Leading complexity thinkers apply biological principles to enterprises: The Biology of Business is a set of essays by ten researchers and practitioners in Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS).

Is knowledge-worker outsourcing to low-cost economies the unavoidable natural evolution of virtual teams?

Europe and the US are running scared of the outsourcing of 'knowledge work' to places like India and China. Outsourcing of manufacturing is now normal practice. Outsourcing of white-collar work, with its off-shore call-centres and operations centres, has now been happening for the last 5-10 years. A new phase of outsourcing has started - it focuses on those types of 'knowledge work' where there is minimal need for face-to-face customer interaction.

Natures teams are exceptionally good at taking action, co-operating and learning

In this article I will introduce a third overarching principle of Bioteams: Bioteams are exceptionally good at taking action, co-operating and learning. I will then introduce the third triad of supporting action rules (rules 7, 8 and 9).

Supercomputing Online, July 6, reports that virtual research collaboration can now move to a new level where real-world applications can be delivered on an international basis with the establishment of the Worldwide Universities Network (WUNgrid) which distributes computing power from five sites in three countries (US, UK and Norway).

There are 3 types of recognition in nature: Species Recognition, Kin Recognition and Individual Recognition. Bioteams can use Species Recognition to avoid freeloaders, Kin Recognition to build strong work-groups and Individual Recognition to ensure mutual team member co-operation.

Small businesses from many different industries, both traditional and hi-tech, have discovered a new way for them to succeed in the "global economy". It involves collaboration on large proposals, R&D and fulfilment of orders assisted by relatively low cost, virtual collaboration technology.

Virtual entrepreneurs inhabit the hidden spaces in and between enterprises

Virtual teams are not just for corporate projects - there are numerous forms of virtual network, enterprise, community and cluster. One of the most interesting areas for the virtual team is in new enterprise development and entrepreneurship. Bioteams Guest Article by Ray Symmes.

Bioteams are highly connected virtual networks

In this article I will introduce the second overarching principle of Bioteams, “Bioteams are highly connected virtual networks”, and describe the second triad of supporting action rules (rules 4, 5 and 6).

What Goldman Sachs Looks for in Leaders

Workforce.com reports on Goldman Sach's nine leadership principles which is the product of over a year of senior time. Good leadership, the bank says, is built on teamwork and change and grounded in integrity and fairness.