Blog: What is a “Complex” business environment? Written by Berlin Asonganyi Sunday 30 January 2011 Share Share to LinkedIn Share to Facebook Share via email What is a "Complex" business environment? You read and hear; organisations nowadays operate in a "complex environment". But what exactly is a "complex" business environment has recently challenged my own knowledge. Yet—complex business environment—is a phrase we used daily. I ran a search query of the phrase on the databases of emerald insight, EBSCOhost and even Google. Of the hundreds of research papers and corporate reports/articles I read, a near 99% carried no meaning of "complex" environment. The very few that operationalised the concept, define a complex business environment as one besieged with unpredictable changes or an environment which is dynamic. Yet, I'm far from being satisfied with such definitional constructs. For, unpredictability and dynamism do not translate to complexity. Likewise, unpredictable and shifting occurrences do not amount to a complex business environment. Resolving this query, I turned to the dictionary for the meaning of "complexity": interconnected parts; or difficult to analyse, understand or explain. Therefore, suggesting anything that defies analysis, understanding or explanation amounts to complexity. Should I adhere to the above-construct of complexity, then environmental complexity isn't a new phenomenon. Surely, centuries ago, organisations and their managers witnessed situations that defied understanding and explanation. Yet throughout the second half of the 20th century, and especially in the 21st century, corporate executives and academics have presented business environmental complexity as a novel phenomenon. Maybe, today's environmental complexity surpasses yesterday's. Yet again, does the absence of explanation and understanding make the business environment complex? Like this article? Why not share it. Share to LinkedIn Share to Facebook Share via email You might also like these posts on this topic: Topic: “Management was a natural extension of my love of science” Steff Gaulter CMgr MCMI, shares how moving into management felt like an extension of her passion for weather presenting Read article Article Topic: Highlights – 25 June Living with the David Brent effect, solving the UK’s productivity gap – and other pressing management issues Read article Article Topic: Managing Failure How the Value-Cost Model solves the corporate existential crisis Dr Michael Wynn-Williams introduces the Value-Cost Model, which helps to set out a company’s future trajectory Read article Article Topic: Leaders: what’s your main job when it comes to sustainability? Is it more important for managers to set a sustainability vision or to empower their teams to act? Here’s what you told us… Read article Article Browse all posts Don’t miss out - get notified of new content Sign-up to become a Friend of CMI to recieve our free newsletter for a regular round-up of our latest insight and guidance. CMI members always see more. For the widest selection of content, including CPD tools and multimedia resources, check out how to get involved with CMI membership. Newsletter More ways to get involved Blog This is a space for people to stay up-to-date with all the latest knowledge, opinions and commentary on management and leadership topics from some industry leaders. Members See More CMI Members have access to thousands of online learning and CPD resources. Learn more about our membership benefits Join The Community CMI offers a variety of flexible membership solutions, tailored to your needs. Find out more and get involved in the CMI community today.