A633.3.3.RB - Complex Adaptive Systems Clark_A


Complex Adaptive Systems

    The Complex Adaptive System (CAS) organization is intended to reflect an organization where teams are formed for specific purposes, perform and then are dismantled as the needed in order to successfully compete in the industry which it operates (Obolensky, 2014).   The organization does not operate by utilizing the traditional hierarchy of management however, employees at all levels have been given responsibility and more control over how they carry out the task for their position.  For this assigned task, I was required to find a company that reflects Morning Star and St Luke’s image of a Complex Adaptive System (CAS).  Morning Star’s CAS goal is to create a company which all team members will be self-managing professionals which will initiate communication and coordinate their activities with their colleagues, external stakeholders, and industry constituents (Hamel, 2011). Similar to the structure of MorningStar, St. Luke is a small British company whose approach to business is called attention to by the firm's unique organizational structure since the company has no bosses and is entirely owned by the employees (Coutu, 2000). 

     The company Google operates under the complex adaptive system style.  Google’s organizational culture is not typical because of its organizational structure which when combined interact to influence the capabilities of the company (Smithson, 2017).  The traits that are included in Google’s organizational culture are; openness, innovation, smart with emphasis on excellence, hands-on and supports small-company-family rapport (Smithson, 2017).  Google’s organizational structure has three main characteristics which are; function-based definitions, product-based definitions and flatness (Smithson, 2017).  The firm’s organizational culture maintains a small-company-family feel which fosters an overall warm ambiance at the company’s offices, where people can easily talk and share ideas with each other.  Google’s organizational culture supports excellence in innovation through sharing of ideas resulting in their capability to rapidly respond to the market (Smithson, 2017).


      A complex adaptive system will not work for my current organization, a public school district for several reasons.  Being a publicly funded organization the public school district cannot make drastic changes to the current structure without the approval of the public which leaves little to no flexibility for adaptive type changes to its structure.   Success in our organization is measured by achieving higher graduation rates and student achievements using the funds allocated in the budget.  This is very difficult give the number of departments, services and goods that are required to service over 350,000 students; however, every year the numbers are trending in our favor. 

     The school district could incorporate some of the adaptive concepts by researching and executing more efficient method to understand the internal and external stakeholders of the local community.  Like Google, the school district can learn how to develop an organizational culture where openness and innovation is encouraged.  Many of the business and technological processes are antiquated which may be at a cost to the district.  Lastly, I feel it is important that the school district understands that company culture should not be taken for granted because employee morale is intricate to the work quality, and overall success of the district across the board.


References

Coutu, D. L. (2000). Creating the most frightening company on earth. Harvard Business Review, 78(5), 142-150.

Hamel, G. (2011). First, let's fire all the managers. Harvard Business Review, 89(12), 48-60.

Obolensky, N. (2014). Complex adaptive leadership: embracing paradox and uncertainty, 2d Edition. Burlington, VT: Gower Publishing Limited. 

Smithson, N. (2017). Google’s organizational structure & organizational culture. Retrieved from: http://panmore.com/google-organizational-structure-organizational-culture.

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