Complexity,+Leadership+&+Social+Entrepreneurship

[[file:call_for_papers - Social Entrepreneurship 11-16-07.pdf]]
in association with the is pleased to announce the:
 * __CALL FOR PAPERS__**
 * Adelphi** **University**
 * Institute for the Study of Coherence and Emergence (ISCE) publishers of the journal**
 * //Emergence: Complexity and Organization (E:CO)//**


 * First International Conference on**


 * Social Entrepreneurship & Complexity**


 * //April 24-26, 2008//**
 * Adelphi** **University, Hagedorn Hall of Enterprise, Garden City, New York USA**

The unique and pressing challenges facing both the domestic and global 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 public and private organizations can forge alliances aiming at addressing these challenges. However, as of yet, there is no recognizably useful //theoretical// underpinning of the systemic dimension of social entrepreneurship which has been developed to aid in its undertaking. Recent advances in the sciences of complex systems hold great promise in for a more thorough understanding and grounding of social entrepreneurship activities. Indeed, the need for a complexity theoretical perspective that goes beyond current linear and equilibrium-based models is noted in the most recent guidelines for applications for funding in the area of social entrepreneurship programs. At this conference we will bring together leading thinkers in complexity theory, social entrepreneurship, social innovation, and leadership research to explore questions surrounding social entrepreneurship from their unique perspectives. 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. This conference provides a unique opportunity to not only further understanding but also to make a difference. 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 sets of agents or individuals, processes and mechanisms that generate novel emergent outcomes out of the interaction of the agents. //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? //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 four 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 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 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 macro-level 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? · 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 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. Two types of submissions are requested: academic papers and proposals for panels or symposia as follows: · Manuscripts should be approximately 30 pages including references and should be prepared in accordance with //E:CO// submission guidelines found at www.emergence.org. · 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 leadership theory or social entrepreneurship as informed by complexity science.


 * __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.__ The best papers from the conference will 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 for a edited volume to be published in book form by the end of the year.**


 * __Due Dates__: //For consideration,// a//cademic 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. Conference fees for presenters will be waived.**

__Invited Special Guest Speakers__: Arrangements 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.