A Complex Adaptive System ( Cas )

Complexity science is the study of complex adaptive systems (CASs) and the relationships that occur within them. CASs are a function of what has previously occurred, what is currently occurring, and are open to energy and information from the environment all around them (Chaffee & McNeill, 2007). The boundaries that define theses systems are fuzzy; each individual is their own CAS that is influenced by a multitude of other CASs, all of which may belong to increasingly larger CASs. The health care system is a CAS in and of itself that is made of a multitude of smaller CASs – hospitals, floors, units, and individuals. There are a many characteristics that help to make up and define what a CAS is. Understanding these

Businesses are facing a dichotomy between wanting to chalk out an all-time structure and strategy for their organization, and recognizing that their world is in a constant state of flux [3]. For most of the 20th century they were largely focused on the static elements of this dichotomy. However, in the last decade changes have become more frequent and more dramatic, so much so that a whole branch of management is now devoted to the subject of change itself.

An ‘evolution strategy’ describes a particular way of evolving a system. Renaissance defines a set of strategies5 Reorganization is a general term which captures some form of system improvement. To

This research investigated systems thinking and the use of soft systems methodology to develop a conceptual model of systems change based on strategies in established systems care. Soft in SSM stresses human systems as not fixed entities and the process of thinking as systemic. As a result, change is looked at differently with one focused on evolving systems instead of linear steps or mechanical parts. The conceptual model of this paper presents key components of the system change process in care systems and clarifies the relationship in those components.

As we head into the future, it important for any business organization to be prepared. The evolution of business technologically is rapid, and it’s important to

In this ever-changing modern day business environment, organizations should always be ready to adapt to the ever-changing concepts and customers’ needs. Both internal and external factors influence the kinds of changes that take place in any business or organization. As of the complex adaptive systems, in order to keep up with the constant upcoming changes, they need to keep on revising their goals and objectives. They can do this by assimilating to any current changes present in society.

It fascinates me how businesses operate in frequently changing environments. Particularly, the way employees are managed in order to maintain a flowing business structure whilst achieving business aims and objectives and by using calculated risks to overcome challenges. Thus leading to the progression and success of a business.

Listo Systems, one of the world’s top graphic service companies, was established in the 1990s when technological advancements were increasing and creating a more competitive market. After going through a period of great success and growth, the company decided to hire a number of new employees and adding new layers of managers and supervisors.

Given that the development of new systems can be fraught with problems and delays, there are many factors that drive organisations to develop new systems. The most important drives come directly from the companies needs and are often not related to technology, but however to technological solutions, these include:

These past few months have been a painstaking, yet another fruitful semester of brain squeezing activities. It was a challenge having four class courses to finish, a full-time job to fulfill, and a family to care for. Hard work and perseverance, with the grace of God and with the support of the people around me made it bearable. Now that the semester is almost over, the valuable lessons it introduced not only in my mind, but in my heart, encouraged me to be more skillful in listening to the patients and families I interact with every day. Being more sensitive and responsive to their needs, help me move to a higher level of compassion and care. In a chaotic situation, wherein, without the understanding of complex adaptive system (CAS), I

The Systems Archetypes are patterns of behavior that emerge from the underlying system structure (Braun, 2002). In fact, they are the part of an organization which recognizes behaviors incorporated in the discipline of system thinking (Gillies & Maliapen, 2008). Systems archetypes can reveal insights into the structure that already exists, or anticipates potential problems and problem symptoms (Braun, 2002). Therefore, it is imperative to learn to manage archetypes with the other systems thinking tools that are available (Braun, 2002). As part of a collection of tools, they are valuable in developing broad understandings about organizations and their environments and contribute to understanding problems (Braun, 2002). Identifying and applying

Traditional companies with boundaries, rules, and extensive plans are at a supreme disadvantage in today's globalized world, where technology changes daily and the value chain commands changes of its own. In a traditional company where people are categorized into neatly defined positions with their job descriptions filed in triplicate in the human resources department, the way a company plans its business can cause it to sink or swim. Bad planning can mean lost opportunities, being overtaken by the competition, loss of revenues, or watching its niche slip away because of a new technology, an alteration in the global marketplace, or simply a failure to market its product effectively. When changes occur, they happen too

An organization’s capacity for responding effectively to dynamic change derives from a synergistic combination of people, processes, and flexible organizational structures (Gibson, Ivancevich, Donnelly, & Konopaske, 2009). The flexibility of an organization’s structure depends on the relationships that determine organizational workflow, authority and communication (Covin, Slevin, & Schultz, 1994). As an example, this paper describes a matrix structure, offers recommendations for its use, and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of a matrix relative to the need for organizational flexibility and responsiveness.

The very nature of increasing globalisation within an industry causes a decrease in predictability and increases complexity. The management of complexity is a goal for a successful manager and requires not only using traditional organisational processes of an "organisation's design, detailed lists of assets and financial projections" but it requires an organisation "collaborating, discovering, architecting, and systems thinking" (Lane, 2006, p4); this is often a new way of thinking for managers.

The metaphor of an organism is seeking to portray the system where organizations adapt and survive in a changing environment. Morgan shows an important perspective on organizations that flow with change. Making the resemblance to an organic body, where systems are clusters of interconnected cells, in business, those cells are people connected to deliver on overall needs. With essentially four types or “species” in the organic