Complex adaptive system

About: Complex adaptive system is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 3190 publications have been published within this topic receiving 111947 citations. The topic is also known as: Complex adaptive system, CAS.

Convening Stakeholder Networks A New Way of Thinking, Being and Engaging

Abstract: A growing number of companies are convening stakeholder networks to address complex sustainability and corporate responsibility issues. The role of network convenor is new for most companies, and it involves different ways of thinking, being and engaging beyond the more traditional approaches to managing bilateral stakeholder relationships. In this paper we describe how three companies established successful networks and then explore the mind-set, skill sets and engagement processes that are required to build and sustain multi-stakeholder networks. The paper draws on theory and research related to complex adaptive systems, collective learning and whole-system change. l Stakeholder l Engagement l Networks l Collective learning l Whole system change

Nonlinear dynamics in biopsychosocial resilience.

Abstract: Theory and methodology from nonlinear dynamical systems (NDS) may provide considerable advantage to health scientists as well as health care professionals. For instance, NDS methodologies and topics in health care share a focus upon the potentially complex interactions of biological, psychological and social factors over time. Nevertheless, a number of challenges remain in creating the necessary bridges in understanding to allow researchers to apply NDS techniques and to enable practitioners to use the resulting evidence to improve patient care. This article aims to provide such a bridge. First, common concepts pertaining to self-organizing complex adaptive systems are outlined as a general approach to understanding resilience across biological, psychological, and social scales. Next, four data analytic techniques from NDS are compared and contrasted with respect to the information they may provide about some common processes underlying resilience. These techniques are: time-series analysis, state-space grids, catastrophe modeling, and network modeling. Implications for health scientists and practitioners are discussed.

Adaptive leadership and the practice of medicine: a complexity‐based approach to reframing the doctor–patient relationship

Abstract: Rationale, aims and objectives This paper applies the concepts of ‘adaptive leadership’, as developed by Ron Heifetz, MD, to the practice of medicine. Methods Literature review and theory development. Results Patients are complex adaptive systems facing both adaptive and technical health challenges. Technical health challenges are amenable to the simple or complicated expertmediated technical interventions that are common in modern medicine, but complex adaptive challenges can only be addressed by patients doing the adaptive work to learn new attitudes, beliefs and behaviours. In medicine, we often make the mistake of offering technical interventions in lieu of supporting patients’ adaptive work. This error can result in poor clinical outcomes and wasted resources. Expecting simple or complicated technical ‘solutions’ to resolve complex adaptive health challenges is a failure of adaptive leadership and violates Ashby’s law of requisite variety. Adaptive leadership behaviours correspond to and complement doctor practices that have been shown to improve health outcomes and doctor–patient communication. Conclusions Adopting an adaptive leadership framework in the practice of medicine will require adaptive work on our part, but it promises to improve the doctor–patient relationship, increase our effectiveness as healers and reduce unnecessary health care utilization.