ABSTRACT
Today, when science and mathematics are so essential in so many fields, it is unusual to find a field in which science and its methodology don't rule. The field of complex organizations is one of those few. Today, when science and mathematics are so essential in so many fields, it is unusual to find a field in which science and its methodology don't rule. The field of complex organizations is one of those few. In it, the hallmarks of science — replicable measurements and clearly defined boundaries — are rare. Instead, ill-structured problems, ill-defined boundaries, indeterminate interactions, and unexpected consequences are the norm. Clearly, confirmation by replicable measurement is a major asset in any field, and many fields try mightly to incorporate it in the interests of acceptance and credibility. This chapter focuses on the characteristics of complex systems and organizations that make them unique and distinguish them and their methods from those based more on science and engineering disciplines.
