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2. E:CO Annual Volume 7 - Now in print: This new collection includes articles from Max Boisot, Ken Baskin, Robert E. Ulanowicz, Heather Höpfl, Victoria Alexander, and many more. Also included are a series of four reproductions of classical papers in the fields of complexity and systems: "Futurology and the Future of Systems Analysis" by Ida R. Hoos (originally published in 1972), "A Form of Logic Suited for Biology" by Walter M. Elsasser (originally published in 1981), "Beyond Open Systems Models of Organization" by Louis R. Pondy (originally unpublished conference paper from 1976) and "The Architecture of Complexity" by Herbert A. Simon (originally published in 1962). It contains 592 pages.  A full list of contents is attached.  This book is available through Amazon here, or through ISCE Publishing (here) at a heavily discounted rate.

3. 1st International Workshop on 'Storytelling and Complexity in Human Systems - Las Cruces October 27-29, 2006: The recent special issue of Emergence: Coherence and Organization on 'complexity and storytelling' suggested that the integration of these two areas of study could be more fruitful than even its co-editors expected. In fact, the articles in this issue indicate that a combination of the two approaches toward applying storytelling to human systems – retrospective sensemaking and antecedent variety-making – may provide a guide to the basic dynamics of all human systems. As a result, we invite you to join us in a unique interactive workshop, in association with the Institute for the Study of Coherence and Emergence, scheduled for <st1:date w:st="on" month="10" day="27" year="2006">October 27-29, 2006</st1:date> in Historic Old Mesilla, NM. The question we will be exploring is: How fully can the dynamics of complex human systems be described as the emergent results of people enacting the stories they create to explain their interactions?

Our early stage investigation into these issues presents a unique opportunity to exponentially expand work in the field.  This small gathering of top pioneers in it will pursue the topic through their own engagement in retrospective-dialog as well as the dialogic that precedes sensemaking.  Because of the intensive nature of this intellectual exploration, we are keeping attendance to 30. If the results are as provocative as we expect, we will also host a conference in Spring 2007, designed to accommodate more participants.

A CUTTING-EDGE TOPIC

Among the questions we hope to examine are: How do complexity studies suggest that human systems generate adaptive behavior through narrative and story? What, exactly, are the story and narrative equivalents of attractors? How do retrospective sensemaking and antecedent story variety-making interact as force and counterforce in complexity?

In recent years, thinkers such as Karl Weick and David Boje have examined story and complexity in organizations from two vantage points. Weick stresses the retrospective sensemaking of experience and narrative-plots of coherence and control by which people story current experience to fit into past meaning structures. Boje emphasizes the variety-making and fragmenting aspects of story as people seek to transform their current experience into meaning structures that may be new. We believe the combination of these perspectives offers a revolutionary breakthrough in complexity thinking. What was surprising about the special issue of E:CO on this subject was the range of areas explored, which included proposals for articles on economics, healthcare, and law. Many of these proposals, as well as the finished articles, exhibited the excitement of discovery, where the dynamics involved are just becoming clear. The purpose of this workshop is to explore those dynamics – the theory behind them, the methodologies available, and the implications for a new praxis. To emphasize the sense of discovery, we are organizing the workshop in ways that Hugo Letiche, of the University of the Humanities, has called a Socratic Circle.

AN INNOVATIVE FORMAT

The Socratic Circle builds on the methodology of Plato's Socratic dialogues. Like Plato's dialogue, the Socratic Circle begins with individuals stating their positions so that the group can explore those positions and learn as much as possible from them. Unlike Plato's dialogues, all members of the group are encouraged to questions each other and share their experience. This brings dialogue to the first level of being polyphonically dialogic. A Socratic Circle eliminates the authority of "experts" so that all participants have the opportunity to interact and learn from each other through questioning. Ideally, the workshop will allow participants to share their perceptions so that the group can evolve a variety of understandings. If this happens, the workshop may be able to give us the basics for a study of the dynamics of human social systems as storytelling entities.

From these beginnings, we would like to generate, first, a book of essays exploring the theory, methodology, and results of study spotlighted by this gathering. Second, we anticipate a follow-up conference to further explore these issues.

To encourage the emergence of a variety of understandings, the workshop will be structured as a self-organizing experience. As a result, we will have only a few formal presentations to provoke our explorations. We begin in dialogue, a discussion intended to explore, rather than prove. We assume that even our most valid positions might be incomplete. As a result, we will encourage participants to ask each other about positions they disagree with, rather than arguing them. (After all, it's always possible to misstate one's position or to misunderstand the position of another.) In this way, we can have 30 minds contributing to and examining the body of material we generate and move from dialogue among points of view, to a dialogic exploration of differences and convergences. At the end of the first day, participants will discuss and decide how to proceed during the second day. At the end of the second day, the group will decide how to close the workshop on the following morning. This structure will give everyone the opportunity to participate extensively.

A LIMITED SIZE

Because such universal participation demands a relatively small group, we will accept the first 30 people who reserve places. The registration fee will be $250 for participants. Accommodations will be available for about $100 per night. To reserve a place, e-mail Ken Baskin or David Boje.

            Thanks for your interest. We look forward to your responses.

Ken Baskin (baskinman47@yahoo.com)

David Boje (dialog@peaceaware.com)

4. 3rd International Workshop on Complexity and Philosophy, 22-23 February 2007, Stellenbosch, South Africa:  The deadline for extended abstracts has been extended until the end of June by request.  Full details of the event and the submission process is available here.

5. 1st International Workshop on Complexity and Organizational Resilience, The Role of Complexity Thinking in Building and Sustaining Resilience in Dynamics Organizations, 24-25 May 2007 Pohnpei, Micronesia:  The deadline for extended abstracts is the end of June.  Full details of the event and the submission process is available here.

6. The next issue of the international journal Emergence: Complexity & Organization (E:CO) will be published by the end of June.  This issue will include the following original papers:

• Evolutionary drive: New understandings of change in socio-economic systems by Peter M. Allen, Mark Strathern & Jamie S. Baldwin;
• Complexity in discrete innovation systems by Masaaki Hirooka;
• Coevolutionary integration: The co-creation of a new organizational form following a merger and acquisition by Eve Mitleton-Kelly;
• A case-study of the three largest aerospace manufacturing organizations: An exploration of organizational strategy, innovation and evolution by Liz Varga & Peter M. Allen;
• Complexity in a complex Europe: Reflections on the cultural genesis of a new science by Damian Popolo;
• Emergence and evil by David Bella.

This new 'complexity' title will be available in the next fortnight, but can be pre-ordered now in hardback with a 20% discount.  This book develops a cybernetic theory of the organization as a complex autonomous and self-organizing, self-producing and self-creating social community, and in so doing it will set the scene to discuss a variety of aspects of organizational and social processes and forms that arise from a systemic view. It begins by creating a philosophical foundation, it develops a viable systems approach that proceeds to cover a whole range of topics in a coherent and integrated way that are today seen to be important to social communities. Fundamentally developing as a knowledge management text, topics covered include community mission, purposes, interests, structure, politics, ethics, control, communications, management and conflict processes. It will also deliver an appreciation of the nature and use of information, knowledge and intelligence to assist the management of social communities.

The book's 16 sixteen chapters are divided into five sections: I. Fundamentals, II. Complex Organizations, III. Knowledge and Cybernetics, IV. The Cybernetics of Communication, and V. Social Behavior.  A full contents list is available at:

http://isce.edu/ISCE_Group_Site/web-content/ISCE%20Publishing/MtC_Vol2/MtC_V2_contents.pdf

and an extensive index is available at:

http://isce.edu/ISCE_Group_Site/web-content/ISCE%20Publishing/MtC_Vol2/MtC_V2_index.pdf

To pre-order this item please visit: http://isce.edu/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=47

The Series Editors' Introduction follows:

We are pleased to introduce to you the second volume in the Managing the Complex series. Whereas volume one, like most volumes planned for this series, comprised chapters contributed by a number of different authors, some from quite different traditions, this second volume was composed by a single author, Maurice Yolles. Not only does the singular authorship distinguish this volume from past and future volumes, but the depth and breadth of the analysis provided is quite staggering - this volume represents a truly impressive achievement.

In this volume Maurice attempts to develop a comprehensive theory of social collectives as complex systems. Not only has he utilized ideas and frameworks already familiar to complex systems researchers, but he has also incorporated other perspectives (such as third order cybernetics, viable systems theory and social constructivism, as a few examples) some of which the reader may not already be aware of, and some of which the reader may be surprised to learn are not disparate and disconnected. This pluralistic synthesis results in a text that not only contains a thorough review of the existing literature and its various interconnections (which is of considerable value in itself), but also a wealth of new and original insights - more than one would usually expect from a single volume.

The series editors' own research highlights the importance of adopting a critically pluralist position in any effort to understand complex systems, and the unlikelihood of any single overarching framework of being able to 'contain' complex systems. However, the 'story' Yolles tells of organizations as complex systems does at times seem so convincing that one might find oneself beginning to question the impossibility of constructing such an all-embracing framework - maybe 'plurality' can be effectively abstracted/transformed into a 'meta-singularity'.

We are very grateful to Maurice for approaching us and allowing us to include his tour de force as part of the ongoing Managing the Complex series. We strongly believe that the motivated reader will discover an abundance of intellectual gems within these pages that will enrich both their own intellectual (internal) journey and their practical (external) attempts to make 'social collectives' thrive in every possible sense.

ISBN: 9781593114329
Pages: 836
Author: Maurice Yolles
Series Editors: Kurt A. Richardson & Michael R. Lissack
Publisher: Information Age Publishing
Binding: Hardback

2. 1st International Workshop on 'Storytelling and Complexity in Human Systems - Las Cruces October 27-29, 2006

The organizers of this event are still accepting submissions.  For full details please visit:

http://isce.edu/ISCE_Group_Site/web-content/ISCE%20Events/Las_Cruces_2006.html 

Ken Baskin (baskinman47@yahoo.com)

David Boje (dialog@peaceaware.com)

3. 1st International Workshop on Complexity and Organizational Resilience, The Role of Complexity Thinking in Building and Sustaining Resilience in Dynamics Organizations, 24-25 May 2007 Pohnpei, Micronesia 

The submission deadline for this event has been extended until the end of October (2006), and so if you are interested in attending please let the organizers know a.s.a.p. please.  Full details of the event can be found at:

http://isce.edu/ISCE_Group_Site/web-content/ISCE%20Events/Pohnpei_2007.html