Leading Complex Adaptive Systems
Leading Complex Adaptive Systems
In this final assignment, you will synthesize the readings and research examined throughout the course and apply this knowledge to a case study of your choice. The case studies presented in Chapters 10–14 in the Gharajedaghi e-book represent a wide variety of organizations and are all real-world examples of the implementation of systems thinking as well as the theories and designs you have studied.
Preparation
Review the assigned readings from Units 1–10 as well as the articles you have collected. Choose one of the case studies from Gharajedaghi (Chapters 10–14) to analyze and evaluate for this assignment. Use your readings and research to support your work.
Assignment Requirements
Write a short (half-page maximum) introduction to your selected case study and issues presented. Then, in 12–15 pages, address the following:
Evaluate how systems thinking was applied to the case study to create innovation and change. Be sure to include holistic thinking and the interdependency of the internal and external environments.
Analyze how systems and organizational theory informed leadership practice and decision-making in the case study. Include complex adaptive systems theory, complexity, network, and systems theories, as well as pluralistic (collective) leadership in your analysis.
Evaluate how the structure and processes of the organizational design in the case study were implemented to create innovation and change. Be sure to address the role of people in the organization, boundaries, and organizational learning.
Evaluate the disruptiveness of the implementation of systems thinking in the case study.
Apply systems thinking and theory to your personal practice as a leader. How will you use systems thinking in your career? How has this study changed the lens through which you view the world?
Your paper should be organized into five sections of relatively equal length corresponding to each criterion. Use headings and subheadings appropriately. You may include graphs or diagrams in appendices, if they are pertinent and well explained.
Additional Requirements
Include a title page and reference page in addition to your 12–15 pages of content.
Use at least 15 scholarly resources, one of which may be the Gharajedaghi e-book. At least 7 of these must come from your own research. Your resources should all be recent (within the last 3–5 years) and appropriate. You may use up to two practitioner articles where appropriate.
Adhere to APA format for all in-text citations and references.
Use Times New Roman, 12 pts., double spaced.
Use the Capella library to read the following:
Gharajedaghi, J. (2011). Systems Thinking: Managing Chaos and Complexity: A Platform for Designing Business Architecture.
Choose one of the following case studies and read it thoroughly:
Chapter 10, “The Oneida Nation,” pages 211–243.
Chapter 11, “Butterworth Health System,” pages 245–279.
Chapter 12, “The Marriott Corporation,” pages 281–290.
Chapter 13, “Commonwealth Energy System,” pages 291–315.
Chapter 14, “Carrier Corporation,” pages 317–332.
Chiva, R., Ghauri, P., & Alegre, J. (2014). Organizational learning, innovation and internationalization: A complex system model. British Journal of Management, 25(4), 687–705.
Karimi, J., & Walter, Z. (2016). Corporate entrepreneurship, disruptive business model innovation adoption, and its performance: The case of the newspaper industry. Long Range Planning, 49(3), 342–360.
