Which complexity

Complexity means different things to different people. In our view, it deals with the general properties of nonlinear systems. Nonlinear means that the effects are not proportional to the causes (a fairly common situation!), while “general” means that, although some specific systems may be studied in detail, the most interesting aspects come from uncovering behaviours which are common to a wide set of such systems.

They may be of different nature (physical, biological, social) so CSS is highly interdisciplinar. It happens that some properties are better studied e.g. in physical systems and then found also in biological ones, or vice versa. It is not difficult for managers to accept interdisciplinarity, as most of their problems are of this nature.

CSS is better studied looking at examples from different specific fields, Although managers may be more reactive to examples from companies and markets, or in general from socio-economic systems, it happens that some concepts are better clarified in different contexts. Therefore, while examples from the social world should be preferred wherever possible, explorations of physical or biological systems are also necessary.

It sometimes happens that complexity is associated to vague, blurred notions of holism. While they are of no scientific values, even these accounts may be useful for managers, as they help to develop attention and concepts to deal with important phenomena. Rigour is not the main managerial value.

Nonetheless, lack of rigour in exposition may lead to serious misunderstandings, so the kind of complexity we present is rigorous – which does not necessarily mean formal. Moreover, while a  rigorous approach may require more initial effort than a vague one, it provides a solid grounding which will be rewarding in the future.