Complexity as an empirical tendency: promoting non-measurement as a means to enhanced understanding

Article


Poulis, K. 2021. Complexity as an empirical tendency: promoting non-measurement as a means to enhanced understanding. European Management Journal. 39 (4), pp. 487-496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2020.10.005
TypeArticle
TitleComplexity as an empirical tendency: promoting non-measurement as a means to enhanced understanding
AuthorsPoulis, K.
Abstract

In this conceptual paper, I seek to provide an organising framework for conducting qualitative research in complexity studies in management. Building upon the underlying logic of Kauffman's NK(C) model and the notion of second-order complexity, I urge management researchers interested in complex adaptive systems to capture, understand, and articulate complexity as an empirical tendency as opposed to the measurement-driven orientation of many scholars. I contend that the latter orientation's illusion for numerical precision, predictive accuracy and generalizable truthfulness is not only undoable but also unnecessary in the context of providing practically meaningful and realistic recommendations to those interested in complexity.

PublisherElsevier
JournalEuropean Management Journal
ISSN0263-2373
Publication dates
Online17 Oct 2020
Print01 Aug 2021
Publication process dates
Deposited03 Sep 2021
Accepted15 Oct 2020
Output statusPublished
Accepted author manuscript
License
Copyright Statement

© 2021. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2020.10.005
LanguageEnglish
Permalink -

https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/89329

  • 43
    total views
  • 43
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

The consequentiality of absences in social settings: a sensemaking perspective
Poulis, K. 2024. The consequentiality of absences in social settings: a sensemaking perspective. Sociology. https://doi.org/10.1177/00380385241263810
Justificative conformity in ontologically ring-fenced fields: problematizing the scholarly nomenclature in qualitative studies
Poulis, K. and Christodoulou, I. 2024. Justificative conformity in ontologically ring-fenced fields: problematizing the scholarly nomenclature in qualitative studies. Marketing Theory. https://doi.org/10.1177/14705931241230046
Standardization and adaptation as a coconstituted process: the pursuit of relational fit in international markets
Poulis, K. 2024. Standardization and adaptation as a coconstituted process: the pursuit of relational fit in international markets. Journal of International Marketing. 32 (2), pp. 12-32. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069031X231212414
On theorizing and methodological fetishism
Poulis, K. and Kastanakis, M. 2020. On theorizing and methodological fetishism. European Management Journal. 38 (5), pp. 676-683. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EMJ.2020.06.006
Agentic misfit: an empirical demonstration of non-matching human agency amid complexity
Poulis, K., Poulis, E. and Jackson, P. 2021. Agentic misfit: an empirical demonstration of non-matching human agency amid complexity. Organization Studies. 42 (10), pp. 1603-1627. https://doi.org/10.1177/0170840620944552
Value migration: digitalization of shipping as a mechanism of industry dethronement
Poulis, K., Galanakis, G., Triantafillou, G. and Poulis, E. 2020. Value migration: digitalization of shipping as a mechanism of industry dethronement. Journal of Shipping and Trade. 5 (1), pp. 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41072-020-00064-0
Punctuated epistemology in international marketing strategy: a Whiteheadian remedy
Poulis, K. 2020. Punctuated epistemology in international marketing strategy: a Whiteheadian remedy. Marketing Theory. 20 (3), pp. 363-384. https://doi.org/10.1177/1470593119897938
International business as disciplinary tautology: An ontological perspective
Poulis, K. and Poulis, E. 2018. International business as disciplinary tautology: An ontological perspective. Academy of Management Perspectives. 32 (4), pp. 517-531. https://doi.org/10.5465/amp.2017.0050
Problematizing fit and survival: transforming the law of requisite variety through complexity misalignment
Poulis, K. and Poulis, E. 2016. Problematizing fit and survival: transforming the law of requisite variety through complexity misalignment. Academy of Management Review. 41 (3), pp. 503-527. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2014.0073
The role of context in case study selection: An international business perspective
Poulis, K., Poulis, E. and Plakoyiannaki, E. 2013. The role of context in case study selection: An international business perspective. International Business Review. 22 (1), pp. 304-314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2012.04.003
The influence of intra-national cultural heterogeneity on product standardisation and adaptation: a qualitative study
Poulis, K. and Poulis, E. 2013. The influence of intra-national cultural heterogeneity on product standardisation and adaptation: a qualitative study. International Marketing Review. 30 (4), pp. 357-383. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMR-03-2012-0047
Multicultural markets and acculturation: implications for service firms
Poulis, K., Poulis, E. and Yamin, M. 2013. Multicultural markets and acculturation: implications for service firms. Journal of Services Marketing. 27 (7), pp. 515-525. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSM-02-2012-0041
Polyethnic market orientation and performance: a fast-moving consumer goods perspective
Poulis, K. and Poulis, E. 2012. Polyethnic market orientation and performance: a fast-moving consumer goods perspective. Journal of Marketing Management. 28 (5-6), pp. 609-628. https://doi.org/10.1080/0267257X.2011.558380
Domestic firms competing with multinational enterprises: The relevance of resource-accessing alliance formations
Poulis, K., Yamin, M. and Poulis, E. 2012. Domestic firms competing with multinational enterprises: The relevance of resource-accessing alliance formations. International Business Review. 21 (4), pp. 588-601. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2011.07.003