The edge of organization : chaos and complexity theories of formal social systems

What Newton′s Principia was to his natural science colleagues, Russ Marion′s The Edge of Organization is to today′s social scientists. This book clearly elucidates the arrival of the social sciences at the end of the alley of modernism but then presents us with the tools and ideas to climb out of a dead end, rise above old limitations, and take flight for new horizons bright with promise for advancing both theory and praxis.... For social scientists, it is both the most relevant and most easily apprehended treatment to date of the totality of chaos and complexity theory and technique. --Raymond A. Eve, Editor, Chaos, Complexity, and Sociology The Edge of Organization offers a readable, comprehensive, and integrated overview of the new sciences of chaos and complexity. Author Russ Marion describes formal and social organizations from the perspective of chaos and complexity theories. His multidisciplinary approach will appeal to students and scholars across a wide range of social sciences. This book is generously illustrated and includes comprehensive references plus an annotated bibliography of useful books and articles. The Edge of Organization will appeal to students and professionals in sociology, management/ organization studies, management studies, marketing, political science, public administration, and psychology. The Edge Of Organization Offers A Readable, Comprehensive, And Integrated Overview Of The New Sciences Of Chaos And Complexity. Author Russ Marion Describes Formal And Social Organizations From The Perspective Of Chaos And Complexity Theories. His Multidisciplinary Approach Will Appeal To Students And Scholars Across A Wide Range Of Social Sciences. This Book Is Generously Illustrated And Includes Comprehensive References Plus An Annotated Bibliography Of Useful Books And Articles. The Edge Of Organization Will Appeal To Students And Professionals In Sociology, Management/ Organization Studies, Management Studies, Marketing, Political Science, Public Administration, And Psychology.--pub. Desc. 1. The Edge Of Organization. Einstein's Island. A Brief Overview Of Chaos And Complexity. Implications -- 2. Chaos And Organization. The Blind Scientists. An Alternative Explanation Of Complex Behavior: Chaos Theory -- 3. Organization At The Edge. Complexity And Chaos -- 4. Shifting Historical Premises To The Edge Of Chaos. God Of The Gaps. Pervasive Problems: Order, Randomness, And Causality. The First Of Newton's Legacies: Social Physics. Kant And Teleology. Darwin, Spencer, Social Darwinism. Structural Functionalism And Homeostasis. Nonlinear History -- 5. A Nonlinear Redaction Of Open Systems. Holistic Systems. Systems And Environment: Interaction And Energy Transfer. Feedback. Living Social Systems. A Model Of Complex Systems Russ Marion. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 317-342) And Indexes. Cover Contents Preface Chapter 1 - The Edge of Organization Chapter 2 - Chaos and Organization Chapter 3 - Organization at the Edge Chapter 4 - Shifting Historical Premises to the Edge of Chaos Chapter 5 - A Nonlinear Redaction of Open Systems Chapter 6 - Structural Contingency Theory: Differentiation and Awareness Chapter 7 - Footprints of Complexity: The Nature of Order Chapter 8 - Resource Dependency: The Emergence of Order Chapter 9 - Organizations in Wonderland: Enacted Environment Chapter 10 - Coupling at the Edge Chapter 11 - Darwin and Organizations, Goats and Monkeys Chapter 12 - Pushing the Envelope: Limiting Organizational Expansion Chapter 13 - Changing Complex Organizations Chapter 14 - Stability and Change at the Edge Chapter 15 - Researching Social Chaos and Complexity Chapter 16 - Epilogue on Einstein's Island Notes Annotated Bibliography of Books and Articles References Name Index Subject Index About the Author This readable and comprehensive book overviews the new sciences of chaos and complexity. The author describes formal and social organizations from the perspective of chaos and complexity theories. The book is generously illustrated and includes references plus an annotated bibliography.