Increasing complexity challenges strategic management

– In strategic management, it is essential to acknowledge the growth of complexity and understand how to influence complexity and its components in a way that aligns with the organisation's operations, says Sami Tikkanen, who will defend his doctoral dissertation at the University of Vaasa on 22 November. 

Based on the findings of the dissertation, managing complexity involves reducing uncertainties related in operations, managing organisational interconnectedness and interdependencies, and creating favourable conditions for self-organisation and emergence. Emergence refers to the appearance of new solutions in everyday activities as a result of interaction. 

– In practice, uncertainty within an organisation can be reduced by, for example, having a wide-ranging and diverse internal and external discussion on changes in the operating environment, says Tikkanen. 

– Interdependence can be strengthened by setting common goals across units and by establishing partnerships with key stakeholders. Self-organisation and emergence can be encouraged by cultivating a self-directed culture and promoting experimentation. 

Managing complexity requires many changes

According to the research findings, managing complexity from a strategic management perspective requires changes in organisational structure, processes, communication, leadership, and culture. 

In strategic management, complexity management is enhanced by predicting changes in the environment, creating meaningful objectives, continuously renewing strategy, promoting experimentation and learning, coaching and shared leadership, using team and project organisations, developing adaptability, change management, and strategically important capabilities. 

In his doctoral dissertation, Sami Tikkanen examined strategic management in the context of joint municipal authorities in education. He used a mixed-methods approach and explored how complexity management was identified in practice in these organisations. The study was carried out in cooperation with the Finnish Association of Local and Regional Authorities and involved a total of 27 joint authorities of education across Finland. 

The dissertation identified strategic management approaches and frameworks that can partially address the challenges of complexity. The findings of the dissertation can be used both in future academic research and, for example, in the development of strategic management in joint authorities in education and other public sector organisations.

Doctoral dissertation

Tikkanen, Sami (2024) Strateginen johtaminen kompleksisuuden hallinnassa – Tarkastelussa koulutuskuntayhtymät. Acta Wasaensia 540. Doctoral dissertation. Vaasan yliopisto / University of Vaasa.

Publication pdf: https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-395-158-7

Public defence

The public examination of MBA Sami Tikkanen’s doctoral dissertation”Strateginen johtaminen kompleksisuuden hallinnassa – tarkastelussa koulutuskuntayhtymät” will be held on Friday 22 November 2024 at 12 at the University of Vaasa, auditorium Nissi.

It is possible to participate in the defence also online (Zoom, password: 436633)

Associate Professor, Docent Elias Pekkola (Tampere University) will act as the opponent and Senior Researcher Paula Rossi as the custos. The defence will be held in Finnish.