scholarly journals Κοινωνικοτεχνική προσέγγιση για το σχεδιασμό παρεμβάσεων σε συστήματα εργασίας

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Πολυξένη Βασιλακοπούλου
Keyword(s):  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Complex Adaptive

Αντικείμενο της διατριβής είναι ο σχεδιασμός παρεμβάσεων στις διατάξεις εργασίας, δηλαδή, η διαμόρφωση και εφαρμογή αλλαγών στον τρόπο που διατάσσονται άνθρωποι και τεχνολογία για να εκτελούν έργο. Σκοπός είναι η συμβολή στην ανάπτυξη του χώρου της «επιστήμης του σχεδιασμού» με τη σύνθεση στοιχείων που είναι σήμερα γνωστά από τη θεωρία και την πρακτική. Με αυτό το σκοπό, διαμορφώθηκε ένα μεθοδολογικό πλαίσιο που περιλαμβάνει βασικά ζητήματα που θα πρέπει να αντιμετωπίζονται κατά το σχεδιασμό. Το πλαίσιο έχει ως θεωρητικό υπόβαθρο τη Θεωρία Πολύπλοκων Προσαρμοστικών Συστημάτων (Complex Adaptive Systems) και τη Θεωρία Δικτύου Δραστών (Actor Network Theory). Για την ανάπτυξή του μελετήθηκαν σχετικές υφιστάμενες μεθοδολογικές προσεγγίσεις, αναλύθηκαν τρεις πρακτικές περιπτώσεις παρέμβασης, και πραγματοποιήθηκε αντιπαραβολή θεωρίας, μεθόδων και εμπειρικών περιπτώσεων. Η διατριβή υιοθετεί τη συστημική οπτική και τοποθετείται στο χώρο που βρίσκεται στην τομή των επιστημών που μελετούν την Οργάνωση, τις Τεχνολογίες και την Ανθρώπινη Δραστηριότητα και εστιάζει στα Πληροφοριακά Συστήματα (που γίνονται κατανοητά ως σύνολα αλληλεπιδρώντων κοινωνικοτεχνικών στοιχείων). Το θεωρητικό υπόβαθρο που υιοθετήθηκε υποστηρίζει τη συσχέτιση του μικρο- επιπέδου (δηλαδή των δραστηριοτήτων εργασίας) με τα πιο μακρο-επίπεδα (δηλαδή των κοινοτήτων πρακτικής, των οργανισμών, των επιχειρηματικών διατάξεων), και την ερμηνεία των αναδυόμενων συμπεριφορών και της αναπτυσσόμενης δυναμικής. Επιπλέον, προσφέρει μια σειρά από εννοιολογικά εργαλεία που βοηθούν τη μελέτη των αλληλεπιδράσεων μεταξύ ετερογενών στοιχείων που λειτουργούν στο ίδιο επίπεδο: ανθρώπων με διαφορετικές προθέσεις και δυνατότητες, στοιχείων τεχνολογίας με διαφορετικές δυνατότητες αλλά και διαφορετική διάρκεια. Τα βασικά γνωρίσματα των συστημάτων εργασίας που αναδεικνύει η θεωρία (δηλαδή, η επαναληπτική τους φύση, η κατανεμημένη τους διάρθρωση, η εξελικτική τους δυναμική), συσχετίζονται με συγκεκριμένα ζητήματα του σχεδιασμού των παρεμβάσεων (δηλαδή το ζήτημα της εμφώλευσης των παρεμβάσεων, του συντονισμού των σκοπιμοτήτων, και της ρύθμισης της σταθεροποίησης του συστήματος στη νέα κατάσταση), και αποτελούν τη βάση για την ανάπτυξη του προτεινόμενου πλαισίου. Τα συγκεκριμένα θέματα που περιλαμβάνει το πλαίσιο αντιστοιχίζονται με τις βασικές λειτουργίες του σχεδιασμού (ανάπτυξη αντίληψης, διαμόρφωση λύσεων, ένταξη των παρεμβάσεων). Τα θέματα αυτά τιτλοφορούνται: στοιχειοδόμηση, συζεύξεις, θεσμοποίηση, υποδείγματα, συμπράξεις, συνεννόηση, μετασχηματισμοί, γεννητικότητα, αδράνεια. Τα ιδιοσυγκρασιακά χαρακτηριστικά κάθε παρέμβασης συσχετίζονται με τις αποφάσεις/τοποθετήσεις όσων εμπλέκονται στο σχεδιασμό ως προς αυτά τα εννέα θέματα. Το προτεινόμενο πλαίσιο προσανατολίζει το σχεδιασμό και μπορεί να χρησιμοποιείται συμπληρωματικά ως προς τις υφιστάμενες μεθόδους. Η εστίαση της προσοχής στα εννέα θέματα, προτείνεται ως λειτουργικός τρόπος για να αξιοποιηθούν όσα είναι γνωστά από τη θεωρία και τη μέχρι σήμερα εμπειρία, στην πρακτική των παρεμβάσεων μεγάλου εύρους στα συστήματα εργασίας. Η διατριβή συμβάλλει στην ανάπτυξη του σώματος γνώσης που υποστηρίζει το Σχεδιασμό και στην υποστήριξη όσων εμπλέκονται με αυτόν ώστε να εστιάζεται το ενδιαφέρον τους στην ανίχνευση διασυνδέσεων.

A Socio-Technical Interpretation of IT Convergence Services

2009 ◽  
pp. 308-328
Author(s):  
Myeong Ho Lee
Keyword(s):  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Mobile Banking ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Case Study Analysis ◽  
Complex Adaptive ◽  
Actor Networks

The trend toward convergence, initiated by advances in ICT, entails the creation of new value chain networks, made up by partnerships between actors in unrelated industries. Such a process of convergence, however, can create a new dimension of network complexity, precipitating dynamic behavior among actors. In this paper we seek to understand how different actors in value chain networks have co-evolved in practice with the development of convergence services. Interpretative case studies on two different converged services in Korea (mobile banking, and One phone services) are undertaken to examine how different actor network adapted in different ways to shape the overall complexity of the converged service. The case study analysis is innovative in being conducted within a combined framework of Complex Adaptive Systems and Actor Network Theory. This synthesis offers a way to characterize the drivers of co-evolutionary behavior, capturing the translation processes undergone by actor networks.

Teams and Complexity

2013 ◽  
pp. 202-239
Author(s):  
Dimitris N Antoniadis
Keyword(s):  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Complex Adaptive ◽  
Engineering Physics ◽  
Organisation Design

The process of structuring teams in projects is not being implemented, and practitioners have lost confidence in the process. In order to improve the current status, there is a need for a major rethink, one that will enable the structuring of teams/complex adaptive systems. Therefore, using deductions drawn from research results, regarding the implementation of the process and the effects of complexity, a tentative proposal for a Finite Structural approach is made for setting up and testing the structure of teams. This is done by integrating a number of progressive theories not only from the field of organisation design but also from engineering, physics, and psychology, with theories such as social network theory, actor-network theory, finite element analysis, complexity, clustering, and cross functional team behaviours. This chapter presents the above and throws the gauntlet for discussion and improvement of the approach that will enable project managers and others to improve the process of structuring of teams.

Developing a methodology to assess the financial market security based on the actor-network theory

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 2268-2289
Author(s):  
E.A. Loktionova
Keyword(s):  
Financial Market ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Professional Community ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Financial Economic ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Actor Network

Subject. The article addresses problems related to assessing the level of the national financial market security in condition of strengthening the inter-system connections between financial and non-financial sectors of the economy. Objectives. The aim is to develop a methodology to assess the security of the national financial market through the application of the actor-network theory approach to the analysis of occurring processes. Methods. The study rests on methodologies of the actor-network theory and the theory of complex adaptive systems. Results. The study underpins the applicability of the actor-network theory for assessing the financial market security. It highlights the system properties of the financial market that determine the level of its security, i.e. structural complexity, functioning efficiency, sensitivity, and adaptability. It also offers an approach to assessing the security of the financial market. Conclusions. The proposed approach to assessing the security of financial market function will enable to develop priorities of its reform by the market regulator and the professional community, through early identification of risks and threats caused by the increasing role of the financial market in the socio-economic development, and the interpenetration of financial and non-financial economic sectors.

scholarly journals The Development of the Learning Exchange School Clusters in New Zealand: An Actor Network Theory and Complexity Theory analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Arif Ali
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Complexity Theory ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Deep Level ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Inhibiting Factors ◽  
Wide Range

<p>Students and teachers from secondary schools located in remote areas are faced with barriers to educational access not seen in denser population areas. Students have the problem of accessing teachers of specialised subjects and the curriculum options their urban counterparts enjoy. In turn, their teachers have limited opportunities for professional learning and development. Some of the inhibiting factors include small numbers of students and staff, and schools’ inability to offer a wide range of curricula, due to geographical challenges and other barriers. To overcome the barriers, some groups of schools in New Zealand initiated and self-organised a programme known as the Learning Exchange, which is an online collaborative, course-sharing programme. To participate in the programme, a number of the neighbouring schools form a regional virtual cluster and offer online classes to teach each other’s students via video-conference and other ICT settings. Similarly, teachers form online groups to collaborate with and learn from other teachers. The basic strategy behind the programme is to maximise their existing educational resources and thus overcome the barriers.  Since the programme’s inception in 2001-02, around 20 school clusters have been initiated; however as of 2016, only eight of the clusters have developed and become self-sustainable. Others struggled to continue their participation in the programme and have disappeared. Therefore, achieving self-sustainable development remains a challenge for the clusters. This research aimed to address the problem by having three main research questions: How was the Learning Exchange developed? How was the Learning Exchange utilised by some clusters in New Zealand? What were the facilitating and inhibiting factors in the development of self-sustainable school clusters?  This study adopted a qualitative research methodology within an interpretive research paradigm and a case research method. Four school clusters were selected based on a number of criteria. Each of the clusters served as the logical unit of analysis. In-depth interviews were used as the technique for data collection from individuals. Documents and other artefacts were also collected and analysed. Actor-Network Theory (ANT) was used as a theoretical lens for describing and explaining the four separate case findings. In particular, the four phases of Translation from ANT were adopted to describe the findings.  The four case findings, including the inhibiting and facilitating factors, were compared. As a result, a number of key features were concluded as the required conditions or principles for the development of self-sustaining clusters. To extend the research discussion, a complementary lens of Complexity Theory was utilised and some key principles of complex adaptive systems were used in assessing the research outcome and thus establishing further credibility of the ANT-based research findings.  The findings from this research make practical contributions by facilitating a better understanding of the conditions required for the self-sustainability of the Learning Exchange clusters. The lessons drawn from this research are valuable for researchers and practitioners of virtual collaborations operating in a similar context. The main theoretical contribution is the combined use of the ANT and Complexity Theory lenses. The combined lenses facilitated the research to develop further insights with a deep level of conceptualisation and to improve the existing understanding regarding the Learning Exchange clusters’ development and self-sustainability.</p>

scholarly journals The Development of the Learning Exchange School Clusters in New Zealand: An Actor Network Theory and Complexity Theory analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Arif Ali
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Complexity Theory ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Deep Level ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Inhibiting Factors ◽  
Wide Range

<p>Students and teachers from secondary schools located in remote areas are faced with barriers to educational access not seen in denser population areas. Students have the problem of accessing teachers of specialised subjects and the curriculum options their urban counterparts enjoy. In turn, their teachers have limited opportunities for professional learning and development. Some of the inhibiting factors include small numbers of students and staff, and schools’ inability to offer a wide range of curricula, due to geographical challenges and other barriers. To overcome the barriers, some groups of schools in New Zealand initiated and self-organised a programme known as the Learning Exchange, which is an online collaborative, course-sharing programme. To participate in the programme, a number of the neighbouring schools form a regional virtual cluster and offer online classes to teach each other’s students via video-conference and other ICT settings. Similarly, teachers form online groups to collaborate with and learn from other teachers. The basic strategy behind the programme is to maximise their existing educational resources and thus overcome the barriers.  Since the programme’s inception in 2001-02, around 20 school clusters have been initiated; however as of 2016, only eight of the clusters have developed and become self-sustainable. Others struggled to continue their participation in the programme and have disappeared. Therefore, achieving self-sustainable development remains a challenge for the clusters. This research aimed to address the problem by having three main research questions: How was the Learning Exchange developed? How was the Learning Exchange utilised by some clusters in New Zealand? What were the facilitating and inhibiting factors in the development of self-sustainable school clusters?  This study adopted a qualitative research methodology within an interpretive research paradigm and a case research method. Four school clusters were selected based on a number of criteria. Each of the clusters served as the logical unit of analysis. In-depth interviews were used as the technique for data collection from individuals. Documents and other artefacts were also collected and analysed. Actor-Network Theory (ANT) was used as a theoretical lens for describing and explaining the four separate case findings. In particular, the four phases of Translation from ANT were adopted to describe the findings.  The four case findings, including the inhibiting and facilitating factors, were compared. As a result, a number of key features were concluded as the required conditions or principles for the development of self-sustaining clusters. To extend the research discussion, a complementary lens of Complexity Theory was utilised and some key principles of complex adaptive systems were used in assessing the research outcome and thus establishing further credibility of the ANT-based research findings.  The findings from this research make practical contributions by facilitating a better understanding of the conditions required for the self-sustainability of the Learning Exchange clusters. The lessons drawn from this research are valuable for researchers and practitioners of virtual collaborations operating in a similar context. The main theoretical contribution is the combined use of the ANT and Complexity Theory lenses. The combined lenses facilitated the research to develop further insights with a deep level of conceptualisation and to improve the existing understanding regarding the Learning Exchange clusters’ development and self-sustainability.</p>

Complexity and Adaptivity in Supply Networks: Building Supply Network Theory Using a Complex Adaptive Systems Perspective*

2007 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 547-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Surya D. Pathak ◽  
Jamison M. Day ◽  
Anand Nair ◽  
William J. Sawaya ◽  
M. Murat Kristal
Keyword(s):  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Supply Network ◽  
Supply Networks ◽  
Systems Perspective ◽  
Complex Adaptive

Actor-network theory and the evolution of complex adaptive supply networks

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zelinna Pablo ◽  
Kerry London ◽  
Peter S.P. Wong ◽  
Malik Khalfan
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Project Work ◽  
Supply Networks ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovative Technologies ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
Complex Adaptive

Purpose Current understandings of innovation in construction portray it as linear, deterministic phenomena centered around novel objects and technologies deployed in sequentially-organized supply chains. This study aims to develop an enriched understanding of construction innovation as non-linear, socio-material and dynamic phenomena in complex networks by formulating a novel conceptual apparatus of complex adaptive supply networks (CASNs) expanded through actor-network theory (ANT) concepts. Design/methodology/approach This combined CASN/ANT apparatus is mobilized in the context of a qualitative case study involving a housing construction supply network in Australia making use of offsite manufacturing (OSM) techniques. Findings The study shows that innovative technologies such as novel OSM products can play an important though not necessarily deterministic role in the evolution of CASNs. The study also explicates the process by which the enrollment of non-human agents and the resulting CASN evolution are linked: innovative technologies shape human and non-human interactions in ways that redefine task delegation, role definition and schemas that are fundamental to the shape of CASNs. Originality/value Findings provide a compelling empirical basis for arguing that CASNs must be conceptualized as heterogeneous systems and that innovation in construction must be understood as non-linear, socio-material and dynamic, rather than linear and driven by technological determinism. The study also interrogates limiting notions of supply chains and supports the notion of alternative inter-organizational forms to understand construction project work.

STRUCTURING A SUCCESSFUL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROCESS: A CASE STUDY FROM THE PERSPECTIVES OF ACTOR NETWORK THEORY

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huda Ibrahim ◽  
Hasmiah Kasimin
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Technology Transfer ◽  
Transfer Process ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Private Company ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Technology Transfer Process

An effi cient and effective information technology transfer from developed countries to Malaysia is an important issue as a prerequisite to support the ICT needs of the country to become not only a ICT user but also a ICT producer. One of the factors that infl uences successful information technology transfer is managing the process of how technology transfer occurs in one environment. It involves managing interaction between all parties concerned which requires an organized strategy and action toward accomplishing technology transfer objective in an integrated and effective mode. Using a conceptual framework based on the Actor Network Theory (ANT), this paper will analyse a successful information technology transfer process at a private company which is also a supplier of information technology (IT) products to the local market. This framework will explain how the company has come up with a successful technology transfer in a local environment. Our study shows that the company had given interest to its relationships with all the parties involved in the transfer process. The technology transfer programme and the strategy formulated take into account the characteristics of technology and all those involved.  

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