The author describes the predicament of an industry which is coming under increasing pressure in the world market and is seeking new approaches to the challenges arising. Then, by drawing an analogy to the paradigm shift taking place in the natural sciences, he discerns the need for product engineering to similarly cast aside existing deterministic philosophies. Self-similarity, self-organization and dynamics are the principles from which the manufacturing corporation of the future, perceiving its identity as a service enterprise, will draw its models. Constant structural development and the maximum exploitation of staff potential will provide new ways of utilizing one's own strengths to best advantage. This insight creates a long-term perspective for retaining competitiveness in the twenty-first century.

Even though the fractal approach to sustainability and organizational change management is not new, no authors so far seem to have truly attempted to use fractals as a mathematical means to map and measure organizational sustainability. Several sustainability maturity models and change management models and frameworks, concepts and computer generated systems came to the fore during the past two decades. They provided a set of useful tools for managers, academics and students to refer to, or on which to base their own actions and plans. However, one issue remains: most of those models and frameworks share a rather similar linear ‘skeleton’; the main difference between them is the quantitative variety of steps within each phase, stage, and parameter and how in depth each of these is presented. The authors' work addresses a clear gap in the literature and in applied research, as it emphasizes the relevance of using a complex mathematically-based but user-friendly fractal approach. Readers are able to better understand, implement, map and measure change management processes leading to a sustainability-focused mindset. Subsequent chapters guide you through the steps towards creating committed sustainability-based strategies, attitudes, actions and practices across all levels in the broad organizational context. This text is essential reading for students researching business and management and who are interested in the Fractal Sustainability concept.

Language is a dynamic process, the hallmarks of which are self-organisation, self-similarity and chaotic determination. Instead of seeking simple solutions to complex problems, teachers and syllabus designers should be reaching out beyond existing course books and methodologies to embrace the lessons learned by other scientific disciplines. The fractal approach envisages a new paradigm of language based on forms found in nature and indicates a goal-oriented method of developing teaching materials incorporating a holistic view of language acquisition. This book outlines the theory, presents guidelines for implementing it in the classroom and gives practical examples of the fractal approach in action. With this approach, Claypole 'steps away from ELT convention and offers a perspective from a very different world... His contribution to the field is definitely worth reading.' - Evan Frendo

A leading pioneer in the field offers practical applications of this innovative science. Peters describes complex concepts in an easy-to-follow manner for the non-mathematician. He uses fractals, rescaled range analysis and nonlinear dynamical models to explain behavior and understand price movements. These are specific tools employed by chaos scientists to map and measure physical and now, economic phenomena.

Enterprise modeling (EM) has gained substantial popularity both in the academic community and among practitioners. A variety of EM methods, approaches, and tools are developed and offered on the market. In practice they are used for various p- poses such as business strategy development, process restructuring, as well as business and IT architecture alignment and governance. PoEM 2008, the First IFIP WG 8. 1 Working Conference on The Practice of Ent- prise Modeling, took place in Stockholm, Sweden. It is the first conference aiming to establish a dedicated forum where the use of EM in practice is addressed by bringing together researchers, users, and practitioners. The goals of PoEM 2008 were to - velop a better understanding of the practice of EM, to contribute to improved EM practice, as well as to share knowledge and experiences. The theme of PoEM 2008 was EM in different application contexts, e. g. , software development, including agile development, as well as business development, gove- ance, and change.

The world of management is in crisis - the old remedies no longer work and organizations are failing at an increasing rate. Although many talk of 'joined up thinking', few offer practical guidance on how to achieve this in organizations. The Fractal Organization sets down the practical implications of a well tested systemic approach to building organizations that are capable of surviving and flourishing in these turbulent times. "An excellent read…Many organizations fail at the mercy of their own ignorance. The author has done an excellent job in making ‘the science of effective organization’ accessible to management, providing them with a new knowledge to deal with the uncertainties that the markets place upon them." Stephen J. Brewis, Business Architect, British Telecom "...one of the most interesting, thorough and rigorous guides to management that I have ever read, … introduces new insights in every chapter… carries a credibility which acts as a counterbalance to the sometimes difficult message which he conveys which is that a lot of mainstream management practice is at best ineffective and at worst downright destructive. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in management or systems thinking." Penny Marrington, Course Chair, Systems Group, Open University "In my opinion this book manages to present sound academic theory that is relevant and helpful to the practitioner in the business. I experienced several A-HA moments." Pauline Marsh, Strategy Director, CS&S International, BAE SYSTEMS "The insights of the Viable System Model have been open only to a select few for much too long. Hoverstadt has gone furthest in bringing these ideas to a wider audience…Management books have too often been serious but not practical, or practical but not serious. This book is both brilliantly serious and practical, and often entertaining too." Professor Peter Kawalak, Manchester Business School "Integrates mainstream management ideas with the systems ideas underpinning the VSM, and flows and reads well. As a starting point for developing understanding of the VSM in today's world this book improves greatly on all books that have gone before, I would certainly recommend it to colleagues, clients, and students." Dr. Robin Asby, Course Chair, Communication and Systems, Open University

Complex Adaptive Leadership, a Gower bestseller, has been taught in corporate leadership programmes, business schools and universities around the world to high acclaim. In this updated paperback edition, the author argues that leadership is a complex dynamic process and should involve all those engaged in a particular enterprise. Nick Obolensky has practised, researched and taught leadership in the public, private and voluntary sectors, and in this exciting book he brings together his knowledge of theory, his own experience, and the results of 19 years of research involving 2,500 executives in 40 countries around the world.

The most up-to-date view of manufacturing technologies. Written by leading experts from the USA, Europe, and Asia, both handbook and CD-ROM cover a wide range of topics ranging from industrial management and organization to automation and control, from mechanical to electronical technology, and from machine tools to the consumer goods industry. It gives a unique interdisciplinary and global presentation of material and combines, for the first time, theoretical and significant practical results from the last decades of the most important branches of machine building. Its broad coverage appeals to the highly skilled scientific expert as well as the experienced design engineer, and to undergraduate and advanced students.

The globalization of manufacturing is a key development in most industries over the last decade. New technologies like e-commerce, genetic algorithms, and neural networks have to be adapted to the manufacturing environment. This book deals with methods and tools suitable for designing, managing and controlling processes within the supply chain. Virtual Enterprise and Extended Enterprise are the terms which describe the challenges for global production management. The implementation of global production management requires integration of business processes, technical and organizational aspects. The main topics of the papers selected for this book are therefore: Strategic manufacturing issues and design of virtual enterprises; Supply chain management; Performance measurement and management information; Business process engineering; Modeling and simulation; Advanced scheduling approaches and decision support; IT systems to support global production . The book contains case studies as well as reports on research findings. The papers represent a summary of current issues which have been presented at the International Conference on Advances in Production Management Systems (APMS) in September 1999. This event was sponsored by the International Federation of Information Processing (IFIP), and was organized by the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Systems and Design Technology (IPK), Berlin. The authors are leading experts within the international community in the field of production management. Global Production Management is suitable as a reference for researchers and practitioners in global manufacturing, supply chain management, logistics and IT services, and consultants. It can also be used as further reading for advanced courses on management and manufacturing.

Written in a style that is accessible to a wide audience, The Fractal Geometry of Nature inspired popular interest in this emerging field. Mandelbrot's unique style, and rich illustrations will inspire readers of all backgrounds.