Socio-Economic Systems as Complex Adaptive Systems

This chapter provides an introduction to the theoretical lenses and methodological framework applied consistently throughout the practical examples included in the book, centred around the key concepts of resources and agents, and modelling and simulation of their interactions. This approach is supported by the resource-dependence theory and resource-based theory, the behavioural decision theory and the anticipatory systems theory, and by qualitative and quantitative system dynamics and agent-based modelling and simulation apparatus. Also, the chapter highlights the key complex adaptive features of the socioeconomic systems and gives an overview of their characteristics within the context of important spheres of society like healthcare and pharmaceuticals, financial markets, art, culture and sociology, public education and social networks.