Complexity theory is the scientific theory of change and transformation of complex systems. A complexity theory perspective reflects why, what, and how changes in a complex system and its surrounding environments occur and co-influence each other; the openness of the system and its boundaries; learning as well as innovative capacities of the system in time, and considers the nonlinear dynamics of system's interrelationships/ interconnections and existing paradoxes. Without such a perspective, management of agents of complex systems becomes completely regulatory, completely objectivist, hierarchical, linear, reductionist, and positivist.
A complexity theory perspective can be beneficial in studying the packet of
strategies and activities for sustainable transition/ development/
evolution of supply chains and LTH. In context of supply chains, this perspective can enable us to:
· Take a more holistic view on different strategies and activities and then selecting those which are most appropriate for each type of supply chains
· Analyze antagonistic effects of strategies and activities on each other and recognize conflicts of a paradoxical character existing in supply chains
· Analyze the changes influenced by/influencing the strategies and activities
· Avoid too much simplification of the systems; i.e. run them at the edge of chaos where enough diversity and freedom, among the sub-systems, for sake of self-organization is appreciated. This can lead to evolutionary sustainability and innovation if conducted with an appropriate organizational culture
· Design and re-design the transition paths for each type of supply chains. Differences among different industries have led to different supply chains network structures, services, and logistical flows among them. In addition, supply chains are influenced by different types of natural and human resources as well as social context in which they operate. Supply chains may even nonlinearly develop vertically and/or horizontally at different stages of time. As a result, the transition path towards sustainability might be different for different supply chains or even for one supply chain in different periods of time.
