Fractal Management Theory

What is fractal management theory? My original, academic definition said it was the "use of self-similar, scalable patterns observed in human interaction to identify underlying principles characterizing third order cybernetic systems’ functioning in an effort to spot patterns whose antenarrative potential can inform purposive choices amid turbulence" (Wakefield, 2012).

More simply put, it is the examination of patterns in human interaction with a view toward understanding how any group of people or organizations is likely to behave as circumstances change. In complex adaptive systems experiencing stress, traditional cause-effect analytical approaches are inadequate. We advocate developing greater awareness of the patterns that characterize interactions among individuals and organizations with a view toward making more realistic, informed decisions.

Key Points:

Systems that exchange information or energy with their environments are called Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS).
These systems self-organize, forming scalable, self-similar patterns called fractals.
Fractal patterns are all around us, especially in nature. People exhibit these patterns both physically and in their aggregate behaviors.

So… Man is part of nature!

Groups of people self-organize, even absent external direction to do so.
The same kinds of patterns occur repeatedly among individuals, in organizations, and between organizations.
Looking for the patterns in the behaviors and perceptions of groups of people can tell us a lot about where they are likely to end up, even if the environment is so chaotic that linear models of predictability aren’t effective.
This type of insight has tremendous implications for organization development and strategic planning.

Research is ongoing.

Dr. Henderson has given numerous presentations since this work began at Colorado Technical University in 2010 and she continues to do original research in this area. Much of this work is done in collaboration with her dissertation chair and mentor, David M. Boje and other scholar-practitioners. Current research interests include the exploration of embodied practices as a means of promoting lasting change at an individual and organizational level.

For a list of Dr. Henderson's publications to date, please visit www.fractalphile.com.

References:

Boje, D. (2008). Storytelling Organizations. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications, Ltd.

Wakefield, T. H. (2012). An ontology of storytelling systemicity: Management, fractals and the Waldo Canyon fire. Doctoral dissertation, Colorado Technical University, Colorado Springs, CO.