I am one of those quiet types, so allow me to introduce myself.  My
background includes a Ph.D. operations research and an M.A in Sociology, and
much of my work experience is primarily related to models for forecasting
and planning the personnel side of the US armed forces.  However, I am also
interested in complexity theory and the application of operations research
modeling to the question of designing organizational structure.  I joined
the list to get additional insight into how chaos/complexity theory might be
applied in an organizational setting, health care being as relevant as any.

Since the good doctor has ordered a controversy, here is my question.  I
have noted that chaos/complexity writings contain a lot of prose
philosophical discussion, but I would like to know what the theory really
buys in terms of organizational design.  While getting beyond the arguments
about reductionism seems constructive, the next step is to build a
well-developed complexity-based theory of organizations.  Given the
computational problem implied by complexity theory, we may have to make do
with a methodology for studying organizational design.  Is there a reference
or two that shows how to make good use of the perspective for designing
organizations and/or studying organizational performance?

Cheers,

Steve Wilcox


-----Original Message-----
From: Complexity and chaos theories applied to primary medical and
social care [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
Chris Burton
Sent: Sunday, September 02, 2001 5:00 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Quiet members


There's a steady stream of people (well OK, trickle) who, at least to my
knowledge haven't been to Tufton meetings and so may not be known to many of
us.

Would any of you like to mail in and say who you are / what's your
background.. Or even better say something controversial and spark off some
debate

Of course if you just want to hang around waiting for something interesting
to start....

Cheers


Chris

Dr Chris Burton
Pain in the butt list owner