articles
Formal publications
Boulton, J. (2024) The Dao of Complexity: De Gruyter
Boulton, J. (2022) Process complexity, in Complexity, Governance and Networks: Special Edition ‘Complexity and Temporality’ vol 7, no 1
Boulton, J. and R. Preiser (2021) Action research, in The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods for Social-Ecological Systems, eds Biggs, R., De Vos, A., Preiser, R., Clements, H., Maciejewski, K. & Schlüter, M., pp 217-229: Routledge
Boulton, J. (2020) Myanmar: risks and rewards in emerging markets: The Case Centre
Boulton, J. et al (2018) Municipalism in small towns and rural areas, in Fearless Cities
Boulton, J and P. Allen (2015) Complexity perspective Advanced Strategic Management (3rd Edition) ed. Mark Jenkins et al: Palgrave Macmillan
Boulton, J., P. Allen, and C. Bowman. (2015) Embracing Complexity: Oxford University Press
Johnson, S and J Boulton (2013) Impact assessment of financial market development through the lens of complexity theory. A report for FSD Kenya
Boulton, J. (2013) Strategy for a complex world, in The New Strategic Landscape: Innovative Perspectives on Strategy, ed J. Verity: Palgrave Macmillan
Allen, P. and J. Boulton (2011) Complexity and limits to knowledge: the importance of uncertainty, in The Sage Handbook of Complexity and Management, eds. P. Allen, S. Maquire and B. McKelvey: Sage
Boulton, J. (2010) Complexity theory and implications for policy development in Emergence: Complexity and Organisation 12(2): 31-41
Boulton, J. (2010) Why is economics not an evolutionary science?, in Emergence: Complexity and Organisation 12(2)
Boulton, J. and P. Allen (2008) Chance and necessity, diversity and belief UK Systems Society, Oxford
Boulton, J. and P. Allen (2007) Complexity perspective, in Advanced Strategic Management: A Multi-Perspective Approach eds. M. Jenkins and V. Ambrosini: Palgrave Macmillan.
Additional articles
The Dao of Complexity in the Green Spirit journal (2025) This article looks back to some of the people – Jean Hardy, Michael Colebrook and Chris Clarke - who shaped my thinking in the arena of deep ecology and of the potential for re-integrating mystery into science.
The write path (2025) A blog written for De Gruyter as to how the approach to writing the Dao of Complexity (link to page) and the format of the book mirrored its message.
Systems thinking and complex problems in a VUCA world (2019), short article for teaching purposes
Living on the edge: a view through the lens of complexity (2018) Awakening to Earth-Centred Consciousness: Green Spirit
Buddhism, society and the planet (2015) Pathways of Green Wisdom: Discovering Earth-Centred Teachings in Spiritual and Religious Traditions: GreenSpirit
Complexity and architecture (2011): looks at implications of complexity for design
Complexity and the social sciences (2010): published in the newsletter of the IOP Nonlinear Physics and Complexity Group, considers the pitfalls of applying physics theories to the social world
Overview of SAGE Handbook of Complexity and Management (2011): Contains a discussion re the ‘complexities’ of adoption of complexity concepts.
Emergence: Complexity and Organisation Editorial (2010), pp 2-3 considering complexity and climate change policy
Connectedness (2006): A short article asking are we predisposed to be connected?
Impact assessment for field workers: A brief discussion, for Social Action for Health, about how to capture evidence of emerging impact.
Narrative as science, science as narrative: How narrative can capture the minutiae of experience and track path-dependency.
Newtonian paradigm: Why ever do we think the world behaves like a machine?
Review of A Wiser Politics: Review of Jean Hardy’s book which leads into reflections via a complexity perspective.
