Complex socio-technical systems: Characterization and management guidelines

Righi, Angela Weber; Saurin, Tarcísio Abreu

doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2015.02.003

Cited by 66 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Another application of FRAM is to explore the dynamics of interactions and couplings between functions to help cope with complexity in socio‐technical systems (Righi & Saurin, 2015). The results provided in Table 2 indicate that the couplings between the functions were investigated in a number of the analyzed studies (França et al, 2019; Jensen & Aven, 2017; Patriarca & Bergström, 2017; Ragosta et al, 2015).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The functions identified in the analyzed studies are summarized in Table 2 and shown in a Venn diagram in Figure 4. According to the results presented in Figure 4 and Table 2, Another application of FRAM is to explore the dynamics of interactions and couplings between functions to help cope with complexity in socio-technical systems (Righi & Saurin, 2015). The results provided in Table 2 indicate…”

Section: Complexity Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modeling complex socio‐technical systems using the FRAM: A literature review

Salehi

Veitch

Smith

2020

Hum Ftrs & Erg Mfg Svc

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This is a review paper of studies that have employed the functional resonance analysis method (FRAM). FRAM is a relatively new systemic method for modeling and analyzing complex socio-technical systems. This review aims to address the following research questions: (a) Why is FRAM used? (b) To what domains has FRAM been applied? (c) What are the appropriate data collection approaches in practice? (d) What are the deficiencies of FRAM? A review of 52 FRAM-related studies published between 2010 and 2020 revealed that FRAM-based models can be used as a basis for improving safety management, accident/incident investigation, hazard identification/risk management, and complexity management in complex socio-technical systems. The outcomes also showed that healthcare was the most common domain that employed FRAM (31% of the investigated studies). The results of exploring data collection methods indicated a mixed method (interview, focus group, observation) was employed in 52% of the analyzed studies, and the accident investigation report was the most popular approach in aviation-related studies. An investigation of the deficiencies of the FRAM showed that it should be upgraded by exploiting supplementary methods to enhance its analytical and computational capacity to help risk analysts and safety managers in complex socio-technical systems. K E Y W O R D S accident investigation, complex socio-technical systems, complexity management, functional resonance analysis method (FRAM), hazard identification, safety management 1 | INTRODUCTION 1.1 | Background Complex socio-technical systems consist of some subsystems and subactivities linked in known or unknown ways (Hollnagel, 2012a, 2012b). Examples of socio-technical systems include healthcare, aviation, manufacturing, power industry, and automotive (Soliman & Saurin, 2017). They are inherently complex, nonlinear, uncertain, and dynamic (Jensen & Aven, 2018). Complex relationships between humans and their environments, including technologies and organizations, show that safety is not a linear and straightforward process in such systems (Grant et al., 2018). In the Safety-I perspective, the focus is on reducing adverse outcomes, such as accidents, incidents, and near misses (Hollnagel, 2018). The core idea of the established techniques for analyzing risks and accidents in the Safety-I approach is based on event chains: unexpected outcomes and potential accidents cannot be anticipated by considering event chains or possible

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Complexity Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling complex socio‐technical systems using the FRAM: A literature review

Salehi

Veitch

Smith

2020

Hum Ftrs & Erg Mfg Svc

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The interested readers should also see Righi and Saurin (2015) for an ergonomic perspective of managing complex socio-technical systems.…”

Section: Complexity Decision Making: Ageneral Systems Theory (Gst) Pementioning

confidence: 99%

Complexity Decision Making and General Systems Theory: An Educational Perspective

Yurtseven¹,

Buchanan²

2016

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The aim of this paper is to look at some important educational aspects of complexity decision making in a multidisciplinary manner from the perspective of General Systems Theory (GST). First, the major issues involved in complexity management and decision making are summarized as they are viewed in literature, and a review of GST and Systems Thinking is given. The discussion in the paper is developed within the context of GST in general, but concentrated on decision making in the three trends of GST: Operations Research, Cybernetics, and Managerial Cybernetics. Here, the role of Cybernetics in complexity decision making is particularly emphasized. The discussion is then extended to the latest developments in complexity decision making in Science of Complexity and Soft Systems Thinking. The study also includes a framework which is expected to guide instructors who are planning to offer contemporary courses on decision making. The framework provides some clues for assessing the level of complexity for a given situation and selecting the appropriate methodology for solution development.

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“…Slack can also be defined as a cushion of current or potential resources that enable an organization to successfully adapt to internal or external pressures (Bourgeois, 1981). Righi and Saurin (2015) suggest that slack is an asset for resilience in complex systems, as it provides resources for performance adjustment and the maintenance of the system´s core functions during both expected and unexpected situations. Fryer (2004) suggests that a cushion of resources does not necessarily mean extra or idle resources, because it may contain existing and strictly necessary resources that can be reallocated and used in different ways.…”

Section: Background What Is Slack?mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Slack in Standardized Work in Construction: An Exploratory Study

Fireman¹,

Saurin²,

Formoso³

2018

26th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction

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Standardized work (SW) is a type of action-oriented procedure that sets a basis for continuous improvement in the Toyota Production System. However, the usefulness and applicability of this practice to construction is still unclear. Furthermore, while some studies have addressed the key elements of SW, the role played by the concept of slack as a fundamental element of operations design is rarely discussed in an explicit way. This is a drawback since slack resources allow for the system to cope with variability from different sources.Considering the context of the construction industry, the aim of this study is to carry out an exploratory investigation of the role played by slack in SW. This analysis is mostly based on a matrix that checks strategies for the deployment of slack resources against sources of variability in construction. Results indicate that SW, in construction, should account for a broader range of slack resources in comparison to what is accounted for in manufacturing. In addition, we propose that slack resources and the corresponding variability sources be explicitly anticipated when designing SW for construction operations.

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Complex socio-technical systems: Characterization and management guidelines

Cited by 66 publications

References 20 publications

Modeling complex socio‐technical systems using the FRAM: A literature review

Modeling complex socio‐technical systems using the FRAM: A literature review

Complexity Decision Making and General Systems Theory: An Educational Perspective

The Role of Slack in Standardized Work in Construction: An Exploratory Study

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