Decentralization and heterogeneity in complex adaptive systems

Heterogeneity, Root--nding, and Decentralization

Increasing interest in agent-based systems both in AI (in terms of multiagent systems and distributed arti cial intelligence) and in computational approaches to the social sciences calls for a greater understanding of their computational properties. Often, problems that are di cult for agent-based systems because of issues of coordination or delayed information could be solved using a centraliz...

The Paradox of Intervening in Complex Adaptive Systems; Comment on “Using Complexity and Network Concepts to Inform Healthcare Knowledge Translation”

This commentary addresses two points raised by Kitson and colleagues’ article. First, increasing interest in applying the Complexity Theory lens in healthcare needs further systematic work to create some commonality between concepts used. Second, our need to adopt a better understanding of how these systems organise so we can change the systems overall behaviour, creates a paradox. We seek to m...

decision-making in australia’s healthcare system and insights from complex adaptive systems theory

Complex Adaptive Systems

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Studying Complex Adaptive Systems

Complex adaptive systems (cas) – systems that involve many components that adapt or learn as they interact – are at the heart of important contemporary problems. The study of cas poses unique challenges: Some of our most powerful mathematical tools, particularly methods involving fixed points, attractors, and the like, are of limited help in understanding the development of cas. This paper sugg...