Advancing new sense-making tools for organizational strategy, this book demonstrates how to deal with asymmetric threats and opportunities. It employs participatory methods and multiple sector strategies to shift strategic thinking into considering disorder complexity and chaos. The contributors examine whether the 'third lens' or ontology of a project (its nature, work and strategic landscape) should influence the two other 'lenses' (our epistemological and methodological choices) that create an understanding of the world we live in. The book also considers the importance of time, in particular spatio-temporal relations that serve as reflection points for sense-making and strategic decision-making, both with respect to the situation in which they take place and as conceptual vehicles for managing multiple times and realities. Written for 21st century strategists, this volume will benefit people and organizations who struggle daily with multiple co-existing ontological, epistemological and methodological discourses.

About the Author
Mika Aaltonen is Head and Chairman of the Board of StraX (the research unit for strategic intelligence and exploration of futures) at Helsinki University of Technology, Finland

Reviews

'This is a must read for planners worldwide. The Third Lens dissects the complex trade-offs between the properties of strategic landscape and time frame at stake to help you to see what you did not see before and to practice possibilities around you.' Michael S. Loescher, Author of Proteus ...Insights from 2020, President, The Copernicus Group Inc., Executive Director, The Copernicus Institute, USA 'Multi-ontology sense-making, with its explicit recognition that there are differing types of system in which different causal assumptions apply offers a radically new way of approaching management in an uncertain world. Mika Aaltonen's book is a vital contribution to this field. I strongly recommend this book.' Dave Snowden, Cognitive Edge Pte Ltd, UK 'There is no doubt that this book will become a cornerstone for multi-ontology sense-making. By reading this book, I realised how powerful such an approach could be.' Patrick L. Hetzel, University Pantheon-Assas, Paris, France 'The book is well-organized, full of essential contexts, and a worthwhile read.' International Journal of Operations & Production Management

Book Information
ISBN 9781138262614
Author Mika Aaltonen
Format Paperback
Page Count 178
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 453g