Category Archives: Complexity & change

The Intelligence of Complexity

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Giorgio Bertini

To better appreciate the contribution of the ‘paradigm of complexity’ in Educational sciences, this paper proposes a framework discussing its cultural and historical roots. First, it focuses on Giambattista Vico’s (1668-1744) critique of René Descartes’ method (1637), contrasting Cartesian’s principles … Continue reading →

Posted in Complexity, Complexity & change, Complexity & education, Complexity & learning, Intelligence | Tagged complexity, complexity & education, complexity & learning, intelligence | Comments Off

Autopoiesis and Spirituality

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Giorgio Bertini

The term “autopoiesis” was introduced by Maturana and Varela around 1972 by combining the Greek words auto (self-) and poiesis (creation, production) to refer to the mechanism by which living systems continually produce themselves as autonomous unities. “When we speak … Continue reading →

Posted in Autopoiesis, Autopoietic organization, Autopoietic systems, Complexity & change, Complexity theory, Evolution, Evolutionary complexity, Spirituality | Tagged autopoiesis, autopoietic organization, autopoietic systems, Complexity & change, complexity theory, evolution, Evolutionary complexity, Spirituality | Leave a comment

Complexity, Innovation, and Development: Schumpeter Revisited

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Giorgio Bertini

The role of innovation and entrepreneurship is increasingly getting policy attention in emerging countries. A growing body of literature is deriving its inspiration from the work of Joseph Schumpeter. His seminal 1911 book, The Theory of Economic Development, outlined a … Continue reading →

Posted in Complexity, Complexity & change, Complexity economics, Development, Innovation, Schumpeter | Tagged complexity, Complexity & change, complexity economics, development, innovation, Schumpeter | Leave a comment

The Complexity of Human Civilization

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Giorgio Bertini

There is evidence that a transition in the structure of human organizations is occurring with intriguing consequences. Historical and contemporary evidence suggests that human organizations are undergoing a transition away from hierarchical control. From a complex systems perspective, a hierarchical … Continue reading →

Posted in Complex system, Complexity, Complexity & change, Human civilization | Tagged civilization, complex systems, complexity, Complexity & change, human civilization | Comments Off

The Complexity of Transitions

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Giorgio Bertini

Models that belong to the realm of complexity studies turn very insightful when addressing societal and technological transitions. The very idea of transition finds direct counterparts in a number of phenomena in natural sciences, the most notable one being phase … Continue reading →

Posted in Complexity, Complexity & change, Technological change, Technological transitions, Transition, Transition management | Tagged complexity, complexity & change, technological change, technological transitions, transition, transition management | Leave a comment

Readings on Strategy & Complexity

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Giorgio Bertini

This list has been developed based on a broad interpretation of the subject of ‘strategy & complexity’. Resources will, therefore, more, or less directly relate to ‘being strategic in the face of complexity’. Many of the articles and reports referred … Continue reading →

Posted in Complexity, Complexity & change, Complexity & research, Strategy, Strategy & complexity | Tagged complexity, Complexity & change, complexity & research, strategy, strategy & complexity | Comments Off

Complexity-based Learning for Leadership Development

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Giorgio Bertini

In programme delivery, while the international trend in education has seen a shift from teacher-centred to student-centred learning and from transmission to reflective approaches, most leadership programmes have remained heavily teacher-centred. A key feature of teacher-centred learning relies on practices … Continue reading →

Posted in Complexity, Complexity & change, Complexity & education, Complexity & learning, Leadership | Tagged complexity, complexity & change, complexity & education, complexity & learning, leadership | Comments Off

Resilient Leaders — Implications for Leader Development

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Giorgio Bertini

This research report delves into the notions of resilience and leadership, and into the processes that enable long-term resilience. It also explores the developmental interventions that can facilitate and sustain such processes, so as to ensure that the individual is … Continue reading →

Posted in Complexity & change, Complexity leadership, Leadership, Resilience, Resilience thinking, Uncertainty | Tagged complexity & change, complexity leadership, leadership, resilience, resilience thinking, uncertainty | Comments Off

Systems Thinking – Creative Holism for Managers

Posted on October 3, 2014 by Giorgio Bertini

In a world of complexity and change, managers are asked to tackle a much greater diversity of problems. This requires the putting in place of flexible structures as well as the demonstration of transformational leadership qualities. Holism puts the study … Continue reading →

Posted in Complexity, Complexity & change, Complexity leadership, Leadership, Systems, Systems thinking | Tagged complexity, complexity & change, complexity leadership, leadership, system thinking, systems | Leave a comment

Managing Complexity by Innovation

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Giorgio Bertini

To remind the trivial: innovation constitutes the means of societal rejuvenation substantiating societal metamorphosis. Innovation appears symptom, origin and driver as well as result of societal change. Innovate, or shrink and decline. The ubiquitous shifts of globalisation need be met … Continue reading →