Path-Dependence

2021 ◽  
pp. 21-37
Author(s):  
Daniel A. Levinthal
Keyword(s):  
Path Dependence ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Complex Adaptive System ◽  
State Dependence ◽  
Organizational Attributes ◽  
System A ◽  
Complex Adaptive ◽  
States Of Nature ◽  
Asset Stocks ◽  
Over Time

The intertemporal linkages that both constrain and enable an organization are central to its adaptive properties. The most narrow expression of path-dependence is the process of state-dependence—having a particular asset stock at one point in time impacts the distribution of asset stocks that can be reached at a subsequent period. Development, how an organizational form unfolds over time, can change those dynamics. A considerable literature has sprung up around the idea of “dynamic capabilities.” This broad idea is broken down into five distinct facets: accessibility of organizational states, robustness of organizations to changes in the state of nature, capacity to influence future states of “nature,” cost of accessing future sets of attributes, and capacity to value the set of organizational attributes. However, this discourse tends to treat “capabilities” as isolated attributes and not to view the organization as a complex adaptive system, a perspective developed here.

scholarly journals Health as a Complex Adaptive System: a new dimension of patient care in internal medicine and general practice

F1000Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 1672
Author(s):  
Johannes Bircher ◽  
Eckhart G. Hahn
Keyword(s):  
Adaptive System ◽  
Complex Adaptive System ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
The Past ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
System A ◽  
Current State ◽  
Concept Of Health ◽  
Environmental Determinants Of Health ◽  
Complex Adaptive

This paper explores the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of a new concept of health. Investigations into the nature of health have led to a new definition that explains health as a complex adaptive system (CAS) and is based on five components (a-e). Humans like all biological creatures must satisfactorily respond to (a) the demands of life. For this purpose they need (b) a biologically given potential (BGP) and (c) a personally acquired potential (PAP). These properties of individuals are embedded within (d) social and (e) environmental determinants of health. Between these five components of health there are 10 complex interactions that justify health to be viewed as a CAS. In each patient, the current state of his health as a CAS evolved from the past, will move forward to a new future, and has to be analyzed and treated as an autonomous whole. A diagnostic procedure is suggested as follows: together with the patient, the five components and 10 complex interactions are assessed. This may help the patient to better understand his situation and to recognize possible next steps that may be useful for him to evolve toward more health by himself. In this process mutual trust in the patient-physician interaction is critical. The described approach offers new possibilities to help patients to improve their health.

scholarly journals Analyzing Emergence in Complex Adaptive System: A Sign-Based Model of Stigmergy

2011 ◽  
Vol E94-D (11) ◽  
pp. 2212-2218
Author(s):  
Chuanjun REN ◽  
Xiaomin JIA ◽  
Hongbing HUANG ◽  
Shiyao JIN
Keyword(s):  
Adaptive System ◽  
Complex Adaptive System ◽  
System A ◽  
Complex Adaptive

scholarly journals Harm reduction as a complex adaptive system: A dynamic framework for analyzing Tanzanian policies concerning heroin use

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 7-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric A. Ratliff ◽  
Pamela Kaduri ◽  
Frank Masao ◽  
Jessie K.K. Mbwambo ◽  
Sheryl A. McCurdy
Keyword(s):  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Adaptive System ◽  
Complex Adaptive System ◽  
Heroin Use ◽  
Dynamic Framework ◽  
System A ◽  
Complex Adaptive

Adaptive water management: integrated water management on the edge of chaos

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Govert D. Geldof
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Complex Adaptive System ◽  
Source Control ◽  
Integrated Water Management ◽  
Edge Of Chaos ◽  
System A ◽  
Complex Adaptive ◽  
Evolving System ◽  
Adaptive Water Management ◽  
Theory Of Complexity

To give form and content to integrated water management, we often apply an internal approach, based on the component parts. With this approach we encounter at least three problems: the problem of scale, the problem of level and the problem of assessment. We can solve these problems by applying an external approach to integrated water management, in addition to the internal approach. This is possible by application of the theory of complexity. It turns out that we can describe the sum of the processes within integrated water management as a complex adaptive system, a learning and evolving system. If we use this system as a model, we come to the insight that we must not try to achieve as much order as possible, but that we have to look for a good balance between order and chaos. If we find that balance, we are able to adapt water management to the ever changing surroundings. The usefulness of the approach becomes clear if we look at the discussion in urban water management about the applicability of source control and end-of-pipe techniques. The approach provides a strategy for handling uncertainties.

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