This book examines volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA) and addresses the need for broader knowledge and application of new concepts and frameworks to deal with unpredictable and rapid changing situations. The premises of VUCA can shape all aspects of an organization. To cover all areas, the book is divided into six sections. Section 1 acts as an introduction to VUCA and complexity. It reviews ways to manage complexity, while providing examples for tools and approaches that can be applied. The main focus of Section 2 is on leadership, strategy and planning. The chapters in this section create new approaches to handle VUCA environments pertaining to these areas including using the Tetralemma logics, tools from systemic structural constellation (SySt) approach of psychotherapy and organizational development, to provide new ideas for the management of large strategic programs in organizations. Section 3 considers how marketing and sales are affected by VUCA, from social media’s influence to customer value management. Operations and cost management are highlighted in Section 4. This section covers VUCA challenges within global supply chains and decision-oriented controlling. In Section 5 organizational structure and process management are showcased, while Section 6 is dedicated to addressing the effects of VUCA in IT, technology and data management. The VUCA forces present businesses with the need to move from linear modes of thought to problem solving with synthetic and simultaneous thinking. This book should help to provide some starting points and ideas to deal with the next era. It should not be understood as the end of the road, but as the beginning of a journey exploring and developing new concepts for a new way of management.

This book discusses the concepts of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) that are the core of various paradigms used in strategic management to understand competitive advantage as well as flexibility in organizational boundaries. It serves as a valuable reference resource in the area of VUCA markets. An increase in the levels and types of uncertainty has important implications potentially for the durability of a company’s advantages, the way firms learn and adapt, approaches for managing innovation and knowledge, and the attractiveness of different strategies and organizational models. In today’s world, strategic flexibility in VUCA is essential for business leaders to sustain market advantage and attain a clear vision amid the chaos. Business leaders who stay focused and are aware of external volatility as the prevalent characteristic are successful, while those who are not flexible in this VUCA world and lock themselves into fixed positions lose out. The book includes empirical and conceptual research papers along with case studies and models discussing strategies for emerging markets in volatile and uncertain environments. It also covers a variety of issues, including innovation, people and processes, financial management, and leadership and strategies in VUCA markets. Apart from research fraternity and academia, the contents of the book will be useful for practitioners as well as industry watchers.

This volume contains 27 papers in all. The papers included in this volume provide various facets of the management perspectives in the field of human resources, corporate governance, sustainability, entrepreneurship and gig economy, among others. Admittedly, in a multi-author book such as this, a divergence of topics and issues as well as views on a given topic or issue is inevitable. The book encompasses in its fold a wide range of business and policy issues in the Indian setup. Further, in view of the fact that the various papers included in the present volume are authored by researchers with diverse interests and backgrounds, it is not surprising that each paper may look unique even in terms of its structure of presentation, too. In such a situation, the editor’s dilemma should not be difficult to imagine for the reader. As editors of this volume, therefore, we deliberately preferred to keep the author’s style, arguments or conclusions, intact. In more precise terms, the papers included in this volume are largely in their original form and content. Although we, not being completely oblivious of our editorial responsibilities, have attempted some cosmetic aesthetics here and there in respect of some papers.

Marketing by Contingency in the Time of Covid-19: Overcoming Business Crises and Meeting Marketing Challenges provides conceptual and empirical evidence from a marketing and business perspective about how firms and nonprofit organizations in developing countries have coped with the Covid-19 pandemic. The Covid-19 pandemic became not only a health threat but also a business threat and challenge. This book analyzes successful—and failed—marketing strategies that have been implemented by renowned and emerging firms and nonprofit organizations in reaction to the unprecedented market situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Using case studies, the chapters identify the elements that were critical for strengthening a product or company’s brand value, consumer satisfaction, and loyalty during this time of crisis and uncertainty. The information and experiences shared here show how organizations learned to be resilient and reacted to challenging market situations using creativity and innovation to present consumers with prompt solutions to cover their most basic needs. Topics cover brand engagement, influencer marketing, building consumer trust, navigating restrictive conditions using analytics and predictive modeling, internal marketing, and more. Key features: Presents and assesses strategies to react to business challenges—both economic and social Provides conceptual and empirical evidence on how to deliver value to consumers in times of uncertainty Shows the reality faced by businesses and nonprofit organizations when a crisis emerges Evaluates the critical role of social media and e-commerce as strategic resources to help business and nonprofit organizations survive—and even grow—during a crisis Examines the role of internal marketing during a pandemic The successes and failures of the marketing strategies discussed in this volume will aid professors and students, business leaders, marketing professionals, public relations professionals, and others in identifying the processes needed to overcome business and social troubles during periods of crisis.

Specialists from different disciplines and continents to provide answers discuss organizational justice, sustainable HR, machine learning, and more, providing future roadmaps to minimise disruption during occurrences like the COVID-19-related worldwide catastrophe and the ramifications for managers and policymakers.

In today's rapidly evolving world, traditional management approaches often fail to address the complexities of modern challenges. Decision-makers frequently encounter unpredictable environments where Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity (VUCA) reign; this poses a significant obstacle to achieving sustainable outcomes and can lead to ineffective decision-making. By presenting cutting-edge research and theoretical frameworks, Chaos, Complexity, and Sustainability in Management equips seasoned professionals, researchers, and students with the tools to navigate the complexities of adaptive systems and make informed decisions in a VUCA world. It delves into decision-making in strenuous environments, systems thinking, and sustainable management practices, providing practical insights and strategies for addressing these challenges. Through a comprehensive exploration of these concepts, readers will understand how to thrive in turbulent times.