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        Knowing and Acting in Conditions of Uncertainty : A Complexity Perspective

        Author
        Griffin, Doug
        Shaw, Patricia
        Stacey, Ralph
        Attention
        2299/8205
        Abstract
        As practitioners working with groups and organizations, we have reflected together on what we think is happening when we find ourselves acting into situations in which the intention motivating the action as its goal is itself emerging in the very action. Along with others, we have been excited by the ideas of self-organization in the natural sciences and also theories of practice, for example, tacit and explicit knowledge, in the social sciences. Together, these promise fresh insights into the potential of organizations. However, we find ourselves diverging significantly from writers who at first sight seem to be using similar ideas, but they do so with an exclusive focus on strategic choice and intention. To illustrate what we mean, we explore the work of Nonaka and Takeuchi and how they use Polanyi's idea of the participant observer. We do this to identify contradictions we see in their approach. We also discuss the implications of an alternative understanding of participation and what this indicates about what can and cannot be managed in the creation of new knowledge.
        Publication date
        1999
        Published in
        Systemic Practice and Action Research
        Published version
        https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022403802302
        Other links
        http://hdl.handle.net/2299/8205
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