Paperback - 176 pages (May 1998)
Routledge; ISBN: 0415152879 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.56 x 9.30 x 6.21

The author of "Hidden Order: How Adaptation Builds Complexity" dramatically shows readers that the "emergence" of order from disorder has much to teach about life, mind, and organizations. From the ingenious checkers-playing computer that started beating its creator to the emotive creations of the poet, "Emergence" shows that Holland's theory of emergent models successfully predicts many complex behaviors in art and science.

A very penetrating look at complex systems. Important not only in the realm of science, but also ethics, religion, and ecology. Readers should have at least a cursory understanding of chaos theory and autopoiesis (self organizing systems). An extraordinary book. Unlike many recent authors who write books just to show off, Kauffman is one of those authors that wants to teach, to convey his ideas to the world. In this book Kauffman introduces the reader to self-organization, complexity and chaos by means of simple and practical examples that I can simulate in my computer.

Open Boundaries introduces a practical vocabulary to help managers understand, analyze, and nurture the creative process by eschewing linear "cause-and-effect" approaches to decision making in favor of an approach that thrives on ambiguity and unpredictability. Showcasing the pioneering efforts of such organizations as Xerox-PARC, Applied Biosystems, Patagonia, and the United States Marine Corps, the authors vividly illustrate the power of complexity thinking in action - from creating new markets to establishing new ways of spreading emerging knowledge throughout the company.