CALL FOR PAPERS:
Social Entrepreneurship, Systems Thinking, & Complexity
Adelphi University
in association with the
Institute for the Study of Coherence and Emergence (ISCE), publishers of the journal
Emergence: Complexity and Organization (E:CO) and
The Plexus Institute
First International Conference on
Social Entrepreneurship, Systems Thinking, & Complexity
April 24-26, 2008
Adelphi University, Garden City, New York (right outside of Manhattan, near JFK
Airport)
The unique and pressing challenges facing both the economic and social
situations of the 21st century are calling for fundamentally new initiatives. The
burgeoning arena of social entrepreneurship is one such example of how
individuals and public and private organizations are forging alliances aiming at
addressing these challenges. As of yet, though, there’s no recognizably useful
theoretical underpinning of the systemic dimension of social entrepreneurship.
Recent advances in the sciences of complex systems, however, hold great promise
for a more thorough understanding and grounding of social entrepreneurship
activities. The need for a complexity-based perspective going beyond current linear
and equilibrium-based models is even noted in the most recent guidelines for
applications for funding in the area of social entrepreneurship programs.
At this conference we will bring together social entrepreneurs with leading
thinkers in complexity theory, systems thinking, social innovation, and leadership
research to explore questions surrounding social entrepreneurship. Attendees of the
conference will gain a better understanding of the state of knowledge in these vital
areas and will leave more energized and engaged in furthering the goals of social
entrepreneurship. The goal of this conference is not only to provide a unique
opportunity to further understanding but also to make a real difference in our
world.
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Selected papers at the conference will be published in a special issue of the
journal Emergence: Complexity and Organization (E:CO) and will also be
included in an edited book to be published in 2008.
Complexity is the study of the dynamics of the diverse linkages and interactions
among people, technology, and systems over time. This dynamic approach
conceptualizes organizational systems as sets of agents (individuals, processes and
mechanisms) that generate novel emergent outcomes out of their interactions.
Social entrepreneurship is increasingly seen as an important component of any
national or global development strategy. Can complexity science in general, and
the growing scholarship within the complex systems community that is exploring
organizational, social, and leadership dynamics in particular, shed additional light
on social entrepreneurship?
Systems thinking explores the systemic dimension of organizations,
communities, states, and transnational entities looking for universal principles of
dynamics, functioning, and enactments.
Social Innovation refers to all the various methods of bringing about innovation
in social systems in the direction of great sustainability, social responsibility, and
the building of communities.
Leadership research studies the nature of a particular type of interaction among
people, an interaction that leads to coherent thinking and coordinated action at the
collective level.
By bringing these five areas together we hope to add new insights into human
interaction systems, including such topics as: the non-linear dynamics of human
systems, the role of individual human agency within larger collectivities, the
creation of sustainable and socially responsible organizations and communities,
and the nature of “leadership events” within the context of emergent social
dynamics.
At this conference we will address this question and others such as: “What is
meant by Social Entrepreneurship within the context of Complex Systems?” “How
are Complex System Dynamics related to Leadership and to Social
Entrepreneurship?” “ What are the implications of Emergence and Adaptation for
Social Entrepreneurship?” “ How can Traditional Top-down, leader-led
Development Programs be coordinated with Emergent Bottom-up Self-organizing
Processes?” “How should Dynamic Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship
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processes be studied?” “Can scholarship in Social Entrepreneurship and Social
Innovation arenas inform research in the Complexity Sciences?”
For this conference, we are interested in papers that take a complexity and
systems approach in an effort to answer these questions at four levels of analysis:
the micro-level of individual interaction; the meso-level of interacting agents,
groups or teams, for example; the organization or program level; and the macrolevel of social and cultural systems of human interaction. Of particular interest are
papers that explore the following questions:
 What do we mean by social entrepreneurship? How does social
entrepreneurship come about in complex systems? How does social
entrepreneurship relate to social change? How can complexity science
inform how social entrepreneurial programs get up and going and succeed?
 What do we mean by social innovation? How does social innovation come
about in complex systems? How does social entrepreneurship relate to social
innovation and change?
 What is the nature and role of institutional and government forces in social
entrepreneurship?.
 What do we mean by leadership in complex systems? How does leadership
influence the dynamics and evolutionary path of complex systems?
 What is the role of individual agency in complex systems? To what extent is
individual agency relevant in a complex systems world view?
Submissions: We invite presentations of social entrepreneurial programs,
theoretical analyses, suggestions for empirical studies, and/or practitioner-based
approaches which are particularly receptive to collaborative efforts that span
different academic disciplines or fields and that introduce new methodologies or
approaches. Three types of submissions are requested: presentations by social
entrepreneurships of current and past programs, academic papers, and proposals
for panels or symposia as follows:
 Extended Abstracts should be a maximum of four pages, single space;
 Drafts of manuscripts should be approximately 30 pages including
references and should be prepared in accordance with E:CO submission
guidelines found at www.emergence.org.
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 Proposals for panels or symposia should be 5 to 10 pages in length and
include the names and backgrounds of presenters as well as the logic for and
content included in the session. In particular, the proposal should clearly
explain how and in what way it will advance the field of either complex
systems theory and systems thinking in relation to social entrepreneurship.
Scholarships: A certain number of scholarships will be available so that we have full
representation from developing countries. These scholarships will cover airfare,
registration fee, and lodging/meals.
Publication Outlets. Outstanding papers will be selected by a board of evaluators to be
considered for a special issue of the peer reviewed journal Emergence: Organization and
Complexity (E:CO) to be published in September of 2008 and additional papers for an
edited volume to be published in book form by the end of the year.
Due Dates:
For consideration, Extended abstracts or drafts of academic papers must be
received by:
February 15, 2008
Proposals for Panels or Symposia are due by:
March 10, 2008
Submission Guidelines: All academic paper submissions will go through a blind review
process. All submissions should be prepared in Word (version 1998 or higher). Submission
of a paper constitutes agreement that if the paper is accepted for presentation at least one
of the authors will register to attend the conference.
Invited Special Guest Speakers: Arrrangements are underway to invite world-renowned speakers
in public policy, economics, complexity, and social entrepreneurship to give plenary sessions.
The organizers of this conference are Dr. Jeffrey Goldstein (goldstei@adelphi.edu) & Dr. James
K. Hazy ( hazy@adelphi.edu )of Adelphi University. Questions about the conference,
expectations, requirements, and the appropriateness of a topic, etc., can be answered by either of
the organizers. An electronic copy of the submission should be sent to Dr. Hazy. Additional
information and guidelines on the Emergence: Complexity and Organization (E:CO) journal
may be obtained by its website: www.emergence.org.
Conference Information: Details about the conference programs and speakers as well as
information on the conference logistics, accommodations, transportation, and extra-program
events in nearby New York City (easily accessible by train), will be provided later. For the latest,
please check for updates on our website at: http://complexityleadership.wikispaces.com/Events .
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