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.

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.

The crucial roles of the artificial information systems web in intelligent human organizations

2003 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-124
Author(s):  
Liang Thow Yick
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Collective Intelligence ◽  
Physical Structure ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Intelligent Structure ◽  
Complex Adaptive ◽  
Human Thinking

Human organizations with human beings as interacting agents are complex adaptive systems. Such organizations continuously consume information, make decisions, and evolve with the changing environment. In this respect, all human organizations including businesses must enhance their collective intelligence in order to learn faster and compete more effectively. Thus, adopting an intelligent structure is vital to all businesses as the world moves deeper into the knowledge economy. The paradigmatic shift in thinking, structure, management and operation requires all intelligent human organizations to be designed around intelligence. An intelligent structure encompasses an orgmind, an intangible deep component, as well as a physical component. At the physical structure perspective, being able to identify, design and develop an artificial information systems network that synchronizes well with the orgmind is critical. The connectivity of the organization, and the manner in which it behaves, communicates and collaborates, depend on the effectiveness of its information systems network and its orgmind. The orgmind which is at least the collection of all the interacting human thinking systems must be fully aware of both the internal and external environments. Inevitably, in the new economy, intelligent human organizations must be equipped with a well-integrated intelligent information network which functions similarly to the nervous system in biological beings. This study examines the current status of artificial information systems and their networks in businesses with respect to the above concepts.

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.

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

Disaster resilience and complex adaptive systems theory

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christo Coetzee ◽  
Dewald Van Niekerk ◽  
Emmanuel Raju
Keyword(s):  
Systems Theory ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Disaster Resilience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Complex Adaptive ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems Theory ◽  
Application Of Cas

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the emergence of resilience into the contemporary discourse of disaster risk. As a counter position to the current status quo in defining and addressing resilience, this paper introduces the theoretical lens of complex adaptive systems theory (CAS). Some of the key characterisitcs related to CAS are discussed and linkages are made to possible benefit that they might have in enhancing the understanding of disaster resilience. Design/methodology/approach – An indepth review of literature pertaining to disaster resilience and CAS was conducted to find common grounds for theoretical synergies. Findings – The inherent similarities between the concept of resilience and CAS provides ample practical and theoretical contributions to the field of disaster risk studies. Originality/value – The paper provides a different perspective to the contemporary discourse on disaster resilience. A better understanding of disaster resilience and its underlying dynamics as illuminated by the application of CAS could in future provide an effective tool to manage disaster risks and building of resilience.

scholarly journals Reducing Risks in Energy Innovation Projects: Complexity Theory Perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 2968 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marko Mihić ◽  
Zorica Dodevska ◽  
Marija Todorović ◽  
Vladimir Obradović ◽  
Dejan Petrović
Keyword(s):  
Complexity Theory ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Innovation Projects ◽  
Complex Adaptive ◽  
Energy Innovation ◽  
Additional Value

The aim of this paper is to contribute to existing work on project risk management, and energy innovation projects, using the lens of complexity theory. By regarding energy innovation projects as complex adaptive systems, and linking complexity theory elements to the possibilities for reducing risks of energy innovation projects, the authors conducted empirical research on a representative sample of 100 subjects. The authors used a questionnaire that was formed on the basis of a previously designed research model, which unifies several different management fields, and a large number of phenomena previously studied independently. Therefore, it has a holistic approach to the topic. The results of this research suggest that considering the elements of complexity theory had a positive impact on reducing risks in energy innovation projects, in all analyzed aspects including specific, operational, and especially regarding social and behavioral aspects. This paper strives to support and encourage better results in energy innovation projects by reducing their risks, and hopes to bring additional value by introducing a new risk philosophy, based on complexity theory. Lessons learnt regarding each issue of this research are points of concern for project managers.

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>

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