Management in complexity

The exploration of a new paradigm

Complexity theory and the Quantum Interpretation

Walter Baets, PhD, HDRAssociate Dean for Innovation and Social ResponsibilityProfessor Complexity , Knowledge and InnovationEuromed Marseille – Ecole de Management

A quantum interpretation

Gödel’s theorem: 1931No absolute axiomatic system is possible

Relativity theory (Einstein): first part of the 20st centuryNo absolute measurement is possible

Quantum mechanics: first part of the 20st centuryObservation is interpretation

Complexity theory (Prigogine): second part of 20st centuryEmergence, bifurcations, strange attractors

Once holism and complexity accepted we cannot avoid a fundamental question

PAULI complementary physics

Synchronicity (=occurring–together-in-time)

From causal coherence Coincidence(from cause to effect) (occurring together)

A-causal linkshence….

A quantum interpretation

non-locality; synchronicity; entanglement

Mechanistic versus organic: The evolution in business

Product oriented Unique distribution channelsControlStabilityManagement by objectiveProcesses are the assetsHierarchical organization Machine thinking (symbolic)Industrial era

The client co-createsMultiple channelsEmergent processesChange (learning) is the goalManagement in change and complexityLearning is the assetHuman networksHuman thinking (fuzzy)Knowledge era

Some quantum storiesMaxwell, Planck and Bohr: introduced criteria such as fertility,

beauty and coherenceEinstein, de Broglie and Schrödinger: shared a commitment to a

continuous wave as a basic physical entity subject to a

causal descriptionHeisenberg, Pauli, Jordan and Dirac: we no longer have

event-by-event causality and particles do not follow well-defined trajectories in a space-time background

In 1935, Schrödinger formulated his famous ‘cat paradox’Pauli: Background physics has an archetypal origin and that leads

to a natural science which will work just as well with matter

as with consciousness Pauli accepted that physical values, as much as

archetypes, change in the eyes of the observer. Observation is the result of human consciousness

Some quantum stories (2)

Polkinghorne: The implication of these observations is that the phenomenon of “entanglement” (non-locality) includes a real remote activity, not simply epistemological, but in fact ontological in nature

Polkinghorne (1990): The greater the experience of satisfaction, the more the consciousness of each cell in the body will resonate with the holographic information engraved in the "quantum zero point" (the lowest possible state of energy, in an almost resting, but not quite, situation) of the energy field

So, on the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics, physical processes are, at the most fundamental level, both inherently indeterministic and non-local. The ontology of classical physics is dead. The heart of the problem is the entanglement (or non-separability) of quantum states that gives rise to the measurement problem. This entanglement makes it impossible to assign independent properties to an arbitrary isolated physical system once it has interacted with another system in the past – even though these two systems are no longer interacting. The non-separability characteristic of quantum systems can be seen as an indication of the ‘holistic’ character of such systems.

A quantum interpretation

In the arts: Cara et MurphyIn linguistics: Dalla Chiarra et GiuntiniIn the physical sciences: PauliIn biology: Sheldrake (morphogenetic fields and resonance)In medicine: Chopra, the Ayurveda, but also increasingly in

regular medicine

The Bogdanov Singularity

The «Wall of Planck» (physical limit) = 10-43

3 ‘space’ and 1 ‘time’ dimensionAre space and time so neatly divided ?

(Prigogine; the DVD)Synchronicity in quantumphysicsBogdanov’s (physics and mathematics):

“Avant le big bang”

The Bogdanov Singularity (2)

Beyond the « Wall of Planck » ?Before “the big bang” ?There is a fifth dimension, being

a fourth of space expressed in imaginary time

Time-space really becomes a continuumThat singularity has no classical

movement anymore (“what is”)

Entrainment(Institute of Heart Math; www.heartmath.org)

Physiology of emotionsHow emotions influence cognition,

behavior and healthThe heart is a highly complex system:

a sensory organ, a heart brain (nervous center)

That “heart brain” allows us to learn andtakes decisions independent from the brain’s cerebral cortex

Entrainment (2)

There is a strong interaction through thebody via an electromagnetic field

Rythms should naturally synchronize onthat heart rhythm

The same happens between people (pendulum clocks: Huygens)

Socio-emotional interaction between mother and child

Heart coherence

Research agendaIn search of « synchronicity »

• Can we visualize synchronicity in management• What are the organizing principles and what is precisely

emergence• Emergent concepts in management• « Complex Adaptive Systems » as research tools

Agents, Neural Networks, Learning systems• The contribution of this paradigm for knowledge, learning and

innovation in companies• Another understanding of innovation

Expected contributions

The areas of attention in businessin a quantum world

• Market behavior (the outside world)• Human interaction (the inside world)• Management learning (innovation, knowledge)

In a knowledge society,and that is the big shift that has taken place

A holistic management concept

MechanisticMechanisticmanagementmanagement

approachapproach

SystemicSystemicmanagement management

approachapproach

Beliefs, valuesBeliefs, values& culture& culture

(identity)(identity)

PersonalPersonalDevelopmentDevelopment

(Learner centered)(Learner centered)

•Quantitative approaches•Control/performance•Management by objectives•Models•Financial orientation•Short term efficiency•Production management

•Dynamic system behavior•Management in complexity•Management in diversity•Knowledge management•Community of practices•Ecological management•Ethics in management•Social corporate responsibility•Sustainable development•The networked economy•Emergence, innovation…

•Historic legitimacy•Diversity•Sociology•Humanism•Relativism•Complexity •Social responsibility•Long term perspective•Sustainable development

•Personal development•Emotional development•Leadership•Making a difference •Self motivation•Joy•Involvement•Responsibility•Respect

Individual

Collective/Networked

Interior Exterior

Values Holistic performanceAxis 1: Diversity Axis 7: Sustainable development andAxis 2: Complexity social responsibility Personal development Axis 8: Knowledge and learningAxis 3: Personal well beingAxis 4: Leadership and teamworkMechanistic performanceAxis 5: Financial performanceAxis 6: Innovative potential

Cassandra©: a holistic diagnostic for sustainableperformance

• Corporate version• Personal version

Floors of the « house » of knowing

Classical science Noetic science Ayurveda Nature and potential of consciousness Indian « science of life »

1. Mathematics 1. Fractal algebra 1. Matter form

2. Physics 2. Energy physics 2. Ether and astral body

(quantum mechanics)

3. Chemistry 3. Vibrational chemistry 3. Energy level

(quantum mechanics, quarks)

4. Biology 4. Noetic biology 4. Desire (cells as integrated communities control by the organisms perception)

5. Psychology 5. Energy psychology 5. Capacity to think

(perceptions – energy fields) (conceptualization)

6. Intuition,

intelligence

7. Consciousness