Beschrijving

Dr. Deming used to say that ‘management is prediction,’ by which he meant that every decision is also a prediction about the future. One of the key factors that managers employ in making decisions is their ‘theory of business,’ a thinking framework that is at the same time a philosophy, an approach, and a mental model. Such a theory actually guides and informs all decision making. Leaders, and everyone else as well, employ a theory of business, whether they are aware of it or not. The rate of change continues to increase, and as it does the business environment becomes ever more complex. With increasing complexity comes increasing uncertainty. Amidst this complex and uncertain environment, business still has to accomplish something – by getting work done. There are many ways to get work done, and the theory of business that is employed during these times of uncertainty and rapid change has significant influence on every organization’s capacity. A new and potentially important way of working is emerging that is based on the practice of ‘collaborative co-creation.’ This approach is being successfully applied by many organizations in their attempt to adapt to the ever-changing business climate. In this paper we’ll explore the intersection between the theory of business, complexity, collaborative co-creation, and the process of getting the important work done well.