The Tennenbaum Institute Seminar Series:

Models of Complex Enterprise Systems*

Presented by William B. Rouse, PhD
Executive Director and Professor, Tennenbaum Institute

This seminar reports on an ongoing comparative study of network models of complex enterprises. The focus is on enterprises composed of a large number of organizations, often represented as a hierarchy of networks that relate people to processes, organizations, and broader social and economic structures and forces. We consider the roles that information and incentives play in such complex hierarchical networks. These networks are elaborated in terms of four characteristics: transformations, flows, controls, and social/organizational relationships. A model hierarchy is presented that relates these four characteristics to phenomena, representations, micro-models, macro-models, and modeling tools. Examples of global manufacturing and health care delivery are woven through these discussions of alternative representations and models. We conclude by providing a structured comparison of these two domains.

*Joint work with Leon McGinnis, Rahul Basole, Doug Bodner and Bill Kessler.  Originally presented at the Second International MIT Symposium on Engineering Systems.

The seminar series is an by-invitation-only event. The goal of the seminar series is to present examples of Georgia Tech’s multi-disciplinary research relevant to enterprise transformation. If you would like to attend, please contact Marcia Chandler for more information.