A633.3.3.RB - Complex Adaptive Systems

Find a company which reflects Morning Star and St Luke’s image of a Complex Adaptive System (CAS) and reflect in your blog what the implications are for you and your present organization (or any organization you are familiar with). Identify what you believe are appropriate actions to move your organization forward.

One company I have found that is similar to Morning Star and St. Luke’s is the supermarket Publix. The grocery store puts the customer first and according to History (n.d) has the largest collective shareholders; because of their practices they are ranked the number one supermarket and in the top 100 for Fortune’s best companies to work for. I do not think there will be an exact company like Moring Star and St. Luke’s but other large corporations have found similar ways to run the business where each employee is part of the business rather than a machine. Hamel (2011) stated that Morning Star’s goal is to create a company which all team members will be self-managing professionals, initiating communications and the coordination of their activities with fellow colleagues, customers, suppliers, and fellow industry participants. Furthermore, (2011) stated that everyone should be empowered and allowing each person the tools and equipment needed to do their job.

            The foundation of Publix was built on History (n.d.) investing in others, giving back, preparing for an opportunity, respecting the dignity of the individual, and treating customers like royalty. Investing in others History (n.d) stated is about making connections, building relationships, and working with others. The three different companies share similar values in order to function outside normal business practices by not having a person at the top and all people follow orders in order to be successful. The three companies share the work, values, and ethics with every employee. However, none of the three companies have said it was easy and it is not for all business but each other them adapted to complex and unique situations in order survive as successful businesses.

            The extreme complex systems the three companies practice will not work for the business I work for because of the nature of the job. I work in a University and self-reliant, individual accountability, and a lack management environment would prove to be difficult and not in the best interest of the University because structure is needed to work with the vast levels of leadership.

Coutu, D. L. (2000). Creating the most frightening company on earth. Harvard Business Review.

Hamel, G. (2011). The Big Idea First, Let's Fire all the Managers. Harvard Business Review. 

History. (n.d.). Retrieved May 13, 2016, from Publix website: http://corporate.publix.com/ 

     about-publix/culture/history