Complexity Theory and Al-Qaeda: Examining Complex Leadership

We argue that al-Qaeda is a complex organization that is catalyzed by Complex Leaders (Complex Adaptive Agents). Complex Leaders foster network construction, build interdependence that enables tension, stimulate bottom-up behavior, spark creativity, and foster distributed intelligence. Evidence to support four propositions is provided: (1) emergence is the product of aggregation that is aided by direct leadership; (2) aggregation is powered by autocatalyzation from catalysts (events) and tags (things, particularly leaders); (3) the nature of network coupling determines emergence and fitness; and (4) human capital is maximally enabled within moderately coupled distributed intelligence networks. The evidence supports these propositions. We trace the emergence of Islamic terrorism from the early years of the 20^th century and note its evolution from aggregates to field-aggregates. We observed the role played by direct and indirect leadership activities. We discuss the powerful aggregating function of catalysts and tags, argue that al-Qaeda’s strength derives from its dominantly moderately coupled structure and its distribution of tight and loose structures, and describe how al-Qaeda leadership fostered a distributed intelligence network.

http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/managementfacpub/9/

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	Uhl-Bien, Mary Professor, Howard Hawks Chair in Business Ethics and Leadership Expertise: Business Ethics Leadership Organizational Behavior Management CBA 269 P.O. Box 880491 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE 68588-0491, USA Phone: (402) 472-2314 Fax: (402) 472-5855 mbien2@unl.edu	Uhl-Bien, Mary	Management