Of chaos and complexity: managerial insights from a new science

Notes that as interest in the study of complex systems has grown, a new vocabulary is emerging to describe discoveries about wide‐ranging and fundamental phenomena. Argues that a shared language based on the vocabulary of complexity can have an important role in a management context. Considers the need to identify value‐added knowledge and suggests that language and metaphor are the key tools for such identification. Looks at the distinction between value‐added investments in knowledge and in infrastructure and the extent to which complexity metaphors can contribute in these areas. Presents several case studies illustrating the role of complexity metaphors.