Revisiting the complex adaptive systems paradigm: Leading perspectives for researching operations and supply chain management issues

Abstract This paper presents a conceptual model for a renewed consideration of the complex adaptive systems (CAS) perspective in operations and supply chain management research. A literature review identifies the approaches taken in published research to examine issues such as complexity, adaptation, and emergent behavior. We present a revised conceptual framework that offers directions for embracing key tenets from CAS research so as to gain deeper insights into pertinent issues within the field. We introduce the articles that are part of this special issue and highlight how these articles relate to the conceptual framework proposed in the paper. We also propose some methodological directions that can help in undertaking rigorous investigations of some important aspects that have theoretical and managerial significance.