Behavioral complexity theories: Conceptual review and evaluation.

This paper seeks to advance neighbourhood change research and complexity theories of cities by developing and exploring a Markov model of socio-spatial neighbourhood evolution in Toronto, Canada. First, we classify Toronto neighbourhoods into distinct groups using established geodemographic segmentation techniques, a relatively novel application in this geographic setting. Extending previous studies, we pursue a hierarchical approach to classifying neighbourhoods that situates many neighbourhood types within the city’s broader structure. Our hierarchical approach is able to incorporate a richer set of types than most past research and allows us to study how neighbourhoods’ positions within this hierarchy shape their trajectories of change. Second, we use Markov models to identify generative processes that produce patterns of change in the city’s distribution of neighbourhood types. Moreover, we add a spatial component to the Markov process to uncover the extent to which change in one type of neighbourhood depends on the character of nearby neighbourhoods. In contrast to the few studies that have explored Markov models in this research tradition, we validate the model’s predictive power. Third, we demonstrate how to use such models in theoretical scenarios considering the impact on the city’s predicted evolutionary trajectory when existing probabilities of neighbourhood transitions or distributions of neighbourhood types would hypothetically change. Markov models of transition patterns prove to be highly accurate in predicting the final distribution of neighbourhood types. Counterfactual scenarios empirically demonstrate urban complexity: small initial changes reverberate throughout the system, and unfold differently depending on their initial geographic distribution. These scenarios show the value of complexity as a framework for interpreting data and guiding scenario-based planning exercises.

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A New Research Agenda for Project Management Communication Theory

10.31124/advance.7234031 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Bill Brantley

Keyword(s):

Project Management ◽

Research Agenda ◽

Communication Complexity ◽

Communication Theory ◽

Communication Research ◽

Management Communication ◽

Complexity Leadership ◽

New Research ◽

Complex Responsive Processes ◽

Complexity Theories

<p>Based on an analysis of 272 peer-reviewed articles on project management communication, the authors found that only four percent of the articles advanced project management communication toward a better contemporary understanding of the complexity of communication. The authors posit that project management communication research needs a new research agenda based on complex responsive processes of relating. The new research agenda proposal comprises three major areas of study: emotional intelligence; communication complexity theories; and complexity leadership. Adopting the new project management communication research agenda will help establish more effective communication tools and methods for project management practitioners while providing new research opportunities for communication scholars.</p>

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The Finnish Comprehensive School

Great Policy Successes ◽

10.1093/oso/9780198843719.003.0007 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 122-142

Author(s):

Jaakko Kauko

Keyword(s):

International Student ◽

Comprehensive School ◽

The Political ◽

Policy Success ◽

Political Debates ◽

Path Dependencies ◽

Complex Development ◽

Heated Debate ◽

History Of ◽

Complexity Theories

For a decade, Finnish education, claimed to be among the best in the world, has basked in international glory. This reputation is largely due to the country’s success in the Programme for International Student Achievement (PISA), run by the OECD. The aim of this chapter is to critically examine this purported policy success of the Finnish comprehensive school from the perspective of complexity theories. By drawing on different research and statistical data, the chapter critically analyses the extent to which the Finnish comprehensive school can be seen as a success story in terms of performance. Using the well-reported history of the comprehensive school, it teases out the milestones of its development, while pointing to contingencies and path dependencies along the way, which have led to its legitimate position. It also reviews scholarly accounts in contrast to the political debates. Finally, the chapter sums up the complex development of comprehensive education and discusses the question under heated debate: what, if anything, can we learn from it?

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The diversity of Leadership roles in the context of behavioral complexity theory and its impact on leadership effectiveness

Iraqi Administrative Sciences Journal ◽

10.33013/iqasj.v2n2y2018.pp255-294 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 255-294

Author(s):

Saleh Abdul Rida Rashid ◽

Amer Ali Hussein Al Atawi ◽

Saddam Kadhim Al Khozai

Keyword(s):

Structural Equation ◽

Leadership Effectiveness ◽

Hypothesis Test ◽

Two Dimensions ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Leadership Roles ◽

Behavioral Repertoire ◽

Behavioral Complexity ◽

Behavioral Differentiation ◽

The University

This research aims to examine the nature of the relationship between the various leadership roles and the effectiveness of leadership according to the perspective of the theory of behavioral complexity. The faculty at the University of Qadisiyahwas selected to test the hypotheses of research and to verify the objectives. The authors distributed the questionnaire to a sample of (165)individualsworking at different faculties of the university. The behavioral complexity variable consists of two dimensions, behavioral repertoire and behavioral differentiation. The variable of leadership effectiveness is treated asa single dimension variable. The study hypothesized that there is a positive relationship between the behavioral complexity and leadership effectiveness ,In other words , the educational leaders who use a variety of different roles will achieve the highest level of effectiveness. A variety of statistical tools were used to present the statistical description and hypothesis test, namely mean, standard deviation, simple correlation coefficient,andconfirmatory factor analysis , and structural equation modeling. The results reflected the validity of the research hypotheses , and in light of that a set of conclusions and recommendations were formulated

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