Here, we cite from a biography of Mao Tsu Tung a specific example. Unsurprisingly therefore, as grown-ups the Chinese continue to view the world through the lens of the Romance of Three Kingdoms. Through the Romance of Three Kingdoms, most Chinese kids grow up hearing about and learning the many case-stories, vignettes, intrigues, tales, schemes, stratagems вЂ“ all set in a period of wars, turbulence and chaos. One possible reason why the Chinese continue to be making sustained enormous leaps is that they are not unfamiliar in living through such environments.

Yet such a world is not altogether removed from the Chinese historical period of the Three Kingdoms. Moreover, even without these threats, our current global economic environment is chaotic, complex, and is intensely competitive. The concurrence of these events is bound to compound the difficulties any society has in coping. As I write this paper precautions are being taken in Singapore to counter the threat of a population wipeout from Avian flu.

Besides human terrorizing, there are impending threats by Mother Nature: вЂTsunamiвЂ™ scale tidal waves, region- wide Pakistan-Kasmir earthquakes and killer viruses. To make good sense of a world where a reigning superpower is seized by phobia is not easy. In this, a first work of its kind, the author explains the relevance of an ancient yet highly popular Chinese romantic saga for modern day, sense-making. The 21st century may be remembered as particularly troubling, terror-izing times: Tsunami, region wide earthquakes, killer viruses, Avian fluвЂ¦ and what else? Given the novelвЂ™s emergence from a particularly chaotic era in Chinese history, their narratives are especially relevant for our times. In this paper we cite the case of Taiwan as an illustration. The most intriguing aspects in the storytelling of Romance of Three Kingdoms lies in their relevance for the Chinese in making sense of what is still happening. Many of these tales, illustrate how the Art of War principles may be applied in a specific organizational context. As such, they are very much akin to edited down versions of Harvard MBA case studies. Indeed, vignettes (despite вЂRomanceвЂ™) are grounded in historical settings. To function as a strategist in China, one has go beyond the MBA and know the novel. He may cite a word, phrase, line, dialogue or an entire episode to justify his intentions, remarks or actions taken in strategy. Moreover many a top businessman from the вЂchopstickвЂ™ culture are able to weave a story from the Romance of Three Kingdoms. For example, whilst in the West a CEO may be said to be вЂTheory XвЂ™ type, a Chinese CEO in referenced to Three Kingdoms may be said to be вЂCao CaoвЂ™. In interpreting global events, a CEO or Chinese leader often takes the novel as a mental schema or a grid. Three Kingdoms acts as a bridge that links the present with the past. Yet to the Chinese, Japanese and Korean CEOs in mastering strategy, Three Kingdoms is indispensable reading. Volume 2 Issue 4 вЂ“ Complexity and Knowledge ManagementДespite the wide, immense and continuous popularity of Romance of Three Kingdoms in China вЂ“ as popular as Art of War by Sun Tzu вЂ“ the work is by far less widely known in the West.Volume 3 Issue 1 вЂ“ What is Complexity Science?.Volume 4 Issue 1-2 вЂ“ Complexity: Stepping Back to Reconsider.Volume 6 Issue 1-2 вЂ“ Relaunch Double Issue.

Volume 7 Issue 1 вЂ“ Complexity and Policy Analysis.Volume 7 Issue 3-4 вЂ“ Complexity and Storytelling.Volume 8 Issue 1 вЂ“ Complexity and Innovation.Volume 8 Issue 4 вЂ“ Complexity & Leadership.Volume 9 Issue 1-2 вЂ“ Complexity Science and Systems Theory.Volume 10 Issue 3 вЂ“ Complexity and Social Entrepreneurship.Volume 10 Issue 4 вЂ“ Complexity and Conflict.Volume 11 Issue 3 вЂ“ Complexity and Environment.

Rise of the three kingdoms