Michael McMaster self-published "The praxis equation.
Design principles for intelligent organisation." in 1997. online chapters
This text remains one of the best explications of the links between KM,
complexity and autopoiesis
Michael, weaves together learnings from Warfield, Holland, Kauffman, Seely
Brown, Stacey, Valera, Maturana and other leading thinkers. His approach rests
on these important praxis design principles:
Without a starting hypothesis discovering which part of that space of
possibility will offer us our greatest rewards is left to chance.
A focus collects energy and kindred spirits, gives meaning and imparts energy
to any inquiry
We need only to understand how things work - not why they work.
Understanding increases when we observe based on theory and connect inputs to
results
The principle of recombination is to intentionally introduce new elements
(ideas, language, distinctions) into the pool of established ideas of the
existing systems.
Combining existing elements leads to emergence, variety and complexity
In organizations, our building blocks are distinctions, ideas and language.
Create hypotheses and recognize emergent entities
We seldom have the luxury of trying out a carefully planned series of
responses. As a sense of urgency increases, our ability to access general
principles becomes increasingly important.
Organisations need to have fall-back (more general) responses to cope with the
unexpected. When general responses are being applied often it is time to start
new research.
The source of success is often remote from the action that appears to be
producing the success.
Track back and assign due credit to earlier building blocks, this is increase
resilience and innovation.
Michael McMaster points to many core properties of KM: dialog, listening,
periphery, distinctions, the key role of language and identity, the importance
of creating forums, core documents, levels, emergence and metaphor.
Find a copy - read it!
Part of the book is available at http://www.co-i-l.com/coil/knowledge-garden/oi/books/odp/index.shtml
Posted by: Seb | April 25, 2005 at 09:32 AM