| This dissertation details the development of fractal management theory and its attendant action research model. It describes an exploratory ontological storytelling inquiry conducted in a third order cybernetic system. It builds on more than fifty years of first, second, and third order cybernetic thought, including complexity studies from various fields. Based on the assumption that human systems are complex adaptive systems (CAS), it examines fractal patterns in human interaction as they manifest themselves through storytelling. Eleven nonprofit leaders from Colorado Springs, Colorado were each interviewed twice, once to identify fractal-like patterns in their day-to-day lived experiences within an altruistic network, and a second time to examine the deeper ontological meaning of the topics and patterns discussed. The first set of interviews was conducted in May 2012, a month prior to the Waldo Canyon fire. By chance, the second set of interviews commenced while the city was threatened and introduced the effects of turbulence into the ontic discovery of emergent patterns and exploration of deeper, ontological meaning. Story performances were grouped into eight themes, for which models were developed. These eight models were then tied together, reflecting a common mode of working in the network under study. Finally, a fractal action research model (FARM) was developed, bringing ontological inquiry and pattern-recognition together for use in third order cybernetic systems operating in turbulent conditions. Contributions include identification of ontological themes supporting successful nonprofit work, development of models using multi-level analysis, documentation of storytelling systemicity in a system under stress, discovery and development of fractal management theory, and development of an action research model geared toward third order cybernetic systems experiencing turbulence.;Key words: fractals, complexity, chaos, systemicity, antenarrative, ontology, disaster management, relational introspection, materiality, nonprofit management, cybernetics, emergence, answerability ethics, network, altruistic network, post-Newtonian worldview, levels of analysis. |
