Adaptation

Some complex systems, in addition to the previous properties, have also property of adaptation. Complex Adaptive Systems are self-organizing systems which learn to adapt to changes in circumstances. They are pattern seekers which interact with their environment, learn from their experience, and then adapt; they do not respond passively to events. In other words, they can anticipate the future by learning from past patterns in time.
For being adaptive, some of the agents of the complex systems must have the property of agency (the ability to act according to certain values, rules or norms (schemata) and interact meaningfully in the course of events). Agents react to changes in their environment simultaneously as they create their local surroundings.

In context of LTH, its agents (like researchers, students, staffs, and other stakeholders) should also learn the schemata of the faculty membership. Although the agents should have optimal freedom to self-organize and think out of the box, they should also harmonize them by the schemata (values, norms, and strategies) of LTH. On the other hand, LTH must also harmonize its schemata by changing needs of its agents.

Supply chains are also Complex Adaptive Systems as they have some components with characteristics of agency (like intelligent- resources (humans, machineries) and goods). The agents have also schemata (norms, values, beliefs, and assumptions that are shared among whole of the system) and are in connection (interrelationships) with other agents. Existing rules, regulations, and schemata help the agents to act more predictably and cybernetically. However, giving more freedom and higher degree of autonomy to the agents increases the probability of the emergence of innovative properties. Supply chains redesign and restructure their strategies and operations, respectively by learning from emerging patterns of trends, technologies, and supporting infrastructure.
The first lesson for governing sustainable supply chains is to increase its agency characteristics. The agents can intelligently process and analyze the information and learn from the events without a controller. The second lesson is to define simple top-down sustainability oriented schemata (regulations, rules, policies, and norms) while letting the bottom-up innovative self-organized and adapted schemata emerge also. For example, freight transport and distribution must have the flexibility to self-organize themself while transferring and adapting supply chains sustainability schemata. Another lesson is to consider the different requirements of different industries and markets in the regulations. In other words, one shoe does not fit all; i.e. one regulation or standard cannot be suitable for different types of industries or markets.

Last but not least do not forget that adaptation takes time! Although innovation can be radical, adaptation of new technologies as well as change of behavior are just incremental.