Complexity framework for sustainability: an analysis of five papers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present an examination of the concepts and mechanisms of complexity and learning usability and applicability for management in turbulent environments as well as their examination through the Chaordic system thinking (CST) lenses and framework. Contributing to awareness of how different mechanisms could be interpreted as the complexity mechanisms and learning for sustainability of organizations. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology applied is a secondary analysis of the papers that present concepts, research thesis and case study on applications of the complexity mechanisms and learning for sustainability of organizations. Findings – Complexity and learning, applied through the CST, are enablers of sustainability of organizations. CST mechanisms are proved feasible and acceptable within the organization that seeks sustainability, which is an emerging requirement in nowadays turbulent environments. Practical implications – All findings contribute to further learning and growth in capability for application of the complexity mechanisms and learning towards sustainability in concrete organizations. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the perspective of organizational sustainability through complexity and learning approach. The complexity approach means in the first place that for going towards the sustainability the complexity should be increased, in opposite to the “traditional” management approaches. Additionally, the CST is seen, and validated through the secondary analysis of five papers in this special issue, as a model of complexity for management towards sustainability.