Chaos theory in organizational development

In organizational development, chaos theory is a subset of more general chaos theory that incorporates principles of quantum mechanics and presents them in a complex systems environment. To the observer the systems seem to be in chaos. Organizational Development of a business system is the management of that apparent chaos. The term “Managing Organized Chaos” is used in the book by the same name Managing Organized Chaos – Business Planning 1.0, to describe the daily management of an entity (business) engaged in continual activity.

See also

• Complex system
• Complex systems
• Organizational studies
• Self-organization
• Systems philosophy
• Systems thinking

Further reading

• Cornejo Alvarez, Alfonso (1997). Caos y Complejidad. (Free online book. Translated. Originally in Spanish.
• DeShon, R. & Svyantek, D. J. (1993) "Organizational Attractors: A Chaos Theory Explanation of why Cultural Change Efforts Often Fail." Public Administration Quarterly. (Vol. 17, No. 3 pp. 339–355)
• Dooley, K. & Johnson, L. (1995) "TQM, Chaos, and Complexity." Human Systems Management. (Vol. 14, No. 4, pp. 1–16)
• Higgins, M. & Smith, W. (2003). "Postmodernism and Popularisation: The Cultural Life of Chaos Theory." Culture and Organization. (Vol. 9, June, pp. 93–104). Leicester, UK: Management Centre.
• Hudson, C.G. (2000). "At the Edge of Chaos: A New Paradigm for Social Work?" Journal of Social Work Education (Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 215–230)
• Levy, D. (1994). "Chaos Theory and Strategy: Theory, Application, and Managerial Implications." Strategic Management Journal. (Vol. 15, pp. 167–178).
• Mc Namara, C.R. (1997). "Brief Overviews of Contemporary Theories in Management." Retrieved March 15, 2005.
• Polley, D. (1997) "Turbulence in Organizations: New Metaphors for Organizational Research." Organization Science. (Vol. 8, No.5, pp. 445–457)
• Shaw, P. (1997). "Intervening in the Shadow Systems of Organizations." Journal of Organizational Change Management. (Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 235–250). Hertfordshire, UK: MCB University Press
• Shelton, C. (2003). "From Chaos to Order: Exploring New Frontiers in Conflict Management." (Presented at the Midwest Academy of Management Conference). Kansas City: Charlotte Shelton & John Darling
• Shermer, M. (1995). "Exorcising Laplace’s Demon: Chaos and Antichaos, History and Metahistory." History and Theory, (Vol. 34, No. 1 pp. 59–83). Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing
• Smith, W. (2001). "Chaos Theory and Postmodern Organization." International Journal of Organizational Theory and Behavior. (Vol. 4, pp. 159–286)
• Wheatley, Margaret J. (2006). Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic World. (3rd Ed.) Berrett–Koehler Publishers, Inc.