Organizations and Chaos: Defining the Methods of Nonlinear Management

(Hardback)

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This work aims to bring chaos theory out of the physics laboratory and into the business boardroom; it demonstrates how chaos theory can be applied to the practical world of business. Priesmeyer takes a fresh look at management in organisations using a unique method of displaying nonlinearity in common business data. He shares a simple procedure for displaying chaotic systems with the reader, aiming to offer a new perspective on marketing, finance, production and human resource issues. The book avoids any difficult mathematics, delivering very practical applications for managers of all types. In some cases the implications for specific jobs such as that of a retail store manager, a sales manager, and a counsellor are discussed in detail. The discussions of "free will" and "visioning" shoould have a real impact on anyone involved in planning. Part 1 of this book presents the notion of "Corporate Chaos Theory" and describes the concepts methods used by the author. Chapter 1 introduces the concept of nonlinearity and blends a discussion of chaos in biology into an example in business. Chapter 2 explains the simple method used by Priesmeyer in detail and applies that method to demonstrate "organisational limit cycles". Chapter 3 draws on an analogy with cardiology to explain organisational behaviour. Part 2 consists of 4 chapters addressing applications in the functional areas of business. Chapters examine marketing, managerial finance, chaos in the production process, and a wide range of human resources issues, including stress. The chapter on production processes addresses new quality approaches and shows the weaknesses of common quality control tools and procedures. The final section of the book addresses decision-making. Chapter 8 is directed at those involved in forecasting. It also includes an amusing attack on traditional statistics. The following chapters address strategic decision-making and provide a preliminary agenda for any company wishing to explore the methods in greater detail. Chapter 11 brings chaos theory down to a common, personal level, and explains the implications for certain specific jobs ranging from sales representatives to marriage counsellors. The final chapter re-addresses the concept of free will and includes an exercise and conversation.

Author Bio

H. RICHARD PRIESMEYER is Professor of Management at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas where he is also Chairman of the Department of Management and Marketing. He is author of several articles on chaos theory which have appeared in The Journal of Business Forecasting Systems and Methods, and Planning Review. He also is the author of several software products.