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This paper presents a study of complex society and its relationship to project management. The complex society is characterised by open systems, chaos, self organisation and interdependence. Accelerated change drives instability and chaos following an autocatalytic process. The conventional project management approach assumes a world of order and a predictable environment in which one can set and deliver a clear set of goals in a defined manner. The traditional approach is open to challenge. The author argues that a paradigm shift in project management is essential for it to be relevant and effective in a complex society of this century. Research is needed to further define a fresh understanding of project management and how it that can respond to the challenges of the complex society. This necessitates working globally to advance the field.

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Objective. Peritoneal adhesion (PA) is an abnormal connective tissue that usually occurs between tissues adjacent to damaged organs during processes such as surgery. In this study, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Portulaca oleracea (PO) were investigated against postoperative-induced peritoneal adhesion. Methods. Thirty healthy male Wistar rats ( 220 ± 20   g , 6-8 weeks) were randomly divided into four groups: (1) normal, (2) control (induced peritoneal adhesion), and (3) and (4) PO extracts (induced peritoneal adhesion and received 100 or 300 mg/kg/day of PO extract for seven days). Finally, macroscopic and microscopic examinations were performed using different scoring systems and immunoassays in the peritoneal lavage fluid. Results. We found that the levels of adhesion scores and interleukin- (IL-) 1β, IL-6, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, transforming growth factor- (TGF-) β1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were increased in the control group. However, PO extract (100 and 300 mg/kg) notably reduced inflammatory (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), fibrosis (TGF-β1), angiogenesis (VEGF), and oxidative (MDA) factors, while increased anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, antioxidant factor glutathione (GSH), compared to the control group. Conclusion. Oral administration of PO improved postoperational-induced PA by alleviating the oxidative factors, fibrosis, inflammatory cytokines, angiogenesis biomarkers, and stimulating antioxidative factors. Hence, PO can be considered a potential herbal medicine to manage postoperative PA. However, further clinical studies are required to approve the effectiveness of PO.

This paper examines project-based management as an organizational innovation. Institutional theory and innovation diffusion literature suggest that the drivers for adopting an organizational innovation may differ across organizations, and that the drivers may be linked with the timing of the innovation. A survey questionnaire was used for data collection, and the sample consisted of 111 companies representing a variety of industries. The results of this study identified external pressure and internal complexity as drivers for introducing project-based management. The degree of process change, depth of project-based management adoption, and local success of project-based management introduction as changes caused by adopting project-based management are examined. The study also reveals benefits from introducing project-based management in the form of improvement in project culture, and efficiency improvement.