A complex-systems approach to organizations

The physical sciences have developed new theories of nonlinear behavior of complex systems. Defining characteristics of complex systems include (a) be ing composed of many variables that interact strongly to determine system b ehavior (b) sensitivity to initial conditions, and (c) stability across tim e. Two complex-systems concepts, phase spaces and attractors, provide insig ht into the evolution of system behavior and make prediction of future beha vior possible. It is proposed that complex-systems research has application to the study of organizations and social behavior. Organizational attracto rs exist and seem to be both sensitive to initial conditions and stable. Th e discussion of concepts from complex systems, and their application to org anizations, provides insight into how organizational research should be con ducted. If organizations are assumed to exhibit nonlinear behavior, more hi storical, longitudinal, and qualitative research methods should be used to provide context-specific descriptions of organizational behavior.