion of complex interconnected networks in business. Some of the distinguished contributors include Bill McKelvey from UCLA, Richard Hall from the University of Durham and John L Casti from the University of Southern California.